Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education School Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves bill to guarantee a fee-free pathway to high school graduation
Summary
The Utah Senate passed first substitute House Bill 3 44, which creates a guaranteed pathway for students to complete required core courses for a diploma without paying school fees while allowing optional fee-based extracurricular activities.
The Utah Senate on a voice and roll-call vote approved first substitute House Bill 3 44, a measure the sponsor described as creating a pathway for students to graduate high school without paying course fees.
Sponsor Senator Milner told colleagues the bill "is to have a pathway for students to be able to complete high school and graduate without having to pay school fees," while preserving optional fee-based activities such as marching band and field trips. He said the proposal protects courses that constitute core curriculum — English language arts, health education, mathematics, science and social studies — while allowing non‑core, discretionary activities to be supported by parents and students.
The bill also requires increased transparency: any course that carries a fee must show that fee when a student registers. Milner said the measure does not cover AP exam fees or supplies specific to AP courses. He added that fee waivers remain available for students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch and that the Legislature provided one-time funding last year to help schools adjust to prior changes.
During floor discussion Senator Kwan pressed the sponsor about impacts on extracurricular programs, saying the change raised concerns when some schools previously covered unpaid fees out of school funds and that those arrangements affected nonacademic programs. Senator Milner answered that fee waivers for eligible students remain in place and that last year’s one-time funding was intended to ease the transition so students can continue to participate in extracurricular activities.
Supporters said the bill preserves access to core instruction for all students while allowing schools and families to continue optional activities. Opponents were not recorded as blocking the measure on the Senate floor; the bill passed on a roll call.
First substitute House Bill 3 44 received 23 yes votes, 0 no votes and 6 absent and will be returned to the House for further consideration.
