UEA Legislative Session Archives
2022
Utah State Board of Education Meetings – October 6-7
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and its standing committees meet regularly to discuss changes to administrative rules. UEA staff monitor and participate in these meetings on behalf of UEA...
Utah State Board of Education Meetings – September 8-9
Utah State Board of Education Meetings – September 8-9 The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and its standing committees meet regularly to discuss changes to administrative rules. UEA staff...
School funding reports delivered to Legislative Interim Appropriations Subcommittee
The Public Appropriations Subcommittee heard several reports, including a presentation on the Public Education Capstone Audit. Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee (reported by Jay Blain):...
What education measures will the legislature study over the next few months? – May 18
During its first meeting of 2022, the Education Interim Committee approved items it will be considering between now and the 2023 General Legislative Session. Education Interim Committee (reported by...
UEA asks governor to veto voucher expansion bill
The UEA officially asked Governor Spencer Cox to veto a bill that would expand private school vouchers. Senate Bill 62 – Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments expands a voucher...
Answers to questions about HB396: Paid Professional Hours for Educators
During the 2022 General Legislative Session, the UEA was instrumental in creating and passing a law (House Bill 396) that provides licensed educators with self-directed, paid time for most...
2022 UEA Legislative Summary
‘Year of the Educator’ ends in significant new public education funding, defeat of bills targeting educators Legislation of Note Print version (pdf) Despite a turbulent beginning, Utah educators...
Legislature passes ban on ‘sensitive materials’ in schools – March 4
The Legislature has adjourned Sine Die. The 45-day Utah General Legislative Session concluded with its usual flurry of last-day votes. Among bills decided today: A last-minute ban on transgender...
Educator ‘time’ and voucher expansion bills headed to the governor – March 3
The pace is quick in the Session’s final days: UEA-supported bills passing today and on their way to the governor for signature include Paid Professional Hours for Educators (HB396), Period Products...
House and Senate each approve funding increases for schools and educators – March 2
It’s only House and Senate floor time from here on out. The Senate unanimously passed a bill (HB396) providing flexible, educator-directed paid time for job-related duties performed outside of...
Bill to expand special needs vouchers passes vote in final day of committees – March 1
Today was the final day of Standing Committee meetings. From now through the session close at midnight on Friday, it’s primarily floor voting in the House and Senate. A bill that cleared a committee...
Private school vouchers fail big in House vote – February 28
Today’s highlights… Vouchers voted down: The House substituted the private school voucher bill, HB331, with a new bill softening the financial impact on public schools and adding a level of academic...
‘Time’ bill passes the House, ‘Sensitive Materials’ bill passes a committee – February 25
Gearing up for the last week of the session…lots of action today. Here are some highlights: The UEA-initiated House Bill 396, which allocates $25 million for licensed educators to receive flexible,...
Thank your legislator for supporting educator-directed TIME as proposed in House Bill 396
Legislators are considering providing licensed educators with “paid professional hours.” House Bill 396 allocates $64 million for flexible, educator-directed paid professional hours. This is NOT...
Committee votes unanimously to give educators ‘time’ – February 24
Some GOOD NEWS for education in today’s report: The UEA’s proposal to give “time” to educators received a unanimous vote in the House Education Committee. HB396 provides flexible paid professional...
Bid to scrap vote by mail fails, bill targeting trans athletes moves forward – February 23
In today’s report… A committee rejected a measure to end vote by mail. A committee narrowly approved the creation of a commission to determine if a trans athlete may participate in gender-designated...
Another bill targeting ‘curriculum transparency’ stalls in committee – February 22
A few highlights from today’s busy Capitol action: Hundreds gather on the Capitol steps calling on legislators to support public education and stop the barrage of bad bills aimed at educators. A...
$800 million in additional revenue and an anti-voucher press conference – February 18
More than two-thirds through…31 days done, 14 days remaining in the 2022 General Legislative Session. Remarkably, new bills are still being released. Some highlights from today: New budget numbers...
Veto pledge may impede advancement of school voucher legislation – February 17
In his monthly press conference, Gov. Spencer Cox said he will veto school voucher legislation if it passes. A measure providing additional help for students and families of students learning...
Bill to create a trans athlete commission among just five with votes today – February 16
Just five of the more than 80 bills currently tracked by the UEA had votes today. The UEA Legislative Team kept busy working with legislators to support pro-education bills and to defeat bad ones,...
Headed to the House…private school voucher bill clears committee by a single vote – February 15
The private school voucher bill, House Bill 331, narrowly passed the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, setting up what will likely be a contentious House debate. A bill limiting the types of...
Committee agendas fill, initial private school voucher hearing set – February 14
With just three weeks left in the session, the pace of bills moving through committees quickened considerably. The private school voucher bill is on the agenda to be heard in committee tomorrow...
Educators converge on Capitol Hill, school voucher bill assigned to committee – February 11
Today’s highlights: More than 50 educators participated in the largest UEA Educator Day on the Hill event since 2020. The UEA sponsored the morning break in the House and Senate, providing snacks to...
Stop Private School Vouchers!
If you don't see the above form above, click here to contact your legislator: The last two years have disrupted life for all Utahns. But our public school educators have remained on the front lines,...
Bill creating a review and renewal process for charter schools passes committee – February 10
Bills to eliminate certain school fees and to create a review and renewal process for charter schools passed the House Education Committee. Thank you to those who participated in the Capitol...
‘Modest’ income tax cut clears the House and moves to the Senate – February 9
A bill reducing the income tax rate from 4.95% to 4.85% passed the House and now goes to the Senate. Two bills tracked by the UEA failed in committee meetings. Senate Education Committee (reported...
Funding committee prioritizes ‘Educator-Directed Flexible Time’ – February 8
Good news…the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee prioritized the UEA’s request for Educator-Directed Flexible Time. The funding amount was less than originally requested, but the $30...
Vouchers are back! Program would send public money to private schools – February 7
Late Friday evening, the anticipated voucher bill became public…House Bill 331 creates the “Hope Scholarship Program,” opening the door to siphon dollars that could be used for public schools to...
Educators on the Hill making a difference – February 4
Today’s Top Hits— A senator plans to pare down his bill (SB157) that originally would have opened the door for parents to sue teachers or schools for infringing on their parental rights (see the...
Media keeping the UEA president busy – February 3
No bills tracked by the UEA were in committees today. UEA President Heidi Matthews remained busy in the media addressing new and proposed bills targeting educators and public schools. Senate Floor...
Here we go again…public school attacks, school vouchers back in play – February 2
What a difference a day makes! After a slow Monday, Tuesday was anything but. The UEA presented its $57.5 million ask for educator “time” to the committee charged with creating the public education...
‘Period Products’ bill earns unanimous support in the House – February 1
Welcome to February and Black History Month. A bill requiring schools to provide menstrual products free of charge in restrooms unanimously passed the House. The Senate Education Committee passed a...
School lead testing bill passes House committee – January 31
After a hectic end to Week 2, Week 3 of the 2022 Legislative Session began in relative quiet on the public education front. The Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee heard more presentations...
Legislator drops bill targeted by petition – January 28
The sponsor of House Bill 234 said he is dropping the bill for this session to “take the time that is needed to more fully flesh it out.” A petition to stop the bill generated more than 30,000...
Curriculum posting bill gets Senate committee approval – January 27
The UEA Legislative Team delivered its weekly update this evening, highlighting the status of the public education budget and many bills. Tomorrow’s email will include a link to the meeting...
“Insulting, burdensome” bill would require teachers to post all curriculum – January 26
A legislator unveiled a bill that would require teachers to publicly post all their curriculum materials, under penalty of legal action. The UEA responded with a petition to stop the bill, calling...
Bill requiring schools to provide period products clears committee – January 25
During the first House Education Committee meeting of the 2022 legislative session, three UEA-tracked bills were discussed and passed. UEA Legislative Team members worked behind the scenes to...
Committee substitutes then holds curriculum bill – January 24
A bill that would require school districts to provide additional public access to curriculum materials was substituted in committee then held for further stakeholder review. The same committee...
End of mask mandates and test-to-stay, first UEA Educator Day on the Hill in two years – January 21
After a year’s hiatus, educators gathered for UEA Educator Day on the Hill to advocate for their students and their profession. UEA representatives met with the Senate President to share specifics...
Debate on suspending ‘test to stay’ points out need for clarification and educator input
During its first Capitol Insights legislative briefing of 2022, the UEA Legislative Team shared updates on bills the Team is working on and insight into what is expected for education in coming...
House votes on party lines to suspend ‘test-to-stay’
Lawmakers quickly settled in to their work following an opening day of speechmaking and drama. The day's work mainly focused on discussions to adopt base budgets and holding committee hearings. A...
Opening-day speeches take aim at “education modernization” and parent choice
Session Opening (reported by Mike Kelley): Senate President Stuart Adams began his remarks with an appreciation for educators and medical workers. “Teachers and healthcare workers have continued to...
‘Si, se puede’…‘Yes, we can’ – Legislative post by UEA Policy Ambassador Rayann Hansen
Legislative report submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Rayann Hansen, school counselor at Mount Logan Middle School in Logan School District One of my vivid memories as a young, very young, college...
UEA Reiterates Support for Following the Science to Keep Schools Open
The Utah Education Association supports following the recommendations of medical professionals and local health departments in addressing COVID in our communities and in our public schools,...
2021
Redistricting in Utah – What educators need to know…
If you’ve ever questioned decisions made by your state or local school board, members of Congress or the state legislature, now is the time to get involved. The nation is in the process of “redistricting” or drawing new boundaries for its voting districts.
2021 UEA General Elections Results
Background Did you know national, state and local association leaders are association members elected by peers? UEA leadership elections are held annually, as outlined in the UEA Bylaws. Statewide...
2021 UEA Legislative Summary
2021 UEA Legislative Summary Legislative session ends with school budgets restored, bonuses for educators Utah educators can expect bonuses and the potential for significant salary increases...
Week Seven – March 1-5 2021
2021 WEEK IN REVIEW: March 1-5 UEA Policy Ambassador Message – March 5, 2021 Eleven educators were selected to become 2021 UEA Policy Ambassadors. These teachers received training from the UEA...
Week Six – February 22-26 2021
UEA Report on the 2021 Utah Legislature General Session 2021 WEEK IN REVIEW: February 22-26 With just one week left in the 2021 General Legislative Session, the number of bills tracked by the...
Week Five – February 16-19 2021
UEA Report on the 2021 Utah Legislature General Session 2021 WEEK IN REVIEW: February 16-19 New budget projections show additional funding is available to support education programs, including...
Week Four – February 8-12 2021
UEA Report on the 2021 Utah Legislature General Session 2021 WEEK FOUR IN REVIEW: February 8-12 The Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee made its final recommendation for education funding...
Week Three – February 1-5 2021
WEEK IN REVIEW: February 1-5, 2021 Never has Utah public education seen a funding increase signed into law by WEEK THREE of the legislative session. It happened on Friday when the Governor...
Week One – January 19-22 2021
UEA Report on the 2021 Utah Legislature General Session 2021 WEEK IN REVIEW: January 19-22 Governor Spencer Cox delivered his first State of the State address on January 21, 2021. Photo: The Salt...
Week Two – January 25-29 2021
UEA Report on the 2021 Utah Legislature General Session 2021 WEEK IN REVIEW: January 25-29 The big news this week was passage of an historic Public Education Base Budget. For the first time ever,...
2020
2020 Special Sessions
UEA prods legislature to restore USDB funding, teacher prep scholarships, National Board stipend – August 20, 2020 Sixth Special Session (reported by Jay Blain): The Utah Legislature called...
2020 UEA Policy Ambassador Messages
Nineteen teachers were selected as 2020 UEA Policy Ambassadors. These teachers received training from the UEA Legislative Team and agreed to participate in UEA Educator Day on the Hill, engage with...
2020 UEA Legislative Summary
2020 UEA Legislative Summary Schools to see biggest funding bump in more than a decade In total, more than 500 educators participated in the six Educator Day on the Hill events held in 2020. Utah...
Week Seven – March 9-11 2020
UEA Report on the 2020 Utah Legislature General Session 2020 WEEK IN REVIEW: March 9-12 UEA President Heidi Matthews joined the governor, legislative leadership and other education...
Week Six – March 2-6 2020
UEA Report on the 2020 Utah Legislature General Session 2020 WEEK IN REVIEW: March 2-6 In total, more than 500 educators participated in the six Educator Day on the Hill events held in 2020. The...
Week Five – February 24-28 2020
2020 WEEK IN REVIEW: February 24-28 Aspiring educators from Westminster College were among more than 100 attending EDOH More than 1,500 educators and education supporters gathered at the...
Week Three – February 10-14 2020
WEEK IN REVIEW: February 10-14, 2020 About a quarter of those attending Educator Day on the Hill Feb. 14 were there for the first time The number of education-related bills tracked by UEA...
House votes unanimously to eliminate school grades – February 12, 2020
Senate Education Committee (reported by Sara Jones): Five UEA-tracked bills passed the committee and now go to the full Senate for consideration. SB73: Reading Assessment Expansion Amendments was...
UEA Policy Ambassador Message – February 11, 2020
Nineteen teachers volunteered to become 2020 UEA Policy Ambassadors. These teachers received training from the UEA Legislative Team and have agreed to participate in UEA Educator Day on the Hill,...