Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Official Licensing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel approves HB 58 to set qualifications for building officials, add commission duties
Summary
Representative Peterson brought HB 58 (first substitute) to require DOPL licensing for building officials, set experience thresholds, add duties to the Uniform Building Codes Commission, and shift permit-fee allocations to fund a part‑time oversight position; the committee passed the substitute 8–2.
Representative Peterson presented HB 58, Building Inspector Amendments (first substitute), saying the bill was a committee product developed with the Division of Professional Licensing, the Utah Home Builders Association, the League of Cities and Towns, and the Utah Association of Building Officials. The substitute would require building officials to hold a DOPL license, add duties to the Uniform Building Codes Commission, create a part-time oversight position, and adjust the portion of permit fees used to cover those duties; the sponsor said no net cost to citizens is created because the fee allocation would be shifted.
The bill also sets an experience threshold for building officials—six years of construction-trades experience was proposed—intended to ensure technical expertise for code interpretation. Representative Peterson said Appendix A of the building code requires 10 years and the six-year figure was a compromise to accommodate rural jurisdictions that may struggle to meet a 10‑year threshold.
Stakeholders voiced mixed reactions. Taz Bieser of the Utah Home Builders Association said the association’s client supports the bill. Jared Tingey of the League of Cities and Towns said some cities have unresolved concerns about the six-year experience requirement and imprecise language about “unprofessional conduct” and planned to continue work with the sponsor. Representative Dunnigan expressed caution and asked for further work on the details to avoid creating staffing pressures for municipalities.
Representative Kyle moved a favorable recommendation; the committee passed the substitute by roll call (8–2, Representatives Dunigan and Ivory recorded as nay). The sponsor said he is willing to continue working with cities and commissions to refine technical points before floor action.
