SJR 8 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Joint Resolution to Initiate a Law School at Utah Valley University

This joint resolution directs Utah Valley University (UVU) to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a law school at its Thanksgiving Point campus in Lehi. The study must evaluate facility needs, faculty requirements, accreditation pathways (including American Bar Association standards), market demand, and program design focused on evening/weekend classes for working professionals. It requires UVU to assess factors like enrollment projections, tuition models, facility adequacy, and how the school would complement existing law schools in northern Utah. The resolution does not fund the law school but mandates a report to the Legislature by November 2026. This affects UVU, future legal students (particularly working professionals), and Utah's legal education landscape.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 3/2/2026 10:03:29 Amended 3/2/2026 10:03:29 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was reorganized and expanded to include more detailed 'Whereas' clauses explaining the need for a new law school and specific requirements for the feasibility study. A new provision was added to require the study to evaluate the viability of establishing a shared law school with other universities in the Utah System of Higher Education, alongside the option for a standalone school at Utah Valley University. The formatting was updated to reflect the final amended version, removing draft committee notes.
Scope change
The scope of the feasibility study was expanded to include an evaluation of shared law school models within the Utah System of Higher Education, in addition to a standalone school at Utah Valley University.
REQUIREMENT

Added a specific requirement for the feasibility study to evaluate the efficiencies, benefits, and viability of a shared law school model involving multiple universities in the Utah System of Higher Education.

Inserted additional 'Whereas' clauses to provide context on population growth, geographic diversity, and the specific needs of working professionals.

TECHNICAL

Replaced draft committee amendment markers and notes with the clean, final text of the resolution.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

253
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 29
Mar 6, 2026
D Democratic6
4 Yea 1 Nay 1
66% Yea
N Forward1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
20 Yea 2 Nay
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
49
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Amendments
4
Mar 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 28, 2026
Introduced
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brady Brammer
Brady Brammer
RRepublican
UT
21