SB 161 Utah Senate · 2025 General Session

Cultural and Community Engagement Amendments

SB 161 creates the Community Library Enhancement Fund Grant Program to support library improvements and establishes the Utah Women's History Initiative to preserve and promote women's historical contributions. It amends the One Utah Service Fellowship Program to allow third-party administrators to receive matching funds, require monthly living allowance payments to participants, and permit tuition agreements with higher education institutions. The bill updates the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement's structure, reporting requirements, and oversight of state libraries and cultural programs. The legislation makes technical changes to multiple Utah Code sections without appropriating new state funds.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 24, 2025 Signed Mar 19, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 → Enrolled · 7 edits · Mar 19, 2025

MODERATE

This bill creates the 'One Utah Service Fellowship Program,' a new initiative designed to provide service opportunities for young adults (ages 17+) that lead to education awards or stipends. The program requires participants to commit to a set number of service hours, with funding split between state funds, matching contributions from partner organizations, and potential private donations. It also establishes a new 'Third-party administrator' role to manage the program and updates the effective date of the legislation to May 7, 2025.

Scope change

The bill introduces a completely new program (One Utah Service Fellowship Program) under Section 15, while retaining the existing Utah Main Street Program under Section 16. It adds a new repealer section for state publications and updates the effective date.

SCOPE

Creation of the 'One Utah Service Fellowship Program' to provide service opportunities and education funding for young adults.

DEFINITION

New definitions for 'Education expense,' 'Eligible recipient,' 'Participant,' 'Qualified partner organization,' 'Third-party administrator,' and 'Tuition award'.

FISCAL

Establishment of a funding structure where the state provides up to $5/hour and $8,500 total, supplemented by partner matching funds (minimum $5/hour) and private donations.

REQUIREMENT

Requirements for participants to be at least 17 years old, have a high school diploma, and complete a set number of service hours.

Mandate for qualified partner organizations to provide in-person supervision and match funding for participant stipends.

ENFORCEMENT

Creation of a 'Third-party administrator' role to manage the program and maintain an online portal for applications and information.

TIMELINE

The bill's effective date was changed from February 17, 2025, to March 7, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2025

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 6, 2025

Legislature · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

legislature

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

lower

Feb 24, 2025

Committee

House/ to standing committee

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor