Education (School Choice)

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 528: Local School Board Reporting

HB 528 requires Utah school districts to report specific open enrollment data - including school capacity, enrollment numbers on key dates, and nonresident student requests - to the State Board of Education. The State Board must then publish this data online, including school-specific enrollment rates and contact information for open enrollment staff. This affects all Utah public school districts and makes enrollment transparency requirements more accessible to families and the public. The bill does not change enrollment standards but mandates standardized reporting to improve visibility into district enrollment patterns.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires transparent reporting of enrollment data to improve public access and decision-making for families, enhancing educational access and transparency in K-12 enrollment processes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 272: Transportation Funding Revisions

SB 272 allows charter schools in Utah to become eligible for state transportation funding starting on a specified date. It requires the State Board of Education to study charter school transportation funding needs and establishes new reporting requirements for this funding. The bill also includes a sunset provision (ending the policy after a set date) and makes technical changes to existing education codes. No new state funds are appropriated for this change, meaning it modifies eligibility rules without additional spending.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands transportation funding access for charter schools (K-12), enhancing educational access without new appropriations, aligning with support indicators for school finance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Transportation

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 467: Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications

HB 467 modifies Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program to clarify eligibility and strengthen oversight. It requires students to be under 19 as of September 1 of the scholarship year and establishes consumer protection standards for how scholarship funds are spent. The bill also enhances program oversight, improves customer service standards for participants, and makes technical updates to program administration rules. These changes directly affect Utah students in kindergarten through 12th grade applying for the scholarship, ensuring clearer eligibility and better safeguards for scholarship funds. The bill does not appropriate new funds but adjusts existing program operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies scholarship program to clarify eligibility, strengthen oversight, and ensure proper fund usage, enhancing access and program integrity for K-12 students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 131: Charter School Eligibility

SB 131 expands Utah charter school enrollment preferences to include students living within the city or county where the school is located (if their home school is at capacity) and children of military service members and Department of Defense employees. The bill amends existing eligibility rules to add these categories to the list of students who may receive priority admission, while maintaining random lotteries for oversubscribed schools. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not require new state funding. This directly affects charter schools and families seeking enrollment in these schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands K-12 charter school access for local students and military families, increasing educational options without restricting funding or curriculum.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 186: Charter School Modifications

Utah's SB 186 establishes a study group to examine charter school administrative costs and funding models, requiring the State Board of Education to report findings by December 2026. The bill creates "charter school educational service agencies" (ESAs), allowing multiple charter schools to form collaborative entities via memorandums of understanding to share resources and services like grants or risk management coverage. It directly affects Utah charter schools (especially small schools under 2,000 students), the State Board of Education, and the Legislature through mandated study requirements. The bill appropriates $15.995 million for the study and ESA implementation, focusing on how school size impacts operational costs and funding adequacy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates charter school ESAs to share resources and improve funding models, aiming to strengthen K-12 charter school operations through collaborative efficiency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 360: School Athlete Amendments

HB 360 prohibits Utah public schools from joining athletic associations that require students to sit out (impose ineligibility) after transferring due to open enrollment, school choice programs, or documented bullying. It directly affects public schools, athletic associations, and students who transfer under these specific circumstances. The bill bans associations from denying athletic participation based on these transfer reasons, while also clarifying documentation requirements for non-citizen students and homeless youth. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents athletic ineligibility for students transferring due to open enrollment or bullying, promoting educational access and participation in K-12 sports programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Safety

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 54: Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments

SB 54 amends Utah's Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program to make it more accessible. It removes income-based eligibility requirements (affecting low-income families) and eliminates eligibility for siblings. The bill aligns the program with Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program by allowing scholarship organizations to approve private schools and providers, requiring physical education and extracurricular caps, and adding primary residency verification. These changes streamline administration and clarify eligibility without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves income-based eligibility for low-income families in K-12 scholarship program, expanding educational access and aligning with broader scholarship initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid