SEAOC Advocacy Updates

Posted: May 12, 2026

SEAOC Letter of Opposition for AB 2131 (Rubio)

SEAOC submitted a letter of opposition for AB 2131 (Rubio), a bill that would amend the Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act, potentially affecting compliance timelines or requirements for hospital seismic retrofits.

Posted: April 21, 2026

SEAOC Letter of Support for AB 2106 (Patel, 2026)

SEAOC submitted a letter of support for AB 2106 (Patel), a bill that would strengthen the existing certificate of merit requirement in professional negligence cases involving engineers and architects. The bill also requires that the certifying expert be named, credentialed, and licensed in the same discipline as the defendant, and closes existing loopholes that currently allow attorneys to bypass the requirement altogether.

Posted: March 2, 2026

SEAOC Comments on Proposed Rule, "Reimagining and Improving Student Education"; RIN 1840-AD98 (34 §685.102(b) — Definitions of "Professional Student" and "Graduate Student")

SEAOC and eight coalition partners filed public comment urging the U.S. Department of Education to broaden its proposed definition of "professional student" under 34 CFR § 685.102(b). The letter argues that limiting aid eligibility to a fixed list of degree titles would restrict access to graduate education in fields like structural engineering — professions that protect public health and face significant workforce shortages.

Submitted: January 7, 2026

SEAOC Letter of Support for AB 1265 (Haney, 2025)

SEAOC submitted a letter of support for AB 1265 (Haney) in the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation. The bill extends and enhances the State Historic Tax Credit program, supporting the rehabilitation and continued use of historic structures while advancing broader housing and community goals.

Posted: December 15, 2025

SEAOC Response to Proposed Federal Definition of "Professional Degrees"

SEAOC issued a press release in response to a proposed U.S. Department of Education rule that would narrow eligibility for higher federal student-loan limits to a small set of designated "professional degrees." Engineering is not included in the proposed list, which would reclassify engineering and other high-demand technical disciplines as "non-professional" for financial-aid purposes.

SEAOC emphasized that structural engineering is a critical public-safety profession requiring advanced, rigorous education, and that restricting access to necessary financial aid risks constraining the future engineering workforce — particularly for first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students. SEAOC will continue to monitor this issue and share opportunities for engagement as the federal rulemaking process moves forward.

Submitted: December 8, 2025

SEAOC Sustainable Design Committee Public Comments to CARB

The SEAOC Sustainable Design Committee reviewed the proposed language from the California Air Resources Board and submitted public comments. The committee opted to comment on the proposal for project reporting due to available expertise in structural engineering, embodied carbon, and project delivery.