On March 1, the Utah legislature passed HB477- Full-day Kindergarten Amendments sponsored by Rep. Robert Spendlove (R-Sandy). It awaits Gov. Spencer Cox’s signature. If signed into law, it will go into effect this fall. The bill changes the state’s funding formula to pay for full-day kindergarten and requires LEAs to provide a half-day option, by parent request.

A big tax cut package is one step from final approval after the Senate passed the third substitute for HB54 – Tax and Fee Revisions, sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy). After passing with a vote of 21-5, the bill must go back to the House because it was amended in the Senate. HB54 drops the state’s income tax rate by 0.20 percent. The bill also includes a plan to remove the state portion of sales tax on food, only if voters approve eliminating the constitutional requirement that income tax revenues can only fund public education, higher education social services for children and the disabled.

UEA All-Member Debrief March 8

The 2023 General Session of the Utah Legislature ends Friday, March 3. In the first days of the session, Utah lawmakers approved a $42 million bill creating the largest school voucher program in state history. HB215 – Funding for Teacher Salaries and Optional Education was coupled with a $6,000 salary and benefits raise for teachers. UEA is also continuing talks with lawmakers about their proposal to change Utah’s constitutional amendment for education funding in SJR10.

All members are invited to join a legislative debrief with UEA’s Legislative Team. It will be held virtually on March 8 at 4:30 p.m. The debrief will be in addition to, not in place of, any local meeting. All participants must pre-register by clicking here.