All Roll Calls
Yes: 168 • No: 70
UtahH.B. 5022026 General SessionHouseWALLET
School Attendance Modifications
Sponsored By: Doug Welton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationHigher EducationState Board of EducationUtah Board of Higher EducationState Tax CommissionRevenue and TaxationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Scholarships and Financial AidStandards and Curriculum
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New citizenship scholarships and donations
The Board of Higher Education runs a Citizenship Scholarship using high school citizenship and attendance records. Awards go to eligible students at Utah institutions when funds arrive. Tax filers can donate to the Citizenship Scholarship Fund on Utah returns for tax years starting January 1, 2026. The Tax Commission sends donations to the Board by August 15 each year. The Commission removes the donation line if it raises under $30,000 per year for three straight years. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.
Test out of core classes
Starting in the 2027–2028 school year, students in grades 9–12 can earn core-class credit by showing proficiency through state‑approved tests or portfolios. Each district must offer these options under State Board rules. Students who earn credit this way do not have to attend the class and are exempt from attendance‑based grading for that course. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.
Attendance can count toward grades
Starting May 6, 2026, schools must, when reasonable, include attendance in course grades. Teachers may count up to 10% of a final grade on attendance in grades 7–12. Districts may raise this to as much as 20% only by posting a public policy, naming covered courses, and allowing some excused absences to be excluded with reasonable limits. Students who enroll in a course must follow the attendance rules; the same applies if a district offers test-outs and a student declines and takes the class. The law defines interventions as non‑punitive help like mentoring, tutoring, family supports, and executive‑function coaching.
High school citizenship grades and scholarships
The State Board sets one statewide way to grade citizenship starting May 6, 2026. It covers skills like attendance, meeting deadlines, class participation, and teacher communication, and may show on transcripts. Starting in the 2027–2028 school year, districts can adopt these citizenship grades. Parents can opt their child out; those students get grades based only on academic work. But a student who opts out cannot receive the Citizenship Scholarship. A district must adopt the state rules to let its students compete for that scholarship, and districts may add local details.
State parent portal for schools
The State Board keeps an easy‑to‑find parent portal with district policies, bullying resources, grievance steps, ADA and religious accommodations, rights, services for military families, a comparison tool, and school safety data with a public safety link. The portal is updated at least once a year. Districts must tell parents and staff each year how to access it. This takes effect May 6, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Doug Welton
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 46 • No: 22
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ failed
Yes: 12 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ motion to reconsider
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 20 • No: 9
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 51 • No: 21
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 2
House vote • 2/20/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ motion to reconsider
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ failed
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2026
Substitute #4
3/4/2026
Amended 2/26/2026 19:02:70
2/26/2026
Substitute #3
2/19/2026
Substitute #2
2/18/2026
Substitute #1
2/17/2026
Introduced
2/5/2026
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