Education

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 85: Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications

SB 85 expands Utah's teacher performance award program to include teachers in school districts not participating in the program. It creates a "self-nomination" pathway for eligible teachers in non-participating districts who meet statewide performance thresholds (top 40% in their subject/grade using state data). The bill updates the program rules to allow these teachers to qualify without district nomination, using a state-calculated value-added growth model. The changes apply to all Utah public school teachers and require the state center to identify qualifying teachers and issue invitations. No new funding is appropriated for this eligibility expansion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands teacher performance awards to non-participating districts via self-nomination, supporting educators by increasing access to funding and recognition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 119: School and Classroom Amendments

SB 119 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop free, open educational resources (OER) for public schools in kindergarten through grade 8. These resources must align with Utah core standards, reflect state values, be accessible for students with disabilities, and avoid bias, including digital and print materials. The bill directs the State Board to create a centralized platform for these resources, consult with schools and parents during development, and report on progress to the legislature. It does not mandate school districts to adopt the OER, and the bill affects all Utah public schools serving K-8 students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free, accessible OER aligned with standards and inclusive for disabled students, expanding educational access and quality for K-8.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

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

Track

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 Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

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

Track

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

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 1: Public Education Base Budget Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $8.7B for public education, adjusts tax rates to fund school budgets, and increases WPU value, directly advancing state education finance.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $8.7B+ for K-12 operations including $4.8B from Uniform School Fund, increases WPU value, and revises funding formulas to support schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education