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Senate committee recommends 'do not pass' on bill to restrict school use as polling sites
Summary
The Senate Education Committee recommended a do-not-pass on House Bill 1387 after discussion about local variation in polling practices and potential burdens on families; the motion passed unanimously.
The Senate Education Committee voted 6–0 to recommend "do not pass" on House Bill 1387, a proposal that would have restricted certain school operations when voting occurs on school premises.
Committee members raised concerns about the bill's practical effects and its uneven geographic impact. Several senators noted that the largest instances of schools being used as polling locations were concentrated in Burley County and that many other counties do not hold major elections in schools. Committee discussion also flagged uncertainty about how to define and enforce a "no contact" zone — whether that would extend to parking lots, fence lines, or other areas — and the operational difficulty of ensuring separation between election activity and daily school operations.
"I would prefer that this be a discussion that local county officials are having, and work it out because it is such... a very local problem," Senator Axman said, urging deference to local officials for resolving polling-site logistics.
After discussion, Senator Gearhart moved a do-not-pass recommendation; Senator Axman seconded. The committee voted 6–0 in favor of the do-not-pass motion. Senator Axman was recorded as the committee member who will carry the recommendation out of committee.
The transcript indicates the committee will revisit other bills next week and that members plan additional follow-up where needed; HB 1387 will not advance from this committee as drafted.
