All Roll Calls
Yes: 98 • No: 0
UtahS.B. 12026 General SessionSenate
Higher Education Base Budget
Sponsored By: Ann Millner (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationHigher EducationTechnical CollegesUtah Board of Higher EducationColleges and UniversitiesUtah System of Higher Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Utah colleges receive money for programs
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law funds public college programs, services, research, and campus operations. Listed general-program funding includes $550.5 million for the University of Utah and $240 million for Utah State University. It also provides $120 million for Weber State, $94.9 million for Southern Utah, and $201.6 million for Utah Valley. Utah Tech receives $75.9 million, Snow College receives $38.6 million, and Utah State veterinary academic support receives $352,400. Funding includes state money, tuition revenue, and restricted performance funds; it does not set tuition rates or guarantee student payments.
Utah funds colleges and state operations
The law provides about $3.083 billion for state operations and capital needs, including higher education. This funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Sources include $485.5 million from the General Fund, $1.290 billion from the Income Tax Fund, and $1.308 billion from other sources. These are agency and school budgets, not payments to individual households.
Utah funds medical training and care
For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law funds University of Utah medical and clinical programs. The School of Medicine receives $97.8 million, and the School of Dentistry receives $19.2 million. Cancer research and treatment receives $10.9 million, and the hospital public service program receives $5.3 million. Sources include state tax funds, medical and dental tuition revenue, transfers, and unused prior funds. These appropriations do not set patient benefits, charges, coverage, or individual student awards.
Utah adds money for college performance
The law authorizes a net $13.721 million transfer into Utah's restricted college performance funding account for fiscal year 2026. That year runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, it authorizes another $91.5 million transfer from the Income Tax Fund. Spending the transferred money requires a separate legislative appropriation. The transfers do not guarantee any school, program, or student an award.
Career students get funded college programs
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Utah State University Eastern career education receives $3.03 million. Snow College career and technical education receives $2.99 million. The money supports academic services, campus support, and Custom Fit training programs, among the listed uses. Sources include the Income Tax Fund, tuition revenue, restricted performance funds, and unused prior funds. These are program budgets, not direct student awards or guaranteed tuition cuts.
Utah colleges fund student and community projects
The law funds college special projects from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. University of Utah projects receive $21.2 million, including the Natural History Museum, Seismograph Stations, Red Butte Garden, SafeUT, and statewide television. Utah Valley receives $9.7 million for Fire and Rescue Training and Student Success; Weber State receives $1.98 million for projects including occupational health and Student Success. Southern Utah receives $841,900 for projects including the Shakespeare Festival, Rural Health, Utah Summer Games, and Student Success. Snow College Student Success receives $192,000, and Utah Tech special projects receive $696,900; these budgets do not establish household payments.
Utah State funds research and outreach
Utah State University receives about $69.3 million for special projects from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The projects include agriculture, extension services, museums, water research, and student programs. Major sources include $49.4 million from the Income Tax Fund and $13.8 million in unused prior funds. Federal funds provide $3.9 million, with smaller amounts from state and other revenue sources. The money funds university activities rather than direct household payments.
Utah revises current college budget funding
The law adds a net $44.508 million to previously approved state budgets, including higher education. The changes cover July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. General Fund support falls by $261,300, and Income Tax Fund support falls by $7.444 million. Other funding sources provide $52.2133 million, leaving an overall increase.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ann Millner
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 1/29/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
1/31/2026Senate/ to Governor
1/30/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
1/30/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
1/30/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
1/30/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
1/29/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
1/29/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
1/29/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
1/29/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
1/28/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
1/28/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/28/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
1/28/2026HouseSenate/ to House
1/28/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
1/28/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
1/28/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
1/27/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
1/19/2026SenateSenate/ received bill from Legislative Research
1/19/2026SenateNumbered Bill Publicly Distributed
1/16/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
1/30/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026