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SB 513 · 2026 · Senate · Education Finance Committee

Owner's project managers for schools

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the hiring of an owner's project manager (OPM) for construction or renovation projects which utilize school building aid.

Permits schools to hire an owner's project manager before contracting for design services, requires the manager to avoid conflicts of interest with project architects or contractors, and raises the cost threshold triggering the hiring requirement.AI-generated

Status

Died — the House and Senate did not agree · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Permits schools to hire an owner's project manager (OPM) before entering into a contract for design services in order for an OPM to represent a school throughout the design process. II. Requires that a hired OPM maintain no contractual conflicts of interest with any architect, design team member, or general contractor hired by a school for a construction or reconstruction/renovation project. III. Increases the threshold cost for projects where a school district or chartered public school is required to hire an OPM.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“A school district or chartered public school that accepts school building aid for construction shall engage the services of an owner's project manager (OPM) for construction or reconstruction/renovation projects of [$1,250,000] $2,000,000 or more, unless the commissioner waives such requirement as unnecessary.”
Section 1
“An OPM may be hired before entering into a contract for design services in order to represent the best interests of the school throughout the design process, including assisting the superintendent of schools or charter school director with hiring the architect, analyzing the project feasibility, and selecting a project delivery system.”
Section 1
“The OPM shall have no contractual ties to the architect, design team, or general contractor to avoid conflicts of interest.”
Section 1
“The [owner's project manager] OPM shall have his or her own comprehensive liability and auto insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and professional liability coverage.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daryl AbbasRPrimePresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRChair· Education Finance
  • Sen. Mark McConkeyRChair· Capital Budget
  • Rep. Tanya DonnellyRAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. John JanigianRChair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Dennis MannionRVice Chair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Joe SweeneyRDeputy Majority Leader

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

26 signed in online

15% support85% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–2
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateRoll callOught to PassAdopted16–8How they voted
    Overall
    67% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    16–0100% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea
  • Apr 28, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1586h (NT)17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1586hadopted
  • May 7, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1586hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Murphy Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendmentadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2026Public hearingSenate Education Finance37:09–41:254m 16slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floor4:22:05–4:29:036m 58slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, roll call 16-8
  • Mar 31, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Funding58:10–1:02:504m 40slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Funding2:14:03–2:16:482m 45slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1586h (NT) — roll call; ==CANCELLED== Executive Session; Executive Session
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1586h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1586h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor8:54:37–8:55:481m 11slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Murphy Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education Finance; SJ 1
  2. Jan 22, 2026SenHearing: 01/22/2026, Room 103, SH, 10:10 am; SC 47A
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 4-2; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: RC 16Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 5 P. 124
  6. Mar 31, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/31/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  7. Apr 28, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/28/2026 10:30 am GP 232
  8. Apr 28, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/28/2026 11:15 am GP 232
  9. Apr 28, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1586h (NT) 04/28/2026 (Vote 17-0; RC) HC 18 P. 11
  10. May 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1586h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 16
  11. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1586h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 16
  12. May 14, 2026SenSen. Murphy Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.