All Roll Calls
Yes: 129 • No: 4
UtahS.B. 2402026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Higher Education Institutional Governance
Sponsored By: Chris H. Wilson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationHigher EducationTechnical CollegesUtah Board of Higher EducationGovernment Operations (State Issues)Attorney GeneralColleges and UniversitiesConstitutional OfficersGovernanceHigher Education StudentsUtah System of Higher Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
College trustees gain oversight and support
College trustees must align with the Utah Board of Higher Education and prepare and track plans informed by regional groups. Trustees recommend tuition and general fees, help with budgets, approve specified programs and policies, and report to the state board. Presidents manage institutional finances and set or adjust campus budgets in consultation with trustees. Trustees evaluate presidents yearly with the state board; only the state board can decide their formal standing or take formal action. The state board must provide trustees with independent professional staff and advisers.
College trustees must oversee internal audits
Utah higher education trustee boards must oversee their institutions’ internal audits. At institutions covered by the internal-audit requirement, trustees must serve as the audit committee or create a trustee subcommittee. The law sets no direct household payment or benefit.
Technical colleges coordinate with local schools
Technical college trustees must consult regional colleges, school districts, charter schools, and the state higher education board on technical education. Technical college boards include one appointee from each of no more than four local school boards. Regions with more than four school districts must set a rotation schedule in their bylaws. The commissioner must review the schedule before adoption. Rotation applies only to members appointed on or after May 6, 2026.
College pay funds reserved for employees
The Utah Board of Higher Education must include employee compensation in its combined budget recommendation for qualifying institutions. Institutions qualify by showing they meet the board’s faculty teaching and instructional workload measures. Institutions must use money appropriated under that compensation item for employee pay, including possible merit- or market-based raises. The law guarantees no funding or individual raise.
College leaders face at-will job rules
College presidents can hire administrative officers, cabinet members, and general counsel as at-will employees. These employees serve at the president’s pleasure and can be removed at any time. The law does not set their pay.
State agencies face lawyer hiring limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah’s attorney general controls state agency lawyer hiring unless the state constitution or a statute specifically authorizes otherwise. The attorney general remains an agency’s sole counsel unless hiring outside counsel or authorizing the agency to do so. Separate agency lawyers need authorization to serve as assistant or special assistant attorneys general. An agency must pay for outside counsel it hires with the attorney general’s authorization. The law sets no dollar amount.
Colleges face tighter rules for lawyers
The Utah Board of Higher Education must define appointed college attorneys’ duties and guide presidents on who those attorneys answer to. Attorneys at degree-granting institutions must stay within the authority set by those rules. They cannot hold administrative roles unless those roles are mainly legal or regulatory, or board rules allow them. Presidents need written consent from the Utah attorney general or a designee to retain outside lawyers for lawsuits.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris H. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Casey Snider
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
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
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
3/2/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/2/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/27/2026House/ to standing committee
2/25/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/24/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/23/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 2/23/2026 12:02:574
2/23/2026
Substitute #1
2/6/2026
Introduced
2/3/2026