Legislative Bills

HB0191S03 | High School Credit Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the use of an instructional packet to receive credit in public high schools.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill prohibits LEAs from awarding course credit to students who have completed instructional packets unless the packet has been approved by USBE.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0191S03

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 26, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Impact on Children:

Local Education Agencies are the best place to decide what curricular materials can be used to receive credit. This does not need to be decided at the legislative level.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

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.

HB0192 | Public Education Scholarship Program Use Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill prohibits certain expenses from being scholarship expenses.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill prohibits certain expenses from qualifying for reimbursement through the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program. Expenses prohibited will include costs related to participation in sports, recreational activities, or athletic programs.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0192

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

Utah PTA is opposed to vouchers. Limiting the scope of the current voucher program is therefore a good idea. Public funds should not be used for things like ski passes and gear, which are a good example of items that would be prohibited by this legislation.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations oppose funding mechanisms such as vouchers, tax credits, deductions.

HB0193S05 | Full-day Kindergarten

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to optional enhanced kindergarten.

Highlighted Provisions:

$12.2 million from the Uniform Education Fund will be distributed by the state board based on greatest need. If the cost of Optional Extended Day Kindergarten gets to 80% of the cost of the WPU, the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee shall study the feasibility of kindergarten getting a full WPU. It also states that you cannot require a student to attend full day kindergarten.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0193S05

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$12,200,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2023: to the Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs: From the Uniform School Fund, $12,200,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

The fifth substitute for HB193 is a far cry from the original bill that would have given a full WPU for a kindergarten student. Although Utahns put education as their top priority it is once again near the bottom when it comes to funding. The 3rd substitute of this bill was supported and pushed for by every educational stakeholder in the state of Utah. The fifth substitute does give some increased funding but not to the level that will meet need or demand.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2022-1 | Full-Day Kindergarten

Impact on Children:

This bill gives a start to expanding full day kindergarten options for Utah's children. Currently on 30% of Utah has access to full day kindergarten (FDK). Kindergarten is the foundation of a strong education. A successful kindergarten student will be more confident and have more skills to succeed.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA supports the expansion of optional full-day kindergarten programs for students in need of support to achieve minimal learning
standards and requests increased funding to support such expansion

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents. Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

3. Support public education funding for high quality part and optional full day kindergarten, as well as other early childhood opportunities to adequately prepare our students to be successful learners.

HB0197 | Income Tax Rate Modifications

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the income tax rates.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
12 ▸amends the corporate franchise and income tax rates (from 4.95% to 4.5%); and
13 ▸amends the individual income tax rate.
This bill provides retrospective operation.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0197

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

2022 Income Tax Position Statement: Unless specifically targeted to low socio economic classes and military families, Utah PTA opposes broad income tax reductions as these directly affect funding for education.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2021-1 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

Utah PTA opposes any bill that would decrease the education fund and therefore funding for earmarked education. Utah has consistently ranked at the bottom of the per pupil spending as defined by the Census Bureau. Utah PTA believes that investing in Utah children will reap the best dividends for Utah and Utah economy. While Utah has done wonders with the comparatively low levels of funding dedicated to education, it has also come at a cost of overstretched teachers and large class sizes. Positively impacting these two will benefit Utah children.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, textbooks and supplies

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

1. Support a 5% WPU increase with maximum flexibility to be used for purposes such as recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers or upgrading buildings to be physically safe and secure.

HB0198 | Education Accountability Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to school overall ratings under the school accountability system.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0198

Year:

2019

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2014-1 | Public School Accountability

Impact on Children:

Stakeholders of all kinds recognize the inadequacy of a single letter grade for schools and it is crucial that ratings be as accurate and fair as possible. Parents and students are better served by accountability systems that take into account multiple characteristics for an overall rating.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA support systems of accountability for public schools that take into account qualitative characteristics, including a welcoming environment, family engagement efforts, administrative leadership, and community collaboration; in addition to quantitative measurements, such as educator qualifications, student absenteeism, average student tested
proficiency and student academic growth; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA advocates against the implementation of any accountability system that reduces the evaluation of a school to a single grade or score, that ranks schools beyond statistical confidence, and that grades on a bell curve; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies support increased funding to assist schools with their plans for school improvement; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA recognize the State Board of Education as the appropriate body to form standards of accountability and methods of school evaluation based on these standards; and that any legislative requirements should be made collaboratively with the State Board of Education and the expertise of the State Office of Education.

Legislative Bills

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