All Roll Calls
Yes: 135 • No: 25
UtahS.B. 1862026 General SessionSenate
Charter School Modifications
Sponsored By: Heidi Balderree (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Charter SchoolsEducationK-12 EducationSchool Finance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Charter schools gain clarity and accountability
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah law expressly treats charter schools as public schools for all purposes. This includes public funding, facilities, property, school programs, and laws governing local education agencies. Effective upon the governor's approval, board members must take and sign an oath before starting their duties. They pledge to uphold the U.S. and Utah Constitutions and faithfully carry out their duties. The authorizer must ensure the oath is given, and schools must keep records and provide proof when asked.
Base funding for smaller charter schools
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law sets base funding for charter schools with 2,000 or fewer students, measured October 1. Subject to legislative funding, schools get the greater of $40,000 or $115 per student. The State Board of Education can also distribute one-time funding to charter schools of any size. That money is no longer limited to covering specified funding losses, but legislative funding and yearly spending directions still apply.
Charter schools get one-time funding
For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides $3.1 million in one-time charter school base funding. The board-approved formula caps total base funding at $220,000 per school, with amounts decreasing proportionately for each additional student. Schools with more than 2,000 students have a $175,000 cap. Smaller schools face a per-student cap equal to the formula amount for a 100-student charter school. The law also provides $500,000 in one-time funding for the Charter School Educational Service Agency program through the Regional Education Service Agencies budget.
State studies charter school funding costs
Subject to legislative funding, the State Board of Education coordinates a study of charter school administrative costs and base funding needs. The group includes charter schools, districts, the board, the charter association, and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. It examines fixed and required costs, school size, operating models, district comparisons, best practices, and fiscal effects. The board chair must convene the first meeting by April 1, 2026; findings and recommendations are due to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee by December 1, 2026. Up to $70,000 of the $3.1 million appropriation can support the study, including outside contractors when funding permits.
Charter facility loans carry repayment rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Utah Charter Finance Authority runs the new Charter School Revolving Fund. The old account's assets, unused money, obligations, and loan repayments move into the fund. Authority-approved loans cover up to $1 million for facility additions or expansions, or 25% of a requested acquisition or construction loan. Loans require a written repayment promise and a deed of trust securing the loan with property. Schools must repay upon selling or refinancing the collateral; the authority sets interest, repayment schedules, and terms, and can give senior debt repayment priority.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Heidi Balderree
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Candice B. Pierucci
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 18 • No: 5
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 72 • No: 1
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 15 • No: 10
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 17 • No: 8
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/26/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/26/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #2
3/4/2026
Substitute #1
3/3/2026
Introduced
1/22/2026