All Roll Calls
Yes: 177 • No: 5
UtahH.B. 1942026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Utah State Board of Education Ethics Amendments
Sponsored By: Sahara Hayes (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
EducationEthicsState Board of Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.
Board pays fees if cleared
Each side normally pays its own legal costs. The State Board must pay a respondent member’s reasonable attorney fees and costs if the commission does not recommend any allegation to the board, or if the board later finds none of the recommended allegations were proved. Effective May 6, 2026.
New ethics watchdog for State Board
The law creates a five‑member Independent Ethics Commission to review complaints about current State Board of Education members. It must include two former judges, two former board members who last served at least four years ago, and one former superintendent or charter director who last served at least two years ago. Members are appointed by the board, serve staggered four‑year terms with a two‑term limit, and cannot be lobbyists or hold certain offices while serving. They are unpaid but may get per diem and expenses. Beginning May 6, 2026.
Stronger ethics rules for Board members
Board members must follow a strict code of conduct. They cannot be paid to lobby on matters before the board, except for federal lobbying. They cannot use nonpublic information, violate student privacy, discriminate or harass, or misuse board resources. A member may not contact a judge about a case until the court issues a final order. Small, non‑influencing gifts are allowed, and members may do business with the state only under normal procurement rules. Effective May 6, 2026.
Annual online ethics training for members
The State Board must keep an online ethics course with materials open to the public. Each board member must complete the key training exercises once a year. The course is developed with the attorney general’s office. Starts May 6, 2026.
Board penalties and impeachment steps
Within five days of a commission recommendation, the board schedules a review and meets within 30 days. The board votes in public on each allegation using a clear‑and‑convincing standard. If proven, the board may censure, reprimand, remove leadership roles, limit privileges it controls, or refer the matter. The board cannot remove an elected member from office; only the Legislature can through impeachment. A two‑thirds vote is needed to recommend impeachment. If impeachment is recommended, the board names counsel, shares records, and helps the Legislature. During impeachment, the board may suspend leadership roles but cannot block attendance, debate, or voting unless a court orders it.
How ethics cases are reviewed
After acceptance, the chair schedules a commission meeting within 60 days; hearings can be closed and follow evidence rules. The commission may subpoena witnesses and documents, and witnesses testify under oath. Members must avoid off‑record talks about a case. An allegation is proven only if four of five commissioners vote for it, based on the evidence. If any are proven, the commission issues a written recommendation and releases edited public records with dismissed counts redacted, within five business days.
How ethics complaints get filed
Only two or more State Board members with admissible evidence, or two or more Utah voters (with at least one voter having personal knowledge for each claim), may file a complaint. Complaints must target a current board member and include facts, evidence or affidavits, and a witness list. You generally have two years to file, and you cannot file in the 60 days before an election if the accused is a candidate, unless it involves a moral‑turpitude crime. Commission staff review filings within five business days; noncompliant filings are returned with reasons, and compliant ones are accepted and served. Complaints stay confidential during review; if the subject or filer is publicly named, the complaint is dismissed without prejudice. Parties may seek to disqualify a commission member within 20 days with a sworn motion. If the respondent resigns, the case is dismissed. Effective May 6, 2026.
When the new ethics rules start
The law takes effect on May 6, 2026. All parts apply on that date unless a part states a different date.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Sahara Hayes
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
John D. Johnson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 63 • No: 1
House vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 61 • No: 2
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 2
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ amended
2/26/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2026Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
2/25/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 2/26/2026 09:02:771
2/26/2026
Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:831
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/8/2026
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