House approves change to code trigger for seismic work on older buildings after tense debate

The Utah House on Feb. 15 approved House Bill 305, which alters when an engineer’s seismic evaluation and resulting retrofit requirements are triggered for buildings built before 1975. The measure shifts the statutory trigger from routine reroofing to a threshold tied to structural alterations or major repairs.

Sponsor Representative Frower said the bill reduces the burden on property owners forced to pay for costly seismic upgrades when only reroofing or minor repairs are intended: "What HB305 does is basically says that the engineer's evaluation shall take place when there is structural alterations...not reroofing," he said on the floor.

Opponents, including architects and building‑safety proponents, argued the existing code prevented dangerous appendages (parapets, cornices) from falling during seismic events and said public buildings and schools require separate consideration. Representative Wiley urged care, citing earthquake examples where facades and parapets caused most damage. Supporters said the change would avoid forcing owners to forgo necessary reroofing work because retrofit costs could be prohibitive.

An amendment offered by Representative Cox to restore the prior language and clarify triggers was defeated on the floor. Representative Frower noted public‑building concerns would be handled in a separate bill and flagged state exposure: "We have $28,000,000,000 worth of public buildings...approximately $8,000,000,000 worth of value in public schools in this state," he said. The House passed HB305 by roll call, 48 yes to 23 no, and will transmit the bill to the Senate.