2026 Utah Legislative Session Report
By Macade Jensen, SEAU Legislative Committee Chair
SEAU’s Legislative Committee is pleased to provide an update on the bills our committee tracked during the 2026 Utah Legislative Session. Each year, our committee monitors proposed legislation that may affect engineering practice, construction codes, public safety, and the regulatory environment in which structural engineers work. This effort helps ensure that SEAU members stay informed and that our profession has a voice in important policy discussions.
One of the key roles of the Legislative Committee is serving as a point of coordination between SEAU and related industry groups. During this session, the K-12 construction community reached out to this committee and the AIA community regarding S.B. 164 — School Construction Amendments, which drew particular attention because of its implications for school construction oversight, project review, and delivery. These conversations are an important part of making sure the structural engineering perspective is represented as legislation develops.
Below is a summary of the primary bills we tracked this session.
H.B. 65 — Construction Code Amendments
Status: Passed
A summary of this bill is included in the Codes Committee report.
S.B. 164 — School Construction Amendments
Status: Passed
S.B. 164 addresses oversight and administration of public-school construction and requires review processes that include verification of structural engineering requirements. This bill was of special interest because of its potential impact on the design and review of K-12 facilities across the state. The Legislative Committee engaged in conversation with stakeholders from the K-12 construction community and coordinated with the AIA community to help track and discuss the bill’s implications.
H.B. 470 — Building Inspection Amendments
Status: Failed
H.B. 470 proposed changes related to building inspections and included language relevant to structural review and the role of licensed engineers in certain alteration or inspection contexts. Although the bill did not pass, it was still noteworthy because it touched on questions of professional responsibility and when structural engineering review is required.
H.B. 8 — State Agency Fees
Status: Passed
This bill sets the administrative fees for professional and structural engineer applications and renewals. Fees for new P.E./S.E. license applications and renewals remain unchanged.
The Legislative Committee appreciates the opportunity to monitor these issues on behalf of SEAU and to help connect our membership with broader industry conversations. We will continue tracking legislation that could affect the structural engineering profession and will remain engaged with allied organizations and stakeholders as needed. Thank you for your continued interest and support, and please reach out if there are legislative issues you believe deserve the committee’s attention in future sessions.
