Rob Swearingen, Wisconsin State Representative of 34th District | Facebook
Rob Swearingen, Wisconsin State Representative of 34th District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "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)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill introduces several changes to the processes and regulations surrounding state building projects in Wisconsin. It eliminates the requirement for project enumeration in the Authorized State Building Program for projects costing more than $2 million during the design phase and mandates that the Building Commission must ensure that at least 50% of a project's design is complete before it is listed in the program. The bill requires the Department of Administration to submit quarterly reports to monitor budget changes in building projects. The threshold for using a request-for-proposal process to select architects or engineers is raised from $7.4 million to $15 million. An exception to single prime contracting is created for projects costing $200 million or more. The bill facilitates energy conservation projects through collaboration with energy service companies to upgrade facilities. It also establishes procedures for utility-related costs and modifies procedures for handling claims against the state, providing claimants the ability to take legal action if claims are not resolved within six months. Additionally, the bill transfers $32 million from the general fund to the state building trust fund for fiscal year 2024-25.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), and Representative Alex A. Dallman (Republican-39th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Mary Felzkowski (Republican-12th District) and Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), along with 13 other co-sponsors.
Rob Swearingen has authored or co-authored another 15 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Swearingen, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2013 to represent the state's 34th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Dan Meyer.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB284 | 05/30/2025 | 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) |
| AB190 | 04/15/2025 | Obtaining attorney fees and costs under the state’s public records law when an authority voluntarily or unilaterally releases a contested record after an action has been filed in court |
| AB131 | 03/13/2025 | Programs and requirements to address PFAS |
| AB130 | 03/13/2025 | Exempting certain persons from PFAS enforcement actions under the spills law. (FE) |
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