AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.

School construction and design planning in Utah would change under this bill, which originally required school districts to automatically own building designs created with public funds when hiring architects or engineers; a substitute version changed this so ownership becomes optional, allowing districts to negotiate for ownership and intellectual property rights in their contracts rather than requiring it automatically. Under the current version, the State Board of Education would create and maintain a public library of pre-approved school building designs by January 1, 2028, covering elementary, middle, high, and multi-level schools, with up to three standard options per school type based on size and program needs. School districts and charter schools could choose a design from the library, adapt one to local conditions, or develop an original design; any district that completes a new design must submit it to the library so other schools can use it at no cost. The bill also requires competitive bidding that considers cost when hiring architects and engineers, mandates long-term cost analysis covering energy use, maintenance, and materials in design contracts, allows design-build as a project delivery method, and requires public reporting of detailed construction costs — including cost per square foot and change orders — for any school project over $1 million.