Legislative Bills

SB0037 | Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax that school districts impose.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends provisions related to the minimum basic tax (a property tax levy) that school districts impose.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0037

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Vetoed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

This bill seeks to take the property tax dollars that are currently going to schools through the Minimum Basic Levy and gives those dollars to the General Fund. This will cause a significant loss of funding to our schools. There is also a concern that local boards will be imposing a tax that will then be given to the state to spend- meaning that the local board will have no control over how the tax is used.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations will always oppose funding methods that divert funds away from public education system if the accountability methods are not equal to or greater than those of public education system

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

EDUCATION. Support an adequately funded public school system by funding a 3% Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) increase over and above growth and inflation; implement policies to increase proficiency levels by improving attendance, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers; increase academic excellence for all Utah students; and prioritize local control to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and individual schools.

Files

Attachment	Size
CALL TO ACTION - SB37.docx.pdf	92.81 KB
Sample Text Messages - Vote NO on SB37.docx	15.41 KB
Sample Letter - Vote No on SB37.docx	16.22 KB

SB0037S06 | Electronic Cigarette and Other Nicotine Product Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts and amends provisions relating to electronic cigarette products and nicotine products.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0037S06

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 30, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

We support these bills, but we expect changes to continue to be made on all e cigarette and vaping legislation. With these changes, Utah PTA hopes for, and would support, the following three priorities when considering any amendments or substitutes.
1) It decrease access and usage by our youth.
2) It increases enforcement capabilities.
3) It closes loopholes, i.e., grandfather clauses, allowing mint/menthol flavors, etc.

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

This bill imposes permitting requirements and processes for the sale of a nicotine product; it requires a tobacco retailer to provide itemized receipts and to maintain an itemized transaction log for sales of a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product in order for the e-cigarettes to be taxed the same as other tobacco products.

Higher taxes on tobacco products have shown to decrease the use among youth.

Commission:

Student Leadership

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth
Resolved, That Utah PTA seek and support legislation that would include ENDS in the Utah Code Annotated definition of tobacco products and treat them as such – including the need for licensing, sales restrictions, tax parity, and marketing; and, be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS products; and, be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA support the position that any revenue generated through taxation of ENDS should support tobacco cessation and prevention programs;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

SB0039S04 | Affordable Housing Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies provisions related to affordable housing.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0039S04

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$10,000,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2021: to the Department of Workforce Services -- Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, $10,000,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

While Utah PTA supports efforts to provide affordable housing, we oppose monies coming out of the Uniform School Fund to provide funding to help resolve this issue.

Utah PTA Resolution:

COM 2018-1 | Homelessness and Transiency

EDU 2014-2 | Chronic Absenteeism (retired)

FAM 2014-1 | Intergenerational Poverty

Impact on Children:

S.B. 39 seeks to increase the inventory of affordable housing, which PTA has resolved to support, however our first priority is to fully fund education. Adequately available affordable housing helps children to be ready to learn. If children are spending time and energy worrying about and / or moving they will not be able to devote the same time or energy to their education, to becoming financial independent, productive citizens.

Commission:

Community Engagement

SB0040 | Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program within the Department of Health.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0040

Year:

2020

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

1 in 6 Utah teens are now vaping. According to the SHARP survey though, marijuana is double that, and alcohol is almost triple.

The Bill creates the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Committee. It will consolidate advisory groups and committees with other committees or advisory and help the groups as appropriate to create greater efficiencies and budgetary savings for the department.

The program may help to prevent usage of electronic cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs among our youth.

Commission:

Student Leadership

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth
Resolved, That the Utah PTA work in collaboration with state and local health departments, school boards, school districts, and other agencies to educate youth, parents, communities, and local elected officials on the dangers of ENDS products;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

6. Support measures to instill proven and effective prevention methods to promote healthy behaviors in children to be able to overcome the ills of society including suicide, tobacco use, vaping, underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual exploitation, bullying, and any form of addiction that is harmful to our children’s well-being.

SB0040 | Child Welfare Sunset Provisions

Description

General Description:

This bill amends child welfare provisions that are scheduled to sunset in 2019.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0040

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 25, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2018-1 | Foster Care Standards

Impact on Children:

Continue to establish and operate a psychotropic medication oversight pilot program for children in foster care through Dec 2021, to ensure that foster children are being prescribed psychotropic medication consistent with their needs.

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given

SB0041S01 | Mental Health Access Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies an insurer's responsibilities for mental health coverage.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill allows a diagnosis or treatment of a mental health condition to do be done via telehealth services.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0041S01

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 02, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2000-1 | Mental Illness (retired)

HEA 2020-1 | Emotional/Mental Health and Well-Being

Impact on Children:

Passage of this bill will provide greater access to mental health services for children and adults statewide.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA support legislation which requires insurance parity for mental illnesses

SB0044S01 | Alternative Education Scholarship Combination

Description

General Description:

This bill combines the Carson Smith Scholarship and Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Programs.

Highlighted Provisions:

Combines the Carson Smith Scholarship and the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship into the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program. Allows for homeschool and preschool aged students to receive scholarships. Adds expenses with a qualifying provider to allowable scholarship expenses. Provides regulatory autonomy for a qualifying school, qualifying provider, and home-school student. Allows scholarships to be used for services from eligible service providers and establishes an approval process. Allows students with disabilities and their siblings to be awarded scholarship amounts of up to 2.5 times the WPU amount. Phases out new applications and extensions for the Carson Smith Scholarship Program after the 2023-2024 school year and makes technical changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0044S01

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 20, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA is concerned about the lack of oversight on this bill. There is no mechanism to ensure that these taxpayer funds are being spent for the designated purpose and there is no follow up to see if these funds are actually helping students with disabilities to progress in their education. Further, having multiple SGOs creates potential mismanagement of funds. The USBE has been a better steward of taxpayer funds and should be considered as the SGO of choice to handle this program.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

This bill would prevent tax money going into the funds providing for public education. Scholarships are awarded to students with disabilities and their siblings for up to 2.5 times the WPU amount. Donors to the scholarship fund receive a tax credit for the full amount of their donation.

Commission:

Education

Special Needs Specialist

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved that Utah PTA and its constituent associations oppose funding mechanisms such as vouchers, tax credits, deductions; and, be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations will always oppose funding methods that divert funds away from public education system if the accountability methods are not equal to or greater than those of public education system; and, be it further

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations oppose the dilution of the constitutional mandate to fully fund public education and oppose income tax cuts and credits that directly reduce the amount allocated to public education funding

SB0045 | Domestic Violence Revisions

Description

General Description:

This bill adds aggravated cruelty to an animal to the list of offenses that may qualify as a domestic violence offense.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0045

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 27, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 1996-3 | Domestic Violence Education (retired)

Impact on Children:

Further defines an area of domestic violence not addressed, in circumstances where children may me living or abiding.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA work to support stronger legislation that focuses on intervention for and prevention of domestic violence.

SB0046S01 | Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program Sunset Extension

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program, the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Committee, and the Electronic Cigarette Substance and Nicotine Product Proceeds Restricted Account.

Highlighted Provisions:

Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program Sunset Extension

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0046S01

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 26, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2007-1 | Substance Abuse

Impact on Children:

Requires the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Committee to meet at least quarterly;
Establishes an order of priority for the various program funding distributions from the
Electronic Cigarette Substance and Nicotine Product Proceeds Restricted Account; and
Extends the sunset dates for the Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug
Prevention Committee and Program.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA supports the age-appropriateeducation of all children and families regarding the dangers and consequences of substance abuse.

SB0047S01 | Placement of Minors Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies provisions related to placement of a minor.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0047S01

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 21, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2018-1 | Foster Care Standards

Impact on Children:

If a minor 14 years of age or older desires an opportunity to address the court or testify, the court shall give the minor's desires added weight, but may not treat the minor's desires as the single controlling factor in a post-adjudication hearing or other hearing described

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in placement matters

Legislative Bills

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