UtahH.B. 1292026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Education Board Amendments

Sponsored By: Norman K Thurston (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationK-12 EducationState Board of Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

New transparency rules for school vendors

Beginning May 6, 2026, when a school district or charter contracts for an educational good or service, the contract must require the contractor to share information on request to verify compliance with state education laws and board rules. This applies only to educational goods or services and is set by board rule.

Board in-house lawyer with limits

Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Board may appoint an attorney to advise the board and its staff and coordinate legal affairs. The attorney must work with the Attorney General and cannot litigate, settle Risk Management Fund claims, or issue formal legal opinions.

Board rulemaking grows, local control protected

Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Board may adopt rules and delegate duties to staff under the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act. The law confirms the board’s general supervision of public education. It also bars the board from running districts or programs unless a statute gives that power.

Rules for selling surplus school property

Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Board may sell real property it finds is surplus. Proceeds may fund capital projects, equipment, or materials, not salaries or ongoing costs. If the property served a board-run agency or institution, the money must support related uses. The board must tell the Legislature about any sale at the next session.

Stronger oversight and penalties for schools

Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Board can act when an education entity breaks education law or board rules. The board may require fixes, withhold or seek repayment of state funds, add reporting or monitoring, use third‑party help, and refer cases to prosecutors or auditors. Money the board collects (not temporarily withheld) goes to the Uniform School Fund. The board must give notice and a chance to be heard before taking enforcement. Anyone can report a possible violation through a board process. The board can audit how state money is used. The law also defines which groups are “education entities” and what counts as an “educational good or service.”

Testing waiver report duty repealed

Beginning May 6, 2026, the law removes the State Board’s duty to report to the Education Interim Committee on statutes affected by assessment waivers.

Training standards and federal program policies

Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Board must set policies and procedures to run federal education programs. Any required training or certification for public education employees must follow state training standards in Title 63G, Chapter 22.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Norman K Thurston
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 165 • No: 19

House vote • 3/6/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 59 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 28 • No: 0

House vote • 3/2/2026

Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation

Yes: 4 • No: 0

House vote • 3/2/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 3 • No: 1

House vote • 2/23/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 53 • No: 15

House vote • 2/17/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

House Comm - Substitute Recommendation