Debate Committee Amendments

HB 557 creates the Utah Debate Committee at Utah Valley University to organize nonpartisan candidate debates for state and federal elections. The committee, governed by a leadership board appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, will schedule debates for gubernatorial and congressional races while ensuring fair conduct and public access. It appropriates $600,000 from the Income Tax Fund for fiscal year 2026 to cover operations, including staff support from Utah Valley University. The committee must prevent any single university from hosting more than one primary or general election debate per cycle and maintain political neutrality in all debate planning.