This bill adjusts state funding for Utah's public education system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating money to school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies while modifying several existing programs. It eliminates two grant programs - the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program and the Personalized, Competency-based Learning Grants Program - while creating new reporting requirements for how the state superintendent transfers funds and how student data is managed for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The legislation also establishes a new College and Career Counseling program, increases funding for at-risk students, and sets standards for mental health screening fund distribution and educator salary adjustments.
SB 244 requires all Utah public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) by the 2026-2027 school year, directly affecting every school within a local education agency (LEA). The bill mandates that CERPs include evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care protocols, proper placement and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and training for staff in CPR and AED use. It establishes a $200,000 grant program prioritizing high-needs schools (those with Title I status or over 50% free/reduced lunch students) to cover AED purchases, maintenance, and staff training. The State Board of Education will oversee implementation and set rules for compliance, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.
HB 497 adjusts Utah's public education funding formula to provide additional support for schools experiencing enrollment declines. It requires the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst to calculate and add funding to the Minimum School Program when enrollment drops, specifically increasing the weighted pupil unit value based on projected enrollment-related budget reductions. This change directly affects public schools with declining student enrollment by ensuring their funding levels are adjusted to account for reduced revenue from the Uniform School Fund. The bill updates existing code (53F-9-201.1) and takes effect on July 1, 2026, without appropriating new funds.
SB 274 provides supplemental funding to Utah's local schools based on student reading assessment results. It directs the state board to give additional literacy coaching support to school districts (LEAs) and small schools (under 300 students) where average reading performance falls below statewide averages on benchmark assessments. Funding amounts are set as half a full-time equivalent for most districts and a full-time equivalent for small schools showing significant reading growth gaps. The bill does not appropriate new state funds but triggers existing budget allocations based on prior year assessment data, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 521 creates a new Public Education Economic Stabilization Trust Fund managed by the state treasurer, which must receive $350 million annually starting in 2027 from the existing Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account. The bill requires this trust fund to be funded before other one-time appropriations for public education, ensuring priority for education funding during budget cycles. It also exempts the trust fund from standard state financial management laws and corrects how minimum funding levels apply. This directly affects Utah's public education system by mandating a dedicated funding stream for schools and specific programs like the Catalyst Center Grant Program.
HB 1 amends Utah's public education budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, primarily adjusting funding formulas and allocations. It sets the weighted pupil unit (WPU) value at $4,870 for 2026-2027, revises eligibility for career and technical education funding, and modifies emergency funding for English learners. The bill appropriates over $8.7 billion for school operations and capital budgets in 2027, including $4.8 billion from the Uniform School Fund, and adjusts tax rate calculations to support school funding. These changes directly affect Utah school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies through updated budget allocations and funding mechanisms.
HB 300 extends a 5-year "hold harmless" period for school districts that reduce their tax rates due to changes in property valuation. This protects districts from losing state funding guarantees if they proportionally lower all local tax levies (voted, board, and capital). The bill phases out excess state funding received in 2025 over three years (2026-2028), requiring districts to gradually reduce payments until 2029. It does not appropriate new funds but adjusts how existing state guarantee money is distributed to maintain stability during tax rate changes.
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.
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.)
SB 216 proposes adjusting state funding for public colleges based on changes in student enrollment trends. It would calculate funding by comparing five-year average enrollment data (for resident students) between two consecutive five-year periods and adjusting support based on whether enrollment increased or decreased. This funding mechanism directly affects public higher education institutions in the state, tying their state appropriations to measurable enrollment performance. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Education Committee and has not yet become law.
