Legislative Bills

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SB0251S01 | Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program

Description
General Description: 

This bill makes changes to the Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program.

Highlighted Provisions: 

"14 ▸ permits a local education agency to select certain teachers as candidates for a 
15 scholarship award through the Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor 
16 Pipeline Program (program);
17 ▸ allows scholarship money awarded through the program to be used for stipends for
18 school counselor assistants"

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 15
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This bill will help fill the tremendous shortfall in the number of available school counselors by making a pathway for districts to be able to "grow their own" school counselors.

Commission: 
Health
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively advocate for increased funding for additional trained counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist and educate families and youth in both elementary and secondary schools participating in the public school system.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

4. Support the continued development of educator career pathways programs including pathways for counselor, psychologist and social workers. Support incentives & programs to increase the number of counselors, psychologists and social workers for greater access for our students.

SB0258S01 | Upstart Program Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends and enacts provisions of the UPSTART program.

Highlighted Provisions: 

UPSTART PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 25
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA believes that Early Childhood programs should stay under the management of an educational entity and keep high standards in learning and assessment.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Experiences in early childhood determine whether a child’s developing brain architecture provides a strong foundation for future learning, behavior, and health. Excellent education in early childhood set the child on a path of success.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies educate parents on the importance of quality early childhood learning experiences; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies work collaboratively with existing early childhood programs to better coordinate services; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies advocate for policies and funding to improve early childhood services throughout the state

SB0260 | School Events Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill directs the State Board of Education to make rules clarifying that school principals and local education agency administration have authority to remove a spectator or participant from a school-sponsored activity for certain disruptive behavior under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill directs the State Board of Education to make rules clarifying that school principals and local education agency administration have authority to remove a spectator or participant from a school-sponsored activity for certain disruptive behavior under certain circumstances.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 01, 2024
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 12
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Poor behavior by spectators at school sporting events has been an increasing problem.  Principals and school personnel need additional tools to manage the behavior of spectators.  All community members should work together to provide a safe environment for our students.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students

SB0263S02 | Electronic Cigarette and Other Nicotine Product Tax Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies tax provisions in the Electronic Cigarette and Nicotine Product Taxation and Licensing Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

requires the State Tax Commission to:
• increase enforcement of the collection of the electronic cigarette and nicotine product tax;
• conduct a study on enforcement and collection of the electronic cigarette and nicotine product tax; and
• report the State Tax Commission's findings and recommendations to the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee.

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 24
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

It will hopefully improve the enforcement of e-cigarette laws, and help with the collection of the e-cigarette tax. In turn, that will help to fund positive behavior programs, etc., that are to be paid for with those $$$.

Commission: 
Advocacy Conference
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS products; and...support the position that any revenue generated through taxation of ENDS should support tobacco cessation and prevention programs

SB0268S03 | First Home Investment Zone Act

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts the First Home Investment Zone Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill enacts the First Home Investment Zone Act which would provide affordable, owner-occupied housing. It also takes the tax increment from schools.

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 21, 2024
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 16
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose w/ Comment

While Utah PTA supports adequate funding for federal and state housing programs that will increase the number of affordable housing units, we are also resolved to encourage the legislature to take all necessary steps to ensure stable and adequate funding mechanisms to properly facilitate the education of all students including but not limited to areas of high growth. Removal of the tax increment income from LEAs, severely hinders their ability to properly manage the potential growth due to increased housing.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

While this would create more affordable housing for families and children it takes away funding received by LEAs through the tax increment. This would make it difficult for schools to support the potential increased growth.

Commission: 
Community Engagement
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Be it resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations support the maintenance of a stable and adequate funding mechanism to support public education based on the following principles: enrollment growth; inflation; support of a K-12 education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account; funding the USBE Strategic Plan.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

1. Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents.
4. Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.