H.B. 279 Higher Education Code Amendments

What this bill does

H.B. 279 extends several existing higher education code provisions that currently apply only to public colleges so they also cover private post-secondary institutions. These include STEM Action Center coordination, computing partnership grants, Highway Patrol security help, tuition waivers for children and spouses of fallen officers and firefighters, behavioral health programs, property damage penalties, police forfeiture definitions, geologic survey roles, and hydrogen research; it also clarifies that sponsorship or scholarship money in procurement requests must go to the institution, not an individual.

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Every vote

• 11 yes, 0 no, 4 absentHouse Education Committee: vote to change the bill · Jan 27, 2026Who voted how
• 12 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Education Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 27, 2026Who voted how
• 71 yes, 0 no, 4 absentFinal House vote · Feb 5, 2026Who voted how
• 5 yes, 0 no, 2 absentSenate Education Committee: Amendment Recommendation · Feb 12, 2026Who voted how
• 5 yes, 0 no, 2 absentSenate Education Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 12, 2026Who voted how
• 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 18, 2026Who voted how
• 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 19, 2026
• 72 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse vote to accept the other chamber's changes · Feb 20, 2026

Hearings and debates

• Jan 27, 2026 House Education Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (25 turns)

  1. Committee chair (presiding)2:25:10

     No. Yep. Thank you representative. We'll move on to our next agenda item, house Bill 2 79, higher Education Code Amendments representative Val Peterson.

  2. Rep. Val L. Peterson2:25:30

     Thank you, Madam Vice chair. So, uh, if you recall in the special session, we passed a bill, which, uh, re codified higher education into public and private, um, sections. And, uh, along with that, uh, the private schools submitted to our staff about 600 different comments of items they would like us to look at. And I wanna thank our staff for reviewing all of those items and, and working with our private higher education partners. Out of that, uh, they developed a list of nine that they felt like, uh, as we worked with them, and we worked with the private schools that we should add to our code. So this, uh, list has been reviewed by the Utah system of higher education. Uh, they don't have any concerns about it, and, uh, this is what it does. One is, uh, allows for STEM action center coordination between the private schools, uh, allows the private schools to do computing partnership grants with them. It allows the highway patrol to assist with security issues at private post-secondary institutions. Upon request, it extends the tuition waiver program for children and spouses of fallen peace officers and firefighters to the private schools. It allows for healthcare systems affiliated with private post-secondary institutions to develop behavioral health treatment programs using certain investigational drugs. It also extends criminal penalties for property damage, causing economic interruption and will for willful interference with lawful activities at the private institutions. It also includes private, post-secondary institution police forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies for forfeiture proceedings. It also adds private post-secondary institutions to the list of entities. Uh, the survey assists on geologic and mineral logic subjects and includes private post-secondary institutions when promoting hydrogen research. Uh, the other thing is, uh, the University of Utah asked me to clarify some procurement code. Um, I honestly believe so. In the second substitute, there is some clarification language that says that in the RFP process, higher education institutions can ask for scholarships or sponsorships. Uh, I personally believe right now they can already do that, but my understanding is, is the Attorney general's office felt like that that needed to be clarified in code. And so that's what the second substitute does. So with that, uh, that's what this bill does. It's really an add-on to, uh, the, the bill, the reification that we did. And I'm open to any questions?

  3. Committee chair (presiding)2:28:25

     All right. To the committee for any clarifying questions. Representative MacPherson?

  4. Rep. Matt MacPherson2:28:32

     Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, representative, I'm just curious, uh, how does this impact, when we were talking about additional regulatory burden on private institutions, is there, can you give any specifics of what, what, what actually is going to be falling upon the private institutions that weren't beforehand? I guess if there are any?

  5. Rep. Val L. Peterson2:28:53

     So all of these things the private institutions have asked for. Okay. So We're not forcing anything upon them. These are things that they've come to us and, and requested that they be allowed to do. And obviously as you look at the list, many of these things are collaboration between the state and some of the private schools such as police, uh, in, in the event of an emergency or something like that, that we can continue those collaborations, um, behavioral issues, uh, programs that we're using as a state such as computing and STEM Action Center, that there's continued collaboration between those institutions.

  6. Rep. Matt MacPherson2:29:29

     Okay. So you, but none of this is, um, some of this will have some regulatory impact as well, right? Other than just the access and collaboration.

  7. Rep. Val L. Peterson2:29:41

     Um, there might be some regulatory with the behavioral health treatment programs, but that's obviously things that they're utilizing in their programs at their institution, which is why they've requested that ability.

  8. Rep. Matt MacPherson2:29:54

     Okay. Thank you. Yep.

  9. Committee chair (presiding)2:29:58

     Great. Any other questions? All right. Seeing none, we'll go to the public for public comment. Welcome. Thank you. Please state your name, who you're with, and please sign the clipboard.

  10. Katie Mazzie, Utah System of Higher Education2:30:11

      Hi, Katie Mazzie with the Utah System of Higher Education. Uh, so our board is not taking a formal stance, but I, I will say the sponsor was great about coming to us, uh, with the original language of the bill that incorporated private institutions and gave them an opportunity to collaborate with the state on some of these initiatives. Uh, we appreciate the opportunity to review that. Um, so I'm just speaking to the original and, and saying that we had no concerns with, um, adding the private institutions to some of those initiatives throughout the state. And we thank the sponsor for looping us in.

  11. Committee chair (presiding)2:30:40

      Great. Thank you. Is there anyone else from the public come on up?

  12. Audrey Perry Martin, Brigham Young University2:30:49

      Thanks, Katie. My name is Audrey Perry Martin. I am the university spokesperson for Brigham Young University, and we just wanted to come and offer support of this bill. Um, it helps us do things we're already working to do and makes it a little bit easier to collaborate. Um, and we're grateful for Representative Peterson's work on this issue. Thank you.

  13. Committee chair (presiding)2:31:14

      Thank you. Anyone else from the public? Anyone online? All right. Seeing none online, we'll go back to the Committee for action. And just a reminder, there's a substitute. First substitute online Representative Miller.

  14. Rep. Miller2:31:37speaker not certain

      Thank you. I move to adopt first substitute of HB 2 79. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to the motion? I will waive and let the sponsor speak to the substitute.

  15. Committee chair (presiding)2:31:52

      Alright. Thank you to the sponsor.

  16. Rep. Val L. Peterson2:31:54

      Like I said, this is clarification language on the procurement code. It's lines 3 38 through 3 47 if you want read it. But it basically allows them to request sponsorship or scholarships in the RFP process.

  17. Committee chair (presiding)2:32:06

      All right. Thank you to the committee for questions. And back to the maker of the motion I waive, oh, sorry. We, we do have a question here. Representative Pucci.

  18. Rep. Miller2:32:18speaker not certain

      Oh, that was just for me to make a motion. I apologize. Oh, Sorry about that.

  19. Committee chair (presiding)2:32:22

      Um, okay. Back to the maker of the motion. I'll waive. Okay, terrific. Well, we will, uh, take a vote on that. All those in favor of, uh, adopting substitute one for House Bill 2 79. Higher Education Code Amendments, say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Alright, I rule out passes and back to the committee.

  20. Rep. Miller2:32:46speaker not certain

      Representative Miller, I move to pass out HB 2 79, substitute one with a favorable recommendation.

  21. Committee chair (presiding)2:32:54

      That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to the motion?

  22. Rep. Miller2:32:58speaker not certain

      I'll waive Right to the bill sponsor.

  23. Rep. Val L. Peterson2:33:01

      I just wanna thank staff again. Um, this has been a huge lift. I mean, the re codification alone was, uh, was huge. Uh, and they did that very professional. And within the timeframe of the special session, and then, uh, again, uh, just reviewing all the re all the information that we received from the different legal offices, from the private institutions, they've been through all of that. And so, uh, this is really a culmination of a year's worth of work. And so I just wanna make staff and know how much I appreciate their efforts.

  24. Committee chair (presiding)2:33:31

      All thank you. And to the committee for comments. All right. Seeing none, we will take a vote. All those in favor of recommending House Bill 2 79 higher Education code amendments. Substitute one, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? I rule that that passes.

  25. Committee chair (presiding)2:33:50

      Thank you, representative. All right, one final bill.

• Feb 5, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (7 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)49:00

     for its consideration. Madam Reading Clerk, Our substitute house bill 2 79 Higher education code amendments by representative Val Peterson. This bill was heard in education with the vote of 12 0 3 Representative Val Peterson.

  2. Rep. Val L. Peterson49:15

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd make a motion to substitute first substitute house bill 2 79 with second substitute house bill 2 79.

  3. Speaker (presiding)49:22

     Thank you representative. That motion in order, would you like to speak to it?

  4. Rep. Val L. Peterson49:25

     Yes. So, uh, in lines 4 59 to 4 68 there's some compromised language which allows, um, higher ed institutions to, uh, put sponsorships and tuition as something that they can, as scholarships, as something that they can evaluate as part of an RFP.

  5. Speaker (presiding)49:43

     Thank you representatives, uh, representative, uh, we'll go ahead and place the MO or discussion to the Motion to adopt second substitute on HB 2 79 under Representative Val Peterson's name Seeing None will go ahead and place the motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Before that motion passes, the bill's been substituted before the body for further consideration. Back to your representative, Val Peterson.

  6. Rep. Val L. Peterson50:07

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. So, uh, what this bill does is, as you remember in the special session, we, uh, divided private higher education institutions from public, uh, higher ed institutions. And what this does is restore, uh, some of the collaborations that can happen, uh, between different, uh, state agencies across the state. So there's basically nine things that it does. It allows for collaboration between the STEM Action Center, it provides for computing partnership grants. It allows the Highway patrol to assist with security issues upon request. It also extends the tuition waiver program for children's and spouses, a fallen peace officers and firefighters to the private schools. It also allows for healthcare systems affiliated with private post-secondary institutions to develop behavioral health treatment programs. And it extends criminal penalties for property damage to the private schools as well. It also has a law enforcement definition, which includes, uh, post-secondary institution, police forces and the definition of law enforcement. And it adds private post-secondary institutions to a list of entities that survey or assist in geologic mineral logic subjects as well as includes them in the Hydrogen Advisory Council. And that, uh, concludes my presentation. Mr. Speaker.

  7. Speaker (presiding)51:26

     Thank you, Representative Peterson. Discussion to the bill. Seeing none back to Representative Peterson for summation. Waive summation has been waived. Voting will now be open on HB two. Seeing now present, having voted voting is now closed. Second substitute HB 2 79 passes this body with 71 Yes vote zero no votes will be sent to the Senate for the signature or for its consideration matter reading Clerk

• Feb 5, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (5 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)49:19

     with second substitute house bill 2 79. Thank you representative. That motion in order, would you like to speak to it?

  2. Unknown speaker49:25speaker not certain

     Yes. So, uh, in lines 4 59 to 4 68 there's some compromised language which allows, um, higher ed institutions to, uh, put sponsorships and tuition as something that they can, as scholarships, as something that they can evaluate as part of an RFP.

  3. Speaker (presiding)49:43

     Thank you representatives, uh, representative, uh, we'll go ahead and place the MO or discussion to the Motion to adopt second substitute on HB 2 79 under Representative Val Peterson's name Seeing None will go ahead and place the motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Before that motion passes, the bill's been substituted before the body for further consideration. Back to your representative, Val Peterson.

  4. Rep. Val L. Peterson50:07

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. So, uh, what this bill does is, as you remember in the special session, we, uh, divided private higher education institutions from public, uh, higher ed institutions. And what this does is restore, uh, some of the collaborations that can happen, uh, between different, uh, state agencies across the state. So there's basically nine things that it does. It allows for collaboration between the STEM Action Center, it provides for computing partnership grants. It allows the Highway patrol to assist with security issues upon request. It also extends the tuition waiver program for children's and spouses, a fallen peace officers and firefighters to the private schools. It also allows for healthcare systems affiliated with private post-secondary institutions to develop behavioral health treatment programs. And it extends criminal penalties for property damage to the private schools as well. It also has a law enforcement definition, which includes, uh, post-secondary institution, police forces and the definition of law enforcement. And it adds private post-secondary institutions to a list of entities that survey or assist in geologic mineral logic subjects as well as includes them in the Hydrogen Advisory Council. And that, uh, concludes my presentation. Mr. Speaker.

  5. Speaker (presiding)51:26

     Thank you, Representative Peterson. Discussion to the bill. Seeing none back to Representative Peterson for summation. Waive summation has been waived. Voting will now be open on HB two. Seeing now present, having voted voting is now closed. Second substitute HB 2 79 passes this body with 71 Yes vote zero no votes will be sent to the Senate for the signature or for its consideration matter reading Clerk

• Feb 12, 2026 Senate Education Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (18 turns)

  1. Committee chair (presiding)40:21

     So, our first item on the agenda, we're gonna move to HB 2 79, uh, second substitute, uh, higher Education Code Amendments Representative Val Peterson. Go ahead. I noticed that you have a amendment one online. Is that, do, do you want to move that amendment? I do. Uh, someone want to do that for me? Senator Baldry or Senator Fillmore, or

  2. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore41:00

     So moved.

  3. Committee chair (presiding)41:02

     Who was that? Was that Senator Fillmore? Okay. So the motion by Senator Fillmore to, uh, move Amendment one, uh, discussion to that motion. Do you want to, do you want to tell us?

  4. Rep. Val L. Peterson41:21

     I'm happy to tell you, Senator, what it does. So what this does is clarifies that in the RFP process that, uh, uh, if there're a sponsorship or scholarship dollars in that RFP that they have to go to, to the institution, that they cannot go to a specific individual.

  5. Committee chair (presiding)41:36

     Okay. So, so that, that's the amendment, right?

  6. Rep. Val L. Peterson41:39

     That's the amendment. Okay.

  7. Committee chair (presiding)41:40

     Uh, uh, Senator Riebe, do you have comments on the amendment?

  8. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe41:46

     No, I was gonna move the, oh, okay. Thank you.

  9. Committee chair (presiding)41:49

     Uh, so the motion on the table is to, uh, move amendment one to HB 2 79, substitute second substitute. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Uh, chair rules. That is unanimous. Okay. Now to the amendment amended bill, Representative Peterson. Thank

  10. Rep. Val L. Peterson42:08

      You, Mr. Chair. So, as you recall, during the special session, we divided out private higher education institutions from public higher ed institutions. And what this bill does is, uh, allow collaborations between different functions within state government. For example, uh, the STEM Action Center can coordinate with, uh, private institutions that, uh, private institutions can partner with private post-secondary institutions when applying for computer science grants. That it authorizes the highway patrol to assist with security issues at private post-secondary institutions. Upon request, it extends the tuition waiver program for children and spouses for fallen peace officers and firefighters. It also allows healthcare systems affiliated with private post-secondary institutions to develop behavior health treatment programs using certain investigational drugs. And then it extends criminal penalties for property damage, causing economic disruption and interference with lawful activities to post-secondary institutions. And then it also includes private, post-secondary institution police forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies for, for forfeiture proceedings. And then it, uh, adds private post-secondary institutions to the list of entities that survey assists on geologic and mineral logic subjects. It also includes, um, private institutions in the Hydrogen Advisory Council. And that's what this bill does.

  11. Committee chair (presiding)43:38

      Thank you very much. That complete your presentation? That

  12. Rep. Val L. Peterson43:41

      Completes my presentation.

  13. Committee chair (presiding)43:43

      Okay. Uh, back to the, uh, committee for, uh, clarifying questions. Seeing none, we're gonna go to members of the public. Anyone want to comment to this bill? Seeing none, we're gonna come back to the committee for discussions and a motion. Senator Riebe.

  14. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe44:12

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to recommend HB 2 79 higher Education code amendments out with a favorable recommendation.

  15. Committee chair (presiding)44:20

      Okay. Uh, so the motion on, uh, the table is to send out HB 2 79 second substitute as amended, uh, with favorable recommendation. Discussion on that motion. We're gonna come back to you to some,

  16. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe44:37

      Yeah. So I'll just, uh, also say that, uh, Yui has reviewed this bill and they didn't have any concerns with any of these functions being given back to the private higher education institutions.

  17. Committee chair (presiding)44:48

      Okay. Uh, back to you, Senator Riebe Waive. Okay. So the motion is to send out a second substitute HP 2 79 higher Education code amendments as amended, uh, with favorable recommendation. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Chair rules. That as unanimous.

  18. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe45:11speaker not certain

      Thank you very much. Thank You, Mr. Chair.

• Feb 18, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (4 turns)

  1. Sen. Ann Millner40:06

     but there's sections that are relevant both to our private institutions as well as our public institutions. Um, for example, um, STEM Action Center could partner not only with public, um, institutions, but with private institutions. Uh, if we think about, um, behavioral health treatment programs, they're needed in our private institution as well as our public institutions, we're thinking about, um, criminal, uh, law protections, same kind of things. So what this does is address particular areas that need to be opened up beyond public institutions to also, um, include private institutions. It was done in consultation, uh, with our Board of Higher Education. They had no concerns, but it does address some of the concerns of our public, excuse me, of our private higher education institutions and opens up more opportunity for them. And I'm open to questions. Thank you Senator Millner for the presentation.

  2. President (presiding)41:09

     See no questions to you for a motion call The question. Thank You. And the question is, shall second substitute house bill 2 79? Be read a third time roll call vote.

  3. Clerk41:19

     Senator Vickers Baldry Lewin b Brammer bus Aye. Fillmore Aye. Ms. Camilla Fillmore Grover Aye. Harper Aye. Hankins Ipson Aye. Johnson Juab McKay? Aye. Mikel Aye. Milner Aye. Musselman Musselman Aye. Owens pitcher Plum Rebe. Aye. Sandal Stevenson Stratton Bickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson. Aye. Winterton President Adams Aye. Second substitute house Bill 2 79. Having received 26 Shay votes zero nay votes,

  4. President (presiding)42:22

     three being absent shall be read A third time, third substitute house bill, 71 Third substitute house Bill 71 health provider directory and access amendments.

• Feb 19, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (5 turns)

  1. President Adams (presiding)1:10:55

     The bill is Uncircled. Senator Milner.

  2. Sen. Ann Millner1:10:57

     So, um, this is a reification of some of our higher ed code that's addresses one specific issue. In many cases we only focus on public higher education. Um, but there are areas that it also applies to private, um, uh, higher education in the state. The example would be coordination with our STEM center for the benefit of our young people doing computer partnerships. Um, doing, uh, thinking about things like survivor tuition waivers, um, law enforcement protections, et cetera. They impact all of our campuses. And what this bill does is, uh, insert private higher education in places that it really needs to have the same kind of opportunities and protections that public higher education has in the state of Utah. That I'm open to Questions.

  3. President Adams (presiding)1:11:53

     Thank you. Senator Millner Looking for questions to your bill? Not seeing any to you for a motion call. The question, The question is, shall second substitute house bill two seventy nine pass. Roll call vote.

  4. Unknown speaker1:12:04

     Senator Vickers Baldry Aye. Lewin Brammer Bus Cullimore Escamilla Fillmore Aye. Grover Harper Kins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson k Juab McKay Aye. Mikel Aye. Milner Aye. Musman Aye. Owens Aye. Aye. Pitcher alum Aye. Rebe Aye. Sandal Stevenson Stratton Aye. Pickers Aye. Bier Wilson? Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye.

  5. President Adams (presiding)1:13:01

     Second substitute house bill 2 79. Having received 26 sha votes, zero nay votes, three being absent, passes his body and will be returned to the house for further consideration.

• Feb 20, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (9 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)46:32

     Second Substitute House Bill 2 79 Higher Education Code Amendments by representative Val Peterson, Representative Val Peterson.

  2. Rep. Val L. Peterson46:42

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to concur with the Senate amendments.

  3. Speaker (presiding)46:44

     Thank you representative. That motion is ordered as I speak to it.

  4. Rep. Val L. Peterson46:47

     Yes. So, uh, we just, uh, put a amendment in that clarifies that, uh, if, uh, the RFP has, uh, sponsorship or, um, uh, scholarships in it, that that has to go to the institution and can't go to an individual.

  5. Speaker (presiding)47:08

     Thank you Representative Peterson. Discussion to the motion to concur with the Senate amendments on second substitute HB 2 79. Scene none. We'll go ahead and place the motion.

  6. Speaker (presiding)47:18

     The motion is, uh, the House Concur with Senate amendments on second substitute HB 2 79. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Rule that motion passes voting will now be open on for final passage on second substitute HB 2 79.

  7. Speaker (presiding)49:25

     Representative Cutler would to vote Representative Ivory Representative Barlow all president voting boy, he is now closed.

  8. Speaker (presiding)49:45

     Second substitute HB 2 79 passes this body with 72 yes votes zero no votes will be returned to the Senate for the signature of the President.

  9. Speaker (presiding)49:53

     Okay. Representatives that fulfills our duties on the concurrence calendar, we will now be headed