Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves bill to ensure pathway to diploma without classroom fees
Summary
Senators passed legislation to require a fee-free pathway for students to complete high school core coursework while preserving optional fees for extracurriculars and requiring greater transparency on fees.
The Utah Senate passed first substitute House Bill 3 44 on Day 37, a bill intended to ensure students can complete required courses for a high school diploma without paying classroom fees.
Sponsor Senator Milner said the measure protects access to core courses — English, math, science, health and social studies — by guaranteeing a fee-free pathway to graduation while allowing nonessential fees for electives, field trips and extracurricular activities. “The purpose of this bill is to have a pathway for students to be able to complete high school and graduate without having to pay school fees,” Milner said.
The bill maintains fee waivers for qualifying students (for example, those on free or reduced-price lunch) and preserves optional activities such as marching band and travel, which can still charge fees. Milner said the Legislature delayed full implementation last year and provided one-time funding to help districts transition; the substitute continues that approach and requires transparency, so course fees are shown to parents at registration.
Senator Kwan asked whether the bill would worsen participation in nonacademic programs when fees are eliminated; Milner responded that waivers remain available, and last year’s transition funding was intended to support extracurricular activities while schools adjust.
The Senate approved the bill by roll call: 23 yeas, 0 nays, 6 absent. First substitute House Bill 3 44 passes the Senate and will be returned to the House for further consideration.
