S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments

What this bill does

The bill would create an optional framework that lets school districts, including high-growth districts, set up voluntary loan arrangements to help pay for capital needs such as land and transportation. The state would track and report on the outcomes, and the latest version does not provide state funding.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

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Every vote

• 5 yes, 0 no, 2 absentSenate Education Committee: vote to change the bill · Feb 6, 2026Who voted how
• 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absentSenate Education Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 6, 2026Who voted how
• 16 yes, 12 no, 1 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 26, 2026Who voted how
• 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absentFinal Senate vote · Mar 3, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Feb 6, 2026 Senate Education Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (55 turns)

  1. Committee chair1:31:45

     Thank you. Okay. The next item on the agenda is SB 180 9 School District funding amendment. Senator Bus. I noticed, Senator, you have a substitute online.

  2. Sen. Emily Buss1:32:13

     Yes. What am I supposed to say to

  3. Committee chair1:32:15

     Get that? Do, do you want to, do you want to move that substitute? Yes. Okay. Uh, someone do that for her. Senator Baldry. Go ahead. Okay.

  4. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:32:26

     So the motion is to delete entitle and body SB 180 9 and replace it with first substitute SB 180 9 School District Funding amendments.

  5. Committee chair1:32:38

     Any discussion of the motion? Seeing none. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Chair rules. That is unanimous to the substitute. Go ahead, senator.

  6. Sen. Emily Buss1:32:52

     Okay. So, Utah's public Education funding model's not currently account for sustained high growth school districts. While many districts are experiencing declining enrollment, others are growing at unprecedented rates with no end in sight and there's no mechanism to support them. Severely overcrowded schools and classrooms have measurable impacts. They lead to larger class sizes, reduced individual attention for students strained transportation systems, increased safety and supervision challenges, and higher burnout and turnover among educators and staff. SB 180 9 establishes a small targeted grant program for school districts experiencing disproportionate enrollment growth. This bill creates clear eligibility criteria and allows qualifying districts to apply for funding to support land acquisition, transportation infrastructure, and other growth related needs. With ongoing tax cuts, budget reductions and rapid population growth, students are the ones who suffer. We need to adapt to accommodate the areas rapid growth before it becomes more of a crisis. I'm joined today by Julie King, school Board President of the Alpine School District, and the newly formed Lake Mountain School District who will explain how SB 180 9 works and why it's necessary for Utah's fastest growing communities.

  7. Committee chair1:34:11

     Go ahead. Do We have the slide, the presentation on there though for them to see? Okay. It's okay. The slide deck. We're good. Do you have slide Deck? Yeah, we have a slide deck I said earlier today. Okay. Yeah. Just gimme A second. Okay. Go ahead. Perfect. Thank you. Start by stating your name for the record and, and who you represent. And then sign in when you, before you leave. Just that's part of the record on, on video.

  8. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:35:11

     Perfect. Thank you Senator. Uh, my name's Julie King. I serve as the board president of the Lake Mountain School District and I am here representing them in that role today. Um, uh, wanted to share with you some of the unique circumstances that are occurring. Uh, the Mountain Land Association of Governments has done projections regarding the area in Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. Eagle Mountain is projected to increase by 224% between 2020 and 2050. Um, they're actually, their current projections today surpassed the 2030 projections. Saratoga is, um, expected to grow by 253% over that same time period. Um, this growth is not speculative. This is actually already happening. Um, Micah, do you want me to tell you when to go to the next slide is okay. Can we go to the next slide? Thanks. Um, schools are an essential infrastructure. We talk about growth, we often talk about roads, sewer, uh, water, but schools are a part of that infrastructure, especially in our family centered Utah. Each new home brings students transportation needs and the need for future school sites that have to be planned and purchased years in advance. Can we go to the next one, Micah? Um, so the demographics in house district 50 and 51, which are in Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain Show that we rank number one and number two statewide for the percentage of children who are ages zero to four. And then we rank number three and four statewide for children ages five to 17. We are absorbing in these two cities, um, approximately 20% of all the new housing that is built statewide. There's no precedent for this level of growth at this scale and speed. And what makes the local situation unique is there is simultaneous demographic dynamics, especially high proportion of young children. It amplifies the demand for schools. Can we go to the next slide, Micah? Um, so we have a, we need to develop, there's right, there's no proven model for this support. Um, but Utah actually already recognizes that we have outlier situations. We, um, the legislature allocated $50 million last year for charters. Rurals, um, received 12.5 million. 'cause we understand that these are unique situations. Uh, this new school district will be adding approximately a thousand students every year. Can we go to the next one, Micah? So, uh, one of the things that we know right now is how many vested houses, unit units already exist and that this growth will occur. So the outcome for this is inevitable. The question before you is whether we react later at a higher cost or if we plan now and save taxpayer dollars. Can we do the next one? Um, there is a disproportionate local impact. So these high growth areas are carrying a disproportionate share of the cost of what is fundamentally a statewide housing problem. School districts are prohibiting from charging impact fees, um, so that when municipalities chart, uh, approve these houses to meet the state housing goals, local school tax, local school taxpayers are absorbing a hundred percent of the education related costs. And that imbalance is, is unsustainable. Can we go forward? Uh, the challenge is not limited to Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs. Uh, December, 2025, chem C Gartner Institute report showed that TWILA and Iron Counties, um, are actually the fastest population growth that there is sustained population growth in Washington, Utah, grand and Wasatch Counties. And Brigham City is also poised for significant growth due to its nuclear energy project. So these communities are supporting statewide economic and housing goals, but they cannot do this alone. Can we go to number nine? So, lake Mountain, we are only two months old. We are definitely in our infancy, but we've already taken some very decisive and bold actions. We've closed a disproportionately expensive small school. We've encouraged Alpine School District to conduct boundary studies in our area. 14 of our 16 elementary schools will have been rebounded to balance enrollment and delay new construction. We also have 369 classrooms in satellites and portables, which is the equivalent of 10 elementary schools, and saving about $400 million in, um, construction costs. Next one, we have been pursuing, uh, parcels through the Bureau of Land Management. We're also partnering with developers and municipalities to trade donated school land for open space points. Uh, we've bonded for a high school and an elementary school. We've been begun pursuing charter authorization status, and we have also coordinated with approved charters in the area so that we can align our site selections and school placement. So all of these efforts are about efficiency, coordination, and cost control. Next slide. So what SB 180 9 does is it creates a high growth district grant program administered by the State Board of Education. It clearly defines what high growth means. It targets districts that are absorbing a significant amount of the statewide enrollment. Um, it also mirrors existing legislative approaches for rural and charters. It is a very measured and precedent based solution. Next up, um, what the fund allows, uh, it does not build schools. This is not for construction costs and it's not for renovations. It's only for, um, helping districts acquire land early and addressing growth driven transportation infrastructure gaps. Um, these are the most time sensitive and inflation sensitive costs that districts face at this point. So, um, next slide. This is what it will do. It'll save taxpayers money by allowing land purchases before prices escalate. It'll provide a level of clear oversight through USBE and use objective formulas to determine eligibility for the grant program. Um, it creates a responsible path forward for districts that are growing on behalf of the entire state. That is the presentation. Thank you, Senator.

  9. Committee chair1:40:56

     So does that conclude your presentation? Thank you. We'll come back to the committee for clarifying questions. Go ahead Senator Baldry,

  10. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:41:05

      I just have a comment. Um, I live in this district and just for those who aren't familiar with the district, if you are, you know, you know, you know, so for example, in Saratoga Springs, uh, we have one high school. We're building another, which is expected to be completed in 2028. By the time the school opens, we'll be at capacity at 3,600 students. In just two years, Saratoga Springs was responsible for just under 10% of the entire state's growth. And my district, my senate district is the fastest growing in the state. If you wanna know the age of our average resident, we have the youngest population in the nation in Eagle Mountain, the age average age of 17, when you factor in the children. So again, it's hard to explain and I hope I'm creating a picture for you to understand the type of growth that we have. Um, and I hope that you can understand that, you know, someday it won't be us, but it will be for a while. Eagle Mountain in particular has all of Rush Valley, um, to build out, if you wanna know, um, not just my city, but the cities in my district North, uh, Utah County was responsible for 40% of the growth in our state. So these are unique circumstances and, and like, um, the sponsor mentioned that we have unique situations for charters and for rural. And this is a unique situation we may never see again. But you know what? Someday, I think it may be in other areas of this state right now, and for the next foreseeable future, it's going to impact our area. And, and so I would just encourage you to consider that when you take your vote. Thank you.

  11. Committee chair1:42:41

      Thank you. Uh, Senator Fillmore, you've got,

  12. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:42:45

      Yeah. Thank you. Uh, I am looking at the definition of high growth district. It means a school district whose average annual net enrollment increase represents at least 10% of the state's total net enrollment increase as calculated by the state board. And then, you know, you referenced the provide a formulated down there and that formula provides some clarity. My question is, uh, is absolute net enrollment, is that net enrollment increase? Is that a fixed number or is that a percentage of growth? So the formula would help determine, right? Like are, so you're asking if it's a fixed number?

  13. Sen. Emily Buss1:43:25

      Yes, it would be a fixed number. A and compared to the statewide fixed number, right? Yeah. So each district will be assessed individually based on Yeah. Their net enrollment And compared to the state's net enrollment gain,

  14. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:43:37

      which is likely to be for the foreseeable future, a negative number. Correct. As I do that math, if you grow by one student and you're comparing that growth to the state's overall growth of negative 10,000 students than any school district that has had growth in enrollment is more than 10% of the state's net growth in enrollment, which is a negative number. So I think what's gonna, I I, this is how I'm interpreting it, is that whatever increases we see in school districts, those would be in a separate bucket from the state as a whole, right? So that the en the ones that do see enrollment increases, you would have to have 10% of that total number of increase to qualify for the grant. But that's not what the definition says. I I understand your formula is down below. So I guess my advice another, So wait, it sounds like we need to, to make an amendment to clarify that piece. So it, and it talks about your average growth here, uh, but it doesn't say average over how long. I know the formula says that. I would encourage you to make sure that your definition of high growth district is a tight definition. Mm-hmm. That's consistent with the other parts

  15. Sen. Emily Buss1:44:44

      of the bill. Yeah, we Can definitely do that.

  16. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:44:47

      Um, so number two, it really would, would make it so that you're eligible for this by growing just by one student. Um, given the way that the formula works, and We'll clarify that. Um, so I, I read the formula here too, and I know that you've got, uh, a way to calculate this. 'cause you had said that, uh, lake Mountain District has existed for, I don't know, some time you guys were two months, you got, you guys were elected. So I know that the school has a board.

  17. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:45:16

      Yes, the district has a board. So it is a legal entity.

  18. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:45:19

      Correct. But I think you don't have any students

  19. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:45:21

      Not until July 1st, 2027. That is correct. Right. So not July 1st, 2026, but of 2027. Correct.

  20. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:45:29

      And so tell me how the formula works to calculate the growth rate of a district with no students. So there's an exception for newly created districts that would Yeah, that's what I want you to explain.

  21. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:45:39

      Yes. That would allow, um, right now we know exactly how many students are enrolled in the Lake Mountain schools and it would allow us to use data over a three year period to show a level of enrollment increases. And so we could use the information that's being used by Alpine, but only identifying the Lake Mountain schools.

  22. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:45:59

      Okay. Um, uh, is it possible that this bill is running a year or two early? I mean, we could debate it, I guess. Well, just like, as you say, you're not gonna have any students until next, not this coming fall, you know, eight months from now, but a year and eight months from now. I just wonder if the right time to run this bill might be next year.

  23. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:46:21

      So we definitely have students. I mean, I, I understand that we don't have authority over those students until July 1st, 2027. We do currently have 26,000 students in schools in this district. And we know that we have a thousand more coming. We have two schools currently under construction that we have bonded for separately as Lake Mountain School districts separate from Alpine. One is a high school that will open in 2028, as Senator Baldry referenced. Another one will actually open this fall. Even though that school is opening this fall, fall and is under the direction of Alpine, we are paying the cost associated with that school because we bonded for it separately. So I agree with what you're saying, and I also think that there are ways in which we have worked, um, to make sure that we are providing for students early. So

  24. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:47:04

      You currently have the ability to bond. It was one of the things that was carved out in SB 180 8, that if a general obligation bond had passed in an area and it became its own district within that three year period prior to that proposition passing, we were allowed.

  25. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:47:20

      Um, and let me clarify. We, if the bond would've passed in our area, which it did, just looking at our voters, it granted us the ability to, to issue a lease revenue bond for the schools associated with that, that geo bond in our area.

  26. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:47:35

      Uh, does that, are you out of, if you have the ability to bond and you have this money, you can issue these bonds. Couldn't you just issue the bonds to buy land? So

  27. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:47:42

      Technically we had to issue the bond under Alpine School District, but all of the bonding council where they went and actually looked at our bond rating had to do with all of the fiscal pieces of Lake Mountain School District. It was, it was an interesting way for us to access a bond, carry the debt, but Alpine actually, because they are the taxing entity had to be the ones to issue it, even though we went through the bonding process using just the fiscal information for the Lake Mountain School district.

  28. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:48:10

      But, but my question is, is that tool not not available to you to purchase land? Could we issue a lease revenue bond?

  29. Julie King, Lake Mountain School District board president1:48:17

      Not without the consent of Alpine School District, and then we would potentially have to give the consent of the other districts if we choose to pursue a lease revenue bond. Okay.

  30. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:48:25

      And my final question for you is, um, uh, couldn't we make this a loan? Yes. Instead of just an appropriation where the state now is starting to buy land for specific school districts? I understand your need. Mm-hmm. But I, I, um,

  31. Sen. Emily Buss1:48:44

      That's actually a bill we've already written, Senator. We're working on it Separate from this Yes.

  32. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:48:50

      In like instead of this or in addition to this, you Want, um, as, as a separate option.

  33. Committee chair1:48:56

      Okay. In Any other comments? Do you Okay. Seeing no other discussion from the committee will go to members of the public, anybody from the public want to speak. Uh, come up here and state your name for the record and then Go ahead.

  34. Carly Ferrin, Saratoga Springs resident1:49:22

      Do I stay here? Okay. Yeah.

  35. Carly Ferrin, Saratoga Springs resident1:49:28

      Okay. I'm Carly Farrin. I'm from Saratoga Springs. Um, I've spoken with a lot of people who support this bill, so just consider I am speaking on their behalf as well. Um, as this state works hard to keep young families in Utah, high growth regions like Saratoga Springs become their home. Um, the student population in high growth regions like mine are booming. There are children everywhere, right? And this demands expensive updates to school infrastructure. So we must keep these areas affordable so we can help keep families in Utah. This bill helps toward that goal. My husband and I recently bought a house, and what played in our decision to stay in Utah was, one, will we have an affordable house payment? And two, will our children attend high quality schools? The results of this bill will be, it'll help keep property taxes down so our house payment can remain affordable. And two, the state will come full circle to support a high quality public education system in these very same high growth areas that they're using to keep young families in the state. And then Senator Fillmore talked about bonds, and I believe that affects, um, sales taxes, right? And so that also factors into the cost of living for all these young families that want to stay in Utah, and they want to have their children see their grandparents. Um, so I, I encourage you to, uh, Work with our school district and the high growth areas in the state and not let technicalities bog us down from, um, moving forward. Let's continue to grow our reputation as a state with a high quality public education system at a great place to raise a family and work with those regions where young families are moving to, to keep property taxes down and house payments affordable and schools Great. Thank you.

  36. Committee chair1:51:33

      Thank you. Any other one? Anybody else? Come, come forward. Who else wants to speak to this? Okay. Go ahead. State your name for the record and

  37. Chris Scott, Magna resident1:51:53

      Thank you, Senator. My name is Chris Scott. I live in Magna, Utah. And, um, I'm a member of the forward party speaking for myself here today from, uh, experience, uh, as a re resident of Magna of the process, um, of, I was on a school community council near about 10 years ago when we first began the conversations of, uh, building that high school and the, the importance of, of an early start, um, getting the early stages right. Um, I'm certain can, uh, for, for those familiar with the long process of getting Cyprus High School finished this past this year, um, this bill to me sounds like a, a good idea, thoughtfully presented, um, for getting out ahead as much as possible for the growth expected in, in these areas. And I've also spoken with, uh, many residents, uh, several families in Eagle Mountain. And this is the topic of conversation, uh, this general, uh, issue of infrastructure and, and schools. Uh, thank you.

  38. Committee chair1:52:54

      Thank you. Okay. We've got three people online, right, Brandon? Okay. We've got Brandon. Brandon, why don't you come online and can you turn your camera on and, and state your name for the record and go ahead.

  39. Brandon Engles, Vice President, Alpine Education Association1:53:11

      Hello. Thank you. My name is Brandon Ingles, and I am a fourth grade teacher at River Rock Elementary in Lehi. Um, I also represent the Alpine teachers as the Vice President of the Alpine Education Association, and we strongly support SB 180 9 and thank Senator Bus for running this bill. Uh, the problem is simple, rapid en enrollment growth creates immediate needs that current funding just doesn't address when hundreds of new students arrive each year. A district needs land for future schools and buses to transport students now, but they're stuck waiting for construction funding. As a teacher, I see this impact daily with overcrowding classrooms. Students spend extra time on buses and constant reshuffling between PAT schools. This just as an inconvenient, it hurts learning. And I am one of these schools that is getting the shuffling right now, and it's hard for these nine and 10 year olds to suddenly move from what they've been used to, to brand new places and not moving their houses. Um, SB 180 9 is a smart targeted solution. It directs funding only to districts that are shouldering the at least 10% of the statewide growth. This money can only be used for land acquisition and transportation infrastructure, exactly what the growing districts need most urgently. And this bill also includes accountability with annual reporting requirements, USBE oversight and penalties for misuse. And it even has thoughtful provisions for district reorganization. Uh, most importantly, this is a proactive bill. It lets districts buy land before prices skyrocketed more, and it spanned transportation before students suffer. So, I urge G to support SB 180 9. Our fastest growing communities deserve the tools to provide quality education for everyone. Thank you.

  40. Committee chair1:55:08

      Thank you very much. Next stop. Eden Eden, Davenport, go ahead. State your name for the record and who you represent.

  41. Edon Davenport, parent, Saratoga Springs1:55:18

      Hi, my name is Eden Davenport, and I serve on the Saratoga Spring City Council. Today I'm speaking as a parent of four children who are in the current Lake Mountain School District, and I support SB 180 9. Our city is among the fastest growing in the state. Accounting roughly for 10% of new housing starts in recent years. Cities do not have authority to approve or deny development based solely on impacts to infrastructure such as roads and schools. And that growth has had a real impact on our schools. The Lake Mountain School District is adding the equivalent of a new classroom full of students every two to three days. That pace of growth creates immediate and significant needs, particularly for land acquisition and the facilities required to serve students safely and effectively. As we, as we support the state's goal of increasing housing units, it's equally important that our schools receive the support they need to sus to serve the families moving into these communities. Funding provided through NSP 180 9 will help offset these costs and give rapidly growing communities like ours, the support they need to reasonably manage growth. And that is already underway on behalf of family, students, and communities like mine. I urge you to support SP 180 9. Thank you.

  42. Committee chair1:56:38

      Thank you. Next up, Hiram. Hiram Sasser. Go ahead. State your name for the record and tell us who you represent.

  43. Hyrum Sasser, resident, Eagle Mountain1:56:50

      I am Hiram Sasser, a Eagle Mountain resident, and paraeducator and pre-service teacher in Alpine School District. Currently, I have had experience with my sister, who's in sixth grade at an elementary school here in Eagle Mountain that has been open for three years, and her sixth grade class has currently been moved out of the elementary school to a portable classroom outside of the nearby middle school. Um, because they do not have enough room in their elementary school. Um, this bill, I believe, will give opportunities for these students to not have to worry about issues like that. Additionally, when we have solutions such as moving large portions of the student body to a new another building, it splits teacher and admin responsibilities between multiple buildings, um, which then harms the students opportunities to get the assistance they need. Another example for my sister's classroom is that her teacher is over the student, um, government for both her portion of the school and these student, uh, government at the rest of the school. So every, I think three weeks, they have a sub who does not have the same relationship or, um, expertise and teacher licensure, um, requirements as their primary teacher does.

  44. Committee chair1:58:38

      Thank you. Who's up next? Katie. Katie. Katie, uh, Kate. Go ahead. State your name for the record and turn your camera on. Yes. Okay. I can't hear you. Do you have your, still can't hear you. Did you test your mic before you? Huh? She's welcome to email. You're, you're welcome to email the committee if you want. Thank you very much. Who else? That's it. Okay. Uh, any other comments from the audience? If not, we're gonna come back to the committee for further discussion and action.

  45. Committee chair1:59:48

      Senator Mikel.

  46. Sen. Michael K. McKell1:59:50

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I'm gonna make a motion that we favorably recommend this bill, but, uh, with a caveat, I think bill's got a lot of work that still needs to be done. And I mean, it sounds like, it sounds like everybody recognizes it's got a lot of work that still needs to be done. So I, I think we, I think, I think, uh, we have a lot of bills this session and slowing, slowing it down here is gonna make it hard in the end. Um, I'm in a high growth area, so, um, I, I can see the need. I look at South Utah County where it's gonna explode similar to what Senator Bus and Senator Baldry face up in their areas. Um, one of the things I always fight for is corridor preservation for that exact reason. And I always say, I don't want to end up like Eagle Mountain in Saratoga, not because it's not an incredible community, but it feels like we got behind and I'm always fighting not to get behind in my area. Um, this, this probably is better as a loan program. And it sounds like there's some language in that regard, and we probably ought ought to be looking at that. But with that, I think we had, we had to move it forward for now.

  47. Committee chair2:00:54

      Senator Hinkins, go ahead.

  48. Sen. David P. Hinkins2:00:56

      Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to mention that a lot of these people that are asking for things now, were some of the people that, uh, asked, uh, Senator Lee not to work with the BLM to transfer land with the state because there we'd sell it off. Well, yeah, we're gonna sell it off for school, school grounds and stuff. And so I think that it's kind of ironic that they condemned the, our congressmen and, uh, our US Senator Vickers for trying to get land land that's in Utah, Uh, into the name of Utah. So we can doce things like this for our, expand our communities, and that's all they were ever asking for. And then you get groups that say, oh, you're just trying to sell off all of Utah. Well, that wasn't at all the case. And I think that they need to reexamine, uh, when they send emails to people like that, that, uh, they're trying to look out for the state. They're not trying to condemn the state or do anything, sell off the state. And so we do need to have, uh, all this federal land in, into possession, or at least in exchange for lands that we can build our, uh, cities and schools with. And so I think that we need to look at that before we shouldn't even have to be talking about this issue, in my opinion. But anyway, uh, I think, I know they need it and everything, and I hope I'll probably support it, but I'm just saying I wish the public would look at that before they start condemning our Congress, uh, men and the US Senator Vickers.

  49. Committee chair2:02:22

      Thank you. Any other comments?

  50. Unknown speaker2:02:26speaker not certain

      I, I just a comment that I have, I, I, I think I agree with, uh, Senator Macl, you know, in terms of the, in terms of it maybe being alone, maybe being restructured in some ways, you know, there's some real advantages to being a high growth area, and that is you're expanding your tax base, and as you expand your tax base, that means few fewer dollars from more people, right? And so, you know, but in the front that, that's backend and right in the front, you, you might have some issues. So I, I kind of agree that maybe, maybe we could rework the way this is stated.

  51. Committee chair2:03:06

      But any other comments? I vote that Lincoln helps, but see, seems like he's already figured it out to me. He's Ed. So, uh, the motion is to send forth, uh, SB 180 9 first substitute SB 180 9 with favorable recommendation.

  52. Unknown speaker2:03:29speaker not certain

      Mr. Chair, probably back to the, I will, I, I wasn't gonna put the motion.

  53. Committee chair2:03:34

      So we're gonna come back to the bill sponsor for summation. Um, I waive, Go ahead. Do you, do you have any further? Um,

  54. Sen. Emily Buss2:03:46

      I was just gonna mention that like for high growth districts like Lake Mountain in particular, um, it, it also includes rural cities in our community, um, like Cedar Fort and Fairfield, who had to lose a school because we couldn't keep it open with their enrollment. Um, so it, and it does have implications to help communities all over the state, so thank you.

  55. Committee chair2:04:10

      Thank you. Come back to you, Senator McHale. Okay, so the motion is to send out first substitute SB 180 9 with favorable recommendation. All in favor of the motion, say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Chair rules? That is unanimous. Thank you very much.

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

  1. Unknown speaker3:30:45speaker not certain

     And then I wish to circle it. Okay. Yeah, you, you see it online. Okay. Okay. We're seeing that online.

  2. Presiding officer3:30:58

     So the motion before us is to delete in body and title, first substitute Senate bill 180 9 and replace it with second substitute 180 9. Any discussion to that motion? Seeing none. I'll place a motion we delete in body and title substitute first substitute Senate bill 180 9. Replace it with second substitute 180 9. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? That bill is substituted now back to the bill.

  3. Sen. Emily Buss3:31:27

     Okay. So is now when I explain the difference in the substitutes or do I just can motion to circle it? Yeah, no,

  4. Presiding officer3:31:33

     Go ahead and just explain it. Okay.

  5. Sen. Emily Buss3:31:35

     How you explain it. Sorry. Um, so this bill was originally written, um, as a grant, but we have switched it to be a, uh, revolving loan fund and um, I'd like to thank Senator Fillmore for pointing out some technical corrections that needed to be made to, uh, two different definitions from a drafting error. So we corrected those and it is now a revolving loan fund and that is the difference.

  6. Presiding officer3:32:05

     Okay. Uh, thanks for that explanation on the second sub. Now are you going to back to motion circle? I'm motion to circle back to for motion to circle? Mm-hmm.

  7. Presiding officer3:32:13

     Okay. We have a motion before us to circle second substitute Senate bill 180 9. Any discussion to that motion? Seeing none, I place the motion of circling second substitute Senate bill 180 9. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? I rule that. Motion passes. The bill is circled.

  8. Presiding officer3:32:37

     Regulatory impacts on Families. Senator Fillmore. Senator Fillmore.

  9. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore3:32:42

     Thank you. Uh, Mr.

• Feb 26, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (31 turns)

  1. Sen. Emily Buss1:15:29

     a revolving loan fund for school districts who are experiencing, um, an exponential percentage of the state's new enrollment growth. Um, and this is just, uh, driven for capital needs only. So transportation, infrastructure and land for future schools. Um, it's, so it's a revolving loan fund, um, so that it is paid back after the one time investment from the state, and it continues to help multiple districts. Um, and it will help districts across the state from Brigham City, uh, Southern Utah County down to St. George. Um, so it's targeted for high growth school districts, um, because schools are part of our infrastructure and some areas are growing at unprecedented rates. And that concludes my presentation. Thank you. There is a substitute, a third substitute online.

  2. Senate President (presiding)1:16:30

     Do you wanna move that substitute? Yes. Okay. Uh, do you wanna explain any changes in the substitute?

  3. Sen. Emily Buss1:16:38

     Uh, the substitute just, um, clarified some of the definitions for high growth and then it also clarified the state board's role in determining how to prioritize if there are more than 10 or less than 10 applicants for the funding.

  4. Senate President (presiding)1:16:54

     Thank you. I'm gonna take that as a motion. The question is, shall second? I'll place The motion. Motion is to delete, to delete and title embody second substitute Senate bill 180 9. And replace it with third substitute Senate Bill 180 9. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Will the motion passes now The bill's substituted Any further presentation? Thank not. I'm gonna open up for questions. And Senator Fillmore do the bill.

  5. Sen. Scott Fillmore1:17:18

     Thank you, Mr. President. I wonder if the senator, uh, would explain the repayment provisions in the bill if this is creating a loan and a school district uses that to buy land. At what pace is that money repaid?

  6. Senate President (presiding)1:17:32

     Senator Buss, Let me pull that up.

  7. Sen. Emily Buss1:17:37

     Um, I was told that there would be some legislative intent language added to the funding if approved, that if there was a bond, they'd be required to pay it back with a bond. Um, let me just pull up the bill, but it does include interest and it is managed by this, this state board here,

  8. Sen. Scott Fillmore1:18:10

     Uh, Mr. President, Senator Fillmore. I wonder if I might follow up. Not, not to interrupt, but, but while she's looking Yeah, go for it. I, uh, you, I, I saw the, the, uh, repayment provisions here. I think it's over 10 years is what I saw, but I had talked to the sponsor and suggested what, what she had mentioned here, that this would be a more palatable bill if this was seen as a temporary thing for a school district that really has no other option. And I, you know, she's from Eagle Mountain, so I understand, uh, that, uh, you know, her school district really is a unique situation. It's the fastest growing district in the state, both in terms of percentage and number of students. They don't have enough, uh, school space for the students they already have. That's even with new charter schools out there absorbing a good portion of the growth. That's just where families with kids are, uh, are moving. It's where they can afford to buy a home. So I understand the need, but the, uh, the idea of the state starting to build buildings for school districts, uh, is I think, uh, an uncomfortable one. It's, it's, I I suppose there are areas where we've, uh, dipped our toe into that water before this is, uh, this is go taking that step much further. I think this would be much more palatable if this was a very short term loan in nature, recognizing that there are some very unique short term circumstances where her, the school district that where she, uh, lives and where she represents will be is, is not yet a school district, but it will be in a year or a year and a half. And right now they have a need for land. They cannot buy land because, uh, the district doesn't yet exist. So it has no bonding authority and it has no cash. It literally does not, I mean, the entity exists, but its ability to do, to spend any money does not. Um, so I've told her, and I would suggest to the body that this would be a fine bill to support if the short term nature, as soon as that district had the capability to issue a bond, it did that the entire amount of the loan plus interest would be repaid at that point. Um, I, I think I heard her mention that. So I just wanna confirm her plan sounds like it's to put that language in a different bill, uh, if this is funded. Is that correct?

  9. Sen. Emily Buss1:20:20

     Senator Bus? Thank you, Mr. President. I think, uh, Senator Sandall can clarify that a little bit.

  10. Sen. Scott Fillmore1:20:26

      Did you have Okay. I thought I was told that that would be in some legislative intent language.

  11. Senate President (presiding)1:20:31

      Senator Buss, you yield to Senator Sandall.

  12. Sen. Scott D. Sandall1:20:35

      Senator Sandall. Okay. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Okay. Um, I'm happy to talk about this moral offline and amend it if needed. Um, but I, I was under the impression that it would be put in some legislative intent language with the funding itself, but I am open to amending or substituting if needed.

  13. Senate President (presiding)1:20:55

      Thank you. Senator Fillmore, any follow

  14. Sen. Scott Fillmore1:20:56

      Up? I'll, I'll just say that I suppose that I'll go I on two here since we have another reading for this. Um, but it would make me more comfortable voting for it if I saw that language in this bill rather than in a bill that doesn't yet exist.

  15. Senate President (presiding)1:21:09

      Okay. Thank you. Senator Sandall to the bill.

  16. Sen. Scott D. Sandall1:21:14

      Thank you Mr. President. Question for the sponsor. I think she's yielded. Um, my question would be are are you aware of any other circumstance where the state has stepped in in high growth areas to create or help, uh, provide land for some future school?

  17. Sen. Emily Buss1:21:35

      Senator Bus? Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, not in high growth areas specifically, but they have stepped in to create revolving loan funds for charters and rural small districts. Um, so it isn't necessarily an unprecedented situation, it's just unprecedented growth and an innovative solution to work with them.

  18. Senate President (presiding)1:21:57

      Thank you. Follow up.

  19. Sen. Scott Fillmore1:21:59speaker not certain

      Uh, I, I could see some in rural areas where maybe, uh, would be a different situation, but I, I would, uh, I'd put the idea out there that we have had high district growth areas across a lot of places in our state, and as they grow, the money becomes available very quickly. And we have never stepped into this space where that, uh, that growth rate is so high. Um, this is a brand new concept. Uh, it's a slippery slope. If we begin to do it now, we're gonna be asked to do it over and over and over again. And this, quite honestly, is something that we have always put to the districts. And we've said, wait till you get organized and get your geo bond and, uh, build your buildings. It seems to have functioned really well in the past. And, uh, we have, we've grown this rapidly in certain parts in our state before. Um, this is a step that I quite honestly am not willing to take at this point in these areas, knowing that once we start We will, we will never stop. Thank you, Mr. President.

  20. Senate President (presiding)1:23:09

      Thank you. Seeing no further comment. Oh, Senator Balderree?

  21. Sen. Balderree1:23:14

      Yes. Uh, I just wanna stand in strong support. Um, I agree there has been no precedent because we've, um, we are in a situation that is, again, it may not be the last time and, and I don't know that it needs to be the last time, but this is a way, um, we, we have something similar in the Transportation Corridor Preservation Fund, where we have cities, um, buy the land at a cheaper price for future, for things in the future. This will actually, I believe, save the state money, uh, by doing the same thing, by buying land now before prices skyrocket. And so, for that reason and many others, I support this bill. Thank you.

  22. Senate President (presiding)1:23:54

      Thank you. Say no further comments. Now, Senator Hinkins, keep going.

  23. Sen. David P. Hinkins1:24:00

      This isn't directly at that bill or this bill and, uh, but I remember a few months ago, Senator Lee tried to make some trades with the BLM for ground around our, uh, areas like St. George. And he got kind of condemned for, uh, even thinking about taking and getting land in Utah that belongs to Utah from the federal government and all the people that are complaining about that, they probably all chastised him for this and this ground should be for the state of Utah, especially for our school, school kids. And so, you know, we wouldn't even be talking about this having to borrow money to buy land if we'd have our land that's already state institutional trust lands traded for lands that's around our cities. And when they, they try to make it sound like it's going to trade off, he's trying to get the whole state of Utah when that's not even close to what he was trying to do. He was trying to get these five or 6,000 acres around the metropolitan areas of Salt Lake and, and well all, all around the cities, St. George and all these places that are growing. And so, you know, we need to start getting behind our Congress, our Senator Vickers and our congressmen that, that are trying to help the state instead of being a hindrance, being, uh, listening to California lobbyists or whoever's filling it. And so I just like to say that we need to start looking out for our own state a little bit more than what we have been, especially when it comes to public plans and accessing it around our, uh, especially around our cities. And so I, I, I'm not, I'm sure about borrowing money from this or that, but I just think that we shouldn't even have to, it should be our land and it should be given to the kids since without having to buy it.

  24. Senate President (presiding)1:25:50

      Thank you. Senator Hinkins. Senator Buss, back to you.

  25. Sen. Emily Buss1:25:54

      Summation and a motion. Uh, thank you. And I would just, uh, like to point out that, um, like some other Senator Vickers have mentioned that this, um, can apply to multiple areas, areas that are taking on more than 10% of statewide enrollment growth. So areas like St. George and Win Brigham City has, uh, the power plant come online. Those areas are gonna be experiencing exponential growth as well. Um, and for that, I call the question

  26. Senate President (presiding)1:26:24

      Thank you. And the question is, shall third substitute Senate Bill 180 9? Be read a third time roll call vote.

  27. Unknown speaker1:26:31speaker not certain

      Senator Vickers. Baldy Aye. Lewin Aye. Bramer bus? Aye. Cullimore Aye. Aye. Two two Esia. There we go. Fillmore Rover, Harper Hankins.

  28. Senate President (presiding)1:27:09

      Senator Hinkins,

  29. Sen. David P. Hinkins1:27:10

      I would just like to, uh, explain my vote. I would like to be an eye on two, but under the circumstances that she will get with Senator Fillmore and talk about a quicker, uh, loan repayment back to this, uh, the trust fund or whoever they borrow the money from. So with that, I'm an eye on two

  30. Unknown speaker1:27:29speaker not certain

      Senator Vickers Ipsen Johnson. No. K Juab Aye. McKay? Aye. Mikel Milner Musselman Owens pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal No. Stevenson Stratton Bickers Weiler Wilson Winterton Kalimore Moore. Aye.

  31. Senate President (presiding)1:28:31

      President Adams Aye. On two third substitute Senate bill 180 9, having received 16 yay votes, 12 nay votes, one being absent shall be read a third time.

• Mar 3, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (14 turns)

  1. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:37:32

     Um, there should be a fourth substitute online. Okay. So it is online. Go ahead, senator.

  2. Sen. Emily Buss1:37:49

     Okay. So the thank you Mr. President, the fourth substitute, um, it takes this to a zero cost framework approach instead of creating a state administered loan program. Um, so it just creates that legal framework in place so that school districts can voluntarily create their own loan arrangements if they choose, and then the state would track and report those outcomes. So it's, it would be a zero cost. We're just waiting for the fiscal note to catch up.

  3. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:38:17

     Okay. Thank you. So, uh, we're the motion is to substitute. Do we have discussion seeing that? I'll place the motion. The motion is to delete and title and Body third substitute Senate bill 180 9 and replace it with the four substitute Senate bill 180 9. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Rule that motion passed as the bill is substituted now. Senator, any, uh, presentation on the bill?

  4. Sen. Emily Buss1:38:45

     Uh, thank you, Mr. President, um, that the substitute is basically the whole bill now. So, um, if there are no questions, I move to, uh, pass this bill.

  5. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:38:54

     Okay. So Senator Bus is open for questions, discussion on her bill. Senator Sandall to the bill.

  6. Sen. Scott D. Sandall1:39:04

     Thank. Thank you Mr. President. Uh, sponsor yield. Senator Bus, will you yield? Yes. Senator Sandall. Thank you. Um, on the fourth substitute, I am still seeing the fiscal note that is there of $15 million. One time, I, I'm not sure. It seems like the fiscal note has caught up.

  7. Sen. Emily Buss1:39:28

     You know, Senator Buss. So we're just waiting for the fiscal note to catch up. It's going to be $0. It removes the funding component entirely.

  8. Sen. Scott D. Sandall1:39:42

     So why don't we, we've got time yet today. Why don't we, well, he'll hear bills this afternoon. Uh, probably need to to circle this bill until the fiscal note catches up. Thank You. Thank you.

  9. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:39:52

     Thank you. Senator Bus.

  10. Sen. Emily Buss1:39:54

      Uh, thank you. I wasn't sure if someone else had a question or if that was resolved. I, I'll Probably take a motion to circle.

  11. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:40:01

      Okay. Yeah. Waiting for the fiscal note.

  12. Sen. Scott D. Sandall1:40:02speaker not certain

      Thank you Mr. President. I make a motion to circle. Thank You. I'll in favor say

  13. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:40:06

      aye. Aye. Any opposed? Roll. That motion passes. The bill is circled with that size of fiscal note. We probably need to make sure we get it before we pass the bill.

  14. Presiding officer (Senate President)1:40:17

      Uh, let's continue on. Third reading. Need to get to first substitute Senate bill 2 96. So let's start with Senate Bill 2 3 21, Senate bill 3 21 Municipal Election Amendments. Amendments. Senator McKay.

• Mar 3, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (19 turns)

  1. Presiding officer7:44

     Encircles is encircle. Senator Bus.

  2. Sen. Emily Buss7:46

     Thank you Mr. President. I presented this earlier today. The fiscal note caught up and it is zero. Um, this just creates a framework for, uh, funding options for high growth districts in the future that they can choose to adopt and there's no fiscal impact on this. That concludes my presentation. Thank you. Do we have discussion?

  3. Presiding officer8:09speaker not certain

     It looks like the fiscal note. Cut up with it. Senator Fillmore to the bill. Thank

  4. Sen. Luz Fillmore8:13

     You Mr. President. We had some discussion here and some concern I think was expressed about using state funding, uh, to fund what really has always been a local concern. I, uh, uh, I commend the senator for working to find a way to keep this as a local concern, but give new districts, uh, like those splitting in Alpine access to cash that already exists at the local level. Uh, and I think this is could be an elegant solution.

  5. Presiding officer8:44

     Further discussion. Say no further discussion. Senator Bus for summation and a motion. I called the Question. The question is shall And we're on the third reading calendar. The question is, shall four substitute Senate bill one eighty nine pass. Roll call vote.

  6. Senate clerk9:04

     Senator Ipson Baldy Lewin Aye. Bramer bus Aye. Kalimore as Camia Aye. Fillmore Aye. Grover Aye. Harper Aye. Kinins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson Aye. Juab Aye. McKay? Aye. Mikel Milner Musman Owens a pitcher Alum Rebi A sandal Aye. Stevenson Stratton a Vickers Weiler Aye. Wilson Winterton President Adams Aye.

  7. Presiding officer9:48

     Fourth substitute Senate Bill 180 9. Having received 24 yay votes, zero nay votes, five being absent passes, this body will be sent to the house for their consideration. So let me give you a little, uh, explanation of what we're doing tonight. We're gonna continue to work on Senate bills. Uh, when we finish our work on Senate bills, we're gonna, uh, uh, try to load some onto the board, some funded fiscal note, bills, house fiscal note bills, and then we'll work on those. And before we leave tonight, we'll give anybody one final chance to look at their Senate bill and pass whatever Senate bill, uh, they would like to try to pass anyway, uh, at the end of the night so we can have time for fiscal notes and things to catch up with those Senate bills. Senator Sandall.

  8. Sen. Scott D. Sandall10:43

     Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. Motion to un circle. First substitute, substitute Senate Bill 2 31. Thank you. We have a motion to Uncer first substitute Senate. Bill. Uh,

  9. Presiding officer11:00

     we're on third reading. Two 30. Oh, you're on 30. Oh, I'm sorry, president. I couldn't find it. I can come back to it. Well, yeah, we'll get you on when we move to second. So we're still on third and we will bounce a little back and forth between second and third. Trying to give some flexibility to run these remaining Senate bills. Senator McKay? Thank

  10. Sen. Daniel McCay11:19

      You Mr. President. Thank you Mr. President. Motion to encircle senate bill first substitute Senate Bill 2 73. License plate amendments.

  11. Presiding officer11:26

      We have a motion. UNC circle first substitute Senate bill 2 73. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

  12. Sen. Daniel McCay11:32

      While the motion passes, the bill is Uncircled. Senator, I apologize. President, I thought the sub was online. It is not. Give me one more minute. I'll be back there. I apologize. I'll be right back. Can you take a motion to circle? Motion to circle again? Sorry. Motion

  13. Presiding officer11:48

      To circle. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Rule That motion passes. The bill is circled.

  14. Presiding officer11:55

      Let's go to the second reading calendar. Mr. President Oh, ENC bill? Yes. And let me make an announcement. Any house bill on third we will encircle. I would probably wait un encircle any house Bill on second until, uh, we've got all the Senate bill Run, Senate. Senate bill run. So, uh, I'm gonna go to Senator Balderree first and then Senator Weiler.

  15. Sen. Keith Balderree12:20

      Thank you Mr. President. Um, I make a motion to take leave of the body to, uh, record an I vote on Senate bill 180 9. Please.

  16. Presiding officer12:27

      We have a motion, uh, or at least Senator Balderree wants to ask Lee of the body to be able to be counted as an aye vote on Senate bill 180 9. That's right. Any objection? All in favor say aye. Any opposed? We will take that as a, as an as.

  17. Sen. Todd Weiler12:48

      Affirmative. Thank you. Now, Senator Weiler. Thank you Mr. President. Um, I wanna move for leave of the body to open a new bill file. Just kidding. Only one. Um, that's, it's disappointing when you say one senator, I expect more outta you than that. Actually I'd move to encircle. Um, house Bill 3 0 8.

  18. Presiding officer13:10

      You have a motion to encircle house bill 3 0 8 Homeless Service Amendments. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Will the motion passes. The bill is uncircled.

  19. Sen. Todd Weiler13:20

      So, uh, thank you Mr. President.

• Mar 6, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (4 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)1:01:48

     Fourth substitute Senate Bill 180 9 School District funding amendments by Senator Bus. This bill did not receive a standing committee hearing. House sponsor is representative Tracy Millard.

  2. Speaker (presiding)1:02:04

     Representative Miller Motion to circle the motion is to circle, uh, would you like to speak to that?

  3. Rep. Tracy Miller1:02:12

     Yes. This bill did not get a house committee hearing, and so in order to give the body more time to consider it, we will circle it right.

  4. Speaker (presiding)1:02:20

     Discussion to the motion Representative Kyle, your light on. Okay. Representative Bollinger, did you? All right. We will vote on the motion to circle all those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? I rule that. Motion passes. The bill is circled Madam Reading Clerk