<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?><section number="13-8-1"><histories><history>Amended by Chapter <modchap sess="1997GS">113</modchap>, 1997 General Session</history><modyear>1997</modyear></histories><catchline>Construction industry -- Agreements to indemnify.</catchline><subsection number="13-8-1(1)">
For purposes of this section:
<subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)">
"Construction contract" means a contract or agreement relative to the design, construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance of a building, structure, highway, appurtenance, appliance, or other improvement to real property, including moving, demolition, or excavating, connected to the construction contract between:<subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)(i)">
a construction manager;</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)(ii)">
a general contractor;</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)(iii)">
a subcontractor;</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)(iv)">
a sub-subcontractor;</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)(v)">
a supplier; or</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(a)(vi)">
any combination of persons listed in Subsections <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(a)(i)" start="0">(1)(a)(i)</xref> through <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(a)(v)" start="0">(v)</xref>.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(b)">
"Indemnification provision" means a covenant, promise, agreement or understanding in, in connection with, or collateral to a construction contract requiring the promisor to insure, hold harmless, indemnify, or defend the promisee or others against liability if:<subsection number="13-8-1(1)(b)(i)">
the damages arise out of:
<subsection number="13-8-1(1)(b)(i)(A)">
bodily injury to a person;</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(b)(i)(B)">
damage to property; or</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(b)(i)(C)">
economic loss; and</subsection></subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(1)(b)(ii)">
the damages are caused by or resulting from the fault of the promisee, indemnitee, others, or their agents or employees.</subsection></subsection></subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(2)">
Except as provided in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(3)" start="0">(3)</xref>, an indemnification provision in a construction contract is against public policy and is void and unenforceable.</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(3)">
When an indemnification provision is included in a contract related to a construction project between an owner and party listed in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(a)" start="0">(1)(a)</xref>, in any action for damages described in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(b)(i)" start="0">(1)(b)(i)</xref>, the fault of the owner shall be apportioned among the parties listed in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(a)" start="0">(1)(a)</xref> pro rata based on the proportional share of fault of each of the parties listed in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(a)" start="0">(1)(a)</xref>, if:
<subsection number="13-8-1(3)(a)">
the damages are caused in part by the owner; and</subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(3)(b)">
the cause of the damages defined in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(b)(i)" start="0">(1)(b)(i)</xref> did not arise at the time and during the phase of the project when the owner was operating as a party defined in Subsection <xref depth="4" refnumber="13-8-1(1)(a)" start="0">(1)(a)</xref>.</subsection></subsection><subsection number="13-8-1(4)">
This section may not be construed to affect or impair the obligations of contracts or agreements, that are in existence at the time this section or any amendment to this section becomes effective.</subsection></section>
