Legislative Bills

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HB0047S02 | DUI Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill makes changes to bail provisions for DUI offenses.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
defines terms; and creates a presumption of detention for individuals charged with certain DUI offenses while awaiting trial.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 45
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill is known as Sarah's law. On July 30, Sarah Frei and her three friends were hit head-on by a drunk driver in Cache County. All four survived, but Sarah lost her legs and is paralyzed from the waist down. The drunk driver walked away. No child should be put in danger from drunk driving. Drunk driving is not only irresponsible but criminal. This bill will require those drivers who hurt or kill someone while driving drunk to see a judge before they can be released on bail.

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

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations will support strict enforcement of driving under the influence laws and the passage of more stringent laws that would remove from the road drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;

Resolved, That Utah State PTA support stiffer penalties for alcohol and drug possession by minors; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah State PTA support legislation to suspend driving privileges of minors for alcohol and drug possession offenses.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

5. Support measures to promote safe and healthy environments and behaviors for children to prevent suicide, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking,

HB0048S02 | School Trust Fund Modifications

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to school and institutional trust fund management, advocacy, and distribution of funds.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2019
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 2
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This is a clean up bill for State Trust Funds and would further protect the fund.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage State and local officials to take all necessary steps to assure that management of the School Trust Lands is in accordance with trust duties and principles including undivided loyalty to the beneficiaries, a duty to make trust property productive, a duty to keep and render accounts, and a duty to exercise prudence and skill in administering the trust, thereby obtaining much-needed revenue for Utah's public schools;

HB0054S04 | Tax Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies state tax provisions.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Reduce the income tax rate of individuals and corporations from 4.85% to 4.80%

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 22, 2023
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 43
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

Reducing the income tax rates to individuals and corporations is both myopic and unconscionable when the State of Utah considers its obligation to its children, vulnerable segments of the population and other programs in need of funds that will provide for a good future for Utahns. A tax cut is akin to indulging in discretionary expenses to the detriment of investing in Utah's future.

Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This bill will reduce the amount of funding flow to Public Education and reduce the ability to provide high quality public education which benefits all citizens of Utah. 

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority; and, be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries, technology, programs, supplies, and evidenced-based practices that have an impact on student achievement; and, be it further

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; and, be it further

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 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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

EDUCATION FUNDING. Support an adequately funded public school system by: supporting a 6.5% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation to be used for purposes such as recruiting, supporting, and retaining teachers

HB0055 | Juvenile Justice Services Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses services provided by the Division of Juvenile Justice Services.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill addresses services provided by the Division of Juvenile Justice Services as children age out with limited parental support.

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 23, 2022
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 43
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential—even if they make a mistake while growing up. Second chances are important as children learn and grow into adulthood. In this bill Juvenile Justice Services is aligning with child welfare for youth that age out of their system with limited parental support.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage the State of Utah Division of Family Services and Division of Youth Corrections to establish a coordination and communication network among placing agencies and workers;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.

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.

Coordination and planning by all agencies with clear definition of responsibility at each level of government.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION Position Statement

Encourage collaboration between law enforcement, the judicial system, and child welfare agencies.

Assist youth leaving the juvenile justice system, and prevent their return.

HB0056 | Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends the Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill amends the Intergenerational Poverty Mitigation Act. It amends the membership of the Utah Intergenerational Welfare Reform Commission; and amends the membership of the Intergenerational Poverty Advisory Committee.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 30
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

The Committee and Commissions created make recommendations on how the commission and the state can effectively address the needs of children affected by intergenerational poverty.

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

That Utah PTA support programs that help mentoring families, including those that
focus on the individual or family for a significant amount of time, teaching
parenting skills, promoting continuing education, encouraging good health care for
themselves and their children, and helping children succeed in school.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional learning and well-being including, but not limited to: positive behavior programs and classes including art, music, physical education, civic engagement, and character development; early childhood education, parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.