Senator Hankins substitutes seismic safety bill, Senate adds focus on restoring critical infrastructure after major Wasatch quake

Senator Hankins moved to substitute House Bill 47, which refocuses the Utah Seismic Safety Commission’s work to review earthquake-related hazards and the state’s likely losses and damages and to prioritize restoration of critical infrastructure.

Hankins told colleagues there is “a 43% chance of a magnitude of 6.7 to 7.6 earthquake on the Wasatch Fault in the next 50 years,” and said the substitute emphasizes actions the state should be prepared to take immediately after a major earthquake — restoring power, assessing and repairing natural gas and water infrastructure, and shoring up telecommunications and electrical systems. “The first thing we’d want to do is restore power… make sure our gas lines weren’t [compromised], and be able to put them back into water infrastructure, electrical power infrastructure, natural gas, telecommuting,” Hankins said.

Senator Reby offered brief public-support remarks, saying constituents who live on fault lines appreciate the focus on preparedness. The Senate adopted the substitute language and then voted to “circle” the bill, temporarily pausing final action so members can review the changes; the sponsor indicated the bill will be returned to the calendar Monday or Tuesday for further action.

Why it matters: lawmakers framed the substitute as an effort to make the state’s seismic planning and preparedness more actionable by identifying prioritized infrastructure needs after a major quake. The substitute does not yet represent final passage; circling a bill pauses it for additional review and potential further amendment.

Next steps: House Bill 47 was substituted and circled; the sponsor said the revised bill will be reconsidered early next week.