House approves bill to separate private- and public‑school tracks in state online education program

The Utah House on the floor approved a substituted version of Senate Bill 137, directing administrative changes to the Statewide Online Education Program (SOAP) that bifurcate private‑school participation from public‑school participation.

Sponsor Representative Carol Moss told the chamber the program, administered by the State Office of Education, provides online courses for public, home, and private students and that the bill would create clearer administration by separating private‑school students under a distinct manager. Moss said the bill does not increase overall SOAP participation numbers or create new spending.

Moss said the measure also addresses interaction with the Utah Fits All scholarship program, prohibiting Utah Fits All recipients from receiving state‑funded SOAP classes while still allowing those students to access SOAP courses using their scholarship funds.

Representative Pritchett moved to adopt a fourth substitute to the bill, which sponsors said removed redundant procurement language and corrected scholarship expense language. The body adopted the substitute and, following summation by Moss, opened and closed a roll call on the substituted bill.

The substituted bill passed the House by a vote of 46 yes, 23 no and will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.

The House record shows the bill sponsor and floor presenters focused on administrative alignment and local control of accommodations rather than new appropriations or enrollment changes.