Legislative Bills

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SB0030S01 | Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill concerns human labor trafficking, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and human smuggling.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Explicitly revises offenses involving trafficking of a child — both for labor trafficking and sexual exploitation — meaning the law now more clearly encompasses a wider range of exploitative conduct involving minors. Previously existing statutes criminalized such acts, but the bill reorganizes the offenses, clarifies their scope, and removes certain defenses that could have applied.

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
Senate/ to Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 11, 2026
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 4
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Stronger legal clarity makes it harder for traffickers to evade prosecution when minors are involved. It ensures that any exploitation of a child for labor or sexual purposes is treated as a serious criminal offense.

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote and support the adoption and enforcement of laws,at all levels of government, to end the recruitment, force or involvement of a minorin conduct or violence of a sexually nature and all forms of sexual exploitation;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

To advocate for laws that further the education, physical and mental health, welfare, and safety of children and youth.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

That National PTA and its constituent organizations support the adoption and enforcement of laws that will deter the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation; and be it further

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Address threats to the safety and well-being of children that can happen online, such as cyberbullying, exploitation,criminal activity and violence.

SB0034S04 | Affordable Housing Modifications

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies provisions related to a municipality's and a county's general plan related to moderate income housing.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 26, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 13
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This bill is a Utah PTA Priority Bill. Children benefit when they have stable, safe and affordable housing.

Commission: 
Community Engagement
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations support adequate funding for federal and state housing programs that increase the number of affordable housing units including rental and homeownership options.

SB0037 | Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax that school districts impose.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax (a property tax levy) that school districts impose.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
Governor Vetoed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2025
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill seeks to take the property tax dollars that are currently going to schools through the Minimum Basic Levy and gives those dollars to the General Fund. This will cause a significant loss of funding to our schools. There is also a concern that local boards will be imposing a tax that will then be given to the state to spend- meaning that the local board will have no control over how the tax is used.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations will always oppose funding methods that divert funds away from public education system if the accountability methods are not equal to or greater than those of public education system

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

EDUCATION. Support an adequately funded public school system by funding a 3% Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) increase over and above growth and inflation; implement policies to increase proficiency levels by improving attendance, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers; increase academic excellence for all Utah students; and prioritize local control to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and individual schools.

Files

SB0037S06 | Electronic Cigarette and Other Nicotine Product Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts and amends provisions relating to electronic cigarette products and nicotine products.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 30, 2020
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

We support these bills, but we expect changes to continue to be made on all e cigarette and vaping legislation. With these changes, Utah PTA hopes for, and would support, the following three priorities when considering any amendments or substitutes.
1) It decrease access and usage by our youth.
2) It increases enforcement capabilities.
3) It closes loopholes, i.e., grandfather clauses, allowing mint/menthol flavors, etc.

Impact on Children: 

This bill imposes permitting requirements and processes for the sale of a nicotine product; it requires a tobacco retailer to provide itemized receipts and to maintain an itemized transaction log for sales of a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product in order for the e-cigarettes to be taxed the same as other tobacco products.

Higher taxes on tobacco products have shown to decrease the use among youth.

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth
Resolved, That Utah PTA seek and support legislation that would include ENDS in the Utah Code Annotated definition of tobacco products and treat them as such – including the need for licensing, sales restrictions, tax parity, and marketing; and, be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS products; and, be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support the position that any revenue generated through taxation of ENDS should support tobacco cessation and prevention programs;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

SB0039S04 | Affordable Housing Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies provisions related to affordable housing.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2020
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 13
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$10,000,000
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2021: to the Department of Workforce Services -- Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, $10,000,000.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support

While Utah PTA supports efforts to provide affordable housing, we oppose monies coming out of the Uniform School Fund to provide funding to help resolve this issue.

Impact on Children: 

S.B. 39 seeks to increase the inventory of affordable housing, which PTA has resolved to support, however our first priority is to fully fund education.  Adequately available affordable housing helps children to be ready to learn.  If children are spending time and energy worrying about and / or moving they will not be able to devote the same time or energy to their education, to becoming financial independent, productive citizens.

Commission: 
Community Engagement

SB0040 | Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program within the Department of Health.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2020
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

1 in 6 Utah teens are now vaping. According to the SHARP survey though, marijuana is double that, and alcohol is almost triple. 

The Bill creates the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Committee. It will consolidate advisory groups and committees with other committees or advisory and help the groups as appropriate to create greater efficiencies and budgetary savings for the department.

The program may help to prevent usage of electronic cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs among our youth. 

Commission: 
Student Leadership
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth
Resolved, That the Utah PTA work in collaboration with state and local health departments, school boards, school districts, and other agencies to educate youth, parents, communities, and local elected officials on the dangers of ENDS products;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

6. Support measures to instill proven and effective prevention methods to promote healthy behaviors in children to be able to overcome the ills of society including suicide, tobacco use, vaping, underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual exploitation, bullying, and any form of addiction that is harmful to our children’s well-being.

SB0040 | Child Welfare Sunset Provisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends child welfare provisions that are scheduled to sunset in 2019.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Continue to establish and operate a psychotropic medication oversight pilot program for children in foster care through Dec 2021, to ensure that foster children are being prescribed psychotropic medication consistent with their needs.

Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given

SB0041S01 | Mental Health Access Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies an insurer's responsibilities for mental health coverage.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill allows a diagnosis or treatment of a mental health condition to do be done via telehealth services.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 02, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 1
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this bill will provide greater access to mental health services for children and adults statewide.

Commission: 
Health
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA support legislation which requires insurance parity for mental illnesses

SB0043 | Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill clarifies the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office's role and implements distribution accountability requirements for non-public education trust beneficiaries.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill defines key terms, clarifies the authority and purpose of the advocacy office as the primary representative of trust beneficiaries, refines the duties of the advocacy office director, establishes accountability requirements for the use of trust distributions in response to a legislative audit, and updates the composition of the nominating committees for the trustee boards.

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
Senate/ to Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2026
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 27
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill strengthens the systems that protect and manage the School Land Trusts, helping ensure those funds are used responsibly and in ways that support their long‑term well‑being of Utah's school children.

Commission: 
Trust Lands
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage State and local officials to take all necessary steps to assure that management of the School Trust Lands is in accordance with trust duties and principles including undivided loyalty to the beneficiaries, a duty to make trust property productive, a duty to keep and render accounts, and a duty to exercise prudence and skill in administering the trust, thereby obtaining much-needed revenue for Utah's public schools; and be if further Resolved, That Utah PTA work to encourage Federal and State officials to fulfill their responsibilities under the Enabling Act by assisting the State in proper management of School Trust Lands for their intended purpose to support public schools; and in cases where management for trust purposes would conflict with other important purposes, such as protection of archaeological, aesthetic, or other environmental or cultural resources, that the Federal Government or State purchase, or trade the affected lands for other lands of comparable value; and be it further Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the State Legislature to protect the permanent State School Fund for dedication to K-12 public education;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To advocate for laws that further the education, physical and mental health, welfare, and safety of children and youth.

SB0044S01 | Alternative Education Scholarship Combination

Description
General Description: 

This bill combines the Carson Smith Scholarship and Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Programs.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Combines the Carson Smith Scholarship and the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship into the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program. Allows for homeschool and preschool aged students to receive scholarships. Adds expenses with a qualifying provider to allowable scholarship expenses. Provides regulatory autonomy for a qualifying school, qualifying provider, and home-school student. Allows scholarships to be used for services from eligible service providers and establishes an approval process. Allows students with disabilities and their siblings to be awarded scholarship amounts of up to 2.5 times the WPU amount. Phases out new applications and extensions for the Carson Smith Scholarship Program after the 2023-2024 school year and makes technical changes.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 20, 2024
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA is concerned about the lack of oversight on this bill. There is no mechanism to ensure that these taxpayer funds are being spent for the designated purpose and there is no follow up to see if these funds are actually helping students with disabilities to progress in their education. Further, having multiple SGOs creates potential mismanagement of funds. The USBE has been a better steward of taxpayer funds and should be considered as the SGO of choice to handle this program.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill would prevent tax money going into the funds providing for public education. Scholarships are awarded to students with disabilities and their siblings for up to 2.5 times the WPU amount. Donors to the scholarship fund receive a tax credit for the full amount of their donation.

Commission: 
Education
Special Needs Specialist
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved that Utah PTA and its constituent associations oppose funding mechanisms such as vouchers, tax credits, deductions; and, be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations will always oppose funding methods that divert funds away from public education system if the accountability methods are not equal to or greater than those of public education system; and, be it further

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations oppose the dilution of the constitutional mandate to fully fund public education and oppose income tax cuts and credits that directly reduce the amount allocated to public education funding