Education

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 518: School Curriculum Amendments

HB 518 modifies Utah's social studies curriculum requirements for K-12 public schools. It mandates that American constitutional government and citizenship be taught as separate semester courses, and requires U.S. history to be taught as two distinct semester courses. The bill also prohibits students from repeating the same semester course for graduation, requires literacy coaches to integrate social studies content into literacy instruction, and mandates regular social studies instruction in elementary grades. Implementation must occur by July 1, 2031, and the bill repeals an adult education citizenship test.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific social studies course structures and integration, strengthening curriculum standards without restricting academic freedom or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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vetoed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 462: School Bus Internet Access

HB 462 creates a $325,000 grant program to provide internet access on school buses for extended trips (over 60 minutes one-way) in rural Utah school districts. It targets districts with schools in specific rural counties or fewer than 3,000 students, requiring at least two buses per district to be equipped with internet systems. Districts must maintain the service for three years, follow the same internet safety rules as school buildings, and can combine grant funds with their own to cover additional buses or service time. The program takes effect July 1, 2026, and is funded through the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $325,000 grant for school bus internet, funding an education program through state budget appropriations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $325k grant for internet access on school buses in rural K-12 districts, enhancing educational access during transportation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds internet access on school buses for rural students, expanding connectivity and promoting digital equity in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Broadband Access Online Safety

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 297: School Social Worker Amendments

SB 297 clarifies who can provide mental health support in Utah public schools by updating definitions for "qualifying personnel" (including licensed school social workers, counselors, and psychologists) and "behavioral health support personnel" (non-licensed staff assisting students). It requires the State Board of Education to create guidance based on licensing rules from the Division of Professional Licensing, ensuring schools follow proper training and supervision standards. The bill also establishes how existing state funds for school-based mental health services must be distributed to school districts, with requirements for annual reporting and collaboration with local mental health authorities. It does not appropriate new money but specifies that funds cannot replace existing federal or state funding for mental health staff. The changes primarily affect public schools, school districts, and licensed mental health professionals working in educational settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies mental health personnel qualifications to ensure proper training/supervision, strengthening student support services in schools per bill's definition updates and State Board guidance requirements.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies mental health support roles in schools with licensing standards, ensuring proper training and supervision for student mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 485: Property Tax Revenue Increase Amendments

HB 485 limits how much revenue school districts and other local taxing entities can collect from new property value growth (e.g., increases in property values beyond the base assessment). It caps this revenue at the lesser of two amounts: (1) new growth multiplied by a set tax rate, or (2) an inflation-adjusted budget increase. This change affects school districts' ability to raise funds from new property values and adjusts how state contributions to basic school programs are calculated. The bill makes technical updates to property tax laws without appropriating new state funds, effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps property tax revenue growth for school districts, limiting their ability to collect new funds from rising property values.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationCapping property tax revenue growth limits school districts' ability to raise funds from new property values, restricting potential education funding increases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget School Funding Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 294: Student Achievement Backpack

SB 294 creates a standardized digital "Student Achievement Backpack" for Utah K-12 students, providing a unified view of their academic progress across schools and programs. It requires the system to operate without transferring or storing student data (keeping records in original school systems), using a "visualization-only interface" to show existing data securely. The bill defines who can access this profile - students, parents, teachers, and administrators - and ensures it supports personalized learning, postsecondary planning, and seamless transitions between schools. It does not replace existing school data systems or alter current reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates secure, unified student data access for K-12 educators and parents, enhancing educational tracking without data transfer per bill's visualization-only interface requirement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects student data privacy by requiring no data transfer/storage and using a secure visualization interface, aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 291: Student Transportation Amendments

SB 291 amends Utah's student transportation rules to expand eligibility for state-funded bus service. It defines "hazardous routes" (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks, multi-lane highways, or dangerous intersections) and creates new eligibility: students in kindergarten-grade 6 living ≥1.5 miles from school, or students in middle school (grades 6-12) living ≥2 miles away. Crucially, it adds eligibility for students in certain counties if their walking route is hazardous, regardless of distance. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund transportation for students on hazardous routes, requiring school districts to respond to parent petitions within 30 days. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state-funded transportation eligibility, increasing public service funding for student safety. Directly allocates state budget resources to cover more students under new criteria.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands state-funded bus eligibility for K-6/MS students in hazardous routes or beyond distance thresholds, improving school access and safety.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDefines hazardous routes (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks) and expands bus eligibility for safety, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Transportation Public Transit

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signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 13: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Technical Education

HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) encouraging Utah schools to expand technical education programs focused on high-demand careers in nuclear technology, mining, and fiber optics. It urges the State Board of Education and local schools to create courses leading to industry certifications (like electric lineworker training) and collaborate with employers to align curriculum with workforce needs. The resolution does not appropriate funding or mandate changes but recommends specific actions to strengthen Utah’s workforce pipeline in key industries. It directly affects public schools, career and technical education programs, and industry partners through voluntary program development. The resolution passed the legislature in March 2026 and is now sent to the State Board of Education for consideration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages expansion of technical education programs for high-demand careers, enhancing curriculum alignment with workforce needs and student program access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 241: Early Literacy

SB 241 establishes a statewide framework for early literacy in Utah public schools, directly affecting kindergarten through third-grade students, their schools, and educators. It sets a 2030 goal for 80% of third graders to read at grade level, requiring schools to provide individualized reading plans based on benchmark assessments and ban certain teaching methods like "three-cueing." The bill mandates science-of-reading training for teachers and school leaders, dedicates existing funding for literacy coaching (without new money), and ties school performance monitoring to third-grade reading outcomes. Key provisions include requiring retention in third grade for students not meeting benchmarks (with limited exemptions) and aligning teacher evaluations with literacy instruction standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates science-of-reading training, bans ineffective methods, sets literacy goals with dedicated funding for K-3 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 497: Public Education Funding Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds funding to education budget for declining enrollment schools, strengthening public school financing per bill's adjustment of weighted pupil unit value.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts funding formula to provide additional support for schools with enrollment declines, increasing weighted pupil unit value to maintain funding levels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 456: Pesticide Amendments

HB 456, titled "Pesticide Amendments," restricts the use of specific pesticides near schools in Utah. It prohibits applying 10 listed chemicals - including glyphosate, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and certain fluorinated substances - within 1,000 feet of any school boundary, defined as the school's property line or adjacent areas used for education. For pesticides not banned by the bill, applicators must post signs 72 hours before and after application within the 1,000-foot zone, excluding biopesticides and antimicrobials. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and applies directly to pesticide users near elementary or secondary schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restricts harmful pesticides near schools to protect student safety, directly addressing school facilities and safety under Education topic. Prohibits chemicals within 1,000 feet of school boundaries, aligning with educational environment pro...90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts harmful pesticides near schools, reducing environmental pollution and protecting natural resources per bill's prohibitions on chemicals like chlorpyrifos and glyphosate.95% confidence

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