S.B. 1 Higher Education Base Budget

What this bill does

This bill sets the state's base budget for higher education for the coming year, appropriating to each of the eight public degree-granting colleges and universities and the eight technical colleges the same amounts as the fiscal 2026 ongoing levels. It provides about $1.9 billion from the general fund and income tax for operating and capital costs, plus $91.5 million from the income tax fund for performance funding.

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Every vote

• 27 yes, 0 no, 2 absentFinal Senate vote · Jan 28, 2026Who voted how
• 71 yes, 0 no, 4 absentFinal House vote · Jan 29, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Jan 28, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (8 turns)

  1. Sen. Ann Millner13:54

     This, this budget appropriates the base budget of the Utah System of Higher Education, which includes Utah Board of Higher Education, the State's eight public degree granting institutions, and the State's eight Public technical college. As you've heard before, the base budget bill begins funding these agencies as the same amount as FY 2026 ongoing appropriations. In total, the bill appropriate 1.9 billion from the general fund and income tax fund for operating in capital budgets and another 91.5 million from the in tax fund to the performance funding restricted account. This bill also reflects the estimated FY 27 total budget of higher education institutions, which is 12.9 billion. As we've progressed through the session, we'll consider adjustments to these agencies budgets. Any approved adjustments will be made in one of our supplemental appropriations bills near the end of the session. And I'm open for questions.

  2. President Adams (presiding)14:59

     Thank you. Senator Millner looking for questions, saying none back to you for a motion Call the question And, and I'm going to ask you to make a motion, uh, that we, uh, actually suspend the three reading requirements.

  3. Unknown speaker15:19speaker not certain

     Let's move these bills straight across, don't you think? So? I, I move that we suspend the third reading requirement for base budget bills. Uh, so they can pass directly to, um, That's allowed by the constitu. Yeah. The Constitutional three reading requirement, correct.

  4. President Adams (presiding)15:34

     Constitutional, All in favor say aye. Aye. Any, any opposed? Roll that motion passes. Thank you. Now a motion on the bill call the question. Motion To pass. Thank you. Motion to pass the question is under suspension

  5. Senate clerk15:48

     of the role shall Senate bill one pass Roll call vote. Senator Vickers Baldy Aye. Lein Aye. Brammer bus Comore Aye. Escamilla Fillmore Aye. Grover Harper Aye. Hankins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson Aye. Quan McKay Mikel Milner Aye. Musselman Owens Aye. Pitcher Plum Rebe Aye. Sandal Aye. Stevenson Stratton Bickers Weiler Aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton President Adams Aye.

  6. President Adams (presiding)16:35

     Wilson Aye. Winterton President Adams Aye. Senate Bill one, having received 27 a votes, zero nay votes, two being absent, passes this body and will be sent to the house for their consideration.

  7. President Adams (presiding)16:59

     Senator Musselman. Senator Musselman.

  8. Sen. Carl Musselman17:02

     Thanks Mr. President.

• Jan 29, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (3 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)17:37

     Senate bill one. Higher education based budget by Senator Millner. The House sponsors Representative Corinne Peterson. Representative Peterson.

  2. Rep. Karen M. Peterson17:49

     Thank you. So SB one is our higher education base budget bill. So this is the bill that appropriates the base budget to the system of higher education to each of our eight, um, public degree granting institutions and to our eight, um, technical colleges. So as you heard before, this is just the base budget bill. Um, so it, it, um, appropriates the same amounts as fiscal year 2026 ongoing. Um, so this is approximately 1.9 billion from the general fund and income tax for operating and capital. Another 91.5 million from the income tax fund for performance funding restricted account. And, um, the bill also reflects, uh, the estimated fiscal year 2027 total budget of higher education institutions, which is 12.9 billion. So that's all the other things that, uh, fund higher ed are just accounted for in our base budget. Um, so of course we're gonna have a conversation as a committee about if this is where we remain. Um, but this is the base budget for SB one. Thanks.

  3. Speaker (presiding)18:45

     Thank you Representative Peterson. Discussion to the bill. Seeing none represent Peterson for summation. I'll waive summation is waived. Voting is open on SB one higher education base budget. Let's call rules is different, seeing all present, having voted voting is now closed. SB one passes this body with 71 yes votes zero no votes will be signed by the speaker and by sent for enrolling. Yes. Signed by the speaker sent to the Senate for the signature of the president. Uh, speaker announces a rules committee meeting to be held in the house Rules committee room. So all those, uh, members of the House Rules Committee are excused. Madam Reading Clerk for items on the Senate