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

Removed the requirement that schools must have an OPM engaged at the time they apply for school building aid. Now the requirement only applies when a school accepts (receives) school building aid, meaning districts no longer need to pay for an OPM before knowing if they will receive funding.

Increased the project cost threshold from $1,250,000 to $2,000,000. Projects between $1.25 million and $2 million no longer require an OPM unless the commissioner waives the requirement.

Added a provision allowing schools to hire an OPM before entering into a contract for design services, so the OPM can represent the school throughout the design process, including assisting with hiring the architect, analyzing project feasibility, and selecting a project delivery system.

Added an explicit conflict-of-interest requirement stating the OPM shall have no contractual ties to the architect, design team, or general contractor hired by the school for the project.

Replaced the full term 'owner's project manager' with the abbreviation 'OPM' throughout the text for brevity.