AB 284 — Relating to: enumeration of projects in the Authorized State Building Program, modifications to building program project budgets, selection of project architects and engineers, single prime contracting, agency cooperation with energy conservation contractors, timeline for claims before the Claims Board, and making a transfer to the state building trust fund. (FE)

Summary

An Act to renumber and amend 775.01; to amend 13.48 (4), 16.867 (2) and 20.924 (1) (a); to create 13.48 (19) (am), 16.007 (2m), 16.40 (20b), 16.855 (3m), 16.858 (3m), 16.899 and 775.01 (2) of the statutes;

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies existing laws related to state building programs, project budgets, claims processing, and contractor selection.

• Wis. Stat. § 775.01

  Except as provided in sub. (2), upon the refusal of the legislature to allow a claim against the state, the claimant may commence an action against the state by service as provided in s. 801.11 (3) and by filing with the clerk of court a bond, not exceeding $1,000, with 2 or more sureties, to be approved by the attorney general, to the effect that the claimant will indemnify the state against all costs that may accrue in such action and pay to the clerk of court all costs, in case the claimant fails to obtain judgment against the state.

  The language concerning the process for commencing an action against the state is amended for clarity.

• Wis. Stat. § 775.01

  Upon the conclusion of the claims board that the facts of a claim described under s. 16.007 (2m) would be more properly adjudicated in a court of law or upon the failure of the claims board to make a final determination on a claim described under s. 16.007 (2m) within 6 months from the date that the claim was referred to the claims board, the claimant may commence an action against the state seeking judgment on the claim by service as provided in s. 801.11 (3) and by filing with the clerk of court a bond, not exceeding $1,000, with 2 or more sureties, to be approved by the attorney general, to the effect that the claimant will indemnify the state against all costs that may accrue in such action and pay to the clerk of court all costs, in case the claimant fails to obtain judgment against the state.

  Clarifies the grounds for a claimant to commence legal action against the state if the claims board does not respond timely.

• Wis. Stat. § 13.48 (4)

  Using a request-for-proposal process, at the request of the agency for which the project is constructed, the Building Commission shall waive certain requirements under s. 16.855 for the project, except s. 16.855 (1p), (13), and (14m) (a) to (c).

  Introduces a new reporting requirement for state agencies to report project proposals to the Building Commission.

• Wis. Stat. § 16.867 (2)

  $7,400,000 → $15,000,000

  Increases the threshold for using a request-for-proposal process in selecting architects and engineers for construction projects.

• Wis. Stat. § 20.924 (1) (a)

  $2,000,000 → may not be enumerated in the authorized state building program unless the building commission determines that at least 50 percent of the project’s design phase has already been completed.

  Alters the conditions under which a project can be included in the authorized state building program.

• Wis. Stat. § 16.007 (2m)

  Any claim referred to the claims board that relates to a contract with the department of transportation for transportation infrastructure improvement or to a contract with the department of administration or the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System that is awarded under s. 16.855 shall be heard by the claims board and the claims board shall make a final determination upon the claim within 6 months from the date that the claim was referred to the claims board.

  Creates a timeline for the claims board to make determinations on specific claims related to contracts.

• Wis. Stat. § 16.40 (20b)

  Submit a quarterly report no later than the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter to the joint committee on finance that includes all project budget increase approvals.

  Mandates quarterly reporting of budget changes for building program projects.

• Wis. Stat. § 16.855 (3m)

  At any time more than 2 days prior to the end of the bidding period, a bidder or potential bidder may submit a question to the department concerning the project being bid.

  Introduces provisions that allow for bidder inquiries prior to bid submission deadlines.

Action History

1. March 23, 2026

   Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

2. September 17, 2025

   Fiscal estimate received

3. June 16, 2025

   Fiscal estimate received

4. May 30, 2025

   Read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs

5. May 30, 2025

   Introduced by Representatives Born, Swearingen, Wittke, Allen, Armstrong, Brooks, Dallman, Dittrich, Duchow, Kaufert, Kitchens, Kreibich, Maxey, Melotik, Murphy, Nedweski, Neylon, O'Connor, Steffen, Wichgers and Zimmerman; cosponsored by Senators Testin, Marklein and Felzkowski

Sponsors

• Testin · Cosponsor
• Marklein · Cosponsor
• Felzkowski · Cosponsor
• Mark Born · Primary
• Rob Swearingen · Cosponsor
• Robert Wittke · Cosponsor
• Scott Allen · Cosponsor
• David Armstrong · Cosponsor
• Robert Brooks · Cosponsor
• Alex Dallman · Cosponsor
• Barbara Dittrich · Cosponsor
• Cindi Duchow · Cosponsor
• Dean Kaufert · Cosponsor
• Joel Kitchens · Cosponsor
• Rob Kreibich · Cosponsor
• Dave Maxey · Cosponsor
• Paul Melotik · Cosponsor
• David Murphy · Cosponsor
• Amanda Nedweski · Cosponsor
• Adam Neylon · Cosponsor
• Jerry O'Connor · Cosponsor
• David Steffen · Cosponsor
• Chuck Wichgers · Cosponsor
• Shannon Zimmerman · Cosponsor

Subjects