Legislative Bills

HB0047S02 | Utah Seismic Safety Commission Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to the Utah Seismic Safety Commission.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill extends the sunset date of provisions related to the Utah Seismic Safety Commission;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0047S02

Year:

2024

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2023-3 | Improving the Earthquake Safety of Utah Schools

Impact on Children:

Utah, situated in an earthquake-prone zone, faces a significant risk, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identifying a potential Utah Wasatch-Front earthquake as one of the most deadly disasters in the country. It is crucial for the Utah Seismic Safety Commission to persist in their efforts to address and mitigate this risk effectively. Over 70,000 Utah children( 12% of K-12 public school students) attend school in Unreinforced Masonry buildings.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies collaborate with the Utah Seismic Safety
Commission, the Utah Division of Emergency Management, Envision Utah, and other
community partners to educate PTA members, public officials, school board members,
school district leaders, community members, teachers, school support staff, and
appropriate-aged students about the risks of URM and encourage these individuals to
know the earthquake-risk status of their local schools;

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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

To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

SAFETY: Support funding to strengthen school safety measures. This includes the improvement of school infrastructure to ensure safety and security, implementation of comprehensive safety training, adoption of evidence-based strategies for community violence intervention and means reduction, as well as the education of families and communities on school safety protocols, children's online security, and the assessment of digital threats posed to schools across Utah.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Enhance the physical safety of school buildings, address environmental health hazards and invest in disaster preparedness through emergency planning, infrastructure improvements and physical security measures without undermining the school environment.

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

Bill Number:

HB0047S02

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 16, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 1985-2 | Suspension of Driving Privileges (retired)

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

Bill Number:

HB0048S02

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:

EDU 2015-1 | School Trust Lands

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

Bill Number:

HB0054S04

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 22, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

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:

EDU 2023-1 | Education Funding

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

Bill Number:

HB0055

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 23, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 1993-2 | Coordinating Services for Youth in Custody

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.

Legislative Bills

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