Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HR 1748: House Study Committee on Local Governmental Professional Contracting; create
Last action March 25, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
A Georgia House resolution would create a five-member study committee to examine how local governments hire architects and design teams for construction projects, with a report due by December 1, 2026.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
This resolution sets up the House Study Committee on Local Governmental Professional Contracting. The preamble notes that governments must hire design teams for construction projects, that these teams have considerable freedom in how they approach design work, and that lawmakers want to balance builders' and designers' interests through clearer architectural and design documentation. The committee would have five House members appointed by the Speaker, one serving as chairperson. It can meet as needed, study issues related to local government contracting for design professionals, and recommend legislation. Members get standard legislative per diem and travel allowances for up to four meeting days unless more are approved, funded through the House's budget. The committee must file any approved findings or a copy of its meeting minutes before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.
What the bill does
- Creates a temporary House study committee of five representatives, appointed by the Speaker, to examine local government contracting with design professionals.
- Directs the committee to study issues around professional design contracts and recommend any legislation it finds necessary.
- Sets member pay and travel reimbursement under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at four meeting days unless additional days are approved.
- Requires a report or, if none is approved, meeting minutes to be filed with the Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
- Automatically abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.
Who it affects
House members appointed to the committee, local governments that hire architects and design firms for construction projects, and design professionals such as architects and engineers who work on publicly funded buildings in Georgia.
Why it matters
The resolution itself makes no changes to contracting law; it only sets up a group of lawmakers to study the issue and possibly propose legislation later. Any real effect on how local governments hire design teams would depend on what the committee recommends and whether the General Assembly later acts on it.
Key provisions
- Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Local Governmental Professional Contracting.
- Paragraph (2) sets membership at five House members appointed by the Speaker, with one designated chairperson.
- Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying local government professional design contracting and recommending legislation.
- Paragraph (5) sets per diem and expense allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to four days unless extended, funded from House appropriations.
- Paragraph (6) requires filing an approved report or, absent one, meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
- Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.
From the bill
“There is created the House Study Committee on Local Governmental Professional Contracting.”
“The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.”
Discussed in meetings (5)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Special Rules Committee, March 23, 2026 (part 1)
From 0:42:11 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute for HR 1748 to study government contracting with design firms, architects and engineers. The sponsor said the central concern was whether firms paid to produce complete designs were shifting some design work to construction contractors. Asked whether this was an existing problem, the sponsor said it had occurred in the sponsor's district. Another committee member asked whether the study would examine costs and potential savings. The sponsor said it could consider contractor selection and costs, but emphasized whether governments received the full design services they purchased. Explaining the substitute, the sponsor said it moved the focus away from the selection process and toward delivery of a complete design. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote and sent it to Rules.
House Rules Committee, April 2, 2026
From 0:27:39 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor requested consideration of HR 1748, describing a study committee to examine how design professionals are engaged for work involving public funds. No substantive questions or further action were shown.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)
- Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
- Matthew Gambill (R, HD-15)
- Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)
- Chris Erwin (R, HD-32)
Topics
- government contracting
- local government
- architecture and design
- legislative study committees