School Board Referendum Amendments
HB 408 creates a new process allowing voters in Utah school districts to hold local referendums challenging specific school board decisions, such as tax increases or new taxes. It directly affects school district residents who can initiate these votes and school boards making such financial decisions. The bill defines key terms and establishes the procedure for these referendums, while making minor technical updates to existing laws. It does not appropriate funds or change other aspects of school governance.
Bill status
failed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2025
Last action Mar 8, 2025
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What changed between versions
Substitute #1
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Substitute #2
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4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Utah's local referendum laws to clarify definitions, establish a process for school district voters to challenge local school board decisions (including tax increases), and make technical corrections to align related statutes. The changes primarily affect how local referendums are initiated, evaluated, and processed across counties, municipalities, and school districts.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of local referendums to include challenges against local school board legislative actions, such as tax increases, which were not explicitly covered in the previous version.
DEFINITION
Updated definitions in multiple sections to clarify terms like 'affected owner,' 'local school tax law,' and 'land use law' to ensure consistency across different chapters.
ELIGIBILITY
Added provisions allowing school district voters to challenge specific local school board decisions, including tax rate increases and new tax impositions, through a referendum process.
REQUIREMENT
Modified signature requirements and timing for referendum petitions to ensure alignment with voter participation area rules and to streamline the evaluation process by local clerks.
TECHNICAL
Made technical and conforming changes to section numbering, formatting, and cross-references to improve clarity and consistency throughout the code.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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