Health care districts: design-build process.
If enacted, AB 533 would amend the Health and Safety Code to add Section 32132.6, thus granting broader powers to health care districts in terms of how they can manage construction projects. This change is expected to make it easier for health care districts to undertake essential health infrastructure projects without the limitations previously imposed. However, the expansion of this procurement method could also lead to concerns regarding oversight and accountability in public contracting, as more entities would fall under the design-build procedures.
Assembly Bill 533, introduced by Assembly Member Flora, aims to expand the authority of health care districts in California by allowing any such district to utilize the design-build procedure for contracting construction work related to hospital or health facility buildings. Previously, only specific health care districts, such as the Sonoma Valley Health Care District, had this capacity. The bill seeks to streamline the procurement process, potentially reducing the time and complexity involved in constructing necessary healthcare facilities across the state.
One point of contention surrounding AB 533 is its potential to increase the risk of perjury, as the bill expands the requirements for design-build entities to submit verified information related to their contracts. By broadening the scope of who must adhere to the procurement processes, critics may argue that it unnecessarily complicates the legal landscape surrounding public contracts and could lead to increased instances of fraud. Nonetheless, supporters claim that the bill enhances efficiency and responsiveness in building healthcare infrastructure, counteracting potential drawbacks with the benefits of expedited processes.