All Roll Calls
Yes: 120 • No: 13
UtahS.B. 1612025 General SessionSenateWALLET
Cultural and Community Engagement Amendments
Sponsored By: Scott D. Sandall (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Economic DevelopmentLibrariesArchivesBoards and CommitteesVolunteersHistoryCultural and Community EngagementDepartment of Cultural and Community Engagement
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Certified public libraries gain improvement grants
Beginning May 7, 2025, the Community Library Enhancement Fund Grant Program provides grants only to certified Utah public libraries. Grants support collections, technology for patrons, programs, disability access, and small building projects. The formula considers service area, population served, local operating spending, median household income, and state certification status. The law does not state grant amounts.
College-linked cultural groups gain grant access
Cultural organizations linked to colleges and universities can qualify for Division of Arts and Museums grants. Each organization must still meet the requirements of the grant program. The law does not set award amounts.
Native remains gain care and oversight protections
Beginning May 7, 2025, unclaimed Native American remains found on nonfederal land must receive care rather than be disposed of. The Arts and Museums Division sets care rules with Native American groups, collection repositories, and the review committee. Agencies overseeing state land must temporarily hold associated ancient human remains until ownership and control are decided. Removing a tribal representative from the review committee requires a joint decision by the director and that Tribal Nation. Removing a repository representative requires a joint decision by the director and the State Historic Preservation Office.
Utah allows more time for excavations
Beginning May 7, 2025, an officer can give Utah’s Antiquities Section more time to excavate and retrieve ancient human remains. This applies on nonfederal land when extraordinary circumstances exist, based on objective criteria. The extended deadline cannot go beyond 30 days after the Section gets the landowner’s permission.
Utah assigns sports and preservation duties
Utah’s Department of Cultural and Community Engagement includes professional unarmed combat sports regulation and historic preservation among its responsibilities. These duties are part of its work to plan, promote, and support cultural and community activities.
Utah expands learning about women’s history
Beginning May 7, 2025, the Utah State Historical Society operates the Utah Women’s History Initiative. It teaches the public about women’s contributions to Utah history. It also supports cultural organizations preserving that history and encourages research and study. The law does not specify a funding amount.
More local Main Street programs qualify
Beginning May 7, 2025, local Main Street programs can receive state designation even when a county or city does not run them. Programs must meet the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement’s designation criteria. Designated programs can receive financial help for downtown revitalization, but only when legislative appropriations or other funding are available.
State publication deposit and access duties end
Beginning May 7, 2025, covered entities no longer face the repealed requirement to deposit state and legislative publications. The law also repeals the provision establishing a digital library for permanent public access. The State Library Division no longer must maintain these publication collections or provide permanent access through them. The State Library Board’s duty to run that program also ends. These changes remove legal access protections; they do not establish that existing services have closed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Scott D. Sandall
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Christine F. Watkins
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 59 • No: 13
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/3/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ circled
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
3/4/2025HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/4/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/4/2025HouseHouse/ to standing committee
2/24/2025HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/18/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/18/2025HouseSenate/ to House
2/18/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2025
Substitute #1
2/17/2025
Introduced
1/23/2025