Article from the SEAU Codes Committee
By Danny Currit, SEAU Codes Committee Chair
The SEAU Codes Committee is a group of dedicated structural engineers who identify provisions in the building code that are problematic or in need of revision. We collaborate as firms throughout the region to develop code amendments on behalf of SEAU. These amendments are presented to the Structural Advisory Committee of the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission (UBCC). Once approved by the UBCC, they are submitted to the Legislature for adoption into the state building code.
In addition, the committee serves to educate SEAU members and building officials on code interpretation through presentations and white papers.
2025 was a busy year for the Codes Committee. The adoption of the 2024 IBC was before the Legislature, and with it came new provisions that either impacted existing amendments or required new ones. Our team developed three significant amendments this year, all of which were successfully signed into law during the legislative session.
Snow Loading (15A-3-107 – effective 3/17/26)
Several revisions to the snow load amendments were made in this section, including:
- Deletion of the section providing snow loads per the 2018 Utah Snow Load Study. Snow loads will now be determined in accordance with ASCE 7-22, including use of the online tool.
- Modification of amendments to align with ASCE 7-22, including removal of the snow importance factor and introduction of snow loads based on Risk Category.
- Modification of amendments to reflect the transition in ASCE 7-22 from ASD-based snow loads to LRFD-based snow loads.
- Modification of amendments to align with updated load combinations in ASCE 7-22.
- Deletion of the amendment that allowed snow drift to be ignored in low snow areas; this condition is now addressed in ASCE 7-22 Section 7.2.
- Deletion of the amendment that added load to eaves in high snow areas to account for ice buildup. Ice dams and icicle loading will now follow ASCE 7-22 provisions.
Seismic Amendments (15A-3-107 – effective 3/17/26)
An amendment to ASCE 7-22 Section 12.8.1.1 has been adopted to address an unintended consequence in the current code language. This section permits two methods for determining the seismic response coefficient; however, Method 2 results in approximately a 10% reduction in seismic forces at short periods compared to Method 1.
Because multi-period response spectrum data are available statewide through the USGS Seismic Design Geodatabase, the use of Method 2 is unnecessary and potentially unconservative. This amendment removes the option to use Method 2 where Method 1 data are available and aligns with anticipated changes in ASCE 7-28.
ACI 318-25 Early Adoption (15A-3-108 – effective 3/17/26)
An amendment has been added that replaces select provisions of ACI 318-19 with corresponding sections from ACI 318-25. This allows engineers to take advantage of beneficial updates that would otherwise not be available until adoption of the 2027 IBC.
These changes include:
- Modification to ACI Section 18.10.3: shear design forces for special structural walls
- Modification to ACI Section 21.2.4.1: shear reduction factor for walls resisting seismic forces
- Addition of ACI Section 13.2.6.2: size effect factor for shear in footings
- Addition of ACI Section 13.3.6.1.1: shear strength for cantilever retaining walls
- Addition of ACI Section 13.3.7: basement wall design provisions
- Addition of ACI Section 22.5.5.1.1: lower bound for shear strength
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.
