Advocating for Public Safety and the Structural Engineering Profession

Structural engineers protect public safety and strengthen California’s resilience. SEAOC advocates to ensure the laws, regulations, and policies that shape our work are technically sound, practical to implement, and informed by practicing expertise.

Public Safety Seismic Resilience Building Codes Practice & Licensure Workforce & Education

Get Involved Advocacy Updates Letters & Statements

What We Advocate For

Legislation & Regulation

Monitoring and engaging on policy proposals that affect structural engineering practice and public safety.

Building Codes & Technical Policy

Bringing practicing experts to code development so requirements are clear, enforceable, and effective.

Workforce & Pathways

Supporting policies and partnerships that strengthen education, licensure pathways, and the future workforce.

What SEAOC Is Doing

Legislative & Regulatory Engagement

Track bills and regulatory proposals that may impact the profession and the public.
Meet with policymakers, agency staff, and partners to share technical context and real-world impacts.
Submit comment letters and recommendations when engineering expertise is needed.

Codes, Standards & Resilience

Contribute technical input on building code proposals and updates.
Partner with agencies and aligned organizations to support sound implementation.
Promote policies that strengthen seismic resilience and community safety.

How We Do It

Monitoring & Analysis

SEAOC reviews emerging issues early and flags items that may require technical input or member awareness.

Technical Expertise in Action

We provide briefings, written input, and (when appropriate) testimony—translating engineering into policy clarity.

Collaboration

We engage in coalitions and partnerships so the structural engineering perspective is included in broader decisions.

2026 Key Legislative Dates

Planning reference for the California legislative cycle (committee deadlines, recesses, and end-of-session timing).

Jan 5: Legislature reconvenes
Jan 23: Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel
Feb 20: Last day for bills to be introduced
Mar 26: Spring Recess begins upon adjournment
Apr 6: Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess
May 29: Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house
Jun 15: Budget Bill must be passed by midnight
Jul 2: Last day for policy committees to meet and report bills
Aug 14: Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills
Aug 21: Last day to amend bills on the Floor
Aug 31: Last day for each house to pass bills (end of session); Final Recess begins upon adjournment
Sept 30: Last day for the Governor to sign or veto bills passed before Sept 1 and in the Governor’s possession on/after Sept 1
Nov 30: Adjournment sine die at midnight

Source: 2026 Tentative Legislative Calendar (Assembly Chief Clerk + Secretary of the Senate).

What This Means for Members

Structural engineers stay at the table when decisions are made.
Policies and code changes are informed by practicing experts.
SEAOC shares timely updates and opportunities to weigh in.
We strengthen the profession’s voice statewide and beyond.

Get Involved

Advocacy is strongest when it reflects the full profession. If you’re interested in supporting SEAOC’s advocacy work, we’d love to hear from you.

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