All Roll Calls
Yes: 142 • No: 21
UtahS.B. 1312026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Charter School Eligibility
Sponsored By: Heidi Balderree (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Charter SchoolsEducationK-12 EducationPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Family and local charter preferences
Beginning July 1, 2026, charters may prefer siblings; children or grandchildren of founders or board members; children of employees; students moving between related charters under the same board; and students covered by a State Charter School Board–approved articulation agreement (including when a sibling attends the partner charter). Charters may also prefer students who live within up to two miles or in the same political area when their home school is at capacity, and children of military or DoD civilians. In high growth areas, charters approved after May 13, 2014 must prefer students living within two miles, unless the school was approved without high‑priority status. When a district school converts to a charter, students who would have attended it get preference. A charter must enroll a foster child who lives in the same home as an enrolled student.
More access for refugees and English learners
Beginning July 1, 2026, a charter with a mission to serve refugees or their children may give them an enrollment preference. A charter with a mission to serve English learners may prefer those students. Any charter may weight its lottery to give a slightly better chance to disadvantaged students, including low-income, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant, neglected or delinquent, and homeless students.
Statewide charter access and fair lotteries
Beginning July 1, 2026, all state residents qualify to apply to any charter school. Schools must enroll timely applicants when they have space. If more timely applications arrive than seats, schools use a random lottery, except for allowed preferences. Charter admissions may not discriminate on any basis barred at other public schools.
COVID-era charter preference removed
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law removes the special COVID-era preference that applied only to the 2022-2023 school year. That preference covered students who left a charter for online or home school in 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 due to COVID-19. The related 'COVID-19 emergency' definition is also removed.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Heidi Balderree
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
R. Neil Walter
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 19 • No: 5
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 49 • No: 11
House vote • 2/20/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 1
House vote • 1/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/3/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/3/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/27/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/27/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/26/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ amended
2/20/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/20/2026House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
2/20/2026House/ to standing committee
2/13/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/10/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2026
Amended 2/20/2026 12:02:76
2/20/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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