Welcome to the ABC Utah Monthly Brief. Built to keep our members informed, prepared, and connected to what matters most in our industry.

OCTOBER

NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2026

ABC NATIONAL NEWS

WASHINGTON, -- September 29th "The August JOLTS data indicate that both the demand for and supply of construction workers are decreasing."

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE UPDATE

The Government Affairs Committee reviewed several legislative and regulatory developments impacting Utah’s construction industry.

HB 508 Legislative Update: The committee continued discussions regarding the implementation of HB 508 and how the new law will be applied. Additional recommendations have been submitted, with potential legislative updates anticipated in January 2027.

Legislative Interim Meetings: Recent interim meetings included limited construction-related discussions, with a significant focus on data centers. Three committees examined the potential impacts on revenue and taxation, economic development, and natural resources.

Apprentice-to-Journeyman Ratios: A potential legislative proposal was discussed that would adjust the apprentice-to-journeyman ratio from 2:1 to 3:1. Additional details may emerge as the 2027 legislative session approaches.

HB 396- Licensing and Employment Compliance: DOPL continues enforcement efforts related to licensing and W-2 employee requirements on government projects. The committee discussed a reported enforcement action involving an electrical subcontractor and general contractor, with fines totaling approximately $30,000 for licensing and employment violations. An additional reported violation at the University of Utah Hospital was also mentioned, although details remain limited.

Residential Construction Fraud Task Force: The committee discussed ongoing efforts to address consumer complaints within the construction industry. Common concerns include project abandonment, invoice changes, nonpayment of subcontractors, and failure to complete contracted work. DOPL and the Division of Consumer Protection presented findings to lawmakers, highlighting enforcement challenges and potential statutory changes. Recommendations from the task force are expected to receive further legislative consideration.

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SAFETY COMMITTEE UPDATE

Our Annual Safety Fair took the place of our Safety Committee this month and it was a huge success, with approximately 230 attendees joining us for a morning focused on safety, networking, and connecting with industry vendors. Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make the event such a great turnout!

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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE UPDATE

The Membership Committee discussed ongoing member outreach, upcoming events, training opportunities, and strategies to increase member engagement.

Membership & Outreach: Committee members will continue identifying prospective members and submitting referrals to Lynette for follow-up. Efforts will also focus on in-person visits with current members to gather feedback and identify opportunities to provide additional value. Outreach to Ogden-area members will continue, along with follow-up on potential new-member prospects identified through Women in Construction.

2026 Safety Fair: The September 23 Safety Fair will feature 19 vendor booths, food trucks, games, and safety demonstrations. National Trench Safety is expected to provide a trench safety demonstration, with three additional vendors offering 10-minute safety training sessions.

Training & Education: ABC Utah is exploring additional workforce development and training opportunities, including potential flagging courses. Members are encouraged to share training and educational topics that would benefit their companies.

Member Engagement: The committee discussed additional networking opportunities, including a potential bowling event in the Holladay area, facility tours, educational demonstrations, and sporting events to encourage member participation.

Membership Data: With ABC National transitioning to a new data system, the committee emphasized the importance of reviewing and updating member contact information to ensure accurate records.

Upcoming Events: The September 30 quarterly member luncheon has reached capacity, and registration is now closed.

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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Proven CFO

ProvenCFO was founded in 2017 and has grown to serve hundreds of businesses nationwide. They help companies grow and stay organized through accounting, executive support, M&A guidance, and other financial services.

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MONTHLY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

Big-D Construction is a Utah-founded general contractor established in 1967, specializing in commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, and multifamily construction. With projects across the United States, Big-D provides construction management, design-build services, and expertise in complex, large-scale developments.

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