H.J.R. 7 Enrolled

1

JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING
2 UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDINGS
3 2008 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Larry B. Wiley
6 Senate Sponsor: Fred J. Fife
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the Utah Seismic Safety Commission to
11 inventory public unreinforced masonry buildings in Utah and recommend how to address
12 the problem.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . urges the Utah Seismic Safety Commission to compile an inventory of public
16 unreinforced masonry buildings in the state;
17 . urges the Commission to use the data to determine the extent of the problem in the
18 state; and
19 . urges the Commission to recommend priorities to address the problem in a manner
20 that will most effectively protect the lives, property, and economy of the state.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is susceptible to powerful, damaging earthquakes;
26 WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has ranked Utah sixth in
27 projected annualized earthquake loss in the United States;
28 WHEREAS, much of the existing public building stock within the state was constructed
29 under codes and standards that did not recognize this hazard;

30 WHEREAS, more than 80% of the state's population is located in areas subject to large
31 earthquakes;
32 WHEREAS, a major seismic event could result in catastrophic loss of life, property, and
33 business in the state;
34 WHEREAS, one of the state's primary responsibilities is to safeguard the safety and
35 welfare of its citizens;
36 WHEREAS, unreinforced masonry buildings are among the most dangerous structures
37 in a strong earthquake;
38 WHEREAS, there is a large, but not quantified, inventory of public unreinforced
39 masonry buildings in seismically active areas in the state;
40 WHEREAS, recognizing and anticipating future catastrophic events and preparing to
41 recover from them is in the best interests of the citizens and the state; and
42 WHEREAS, it is not intended that the state, a school district, a charter school, or their
43 officers or employees would be liable for any injury or damage resulting from the exercise or
44 performance of, or the failure to exercise or perform, an action related to a recommended
45 priority made by the Utah Seismic Safety Commission under this resolution:
46 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the Utah Seismic
47 Safety Commission to compile an inventory of unreinforced masonry buildings so that the
48 quantity and extent of the problem in Utah can be determined.
49 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the Utah Seismic Safety
50 Commission to recommend priorities to address the problem in a manner that will most
51 effectively protect the lives, property, and economy of the state.
52 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
53 Seismic Safety Commission.