All Roll Calls
Yes: 236 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 342026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Public Education Revisions
Sponsored By: John D. Johnson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationJuvenile JusticeState Board of EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Education Grant ProgramsUtah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
APEX career centers and $100M boost
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state runs the APEX Grant Program to help districts and charters build or expand centers that mirror real workplaces. Centers must partner with local industry, follow high‑skill career paths, and provide profession‑based learning and mentorship. The State Board hires an APEX director, creates a web application system, and trains center staff. The Board may use up to 1% of program funds for administration, and in FY2026 must provide up to 1% to named partners for outreach. Starting July 1, 2026, budget bills must include a one‑time $100 million allocation to APEX, if the stabilization account has funds and constitutional limits allow.
Grow Your Own educator scholarships
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Grow Your Own program gives competitive scholarships through school districts and charters. It helps paraprofessionals, teacher candidates, school counselor assistants, and counselor interns pay for tuition, fees, books, licensure tests, mentor pay, and some paid clinical work. Applicants must be Utah residents. Paraprofessionals usually need at least one year working for the LEA, and they must stay employed there while using funds; only up to 20% of awards can rely on equivalent outside experience. The State Board may use up to 1% of program funds to run the program, and in FY2026 must provide up to 1% to named partners for outreach.
Utah First Credential and scholarships
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state awards a First Credential certificate to students who finish an approved path. Paths include 12–18 concurrent college credits, an industry credential on the master list, 300 youth apprenticeship hours, a technical college certificate, or a CTE pathway. The Utah Board of Higher Education gives a First Credential scholarship to each student who earns the certificate, based on yearly funding. You must use the scholarship within three years of high school graduation for tuition, fees, books, and other school costs. A new First Credential Oversight Committee sets the master plan and list, and the State Board runs grants that help school districts and charters expand these pathways.
Student reintegration and suicide prevention
If a student is arrested, charged, or adjudicated for a serious offense, the school must create a reintegration plan within five school days. The plan includes behavior supports, short‑term mental health or counseling, and academic help. Schools may delay or deny admission in cases with a protective order or when the victim is a student or staff member in certain sexual crime or forcible felony cases; for forcible felonies, schools must offer alternative education. Reintegration plans are protected records. Each district and charter must also run a youth suicide prevention program; if funded, the State Board gives at least $1,000 per school to support evidence‑based practices, with no indirect costs allowed.
School safety staff and assessments
Each school must have a safety and security specialist who is not the principal. Based on a safety needs assessment, each school must also have at least one: a school resource officer, a school guardian, or an armed security guard. Schools must complete a state‑selected safety assessment at least every three years and submit results by October 15; sharing results illegally is a class B misdemeanor. Specialists and LEA‑level directors must run drills, use evidence‑based threat tools, coordinate with police, and finish required training. Directors may act to stop an active threat and may temporarily detain someone with reasonable cause; if they carry a firearm, it must be concealed except during an active threat.
New education stabilization funding formula
Starting July 1, 2026, the state deposits money into the Public Education Economic Stabilization Account using 15% of the gap between estimated next‑year ongoing revenue and current ongoing appropriations. Ongoing appropriations to this account cannot push it above 11% of Uniform School Fund appropriations. If 15% would exceed the 11% cap, the Legislature deposits only enough to reach 11%.
State Board oversight and Deaf-Blind schools
Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Board is the lead agency to direct, manage, and monitor local education agencies. The Board must send the State Superintendent’s Annual Report by January 15 each year with finances, enrollments, pupil‑teacher ratios, and test results. For the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, the State Superintendent appoints and supervises the superintendent with Board approval. The Board sets qualifications and terms, approves the budget, manages finances, and reports on programs and student performance.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John D. Johnson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
R. Neil Walter
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 29 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ refused to recede from House amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ refuse to concur with House amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 52 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
House vote • 1/26/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute 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 Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/6/2026Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/6/2026Senate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/6/2026House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/6/2026Conference Committee Report
3/6/2026Bill Substituted by Conference Committee
3/6/2026House/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee Appointed
3/6/2026House/ refused to recede from House amendment
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #4
3/6/2026
Amended 3/2/2026 10:03:241
3/2/2026
Substitute #3
2/24/2026
Substitute #2
2/5/2026
Substitute #1
1/26/2026
Introduced
12/19/2025
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