All Roll Calls
Yes: 161 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 2162026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding
Sponsored By: Ann Millner (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationHigher EducationUtah Board of Higher EducationPerformance FundingColleges and UniversitiesUtah System of Higher Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Five-year performance goals and rewards
The Board must set a performance model and five‑year goals for July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2032. Metrics include workforce degrees in high‑demand jobs, awards per student, timely completion, first‑30‑credit progress, total research dollars, and technical‑college placement rates. The Board submits drafts to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and the governor, and updates the model every five years. At the end of each five‑year period, the Board gives any unallocated performance funds to institutions that meet or beat the goals, and the Legislature may add more award money.
Enrollment funding formula set through 2031
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Legislature uses a set formula to change college funding based on enrollment. It compares five‑year average enrollment by level, and only changes funding if the change is at least 1%. Funding change = average direct cost per student × the change in FTE × a state share. State shares are: research 50%; regional 60% (65% if lower‑division tuition and fees do not increase); community 75%; technical 90%. The enrollment‑funding statute and a related cross‑reference both end July 1, 2031.
Transcript fees waived for vulnerable students
Beginning July 1, 2026, colleges must waive transcript fees for students under 26 who meet certain homelessness definitions or are in, or aged out of, DCFS custody. The Board sets and enforces this policy.
Workforce targets and credit counting updated
Starting July 1, 2026, the law defines high‑demand and strategically important jobs to guide workforce metrics and funding. The Board must also count concurrent‑enrollment and prior‑learning credits toward the 30‑credit first‑year benchmark.
Clearer budget requests for colleges and tech
Starting July 1, 2026, the Board’s operating budget request must show employee pay, required costs, performance funding, scholarships and financial aid, technology needs, and enrollment funding. The Board must also separate how much it asks for academic education versus technical education.
Fairer funding and capacity plan for tech colleges
Beginning July 1, 2026, funding formulas that inform appropriations must give equal value to secondary and adult technical students and reflect each technical college’s full duties. The Board must also study a capacity‑funding framework, count unmet student and employer demand by program, propose how much and when to fund growth, list other funding sources, and set rules to return funds if capacity is not delivered. The Board reports results to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee before October 1, 2026.
Corrections-higher ed council ends 2027
The Higher Education and Corrections Council is repealed July 1, 2027. A related reporting reference is removed the same day. The law otherwise takes effect July 1, 2026 until that repeal date.
Phaseout of 2022–2027 performance rules
For July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2027, the law sets system goals to raise access, timely completion, and high‑yield awards by 3.0 percentage points. The Board sets matching campus goals. The statute for those five‑year goals is repealed July 1, 2027. The specific 2022–2027 metric subsection is also repealed July 1, 2028.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ann Millner
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 61 • No: 1
House vote • 2/26/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/26/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/26/2026House/ to standing committee
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 3/5/2026 17:03:147
3/5/2026
Amended 2/20/2026 17:02:810
2/20/2026
Amended 2/4/2026 11:02:230
2/4/2026
Introduced
1/28/2026
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