S.B. 131 Charter School Eligibility

What this bill does

S.B. 131 would let charter schools, if they choose, extend their lottery enrollment preference from a two-mile radius to the boundaries of a political subdivision such as a school district, but only when they are at capacity. It does not create new charter schools or change funding, and the final version also adds residence in that political subdivision as an enrollment criterion and removes outdated COVID-era language.

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Every vote

• 7 yes, 0 noSenate Education Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 26, 2026Who voted how
• 24 yes, 1 no, 4 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 9, 2026Who voted how
• 22 yes, 3 no, 4 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 10, 2026Who voted how
• 11 yes, 0 no, 4 absentHouse Education Committee: Amendment Recommendation · Feb 20, 2026Who voted how
• 10 yes, 1 no, 4 absentHouse Education Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 20, 2026Who voted how
• 49 yes, 11 no, 15 absentFinal House vote · Feb 26, 2026
• 19 yes, 5 no, 5 absentSenate vote to accept the other chamber's changes · Feb 27, 2026

Hearings and debates

• Jan 26, 2026 Senate Education Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (22 turns)

  1. Committee chair37:01

     Senator Baldry, go ahead.

  2. Sen. Heidi Balderree37:03

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. This bill is simple. Senate Bill 1 31 provides an option for the current two mile charter school lottery preference to be extended to the boundaries of a political subdivision, such as a school district. I represent the New Lake Mountain School District, which includes the cities of Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain growing by more than 1000 students each year. It is the fastest growing district in Utah, and perhaps the nation. The newly elected Lake Mountain School Board strongly supports charter schools. District schools are already overcrowded and charters can alleviate some of the pressure for bonding for new school buildings. The lottery preference in Senate Bill 1 31 will enable new and expanding charter schools to work as partners with school boards in handling student growth. That concludes my presentation. Very

  3. Committee chair37:58

     Good. Uh, we have some lights on. Senator Fillmore.

  4. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore38:05

     Thank you, Senator. Uh, for the senator. Um, Mr. Chair, I wonder if this, um, would limit it to only one political subdivision, and let me give you a little bit of context for that. So, um, let's say, uh, entheos Academy is a charter school that is located in Kearns, um, I suppose Kearns has boundaries. It's Metro Township. Maybe they're a city now since the New Year. Um, but they are right on the border with West Jordan. Right? So they're at like 6,100 South and 6,200 South is the border. Would they, uh, only be able to draw political subdivision boundaries to include Kearns, or could it include Kearns and West Jordan? I think you, so I'm hearing from the person who asked me to run this bill that it could be plural. So, political subdivision, I guess, is up for interpretation. So perhaps this requires an amendment. Yeah, Just a thought. There. There will be some circumstances where, I mean, if they're that close, there's gonna be a two mile radius anyway. Right. But that two miles wouldn't cover all of West Jordan. I just, it, it might be something to consider going forward. Your bill's good. The concept is good. Uh, perhaps some refining and clarity and language to make sure that people know that, uh, that, that it could be done, you know, when you're close to a border or things like that.

  5. Sen. Heidi Balderree39:26

     Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it.

  6. Sen. Stephanie Pitcher39:29speaker not certain

     Senator Riebe. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I, I have many students in my district that travel way beyond two miles that go to a charter school. Um, is there a restrictive, I, I didn't know, I wasn't aware of a restrictive policy that wouldn't let people join a charter school. Is it saying that the charter school is at capacity and you are allowing somebody else in? This is for the lottery preference. The lottery preference that co currently states it's two miles. So if the charter school has a lottery list and you wanna go to that charter school, would you go to the top of the lottery list? Or you just get to be on a lottery list? I don't understand. 'cause my understanding is that, like my example would be weer and weer is many miles from most of the people that go to that. And if their charter school is full, you get to have preferential treatment because you're two miles further than everybody else. Like, I don't understand how this works. I am asking, uh, I'm phoning my friend. I'm texting my friend to find out the, I I don't, to be frank, I don't know the, the answer to that question. Okay. But I'm writing it down. Go ahead.

  7. Unknown speaker40:45speaker not certain

     Uh, I can be the friend that she phones. Oh, Yes. Phoning

  8. Committee chair40:48

     Senator Fillmore,

  9. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore40:49

     Mr. Chair. The two mile radius is already in statute. Uh, and what that does is it gives the school the ability to say, we're going to prioritize people who live nearby our school. And this was put in several years ago, really, before either, uh, the senator or I were in the legislature as a kind of a traffic mitigation concern. Um, uh, so that's already there. And what it works, if, if, if there are enough students within two miles to fill up the whole school, then nobody else gets in. Right? It's, it's an enrollment priority. Uh, and this bill would just extend that priority to the boundaries of a city. Or, uh, I suppose in some circumstances, maybe it would be a county, although that would be pretty big. But, um, but the two mile radius is already there, just simply as an enrollment preference.

  10. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe41:31

      Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a follow up. Go ahead. So when they get on the list, are they still at the bottom of the list or they have like, preferential treatment?

  11. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore41:40

      It prioritizes them. It prioritizes them on the top of the list above all the people that live closer to them.

  12. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe41:47

      Then people who live farther away. Seems like it puts it in the same category, right? I don't know. That's the question I'm asking. Yeah,

  13. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore41:57

      That's how I read the bill. That's how I read it. That would put 'em in the same category.

  14. Committee chair42:00

      Okay. Thank you. Any other comments from the committee? Seeing nine, we're gonna go to members of the public, anyone from the public like to comment, come forward, state your name for the record, and, uh, make sure you sign in. Tell us who you represent. Thank you.

  15. Tamra Watson, Utah Association of Public Charter Schools42:22

      Sorry. Hi, uh, my name's Tamara Watson. I'm with the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, and we are in support of this bill.

  16. Committee chair42:29

      Thank you. Anybody else? Do we have any online? Not online. So we're gonna come back to the Committee for action. Senator Fillmore? Uh,

  17. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore42:44

      Sure. Mr. Chair, I will move that we favorably recommend this bill number to the floor. Okay. So the motion on the table is to favorably recommend SB 1 31 charter school eligibility, uh, to the full body of the Senate.

  18. Committee chair43:00

      Any discussion to the motion? Seeing none, uh, will come back to the bill sponsor for summation.

  19. Sen. Heidi Balderree43:09

      I'll waive Back to Senator Fillmore.

  20. Committee chair43:13

      I'll waive. Okay. So the motion is to, uh, send out SB 1 31 charter school eligibility to the full body of the Senate, all in with a favorable recommendation. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

  21. Sen. Heidi Balderree43:28

      Do I get to vote on my own bill then? I'm aye. Yes,

  22. Committee chair43:32

      Of course you do. You're on the committee so you can, okay. So the chair rules. That is unanimous.

• Feb 9, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (13 turns)

  1. Senate President (presiding)27:39

     Senator Balderree.

  2. Sen. Heidi Balderree27:41

     Thank you Mr. President. Senate Bill 1 31 is expanding fair access to charter schools Utah families deserve fair, predictable access to quality public education options, especially in fast growing communities like mine. Current charter school lottery rules rely on a fixed two mile radius, a standard that no longer reflects how families live, commute, or participate in their school communities. As Utah grows, this outdated rule can unintentionally limit access for local families. Senate Bill 1 31 modernizes This approach while preserving choice, fairness and accountability. What students are eligible? If you look at line 23 A you can see it is when schools are at capacity. What does it do? It allows charter schools to extend their existing lottery preference from a two mile radius to the boundaries of a political subdivision such as a school district. This change is optional, not mandatory. Charter schools may choose whether it works for their community. No new charter schools are created and no funding formulas are changed. We need this because many Utah communities have grown far beyond a two mile footprint, especially in areas like the Lake Mountain School district. One of the fastest growing districts in the state. In my district, families often live farther than two miles from the nearest charter school, but still consider it their neighborhood school. The current rule can unintentionally exclude local families while favoring those who live closer geographically, but may be less connected to the community. So SB 1 31 better aligns enrollment policies with modern growth patterns and real world family needs. SB 1 31 does not undermine traditional public schools or local district with authority. Instead, it offers a constructive responsible option for families when neighborhood schools are at capacity. By keeping students within the same community boundaries. SB 1 31 helps ensure children remain in structured high quality, accountable public learning environments. Rather than being displaced or left without viable options, families gain clear more responsible access to to schools they already rely on. Students benefit from stability by attending schools closer to home siblings and community activities. Charter schools can better serve the communities they were created to support and school districts see improved alignment between enrollment patterns and community boundaries. What SB 1 31 does not do, it does not eliminate lotteries. It does not guarantee admission to any student and it does not take students or funding away from traditional public schools. And it does not reduce oversight or accountability. It simply updates how proximity is defined to match today's reality. So I recommend that you support this bill because it keeps parent choice. At the Center of Education policy respects local control and community boundaries responds to rapid growth without creating disruption and maintains fairness while reducing unintended barriers. That concludes my presentation.

  3. Senate President (presiding)30:34

     Thank you Senator Baldry. Senator Escamilla to the bill

  4. Sen. Luz Escamilla30:38

     Question Mr. President? Senator Baldry, will you yield?

  5. Sen. Heidi Balderree30:41

     I will go ahead. Senator Escamilla.

  6. Sen. Luz Escamilla30:43

     Thank you. We just wanted to clarify on the presentation. It does say political subdivisions. I believe the sponsor mentioned LEAs or school districts as a political subdivision boundary. Is there a reason why? Um, are there more political subdivisions that could be boundaries at this point? Or is there a reason why we didn't just say LEA boundary Senator Balderree?

  7. Sen. Heidi Balderree31:07

     That is a great question that I do not know the answer to.

  8. Sen. Luz Escamilla31:10

     Okay. I follow up. Senator, That will be all. Thank you Mr. President.

  9. Senate President (presiding)31:14

     Thank you. Probably a good thing to maybe answer before we get to third reading calendar, so looking for further discussion. Seeing none to you. Senator Balderree summation or motion? I'll

  10. Sen. Heidi Balderree31:27

      Waive. Okay.

  11. Senate President (presiding)31:28

      A motion. I need a motion. I'll call the question please. The Question is, shall Senate bill 1 31 be read a third time roll call vote.

  12. Senate clerk31:36

      Senator Vickers Baldy Aye. Lewin brammer bus Aye. Colmore Aye. Escamilla I Fillmore Aye. Grover? Aye. Harper. Hankins. Ipson Aye. Johnson Quan McKay? Aye. Mikel Milner Musselman Aye. Owens pitcher? Sure. Lum Bie Aye. Aye. Sandal Stevenson Stratton Aye. Bickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye.

  13. Senate President (presiding)32:36

      Senate Bill 1 31 Having received 24 yay votes, one nay vote, four being absent shall be read a third time

• Feb 10, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (6 turns)

  1. Senate President (presiding)17:12

     Senator Balderree.

  2. Sen. Heidi Balderree17:13

     Thank you Mr. President. Uh, we discussed this bill just yesterday, so I'll keep it brief, but I did want to address the question that the good Senator Escamilla asked yesterday, which is, uh, about the political subdivision. And, uh, I did speak with her privately, but for those who may be interested, um, why the term political subdivision and not just school district here is why All Lake Mountain School district schools are over capacity. So the school district is the appropriate boundary for lottery preference, but not all schools in Davis school district are at capacity. But the city of Syracuse is growing rapidly and new households are stressing districts along the West Davis corridor. Davis school District would not be an appropriate lottery preference boundary, but Syracuse City would be. And one last example. Similarly, West Haven household growth is among the fastest in the state and would be appropriate for charter school, charter school lottery, pre lottery preference. But other Weber school district schools are facing declining enrollments and therefore the district boundary would not be appropriate for lottery preference. So, um, we did mean the term political subdivision and I appreciate that question, uh, for clarification. And with that, I'll just remind, uh, briefly that this bill expands charter school enrollment preference, lottery preference to certain students within a political subdivision. And with that, I'll conclude my presentation. Looking for questions today. Not seeing any questions today. Looks like you answered them. So I'm going to go to you for action. Uh, I move that this shall pass.

  3. Senate President (presiding)18:40

     Thank you. And the question is, shall Senate bill one thirty one pass Roll call vote. Senator Ipson Baldy Aye. Lewin, no grammar Bus Colmore Escamilla Fillmore Grover Harper Kins Ipson Johnson. Juab McKay. Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Lum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Aye. Stratton Aye. Bickers Aye. Weiler Wilson. Aye. Winterton President Adams Aye. Senate Bill 1 31, having received 22 yay votes, three nay votes, four being absent, passes his buddy and will be sent to the house for their consideration.

  4. Senate President (presiding)19:49

     Senator Wilson,

  5. Sen. Chris H. Wilson19:52

     Personal privilege. Mr. President,

  6. Senate President (presiding)19:53

     granted, thank you very much.

• Feb 20, 2026 House Education Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (27 turns)

  1. Committee chair (presiding)1:30:22

     We keep sending Notes. Thank you, Senator Baldry, this is perfect timing. We're so happy to have you in our committee. So, uh, to the public and the members of the committee, we're on to SB 1 31, charter School eligibility. Senator Baldry, when you're ready, the time is yours.

  2. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:30:38

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. Charter school eligibility. Uh, this bill is about expanding fair a access to charter schools. Um, Utah families deserve fair, predictable access to quality public education options, especially in fast growing communities. Current charter school lottery rules rely on a fixed two mile radius, a standard that no longer reflects how families live, commute, or participate in their school communities. As Utah grows, this outdated rule can unintentionally limit access for local families. Senate Bill 1 31 modernizes its approach while preserving choice, fairness and accountability. Um, in plain terms, it allows charter schools to extend their existing lottery preference from a two mile radius to the boundaries of a political subdivision such as a school district. This change is optional, not mandatory. Charter schools may choose whether it works for their community. No new charter schools are created and no funding formulas are changed. Um, many Utah communities have grown far beyond that two mile footprint, especially in areas like mine, uh, where, for example, the Lake Mountain School District. It's one of the fastest growing districts in the state. And families often live farther than two miles from the nearest charter school, but still consider it their neighborhood school. Uh, the current rule can unintentionally exclude local families while favoring those who live, uh, closer geographically, but maybe less connected to the community. And this is what, it doesn't do it, it does not undermine traditional public schools or local district authority. Um, and it, it doesn't, um, eliminate lotteries. It doesn't guarantee admission to any student, doesn't take students or funding away from traditional public schools. And it does not reduce oversight or accountability. It simply updates how proximity is defined to match today's, uh, realities. And with that, I conclude my presentation.

  3. Committee chair (presiding)1:32:41

     Thank you, Senator Balderree, uh, to the committee for clarifying questions.

  4. Unknown speaker1:32:45speaker not certain

     Representative er Oh, sorry about that. Oh, it's Okay. Um, yeah, I just had a couple questions. I think, you know, if, if it was only their two mild preference and then opening it up to the political subdivision, I think that makes sense. But already in code, we have a lot of other things that they can, um, weigh heavier, which is for, you know, disadvantaged kids, low income, uh, English language learners, a lot of things like that. And so when those kids already get preference within the mile radius, and then we're opening it up to an entire city, that means most of the kids who don't have any of those other preferences around that local school will get edged out by the expanded amount that will now be able to be, you know, all of those other things we already have in code. So will we be serving only underserved kids or low income kids in these charter schools, or, you know, like it just, there's so many exceptions in there that it seems like a, a kid who's just getting a normal WPU won't ever qualify for these schools. So, so Do you have any thoughts on that? Like, that's what it feels like to me, so, sure.

  5. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:34:07

     Um, I, I don't see this as limiting access to, to students. I see it as expanding access. All we're doing is creating a reality for, so for example, um, again, in my area where I live, it's, I know it's very different than where you live. Um, but we, you know, we have, um, Our schools are over capacity. And so, and that's when the lottery pre preference applies anyway. It is when the schools are at capacity is when this, this lottery preference becomes, uh, comes into play. And so, um, for example, you know, if you live right in a city, a city's bigger than two miles, it's like you can't even, you know, it expands it to people who already live in the same city. Or if you know how a lot, a lot of cities are, it's like you're right next to another one. This includes any p political subdivision. So it could be city, county if you're neighboring, right? So for example, my district includes parts of, um, Draper Lehi, Saratoga Springs, and Eagle Mountain. And so that's two counties, but Draper and um, right, and Lehi are, nab are contingent. And so that two miles may cross counties as well. And so really this is about not limiting who gets, who gets to do it, but expanding who can participate.

  6. Unknown speaker1:35:25speaker not certain

     I think maybe I wasn't clear in my question. So already there's a bucket of kids who get preference and if it's within the two mile radius, that bucket is smaller. So they will have that extra amount that they're, um, you know, have a preference for. But then if we expand the area, the amount of kids who would already have that special preference will be even more so that kids who don't have that preference will be fighting against even more or like even less spots. Does that make sense? No. Okay. Not To me. So If, if we look down at your bill towards like what's already in code, um, here, what, what number is it again? Sorry. It's, I don't have A Senate bill 1 31. Okay. So yeah, Senate bill 1 31 in the line that, that the, um, there's only one, two lines of code in this entire bill Slide if you wanted. No, so, so look at 82 through 89 already. We preference low income students, students with disabilities, English language learners, migrant students, neglected or delinquent students and homeless students. So the amount of those type of kids who are getting this preference already in a two mile radius is not gonna be a high ratio. And I think that that was the, um, example of why they got that preference in the first place. But then if you open it up to an entire city, the amount of those kids will be even more. And so they will be getting all of these preferences, whereas the kids that would normally be in that two mile radius who didn't have that preference, will have even less of a chance of getting into a school near them

  7. Unknown speaker1:37:03speaker not certain

     Represented. Maybe I can weigh in here. There's two different things going on. So what you're referring to is in the lottery. Um, and, uh, when you're, when you're looking down at that section, a charter school may wait the charter school's lottery to give a slightly better chance of admission to educational mm-hmm. Disadvantaged students. Um, what the, the provision that she's talking about is before it, like, it's, they're two different, they're two different things. So the charter school may give an enrollment preference to that section four. Um, so I don't think that the charter, the charter school has the option and then they, they can do section four A through in the proposed bill L Right. And then, and then there's a second tier, which is a school may wait, the charter school's lottery. Right. So I think that these are two separate issues that the, that the, the schools already have some flexibility. I, I, I'm gonna go to the sponsor and see if she wants to add to that, but I just wanna make sure that there's not confusion that the, that the provisions in section eight and the provisions in section four are essentially all one group of preferences.

  8. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:38:09

     Well, no, but I would, I would say if you have everyone who that they can give preference for, and then once all of those kids have a preference, then you can heavily wait for the lottery for these other kids. We're expanding the amount of kids who would qualify under all of those Preferences. But I think you're doing the opposite. You're expanding the kids in the geographic boundary that can, that can't, you're expanding the number of kids in the geographic boundary that can participate under the preference, and then you're going to the next one. So it's exactly the opposite, I think of what works. I, uh, anyway, I'm just telling you from my experience, but If that's You read it, I read it, I read it differently. If you're expanding the amount, just the general distribution of those kids will have more of the ones who are then referenced in the lottery at the end.

  9. Committee chair (presiding)1:38:55

     Okay. So anyway, We're gonna go to, uh, that's the only member, the only question I have for you from the members of the, uh, committee, we're gonna go to the public to speak to this bill. So we're gonna go to public comment. How, how many are here to speak to this bill? Okay. I am seeing no public comment. Do we have any comment online? Alright, no comment online. Um, I'm gonna go to, I've got multiple lights on. I'm gonna go to Representative Eliason.

  10. Rep. Steve Eliason1:39:23

      Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. I make, I would like to make a motion that we favorably recommend, uh, Senate Bill 1 31.

  11. Committee chair (presiding)1:39:28

      That motion is an order. Would you like to speak to it?

  12. Rep. Steve Eliason1:39:30speaker not certain

      It's a good bill. All right. Very good.

  13. Committee chair (presiding)1:39:32

      To the pon, uh, to the, I've got, I've got a couple of lights on to the, to the motion to recommend favorably SB 1 31 Charter School eligibility Representative MacPherson.

  14. Rep. Matt MacPherson1:39:43

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a substitute motion to adopt house amendment one.

  15. Committee chair (presiding)1:39:48

      Alright, thank you. Uh, Representative MacPherson, uh, you've got house amendment one, which is online. Would you like to speak to that motion just

  16. Rep. Matt MacPherson1:39:57

      Briefly? I spoke to the, uh, sponsor about this as well. Uh, we have some leftover code in this section regarding, uh, COVID-19 emergency definitions and specific language for charter schools, um, within the 20 20, 20 21 and 20 21, 22 school year. And I'm just striking those from the code.

  17. Committee chair (presiding)1:40:18

      So on that motion is order. The motion is to adopt amendment number one to Senate bill 1 31 charter school eligibility, um, to the sponsor on the motion to adopt the amendment.

  18. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:40:30

      Uh, I see this as a friendly amendment and a cleanup, and I, um, I accept it.

  19. Committee chair (presiding)1:40:35

      Okay. And I'm, I'm sorry, I should have gone to the maker of the underlying motion first, but to the maker of the underlying motion on the motion to adopt the substitute motion to adopt the amendment. That's

  20. Rep. Steve Eliason1:40:43speaker not certain

      A great amendment, actually. Yeah.

  21. Committee chair (presiding)1:40:47

      Thank you. Thank, uh, thank you to the members. Uh, I'm gonna go back to the maker of the substitute of motion.

  22. Rep. Matt MacPherson1:40:53

      I'll waive. Alright.

  23. Committee chair (presiding)1:40:54

      Motion before us is to adopt amendment number one to Senate bill 1 31 Charter school eligibility. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. That motion carries with Representative Osier. No. Oh, I'm sorry. That's the Amendment on the amendment. Yes. On the amendment. We are unanimous. COVID COVID. Okay. Thank you. Members of the committee? Uh, there's a little COVID leftover. Okay, very good. Uh, we, that, that is, uh, motion is adopted. So, uh, we're gonna go back to Representative Eliason.

  24. Rep. Steve Eliason1:41:32

      I will Waive to make a new motion. We'll make, make a new motion. Okay. I will,

  25. Committee chair (presiding)1:41:35

      Yeah, because the substitute motion passed, we need a new motion. That's

  26. Rep. Steve Eliason1:41:37

      Right. I will make a motion that we favorably recommend Senate Bill 1 31 as amended.

  27. Committee chair (presiding)1:41:42

      Alright, the motion before is to recommend favorably Senate bill 1 31 Charter School Elig eligibility as amended. Would you like to speak to that motion? I'll waive. Okay. To the members of the committee, seeing none to the sponsor, I'll waive to the, uh, maker of the motion to sum Representative Eliason that you, I would waive. All right. Motion before is, is to recommend favorably Senate Bill 1 31 Charter School eligibility. All in favor, please say Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. That motion carries unanimously with representative. No, sorry. Thank you. That motion carries with representative er no, thank 10 to one. Thank you for that. Thank you. Thank you to our good policy analyst for keeping me there was a question, uh, keeping me in line today. I appreciate that. Alright, very good. Uh, thank you Senator Balderree.

• Feb 26, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (5 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)39:12

     Senate third Reading calendar, Senate Bill 1 31 Charter School eligibility by Senator Balderree. This bill will assert in education with Vote ten one four. The House sponsors Representative Walter, Representative Walter.

  2. Rep. Neil Walter39:27

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Senate Bill 1 31, uh, addresses a provision, uh, that has been around for a long time in charter schools. So, uh, in a charter school, there is a preferential enrollment option that is an option for the school to use if they choose. Um, the, uh, preferential enrollment option gives, uh, school, uh, founders, school board members, school employees, um, individuals residing within a two mile radius. Um, and, or, uh, siblings a preferential enrollment, uh, option that if the school chooses to use one of those, uh, they can. Uh, we've added one more preferential option if, uh, and it is very simple that if you, if a student resides in the, um, political subdivision, so the city or the county, the city, for example, where the school is located, then that could also be an optional consideration for preferential enrollment. Um, the other thing the bill does is strike some language that was, uh, included to accommodate COVID that's no longer relevant. Um, but that's the, that's the entirety of the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

  3. Speaker (presiding)41:11

     Thank you Representative Walter. Discussion to the bill. I'm back to Representative Walter for summation.

  4. Rep. Neil Walter41:20

     I'll waive. Thank you. Summation has been waived.

  5. Speaker (presiding)41:22

     Voting may be open on SB 1 31. Would like to vote. Chief clerk, chief seeing all present having voted voting is now closed. SB 1 31 passed this body with 49 yes votes, 11 no votes will be sent to the Senate for its consider. Further consideration, man reading Clerk

• Feb 27, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (7 turns)

  1. Sen. Heidi Balderree22:23

     Uh, this bill simply, um, they, they took a piece of code out that is no longer relevant, uh, relevant. Uh, took out the piece about COVID language that was specific to the 20 20, 21 school years and it just took it out. And with that I move to con That concludes my presentation and I move to Concur. Is That a motion to concur?

  2. Presiding officer22:43

     Thank you. The, we have a motion to concur. Discussion. Seen not all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Rule. The motion passes. Senate bill 1 31 has been read three times. The question is, shall it pass? Roll call vote.

  3. Senate clerk (roll call)22:57

     Senator Vickers. Baldy. Lewin Brammer Aye. Bus colmore. Escamia Fillmore Aye. Grover Aye. Harper Aye. Hankins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson. Aye. Quan McKay Mikel Milner. Musselman Owens pitcher Aye. Plum rebi sandal rebe No. Stevenson picture changes to no Stratton bickers bickers. Senator Vickers Weiler Aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye. Aye. Senate Bill 1 31.

  4. Presiding officer24:08

     Having received 19 yay votes, five nay votes. Five being absent passes this body and will be sent to the returned to the house for the signature. The speaker. Senator Fillmore.

  5. Sen. Dan Fillmore24:19

     Motion to Uncer second substitute Senate bill 59. The Motion to Uncer second substitute Senate bill 59 Alimony amendments.

  6. Presiding officer24:27

     All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Rule The motion passes. The bill is encircled. Senator Fillmore.

  7. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore24:34

     Thank you Mr. President. You'll remember that I had two constituents