Outcome-based Investment Grant Pilot Framework

Added $9,000,000 in appropriations for FY 2027, split between $4.5M for the Utah Board of Higher Education and $4.5M for the State Board of Education.

Mandated the use of independent evaluators to measure project outcomes and compare actual results to projected outcomes.

Established a sunset date of July 1, 2031, for the Outcome-based Investment Grant Pilot Framework.

Defined key terms including 'independent evaluator,' 'evaluation framework,' 'pilot framework,' and 'pre-analysis plan' to ensure standardized implementation.

Authorized the Office of the Legislative Auditor General to review evaluation findings and assess the methodological rigor of independent evaluations.

Changed the text from a draft amendment format (with strike-throughs and insertions) to a clean, final enacted legislative text.

Corrected the agency name from 'Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst' to 'Office of the Legislative Auditor General' in two locations where the bill assigns the responsibility of establishing evaluation standards and requirements.

Added $9,000,000 in new appropriations for fiscal year 2027, including $4.5 million for higher education and $4.5 million for public education initiatives.

Changed the program title from 'Pilot Program' to 'Pilot Framework' and updated the definition of the program to reflect this new terminology.

Modified the requirement for establishing evaluation standards, shifting responsibility from the Office of the Legislative Auditor General to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget.

Added specific legislative intent clauses directing the appropriated funds to specific projects: a digital data inventory for higher education and a school improvement pilot for underperforming schools.

Added a requirement that the pilot framework only applies to grants where the Legislature expressly declares the intent for the administering agency to use the framework in the appropriation.