Welcome to the ABC Utah Monthly Brief. Built to keep our members informed, prepared, and connected to what matters most in our industry. | | |
JUNE
NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2026
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"The Iran war and resulting hike in energy prices are negatively affecting the construction industry, which was already struggling with insurance premium increases, escalating labor costs, shortages of skilled labor and elevated interest rates."
| | | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE UPDATE | |
Government Affairs Update – HB 508 Discussion
At the May 6, 2026 Government Affairs meeting, members discussed Utah House Bill 508 and ABC Utah’s official position on the legislation. The conversation focused on the bill’s potential impact on public construction projects, contractors, subcontractors, and taxpayer protections.
Key Provisions of HB 508
- Bond Waiver Discretion: HB 508 amends Section 63G-6a-1103, allowing the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) to waive performance and payment bond requirements on construction contracts it administers.
- Higher Education Projects: The bill establishes a process for the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee to prioritize capital facility requests for the Utah System of Higher Education.
- Direct Supervision Threshold Increase: The legislation raises the maximum project value a state entity may directly manage from $100,000 to $1.5 million.
Industry Concerns and Discussion
The committee also reviewed concerns raised throughout the construction industry regarding the bill’s long-term implications.
- Payment Protection Concerns: Industry groups, including the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP), expressed concern that reducing bond requirements could weaken payment protections for subcontractors and suppliers if a contractor defaults.
- Potential Taxpayer Risk: Critics argue that removing traditional bonding requirements may increase financial exposure for state agencies and municipalities.
- Industry Opposition: Organizations including the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Utah and the Utah Subcontractors Alliance publicly opposed the bill, citing concerns surrounding the removal of bond protections.
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MAY SAFETY ROUNDTABLE
ABC Utah’s Safety Roundtable is held twice a year and gives construction professionals the opportunity to come together and talk through real safety issues happening out in the field every day. The event is made up of rotating table discussions, allowing attendees to move from topic to topic, share experiences, ask questions, and learn from others in the industry. This month’s discussions covered Safety Buy-In, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health in Construction, Reasonable Suspicion & Impairment Recognition, Near Miss Reporting, Heat Stress and Fatigue Management, Safe Driving, Working Near Traffic & Roadways, and Ladder Safety and Fall Protection. Every roundtable brings different conversations and perspectives to the table, and it’s always a great opportunity to walk away with practical ideas, new insights, and reminders that safety should always come first!
| MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE UPDATE | |
The Membership Committee met in May to talk through new ideas for growing engagement, strengthening relationships within the industry, and making sure members truly understand the value ABC Utah offers. One of the biggest conversations centered around improving membership outreach by creating a simpler, more user-friendly flyer that clearly highlights member benefits without overwhelming prospective companies with too much information.
The committee discussed pairing the flyer with a QR code that would direct people to additional resources, programs, and information about ABC Utah. Conversations also focused on the importance of sharing the many ways ABC supports the merit shop construction industry through advocacy, networking, safety programs, Women in Construction initiatives, and valuable member discounts and resources.
The group also spent time discussing ways to increase member involvement and create stronger connections throughout the industry. Members shared ideas for future Lunch & Learns covering topics like mental health, suicide prevention in construction, safety culture, and member resources. Community involvement remained a major priority as well, including continued support for Royal Family Kids Camp, where Staff Zone generously committed to donating duffel bags for foster children attending camp. The committee also talked about upcoming facility tours, promoting greater participation in the STEP safety program, and encouraging members to support fellow ABC member companies whenever possible. Overall, the meeting reflected ABC Utah’s ongoing commitment to supporting the construction industry through relationships, advocacy, education, safety, and community involvement.
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What started in June 1998 as a small electrical contractor operating out of a one-bay shop has grown into one of the industry’s most recognized and respected contractors nationwide. Founded by Vernal, Utah native Brad Haslem alongside six partners, BHI was built on hard work, determination, and a vision for creating opportunities for people to grow both personally and professionally.
Brad’s entrepreneurial mindset and leadership continue to shape the company today. One principle has remained at the center of BHI’s success since day one: investing in people.
As Brad often says, “Some say that production makes money. They couldn’t be more wrong. People make money, and our people produce.”
Under Brad’s leadership, BHI has expanded far beyond its Utah roots into a nationally recognized general contractor specializing in vertical and horizontal construction across the building, energy, infrastructure, and mining markets. With regional offices throughout the United States and projects spanning from North Dakota to Texas and California to Virginia, BHI continues to build a reputation for excellence wherever they operate.
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Please help us welcome our newest member, Bonneville Real Estate Capital! Bonneville Real Estate Capital specializes in commercial real estate financing and offers a wide range of services designed to support owners, investors, and developers throughout every stage of a project. Their team provides debt placement solutions for a variety of income-producing properties, including office, retail, industrial, multifamily, mixed-use, hotel, senior housing, and specialty properties. In addition to financing, they also offer insurance coverage placement, loan servicing, equity placement, and comprehensive due diligence coordination. From market analysis and lease review to risk management and investor reporting, Bonneville Real Estate Capital focuses on creating tailored solutions that help clients maximize performance, protect capital, and successfully navigate complex real estate transactions.
VISIT WEBSITE HERE
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