What did they say?
Search what Utah legislators said in every 2026 committee hearing and floor debate. Each result links to the moment in the official video, so you can hear it for yourself.
6 times legislators spoke about "school choice".
Sen. Heidi Balderree (R-22) · S.B. 272, Transportation Funding Revisions · Senate Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presented the bill to make charter schools eligible for state transportation funding starting in 2028 to expand school choice for low-income families, and introduced Royce Van Tassell.
Thank you. Um, so this bill is focused on leveling the playing field for charter school funding. The bill primarily seeks to allow charter schools to become eligible for state transportation funding starting in 2028. A benefit currently reserved almost exclusively for traditional school districts. It expands freedom by increasing school choice viability for many low income families. A charter school's only a choice if there's a way to get the child there. So removing transportation barriers makes educational freedom more practical. And, uh, I'd just like to turn the time now over to my guest, uh, Royce Van Tassel.
Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe (D-15) · S.B. 164, School Construction Amendments · floor debate · Feb 17, 2026
Sen. Riebe raises concerns about added costs, restrictions on district building, and whether the bill addresses school choice and district preferences.
Thank you. Um, my, I'm concerned that school districts don't like this bill. They say it's adding costs to their building. I'm also concerned with, um, the restrictive nature of some of the abilities for our school districts also to build. Uh, when I think about our school districts, I am not excited about how big the schools are becoming and how palatial they're becoming. But we are a state that allows school choice. And when we build a new school, we find that many people move outta their school and go to that new school. So do you think this would address, um, the, the, the desires of our school districts and their per people to go to schools …
Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe (D-15) · S.B. 164, School Construction Amendments · floor debate · Feb 17, 2026
Expresses concern about added costs, limits on district building, school choice, and whether districts keep control of maintenance and facilities, and says she will oppose the bill.
Thank you. Um, my, I'm concerned that school districts don't like this bill. They say it's adding costs to their building. I'm also concerned with, um, the restrictive nature of some of the abilities for our school districts also to build. Uh, when I think about our school districts, I am not excited about how big the schools are becoming and how palatial they're becoming. But we are a state that allows school choice. And when we build a new school, we find that many people move outta their school and go to that new school. So do you think this would address, um, the, the, the desires of our school districts and their per people to go to schools …
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton (R-38) · H.B. 528, Local School Board Reporting · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presents HB 528, which would require school districts to report open enrollment data to the State Board of Education and list a district contact person, with the State Board publishing the reports.
That's okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Committee. And, um, yes, this is open enrollment reporting. It's sb, I'm sorry, HB 5 28. But I'm speaking to the first step and, um, it's slightly different. Not that much different, but it's part of our school choice policy. That's this kind of one little aspect of it. It's already in code, actually, that school districts are required to report open enrollment data on their website. Um, but only about 27% of school districts do so, so that's like 11 outta 41 do. But because of this, um, it's not very transparent what's going on with open enrollment. It's difficult for people to access the information, and it's not very parent friendly. …
Rep. Carol S. Moss (D-34) · H.B. 528, Local School Board Reporting · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Questions the purpose of the bill, noting districts are already required to report, and describes how open enrollment has given parents school choice.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, my question was also about the charter schools, but beyond that, I know that a lot of districts already do this, but I don't see what advantage there is in knowing that. Um, I've seen schools in Granite District that are, uh, thriving because they have open enrollment, because there's specific programs. They have IB programs or other programs that I think it, it's been a a great thing for parents and kids to be able to select schools. It used to be very difficult to get into a school if you weren't in the boundaries. And I think it's created competition and it's created places for parents to take their child to the school …
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci (R-49) · H.B. 467, Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications · floor debate · Feb 23, 2026
Presents the bill, describing changes to the Utah Fits All scholarship program on age eligibility, sibling preference, customer service, pre-approval of expenses, marketplace standards, and a distinction in accreditation for the higher scholarship amount.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, uh, for those of you who are paying attention to your handouts coming your way, you'll be able to see an update that's come back from the program manager for the Utah Fits All scholarship program and to see a lot of the great work that's happening, uh, the items families are utilizing their scholarship for and um, also how, how the system's working. So, you know, we have over 15,000 students in this program. It's very exciting. Uh, we were, I think the only in first state to get a super majority vote on a universal school choice program. And it is a new program with new innovation and with any new program, we …
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