SB 1001 Utah Senate · 2025 First Special Session

Higher Education Recodification

SB 1001, titled "Higher Education Recodification," reorganizes and renumbers existing provisions in Utah's higher education code related to statewide administration. It does not create new policies or allocate funds but adjusts the code's structure for clarity and consistency, including defining terms and making technical changes to sections governing higher education. The bill directly affects how Utah's higher education system is administratively organized under state law. It was signed into law by the governor on October 14, 2025, with no fiscal impact.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Oct 2025

House Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

Oct 2025

Introduced Oct 6, 2025 Signed Oct 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Oct 14, 2025

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes and renumbers the Utah Higher Education Code to consolidate statewide administration provisions under a new Title 53H. The changes primarily involve structural reorganization of existing laws rather than substantive policy shifts, with new section numbers replacing the old 53B series while maintaining the same underlying authority and responsibilities. The bill also adds specific definitions for key terms like 'academic education' and 'technical education' to clarify the system's scope.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on statewide administration of higher education but now operates under a renumbered code structure (53H instead of 53B) to improve organization and clarity.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized and renumbered over 150 Utah Code sections from the 53B series to the new 53H series for better structure and accessibility.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions for 'academic education', 'technical education', 'degree-granting institution', and 'private postsecondary educational institution' to clarify the system's boundaries.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for the Utah Board of Higher Education to conduct biennial compliance reviews starting in 2025 regarding prohibited discriminatory practices and campus climate surveys.

Added requirements for institutions to publish prohibited submission policies on their websites and submit annual reports regarding compliance with new provisions.

TIMELINE

Established specific implementation timelines, including shared administrative service milestones by October 2024-2026 and campus expression climate surveys beginning January 2025.

ENFORCEMENT

Added enforcement mechanisms allowing the Legislature to withhold up to 30% of state appropriations for institutions that fail to cure violations of prohibited discriminatory practices within 180 days.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 14, 2025

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Oct 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Oct 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Oct 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Oct 6, 2025

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Oct 6, 2025

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor