HB 260: First Credential Program - Utah

Amended 3/5/2025 16:03:810 → Substitute #1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill replaces the PRIME program with a new First Credential Program to better align education with workforce needs. It establishes a master credential list of industry-recognized certifications, creates a scholarship for students completing the program, and provides grants for implementation. The changes aim to make credentials stackable and transferable while ensuring they meet current labor market demands.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from the previous PRIME program to a broader First Credential Program that includes concurrent enrollment, apprenticeships, technical college certificates, and CTE pathways as qualifying credentials.

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'First Credential', 'Industry-recognized credential', 'Master credential list', and 'Eligible institution' to standardize program requirements.

FISCAL

Appropriates $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, including $1,000,000 for student scholarships and $2,000,000 for program development and performance incentives.

ELIGIBILITY

Establishes scholarship eligibility for students who complete concurrent enrollment courses, apprenticeships, technical college certificates, or CTE pathway programs.

REQUIREMENT

Requires creation of a First Credential Oversight Committee to develop a master plan and review credentials every three years based on labor market needs.

Mandates that credits earned through the program be transferable to higher education institutions and technical colleges.

Establishes a weighted system for the master credential list that prioritizes high-demand, high-wage occupations and stackable credentials.

ENFORCEMENT

Creates a grant program with performance metrics and reporting requirements for local education agencies implementing the program.

TIMELINE

Sets effective date of July 1, 2025, and requires master plan presentation to the Education Interim Committee by November 2025.

Amended Excerpts 3/5/2025 16:03:810 → Amended 3/5/2025 16:03:810 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from a line-by-line amendment format to a complete substitute bill structure, while maintaining the same substantive policy content. The core changes remain focused on replacing the PRIME program with a new First Credential program that establishes industry-recognized credentials, provides scholarships, and creates a master plan for scaling credentialing programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on Utah's higher education and workforce development system, specifically establishing the First Credential program to replace the PRIME program with new funding of $3 million for fiscal year 2026.

TECHNICAL

Changed from line-by-line amendment excerpts to a complete substitute bill format with proper legislative structure including long title, general description, and highlighted provisions.

Reorganized line numbering and removed bracketed deletion/insertion markers while preserving all substantive policy language.

Updated header information to show complete bill title, sponsors, and proper legislative formatting instead of amendment excerpts.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 3/5/2025 16:03:810 · 1 edit

MINOR

Senate amendments adjust the funding allocation for the First Credential Program, reducing the State Board of Education's appropriation from $2,800,000 to $2,000,000 and reallocating $800,000 to a separate Teaching and Learning category. The bill's core policy provisions remain unchanged, including the establishment of the First Credential program, oversight committee structure, and scholarship eligibility criteria.

FISCAL

Reduced the First Credential Program appropriation from $2,800,000 to $2,000,000 under the State Board of Education budget, with $800,000 reclassified to a separate Teaching and Learning line item.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill replaces the PRIME program with a new First Credential Program to better align education with workforce needs. The changes establish a master credential list, create a scholarship for students completing the program, and set up an oversight committee to develop a master plan. Funding remains at $3 million but is now more specifically allocated for scholarships, master plan development, and performance incentives.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a pilot program to a more comprehensive credentialing system with clearer definitions, oversight mechanisms, and performance-based incentives.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions for 'First Credential', 'Industry-recognized credential', 'Master credential list', and 'Eligible institution' to standardize the program.

REQUIREMENT

Created a First Credential Oversight Committee with representatives from industry, education, and workforce development to develop a master plan.

FISCAL

Allocated $1 million for scholarships, $500,000 for master plan development, and $1 million for K-12 performance incentives.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a weighted system for incentive grants based on credential quality, industry recognition, and stackability.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date to July 1, 2025, with an annual review requirement and a three-year review cycle for the master plan.

SCOPE

Repealed the previous PRIME program and related certificates (LAUNCH and TRANSFORM) to consolidate under the new First Credential Program.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility to include concurrent enrollment courses, youth apprenticeships, technical college certificates, and CTE pathway programs.

Introduced → Enrolled · 12 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MAJOR

This bill replaces Utah's PRIME program with a new First Credential Program designed to provide industry-recognized certifications to students. It establishes a master credential list, creates a scholarship for students, and allocates $3 million in funding for implementation and incentives.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from a pilot program (PRIME) to a comprehensive statewide credentialing system with a master plan, oversight committee, and structured grant program for local education agencies.

PROGRAM

Establishes the Utah First Credential program to replace the PRIME program, creating a structured pathway for students to earn industry-recognized credentials.

Repeals the Utah PRIME Program, including references to LAUNCH and TRANSFORM certificates.

DEFINITION

Defines key terms including 'eligible institution', 'first credential', 'industry-recognized credential', 'master credential list', and 'technical college'.

OVERSIGHT

Creates the First Credential Oversight Committee with representatives from industry, education, and workforce development to develop a master plan.

FISCAL

Appropriates $3,000,000 total for fiscal year 2026, including $1,000,000 from Income Tax Fund and $2,000,000 from various sources for scholarships, master plan development, and performance incentives.

ELIGIBILITY

Establishes criteria for awarding first credential certificates, including concurrent enrollment courses, industry-recognized credentials, youth apprenticeships, technical college certificates, or CTE pathway programs.

SCHOLARSHIP

Creates a scholarship program for students who earn a first credential certificate, with the amount determined annually based on eligible student numbers and legislative appropriations.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the state board to develop a master credential list of approved industry-recognized credentials and ensure credits are transferable to higher education institutions.

Mandates that credits earned for first credential certificates be accepted and transferable to institutions of higher education and technical colleges.

GRANT

Establishes a grant program for local education agencies to implement first credential programs, including needs assessments, implementation plans, and outcome-based incentive grants.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date as July 1, 2025, and requires the Oversight Committee to present the master plan by the November 2025 interim committee meeting.

TECHNICAL

Adds coordination clauses and technical changes to align with other related legislation.

First Credential Program

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