UtahH.B. 3732026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Higher Education Innovation

Sponsored By: Karen M. Peterson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationHigher EducationSchool FinanceUtah Board of Higher EducationColleges and UniversitiesGovernanceUtah System of Higher Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

21 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 8 costs, 6 mixed.

Public safety officer scholarships and payback rules

Starting July 1, 2026, the Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship helps future peace officers. You must have a high school diploma, apply, enroll in POST basic training when eligible, enroll in a board‑approved program, and commit to five years of peace officer work after POST. Awards cannot exceed your tuition, fees, and required textbooks and can support up to four academic years, including POST training. If funding is short, the board reduces awards pro rata for on‑time eligible applicants. You must repay the full scholarship if you fail POST, skip the five‑year service, or miss any required degree, unless you document no job offer within 12 months after POST.

New first credential and credit transfer

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state creates a First Credential you can earn through several paths. You can qualify by 12–18 core concurrent enrollment credits, a listed industry credential, a 300‑hour aligned youth apprenticeship, a technical college certificate, or a CTE Pathway. The law requires these first‑credential credits to transfer to colleges and technical colleges toward related degrees. The state sets a master credential list, auto‑adds ones recognized by July 1, 2024, and reviews them within a year. An oversight committee guides the program, and the state board can award grants to school districts and charters that submit a needs assessment and an approved plan.

Scholarship after you earn first credential

Beginning July 1, 2026, if you earn a First Credential, the Board of Higher Education awards you a scholarship, subject to funding. You can use it at eligible schools for up to three years after high school. It may pay tuition, fees, books, and other school costs. The commissioner sets the annual amount based on the number of eligible students and legislative funding.

Research funding pilot and $50M startup

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state runs a competitive Higher Education Research Funding Pilot through July 1, 2030. Each year, 75%–85% of funds go to research institutions and 15%–25% to applied projects at regional institutions. The law provides a one‑time $50 million startup in FY 2027. The board uses a scoring system that favors impact, Utah industry ties, policy relevance, commercialization, matching funds, and student participation, and updates eligible areas at least every three years. Admin costs are capped at 1% of program funds, institution presidents must rank proposals, and funds do not lapse at year‑end.

Education savings incentive ends 2028

On July 1, 2028, the Education Savings Incentive Program ends. Parents and students who used or expected this program no longer get that state incentive. Households will not receive incentives from that program after that date.

School drinking water rule repealed

On July 1, 2027, the state rule on school drinking water quality ends. Schools no longer follow that statutory requirement. Parents and students have less state oversight of drinking water at school.

Schools help run Opportunity Scholarship

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education, school districts, and public high schools must work with the higher‑ed board and colleges to support the Opportunity Scholarship. They share allowed data to run and promote the program. This makes it easier for students to learn about and use the scholarship.

You can sue in more education cases

On July 1, 2027, the law removes two limits that blocked private lawsuits or waived government immunity in parts of the education code. People and groups can bring claims that those limits had barred. The law does not set damage amounts or court procedures.

New contracts for Point of the Mountain

From July 1, 2026 through January 1, 2029, the Point of the Mountain Development Authority can coordinate or contract with a state agency to use a state facility on that site. This power helps the authority run services or programs at the location.

Nucleus Fund investment chair required

Beginning July 1, 2026, the institute board appoints a chair of the investment committee. The chair runs investment policies for the Nucleus Fund, manages investments with the committee, and submits an annual budget and plan. The chair also sets accounting systems and keeps records for audits.

Elementary teacher prep grant ends

On July 1, 2028, the elementary teacher preparation assessment grant ends. Teacher candidates and programs no longer have that state grant authority.

Parental tech-use video ends 2030

On January 1, 2030, schools no longer must show the state’s parent video about student technology use. Parents will not receive that specific state-required presentation after that date.

End funding for West Desert studies

On July 1, 2030, the law ends the rule sending Land Exchange Distribution Account money to the Geological Survey for West Desert test wells and hydrologic studies. This removes a dedicated funding source for those studies.

Food security and youth-in-care councils end

On July 1, 2027, the law repeals the Food Security Council and the coordinating councils for youth in care and their duties. Families and youth in care may see less coordinated services. The law does not provide replacement funding.

Civics education programs shut down

On July 1, 2026, the local civics education pilot program ends. On July 1, 2030, the statutes for the Center for Civic Excellence are repealed. Families and students lose those civics program options. The law does not provide replacement programs or funding.

State ends higher-ed research programs

On July 1, 2028, the state repeals the Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center and its boards. On July 1, 2030, it ends the Higher Education Research Funding Pilot Program. Universities and partners lose these statutory research tools and reporting. Any effects on households are indirect.

New rules for public safety scholarship

Beginning July 1, 2026, the board may use up to 2% of program money for administration. The board must set application deadlines and appeals, create cancellation and repayment policies, and work with the state police training agency for outreach. It must notify that agency when a student gets a scholarship. Award notices must state that amounts depend on available funding.

Many safety and emergency boards end

From 2025 to 2030, the state repeals several safety and emergency oversight bodies and rules. It ends parts of the Seismic Safety Commission (Jan 1, 2025), the Grid Resilience Committee (July 1, 2027), Search and Rescue duties (July 1, 2027) and the board (July 1, 2030), rules on department‑local law enforcement (July 1, 2027), the Emergency Management Council (July 1, 2029), the State EMS Committee (July 1, 2029), the Concealed Firearm Review Board (July 1, 2029), and another state board (July 1, 2029). It also ends the Road Rage Awareness and Prevention Account (July 1, 2028) and repeals a maximum‑rates rule (July 1, 2027). SafeUT and School Safety Commission rules end January 1, 2030. This may reduce safety coordination and dedicated funding but can lower administrative costs.

Education oversight and planning scaled back

On July 1, 2027, the state ends the Capital Projects Evaluation Panel and removes the five-year performance goals rule. On July 1, 2033, it abolishes the Professional Practices Advisory Commission. These changes streamline governance but remove formal review and planning requirements. No replacement bodies or funding are named.

Higher Ed and Corrections Council ends

On July 1, 2027, the law repeals the Higher Education and Corrections Council. It also deletes statutory references to that council in related sections. This changes governance but does not change who gets aid or pays fees.

State ends K-12 standards committee

Beginning January 1, 2028, the state ends its K-12 standards review committee and removes related review rules. The standards review process changes because these bodies no longer exist. The law does not set up a replacement or funding.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Ann Millner
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 8

House vote • 3/5/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 64 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 28 • No: 1

House vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 2/20/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 66 • No: 1

House vote • 2/12/2026

House Comm - Amendment Recommendation

Yes: 6 • No: 0