Senate Floor (reported by Mike Kelley): Three UEA-supported bills passed the Senate unanimously and now go to Governor for signature:
- HB30: Student Tribal Regalia Use Amendments allows Native American students to wear tribal regalia at a high school graduation ceremony
- HB43: Hospitality and Tourism Management CTE Pilot Program Sunset Extension extends the repeal date for the existing Hospitality and Tourism Management CTE pilot program.
- HB42: Education Sunset Extensions extends a repeal date related to the State Instructional Materials Commission and extends a repeal date related to a provision that allows for resolution of criminal conduct by a student. It passed unanimously. The UEA supports this bill.
LegTeam Insights – In the News
Your UEA Legislative Team is on the Hill every day, working behind the scenes to represent educators…and sometimes not behind the scenes. UEA President Heidi Matthews continues representing teachers in the media. Over the past 48 hours she has been in demand, talking about the two big issues: Senate Bill 157 and vouchers. Here’s just a sampling:
- UEA President criticizes proposed bill, lawmakers are making ‘continued attacks’ on public education – KSL Radio
- School vouchers are back in a new bill at the Utah Legislature – Salt Lake Tribune
- Utah proposal could give parents ‘legal standing’ to sue school districts – KUTV 2 News
- School voucher bill set to return to the Utah State Legislature – Fox 13
- Utah parents could sue education officials or teachers for almost any reason under proposed bill – Salt Lake Tribune
- School vouchers are back on Utah’s Capitol Hill – KUTV 2 News
- Another battle over school vouchers? – KSL Radio
Policy Ambassador Messages
In 2022, 15 educators were selected as UEA Policy Ambassadors. These teachers received training from the UEA Legislative Team and agree to engage with legislators and share their experiences with UEA members. Here is an excerpt from a new submission:
Submitted by UEA Policy Ambassador Anthony Dick, math teacher at Roy High School in Weber School District
…My voice alone years ago was a lonely plea for help, but it was listened to. As I sat in a group of a couple dozen educators and representatives, my voice was validated and discussed. On Friday, my voice, along with thousands of others, was heard and given a prompt action as a response.
Learn what is happening on UEA Under the Dome and raise your voice! Share with your legislators what only YOU can – tell what is happening in your life, your classroom, and your school, and the impact of their decisions. Join with educators around you to add volume and strength to YOUR voice as you share YOUR story! Let your voice be heard!
- See the 2022 UEA Legislative Tracking Sheet for the current bills tracked by UEA.
- View all legislative happenings at UEA Under the Dome.