HR 1748: House Study Committee on Local Governmental Professional Contracting; create

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• 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.

1. 2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-03-20House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-19House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-18House Hopper (House)

• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)Primary sponsor
• Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-015)
• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)

• government contracting
• local government
• architecture and design
• legislative study committees