Setbacks & Strength: Fighting for Utah Educators

Report

by Hailey Higgins, UEA Director of Communication and PR

Published: March 2025

Despite losing collective bargaining, public educators won key victories during the 2025 Legislative Session. The fight isn’t over.

Key Takeaways

910

number of bills proposed by lawmakers in 2025.

582

Bills passed by lawmakers in 45 days.

A Fight for Public Education

Over 45 days, the 2025 Utah Legislative General session was filled with intense debates, committee hearings, and lawmaking. Lawmakers proposed more than 900 bills, many with significant consequences for public education. Among the most contentious was HB 267: Public Sector Labor Union Amendments (Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan), which stripped public unions, including UEA and others representing education support professionals, firefighters, nurses, and police officers of our collective bargaining rights. Despite widespread public opposition, Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill into law on February 14.

UEA members repeatedly traveled to the capitol to ensure our voices were heard. Hundreds of public educators attended UEA’s Educator Day on the Hill events, engaging directly with lawmakers and advocating for our students and schools. Thousands of UEA members and other labor supporters packed the capitol rotunda, protesting HB 267 and fighting to defend our rights. Despite losing collective bargaining, union members stood together, making it clear our advocacy would not stop.

The pushback against HB 267 from UEA members and our supporters made a difference, narrowing the vote in each chamber despite intense pressure from legislative leadership. Because of your engagement, the public now has the power to overturn this harmful law through the referendum process. The fight continues. The UEA remains committed to defending educators’ rights and public education in Utah.

UEA Secures Key Legislative Wins Despite Challenges

Even in the face of significant setbacks, the UEA successfully fought for policies that directly benefit educators and students:

Expanded Student Food Security

HB 100 provides free school lunches to 40,000 more students, ensuring that more children have access to nutritious meals at school. UEA worked with bill sponsor Rep. Tyler Clancy (R-Utah Co.) to get this bill started in 2024. It is a UEA priority.

Paid Professional Hours Funded Again

$77.7 million allocated to support educator preparation and collaboration time. UEA initiated this bill in 2022 and its ongoing funding remains a UEA priority.

Future Educator Stipends Secured

The $6,000 stipend for student teachers was renewed for another year, helping to alleviate financial strain for future educators.

Classroom Cell Phone Ban

SB 178 establishes a default ban on student phone use in class, while allowing school districts to set their own policies.

Public Educators Won’t Back Down. We Will Restore Collective Bargaining!

By: UEA President Renée Pinkney

The Utah Education Association is deeply disappointed, and frankly, we feel betrayed by the legislative process. Instead of collaboration, we saw broad punishment. HB 267 Sub 1 is not just unnecessary; it feels like retaliation against the very people who dedicate their lives to serving our communities.

Despite thousands of emails, calls, messages, and more than 16,000 petition signatures from UEA members and our supporters, the majority of Utah lawmakers chose not to listen. Instead, they pushed through this highly unpopular bill that undermines the rights of public educators and public employees—the very people who keep our schools, cities, and public services running.

But let’s be clear: We see who stands with us, and we see who stands against us.

To our legislative champions who fought alongside us, who listened to their constituents and voted no, we are deeply grateful. To every single person who took action, you are the heart of our opposition.

This fight is far from over. The UEA and our labor partners launched Protect Utah Workers, a citizen’s referendum to overturn HB 267 and restore the rights of Utah’s public employees. We must gather 141,000 signatures in 30 days so voters, not politicians, can decide what's best for Utah workers.

It is a monumental task, but we have support behind us. We need your help. Sign the referendum. Help us gather signatures. Spread the word. Together, we will restore our collective bargaining rights and become a stronger voice for a stronger Utah.

Check out ProtectUtahWorkers.com

History has shown that unions have been instrumental in securing better wages, benefits and protections for workers. Now, more than ever, we must stand united to defend these rights.

Quote by: Laleh Ghotbi, 2025 UEA Policy Ambassador

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Budget

By The Numbers

$178 Million

4% WPU increase; the minimum required by statute to keep up with inflation.

$100 Million

Educator Raise and ESP Bonus

$122 Million

Total amount of public money funding the “Utah Fits All” voucher program

$65 Million

Catalyst Center CTE Program

Education Investments

Paid Professional Hours – $77.7 million

School Safety Needs Assessment – $25 million

Necessarily Existent Small Schools (NESS) Funding – $16.4 million

Classroom Supplies – $14.3 million

Student Teacher Stipends – $12.4 million

English Learner Amendments – $5 million

Food Security Amendments – $2.5 million

Securing $2.5 million in funding from the legislature to expand the free school category is an impressive feat in a lean budget year. This investment will help students focus on learning instead of hunger.

Quote by: Danielle Asay, 2025 UEA Policy Ambassador

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Education Funding

Rerouting School Property Taxes

SB 37: Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments (Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan) alters the way schools receive property tax revenue. Under this legislation, approximately $842 million collected from the minimum basic rate property tax will be remitted to the state’s General Fund rather than going directly to school districts. The State Board of Education is then required to return the same amount to districts within 35 days.

Proponents argue this measure allows for greater budget flexibility without affecting schools. However, opponents, including the Utah State Board of Education, have expressed concerns that this redirection could jeopardize future education funding, calling it a form of "money laundering" that could ultimately lead to revenue shortfalls for schools. The Utah State Board of Education formally requested a veto from Gov. Spencer Cox.

Reduction in Education-Linked Property Tax Funding

HB 110: Minimum Basic Tax Rate Reduction (Rep. Tiara Auxier, R-Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, & Summit Counties) repeals the WPU value rate property tax, which was established to fund increases in the Teacher and Student Success Act (TSSA). This tax was projected to generate an additional $32 million for the TSSA restricted account by 2026. The repeal raises concerns about potential funding gaps for critical student and teacher support programs.

Income Tax Cut and Implications for Schools

HB 106: Income Tax Revisions (Rep. Kay Christofferson, R-Lehi) reduces the state income tax rate from 4.55% to 4.5% for individuals and businesses. The bill also expands the child tax credit and introduces new tax credits for employer-provided child care. While the total reduction in state income tax collections exceeds $100 million, the average Utah family will see only minimal savings—approximately $45 per year.

Since income tax is a primary funding source for education in Utah, this reduction raises concerns about long-term sustainability in school funding. With revenue cuts exceeding $100 million, educators and public school advocates worry about potential shortfalls in future education budgets.

The Utah Education Association remains committed to advocating for sustainable and equitable school funding to ensure that every student has access to quality public education. The association will continue monitoring the impact of these tax policy changes and working with policymakers to prioritize investments in Utah’s schools.

The UEA's strength lies in its ability to amplify individual voices, creating a powerful chorus for change.

Quote by: Brett Rydalch, 2025 UEA Policy Ambassador

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Educator Support

Expanding Support for Future Educators

HB 204: Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments (Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton) expands eligibility for the Stipends for Future Educators program, which provides a $6,000 stipend to student teachers during their student teaching semester. The UEA worked with Rep. Peterson to establish the original program in 2024, and this year’s amendments ensure ongoing prioritization by adding it to the public education economic stabilization restricted account. This change helps secure annual funding for future teachers entering the profession.

Regulating Student Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

SB 178: Devices in Public Schools (Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan) requires school districts to implement policies restricting student use of cell phones, smartwatches and similar devices during classroom hours. Exceptions include access to the SafeUT app, medical needs and accommodations under an IEP or 504 plan. School districts may also choose to extend the restriction to the entire school day.

Restricting student devices aligns with concerns raised by members in UEA’s annual pre-legislative survey, which identified classroom cell phone use as a significant disruption.

Gov. Spencer Cox previously urged schools to remove phones from classrooms. If signed, the law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Ensuring Funding for Small and Remote Schools

HB 396: Small School District Scale of Operations Formula (Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton) updates the formula for Necessarily Existent Small Schools (NESS), a critical funding source for remote schools. The revised formula considers both student numbers and district size to better allocate resources. Additionally, the bill mandates that local school boards use NESS funding to operate schools in remote and low-population areas effectively. The Legislature provided $16 million in ongoing funding to support these schools.

Efforts to Strengthen Educator Retirement Benefits

SB 20: Utah Retirement System Amendments (Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville) sought to allow school districts to cover contributions for employees in the Tier II retirement system when costs exceed the current 10% statutory cap. Without this change, excess costs are passed onto employees. The bill was a priority for both UEA and school districts but did not pass. UEA continues to advocate for policies that ensure competitive and sustainable retirement benefits for educators.

We educators need to be our own voices and get loud. We must become more passionate and invested in telling our stories because our stories are compelling and important. Change will only happen when we start speaking outside our comfort zones.

Quote by: Becky Bragg, 2025 UEA Policy Ambassador

Post this Read Becky's Article

Red for Ed

UEA members and our supporters across Utah proudly wore Red for Ed throughout the legislative session, standing united in the fight for public education. The visible solidarity sent a powerful message that we will not back down in defending our rights and advocating for our profession and our students.

Student Support

Expanded Access to Free School Lunch

HB 100: Food Security Amendments (Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Utah Co.) expands access to free school lunch for K-12 students who currently qualify for reduced-price meals. While the original proposal included free breakfast, the final bill remains a significant step toward supporting students and families.

The bill, which was a legislative priority for UEA, also ensures schools do not publicly identify or stigmatize a student unable to pay for a meal and direct all communication regarding a student’s meal debt solely to parents.

Additional Support for English Learners

HB 42: English Learner Amendments (Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman) provides emergency funding to schools experiencing a significant increase in students learning English. Students must score at the lowest level on a state assessment to qualify. The allocated funding can be used for teacher training, hiring classroom aides, or securing other necessary resources to support English learners.

Clarifications on School Fees

HB 344: School Fees Amendments (Rep. Mark Strong, R-Bluffdale) refines policies established in the 2024 legislative session, further defining which school fees may be charged to students.

Schools remain prohibited from charging fees for textbooks or essential school equipment. However, exceptions exist, including fees for musical instrument rentals.

The bill also mandates that by the 2026 school year, schools must provide at least one option for each graduation requirement that does not require students to pay or waive a fee. This change ensures that financial barriers do not prevent students from meeting graduation requirements.

Expanding Career and Technical Education Opportunities

HB 447: Statewide Catalyst Campus Model (Rep. Mike Schultz, R-Davis & Weber Co.) establishes a $65 million grant program to support school districts in creating or expanding “catalyst centers.” These centers are designed to accelerate career and technical education opportunities for students, modeled after the Davis Catalyst Center in the Davis School District.

A key provision of the bill allows industry experts to teach in schools without obtaining a traditional educator license. Instead, an expert may be hired if they pass a criminal background check and complete any required training determined by their local education agency. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of “arts” and “fine arts” credit requirements to include technical arts such as woodworking, metalworking, traditional handcrafts, and other creative or interpretive expressions.

Notable Education Policy

Firearm Safety Instruction in Schools

HB104: Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments (Rep. Rex Shipp R-Cedar City) mandates firearm safety education for K-12 students. Schools must provide this instruction three times in elementary school, once in middle school, and once in high school. Parents can opt their children out of these lessons. The law permits districts to implement the requirement through various methods, including live instruction, hunter safety courses, health education curriculum, or physical education programs. The bill’s opt-out provision sparked debate, but it ultimately passed and awaits the governor’s signature.

Ban on Planned Parenthood in Schools

HB 233 School Curriculum Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Nichleen Peck (R-Tooele), prohibits public schools from working with Planned Parenthood or any organization classified as an “elective abortion provider” to provide health-related instruction. Due to this change, the bill’s fiscal note estimates that schools may have to spend between $17 and $44 per student to update their health curriculum.

Opponents argue that the bill’s language is overly broad and could prevent hospital employees from providing health education. If signed by Gov. Spencer Cox, the law would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Utah Fits All Voucher Program Adjustments

The Utah Fits All Scholarship program, which provides taxpayer-funded vouchers for private and home-based education, underwent significant revisions in HB 455: Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Candice Pierucci (R-Herriman).

Previously, all eligible students received a flat $8,000 scholarship. Under the new law:

Homeschoolers ages 5-11 will receive $4,000.
Homeschoolers ages 12-18 will receive up to $6,000.
Students attending private schools will still qualify for up to $8,000.
Extracurricular expenses are now limited to 20% of the scholarship amount.
New restrictions prohibit using funds for ski passes, furniture, and season tickets.

The legislature also approved an additional $40 million in funding for the program, bringing the total amount of taxpayer money spent on private religious school vouchers to $122 million.

Parental Consent for School-Based Health Services

HB 281: Health Curriculum and Procedures Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Gricius (R-Utah County), requires written parental consent before students receive mental health services at school. The bill also revises the state’s sex education policies and prohibits certain topics from being taught in public schools.

Numerous mental health professionals raised concerns that requiring parents to approve therapy discussions could compromise ethical standards and limit care for students in need. Supporters argue the bill strengthens parental involvement, while opponents warn it may restrict access to necessary mental health services.

Constitutional Amendment on Public Notice Requirements

Following a lawsuit by the UEA that resulted in a judge voiding Amendment A on the 2024 ballot, lawmakers passed a new constitutional amendment proposal.

HB 481: Ballot Proposition Amendments (Rep. Anthony Loubet R-Kearns) mandates that amendments be posted on the Lieutenant Governor’s and Utah public notice websites. The change stems from a legal dispute over publication requirements invalidating Amendment A and D in 2024.

If approved by voters in 2026, the measure would remove the requirement that constitutional amendments be published in newspapers for 60 days before an election.

Legislative Tracker

Bill Number	Bill Title	Bill Sponsor	UEA Contact	Brief Description of Bill	UEA Position	Status/Comments
HB 040 Sub 5	School Safety Amendments	R. Wilcox	Sara Jones	This bill modifies school safety provisions.
HB 042 Sub 1	English Learner Amendments	C. Pierucci	Bonnie Billings	This bill provides emergency funding to schools experiencing a significant increase in English language learner enrollment.	Support
HB 076	Public Education Revisions	T. Miller	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions and programs regarding the operation of the public education system.	Support
HB 077 Sub 1	Flag Display Amendments	T. Lee	Sara Jones	This bill allows a local education agency to display certain flags in a public school or charter school facility or grounds under certain circumstances and provides a remedy for a violation.	Oppose
HB 100 Sub 3	Food Security Amendments	T. Clancy	Sara Jones	This bill establishes a program to provide free breakfast and lunch to eligible students and requires participation in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer Program.	Support
HB 102	Class Size Reduction Amendments	C. Moss	Bonnie Billings	This bill makes changes to the allocation of an existing appropriation for class size reduction.	Support
HB 104	Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments	R. Shipp	Sara Jones	This bill addresses firearm safety instruction in public schools.	Oppose
HB 106 Sub 4	Income Tax Revisions	K. Christofferson	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends income tax provisions.	Oppose
HB 110 Sub 2	Minimum Basic Tax Rate Reduction	T. Auxier	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax rate that funds public education.	Oppose
HB 121	Health Education Amendments	C. Moss	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions related to health education.	Support
HB 128	Dangerous Weapon at a School Amendments	M. Gwynn	Sara Jones	This bill addresses the crime of possession of a dangerous weapon on or about school premises.	Support
HB 156	Education Board Amendments	N. Thurston	Sara Jones	This bill modifies provisions relating to state school board powers.	Oppose
HB 179	Social Security Tax Modifications	K. Christofferson	Bonnie Billings	This bill addresses the individual income tax credit for social security benefits.	Support
HB 192	Public Education Scholarship Program Use Amendments	J. Dailey-Provost	Sara Jones	This bill prohibits certain expenses from being scholarship expenses.	Support
HB 204	Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments	K. Peterson	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions regarding the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program.	Support
HB 206	Chronic Absenteeism Pilot Program	S. Hayes	Sara Jones	This bill creates the Attendance Advantage - my529 Initiative Pilot Program.	Watch
HB 216	Income Tax Revenue Amendments	N. Thurston	Bonnie Billings	This bill modifies provisions relating to state income tax revenue.	Support
HB 250	Public Employee Gender-specific Language Requirements	N. Peck	Sara Jones	This bill prohibits certain employment action against a public employee.	Watch
HB 267 (sub 1)	Public Sector Labor Union Amendments	J. Teuscher	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions governing public employer, public safety, and public fire labor organizations.	Oppose	Prohibits collective bargaining.
HB 267 (sub 3)	Public Sector Labor Union Amendments	J. Teuscher	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions governing public employer, public safety, and public fire labor organizations.	Watch	Allows collective bargaining after a certification vote approved by the majority.
HB 281 Sub 3	Health Curriculum and Procedures Amendments	S. Gricius	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends provisions regarding health instruction and physical and mental health procedures in the public education system.	Oppose
HB 325	Parent Access to Learning Materials Pilot Program	T. Miller	Sara Jones	This bill creates the Parent Access to Learning Materials Pilot Program.	Watch
HB 396	Small School District Scale of Operations Formula	K. Peterson	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends the formula for necessarily existent small schools funding.	Support
HB 397	School Fee Waiver Amendments	D. Welton	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends provisions related to school fee waivers.	Oppose
HB 399 Sub 1	School Attendance Amendments	A. Stoddard	Sara Jones	This bill amends and enacts statutes regarding juveniles who are habitual truants.	Support
HB 408	School Board Referendum Amendments	R. Shipp	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends provisions related to local referendums.	Oppose
HB 447	Statewide Catalyst Campus Model	M. Schultz	Sara Jones	This bill establishes a grant program to help local education agencies create or expand catalyst centers.	Support
HB 455	Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments	C. Pierucci	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions related to the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program.	Oppose
HB 462	Rural School Funding Amendments	T. Auxier	Bonnie Billings	This bill creates the Rural School Sports Facilities Grant Program.	Support
HB 473 Sub 2	School Digital Materials Amendments	N. Peck	Sara Jones	This bill amends and enacts provisions regarding the accessibility of sensitive material through digital instructional material in a school setting.	Oppose
HB 483	School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration Modifications	R. Walter	Bonnie Billings	This bill addresses provisions related to school and institutional trust lands.	Oppose
HB 545	School District Governance Agreements	K. Peterson	Sara Jones	This bill prohibits certain agreements that delegate governance authority over a district or school to a private entity.	Oppose
HB 563	Ballot Title Amendments	M. Schultz	Sara Jones	This bill modifies provisions governing the process for submitting proposed constitutional amendments to the voters.	Watch
HJR 07	Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Property Tax	J. Koford	Bonnie Billings	This joint resolution of the Utah Legislature proposes to amend the Utah Constitution relating to the Legislature's authority to exempt a portion of the fair market value of residential property from property tax.	Oppose
HJR 08	Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Right to Work	J. Teuscher	Sara Jones	This joint resolution of the Legislature proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to add a right to work provision.	Oppose
SB 020	Utah Retirement Systems Amendments	W. Harper	Bonnie Billings	This bill modifies the contribution provisions of the New Public Employees' Tier II Contributory Retirement Act.	Support
SB 032	Class Size Reduction Modifications	L. Fillmore	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends the class size reduction appropriation.	Watch
SB 035	Statewide Online Education Program Modifications	J. Johnson	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends the small school portion of the Statewide Online Education Program.	Support
SB 037	Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments	L. Fillmore	Bonnie Billings	This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax that school districts impose.	Oppose
SB 085	Income Tax Rate Amendments	L. Fillmore	Bonnie Billings	This bill modifies the income tax rate.	Oppose
SB 088	School Funding for Veterans Day Commemorations	L. Fillmore	Bonnie Billings	This bill creates the Veterans Day School Assembly Pilot Program.	Watch
SB 099	Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Amendments	L. Fillmore	Sara Jones	This bill amends existing timeline and appropriation requirements to the Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement.	No Position
SB 102 Sub 7	Public Education Funding Modifications	L. Fillmore	Bonnie Billings	This bill establishes sunset dates and allocation of remaining funds for certain programs.	Watch
SB 111	Public Education Governance Amendments	A. Millner	Sara Jones	This bill amends provisions regarding governance of the public education system.	Oppose
SB 116	Income Tax Modifications	D. McCay	Bonnie Billings	This bill modifies income tax provisions.	Oppose
SB 137 Sub 2	Course Choice Empowerment	K. Cullimore	Sara Jones	This bill establishes a private and home school online course choice program.	Oppose
SB 170 Sub 2	School Discipline Amendments		Sara Jones	This bill regulates the use of emergency safety interventions on a student in a school.	Support
SB 173	School Meal Amendments	L. Escamilla	Sara Jones	This bill provides free breakfast and lunch to all students in a public school.	Watch
SB 178	Devices in Public Schools	L. Fillmore	Sara Jones	This bill addresses the use of cellphones, smart watches, or emerging technologies during classroom hours.	Support
SB 203 Sub 1	Judicial Standing Amendments	B. Brammer	Sara Jones	This bill addresses standing to bring a civil action.	Oppose
SB 204 Sub 1	Right to Appeal Amendments	B. Brammer	Sara Jones	This bill addresses a right to an appeal of an injunctive order.	No Position
SB 223	Public Education Bullying Amendments	M. McKell	Sara Jones	This bill enacts definitions of bullying for the public education code.	Support
SB 244	Modifications to Income Tax	N. Blouin	Bonnie Billings	This bill modifies the state income tax.	Support
SB 249	Student Integration Amendments	K. Cullimore	Sara Jones	This bill addresses the integration of a student into a school upon the commission of a crime by the student.	Watch
SB 267	Charter School Authorizer Amendments	J. Johnson	Bonnie Billings	This bill modifies provisions related to charter school authorization and funding.	Oppose
SB 327 Sub 4	Public Sector Labor Organization Definition Amendments	L. Fillmore	Sara Jones	This bill modifies the state labor code.	Watch
SJR 02	Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Statewide Initiatives	L. Fillmore	Bonnie Billings	This joint resolution of the Utah Legislature proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to modify a provision relating to statewide initiatives.	Oppose

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