Education

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 169: High School Graduation Amendments

SB 169 ensures all Utah students who meet graduation requirements can participate in commencement ceremonies, including those in online programs (unless safety concerns prevent it). It requires school districts to allow this participation and gives the State Board of Education oversight to monitor local graduation policies. The bill does not change graduation requirements or standards but clarifies that students in online programs must have equal ceremony access. This policy affects all high school students earning diplomas, particularly those in remote learning environments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures equal graduation ceremony access for online students, expanding educational access without changing requirements or standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 334: Educator Organization Amendments

HB 334 creates the Legislative Education Support and Professional Development Commission to study gaps in educator support systems. The commission will examine issues like communication between schools and policymakers, professional development opportunities, teacher liability insurance models, and recognition programs, with a focus on educators not covered by professional organizations. It will hold its first meeting before October 1, 2026, and submit recommendations to the Education Interim Committee. The bill does not change existing laws or allocate funding, as it establishes a study body to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates commission to study educator support gaps, focusing on professional development and recognition for underrepresented educators, aligning with strengthening educator support systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 75: Educator Salary Adjustment Eligibility

SB 75 defines eligibility for annual educator salary adjustments by requiring a license from the Division of Professional Licensing and a position as a social worker or registered nurse in an educational setting. The bill mandates that the Legislature annually appropriate funds for these adjustments, though actual funding remains subject to budget constraints. It directly affects licensed social workers and registered nurses employed in educational roles by establishing their eligibility for potential salary increases. The bill does not guarantee specific raises but creates a framework for future budget allocations to address retention and recruitment. (Note: This bill is procedural in nature, defining eligibility criteria rather than implementing new policy.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual appropriations for educator salary adjustments, directly funding specific education roles within budget constraints.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual appropriations for educator salary adjustments, establishing eligibility for licensed school social workers/nurses, directly supporting educator compensation in K-12 settings.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates annual appropriations for salary adjustments for licensed social workers and RNs in schools, directly advancing wage standards for specific educational workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 189: School District Funding Amendments

SB 189 creates the High Growth District Grant Program to provide $15 million in state funding for school districts experiencing significant enrollment growth. It directly affects districts meeting a specific threshold: those with an average annual net enrollment increase equal to at least 10% of Utah’s total enrollment growth. The program funds land acquisition, facility construction/renovation, and transportation infrastructure expansion to address overcrowding. Eligibility is determined using a formula based on three years of enrollment data, with special rules for newly formed or reorganized districts. The State Board of Education will manage applications, distribution, and annual recalculations of qualifying districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M state funds for school infrastructure expansion, directly increasing public education budget allocation per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates $15M grant program specifically for school infrastructure (land, facilities, transportation) to address overcrowding in growing districts, directly advancing K-12 school funding and facilities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transportation infrastructure expansion for school facilities as part of grant program, directly supporting transportation needs within education context.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 65: Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments

SB 65 amends rules for distributing minimum basic tax revenue to school districts. It requires the state treasurer to deposit county tax payments into a special fund and notify the state board within 35 days. The state board must then send school districts either the full deposit amount or their remaining unfunded program costs (whichever is less), but not exceeding the deposit. The bill also clarifies that the state isn't subject to certain notice requirements before implementing these tax rates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates state board to distribute tax funds to school districts, covering unfunded program costs up to deposit amount, ensuring consistent school funding distribution.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 180: School Nutrition Amendments

SB 180 redirects 10% of Utah's liquor sales revenue to the Uniform School Fund to support school meal programs. It expands eligibility for free school lunches to include students from families earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, even if they don't qualify for the National School Lunch Program. The bill requires the State Board of Education to use at least 20% of these funds specifically for free lunches for these eligible students. This policy change uses existing liquor tax revenue without new appropriations to increase access to school meals for low-income Utah students in grades K-12.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing liquor tax revenue to fund school meal programs, expanding access without new taxes or spending cuts to public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects liquor tax revenue to fund expanded school meals, increasing access for low-income students through dedicated funding allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 241: Charter School Amendments

HB 241 updates Utah's charter school laws by replacing the "Charter School Revolving Account" with the "Charter School Revolving Fund," administered by the Utah Charter Finance Authority starting July 1, 2026. It gives charter schools equal access to purchase decommissioned school property (with resale restrictions), clarifies they are public schools, and requires governing board members to take an oath of office. The bill also adjusts loan limits ($1 million for facility expansions, 25% for acquisition/construction) and repayment terms, while making technical changes to related statutes. No new state funds are appropriated for these changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies charter schools as public institutions and expands access to facilities/funding for expansions, supporting K-12 educational infrastructure and access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 55: Privacy Compliance for Education Technology Vendors

HB 55 requires schools and government agencies contracting with education technology vendors to include specific privacy clauses in their agreements. It mandates that if a vendor illegally sells student data (violating state or federal law), the school must notify the vendor within 30 days and terminate the contract if the violation isn’t fixed within another 30 days. The bill also prohibits vendors from charging fees or seeking damages for contract termination due to privacy violations and repeals a prior provision allowing vendors to respond to student feedback requests. This directly affects schools, their ed tech vendors, and student data privacy protections under Utah law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student data privacy in ed tech contracts, mandating termination for violations and prohibiting vendor fees for breaches, strengthening student privacy safeguards in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates privacy clauses for edtech vendors, requires contract termination for illegal data sales, and protects student data privacy per bill's core provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 75: American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments

HB 75 amends Utah's education laws to better support American Indian and Alaska Native students. It defines "American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated schools" (those with ≥29% Native students), expands grant eligibility for schools serving these students (prioritizing certain counties), and requires the state board to adopt a specific education plan by 2027. The bill mandates annual reporting to the Native American Legislative Liaison Committee on grant use, program effectiveness, and plan implementation. It updates existing grant rules and creates new reporting requirements without appropriating new funds. The policy directly affects Utah schools with significant Native student populations and tribal communities through improved resource targeting and accountability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands grant eligibility for Native-serving schools, mandates education plan adoption, and requires annual reporting on program effectiveness to improve educational access and support for American Indian/Alaska Native students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 1: Higher Education Base Budget

SB 1 allocates $44.5 million for Utah's public higher education institutions for fiscal year 2026 and $3.08 billion for 2027, funding operations, instruction, research, and specific programs. It directs funds from the General Fund, Income Tax Fund, and other sources to institutions like the University of Utah (including its School of Medicine, cancer research, and hospital) and Utah State University (covering veterinary medicine, dentistry, and career education). The bill specifies detailed budget breakdowns for departments such as academic support, student services, and initiatives like the Poison Control Center. This funding directly supports the day-to-day operations and strategic priorities of Utah's public universities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3.08B from General/Income Tax Funds to public higher education, directly increasing state budget funding for essential education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $3.08B for 2027 higher education operations, instruction, and research at public institutions, directly funding core educational functions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education