All Roll Calls
Yes: 168 • No: 70
UtahH.B. 5022026 General SessionHouseWALLET
School Attendance Modifications
Sponsored By: Doug Welton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationHigher EducationState Board of EducationUtah Board of Higher EducationState Tax CommissionRevenue and TaxationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Scholarships and Financial AidStandards and Curriculum
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
College scholarships reward students' exemplary citizenship
The law creates Citizenship Scholarships for eligible students attending Utah public colleges and universities, including residents and nonresidents. Eligibility uses citizenship grades and attendance records, with priority for students showing exemplary citizenship throughout high school. Students must come from participating school agencies and cannot have opted out of citizenship grading. The Utah Board of Higher Education sets eligibility weights, award amounts, application steps, and distribution rules. Awards depend entirely on voluntary tax contributions; the law provides no state appropriation or fixed award amount.
High school students can test out
Starting in 2027–2028, school agencies must offer statewide test-out options for students in grades 9–12. Students can earn credit without enrolling by showing proficiency through state-approved assessments or portfolios. Options cover English, math, science, social studies, and other courses required for graduation. Students earning test-out credit are exempt from attendance requirements and attendance-based grading for that course. Students who instead enroll remain subject to the course's attendance-grading policy.
Tax filers can fund citizenship scholarships
The law takes effect May 6, 2026, with tax provisions applying retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2026. Resident and nonresident Utah income tax filers can voluntarily give money to the Citizenship Scholarship Fund on their returns. The Tax Commission must transfer collected money to the Utah Board of Higher Education by August 15 each year. The law requires removing contribution designations that raise less than $30,000 annually for three consecutive years. Collection stops beginning two tax years after that three-year period, and removal must be reported publicly and to lawmakers.
Attendance affects grades, with caps and safeguards
Beginning May 6, 2026, teachers in grades 7–12 can count attendance for up to 10% of a final course grade. Local school agencies can allow more than 10%, but never more than 20%, through a public policy listing courses and percentages. Policies above 10% must allow valid excused absences to be excluded, subject to reasonable limits. Individual attendance plans and written parental consent are no longer listed as prerequisites. The state parent portal must provide these policies, and schools must tell parents and specified staff how to access it annually.
Parents can decline new citizenship grades
Starting in 2027–2028, local school agencies can adopt citizenship grades under statewide standards. These grades measure attendance, meeting deadlines, participation, and teacher communication, with state guidance for recording them on transcripts. School agencies must adopt citizenship grading to join the Citizenship Scholarship Program. Parents can request an opt-out, and schools must explain this choice and the process each year. Students who opt out receive grades based only on academic mastery, but cannot receive a Citizenship Scholarship.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Doug Welton
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 46 • No: 22
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ failed
Yes: 12 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ motion to reconsider
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 20 • No: 9
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 51 • No: 21
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 2
House vote • 2/18/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ motion to reconsider
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ failed
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2026
Substitute #4
3/4/2026
Amended 2/26/2026 19:02:70
2/26/2026
Substitute #3
2/19/2026
Substitute #2
2/18/2026
Substitute #1
2/17/2026
Introduced
2/5/2026