All Roll Calls
Yes: 228 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 2792026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Higher Education Code Amendments
Sponsored By: Val L. Peterson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationHigher EducationColleges and Universities
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Tuition help reaches private-campus officer families
Beginning May 6, 2026, survivor tuition waivers cover qualifying peace officers employed by law enforcement agencies run by private colleges. The officer's death must directly result from a traumatic injury suffered in the line of duty. A surviving spouse or natural or adopted child must apply through the Department of Public Safety. Children must apply before age 25. Students must qualify as Utah residents, enter a degree or certificate program, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. They cannot already hold a bachelor's degree. The waiver covers required-course tuition unpaid by other sources, for up to nine semesters or equivalent quarters. Students must have received waivers for fewer than 124 semester credits or 180 quarter credits to remain eligible.
Private-college health systems gain treatment authority
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah health systems closely affiliated with private colleges can offer qualifying psilocybin or MDMA treatments. The drugs must be in FDA Phase 3 testing, and patients must be at least 18. Systems must find broad scientific and medical research supporting treatment and keep it under direct system and licensed-provider supervision. Participating systems must report drugs used, patient outcomes, and side effects to lawmakers before July 1, 2026. This treatment authority ends July 1, 2027.
Private colleges join school computing partnerships
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's required science, technology, engineering, and math coordination includes private colleges. School districts and charter schools can also apply jointly with private colleges for competitive computer science grants. The school must submit a plan to encourage an educator to earn a computer science endorsement. Private colleges can also join projects supported by Computing Partnerships Grants, linking kindergarten through college with community and industry partners. These changes do not set grant amounts.
Private colleges gain hydrogen research support
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's Hydrogen Advisory Council can promote hydrogen research at private colleges. These institutions join other higher education institutions in the council's research-promotion activities. The change does not provide a specific funding amount.
Colleges can consider vendor sponsorship offers
Beginning May 6, 2026, covered Utah colleges can request contributions, sponsorships, or other offerings during a standard purchasing process. Colleges can consider those offers when evaluating vendor responses. Vendors can respond to these requests despite the usual restrictions on gratuities and kickbacks. Vendors are not required to contribute.
Private colleges gain state geology advice
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Geological Survey must assist and advise private colleges on geology, fossils, and minerals. This extends its advisory duties to those institutions. The change specifies no funding amount.
Private campuses gain police help and protections
Beginning May 6, 2026, Highway Patrol must help private colleges requesting assistance when unrest exists or develops on campus or related sites. Willfully blocking lawful campus access, movement, facility use, staff duties, or student learning is a class C misdemeanor. Damaging private-college property and stopping operations or employees' work for at least one day is a class A misdemeanor. Two qualifying prior convictions within five years raise the property-damage offense to a third-degree felony. Three or more qualifying prior convictions within five years raise it to a second-degree felony.
Private colleges enter property forfeiture rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's seized-property forfeiture law includes legally defined private colleges as law enforcement agencies. This expands which institutions fall under that law and can participate in forfeiture actions. It also affects owners whose property is involved in those actions.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Val L. Peterson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Ann Millner
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/20/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 72 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/26/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/26/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/25/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/25/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/23/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/23/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/19/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ circled
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ circled
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/18/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/26/2026
Amended 2/13/2026 11:02:472
2/13/2026
Substitute #2
2/5/2026
Substitute #1
1/27/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026