UtahH.B. 3732026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Higher Education Innovation

Sponsored By: Karen M. Peterson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationHigher EducationSchool FinanceUtah Board of Higher EducationColleges and UniversitiesGovernanceUtah System of Higher Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

Public safety scholarships carry service commitments

Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah officials set Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship amounts based on legislative funding. Awards cannot exceed tuition, fees, and required textbooks for peace officer training and related college education. Support is limited to that training and a maximum of four academic years. Recipients must commit to at least five years of work as certified peace officers. Failure to meet certification or service commitments can require full repayment, with limited exceptions.

Nucleus supports state and corporate research

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Nucleus Institute must support research sponsored by the state and corporations. The research aims to address state initiatives and create opportunities to bring ideas to market. This requirement sets no funding amount or direct household payment.

Innovation board and committee service becomes unpaid

Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah's higher education innovation board members cannot receive pay or benefits for board service. The rule includes the executive director's board service, removing the prior exception. Nucleus Fund investment committee members also cannot receive pay or benefits for committee service. The law removes the committee chair's prior exception.

Nucleus Fund assets can cover incentive pay

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Nucleus Fund can charge fees against the assets it manages. Fees can cover only reasonable and necessary fund costs, including annual audits and performance-based pay incentives. The law sets no fee rate or dollar amount. These charges can leave less money available to invest; they are not direct household fees.

Opportunity scholarships have yearly amounts and caps

Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah officials set Opportunity Scholarship amounts each year based on eligible students and available program money. The board distributes legislative funding to eligible institutions; the law sets no fixed student award. Institutions reduce awards so combined state aid does not exceed tuition and fees. Private institutions' awards are capped at average tuition and fee levels. The board can use up to 3% of program funds for administration.

Students get yearly first credential awards

Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah officials set the first credential scholarship amount each year. Awards depend on the number of eligible students and legislative funding; the law sets no fixed dollar amount. Scholarships can pay tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other approved education expenses, alongside other state scholarships. Students must use the money within three years of high school graduation.

Education and agency space at The Point

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Nucleus Institute oversees facility development, programming, and operations on Point of the Mountain state land. The facility includes shared work areas, classrooms, college offices, public education opportunities, and retail space. The development authority can also coordinate or contract with Utah state agencies to use a facility on that land. That agency-use authority ends January 1, 2029.

Utah colleges get time-limited research funding

The law provides $50 million in one-time research pilot funding from the Income Tax Fund for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Utah's higher education board awards competitive grants: 75%–85% for research institutions and 15%–25% for regional institutions' applied research. College presidents rank applications; scoring considers expected impact, Utah industries, public policy, commercialization, matching money, and student involvement. The board sets eligible research areas and can use up to 1% of appropriations for administration. Beginning July 1, 2026, unspent pilot money carries into later budget years; that rule is partly repealed July 1, 2029. The pilot itself ends July 1, 2030; its funding is not a direct household payment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Ann Millner
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 8

House vote • 3/5/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 64 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 28 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 2/20/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 66 • No: 1

House vote • 2/12/2026

House Comm - Amendment Recommendation

Yes: 6 • No: 0