HB 75 Utah House · 2026 General Session

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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Feb 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 1/30/2026 12:01:603 Amended 1/30/2026 12:01:603 · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Utah's American Indian and Alaska Native education laws by refining definitions, expanding grant eligibility to include rural counties, and establishing a new state plan to address educational gaps. It clarifies who qualifies for funding, adds specific reporting requirements for program effectiveness, and sets a deadline for adopting a comprehensive state strategy.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of the grant program by prioritizing schools in fourth, fifth, or sixth class counties with significant Native populations, and it adds a new requirement for the state board to adopt a formal state plan by January 1, 2027.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated school' to include 'Alaskan' in the text and set the threshold at 29% of students.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified grant recipient selection to prioritize American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated schools located in fourth, fifth, or sixth class counties with significant Native populations.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the liaison to report on the effectiveness of grant expenditures and established a process for sharing data with tribal education leaders.

Added a new requirement for the state plan to include a strategy for hiring, retaining, and promoting highly qualified teachers.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline of January 1, 2027, for the state board to adopt a formal American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House Jan 30, 2026

How they voted

220
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 29
Feb 12, 2026
D Democratic6
5 Yea 1
83% Yea
N Forward1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
16 Yea 6
72% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
37
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Feb 27, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Feb 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Feb 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Introduced
House/ floor amendment
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Education Committee]
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Education Committee]
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Education Committee]
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors