House passes bill requiring schools to report class time missed for extracurricular activities

The Utah House approved House Bill 174, a measure to standardize reporting about high‑school extracurricular activities and to require local school boards to provide parents and students with activity disclosure statements.

Sponsor Representative Cheryl L. Allen said the bill is a response to earlier reporting requirements that proved cumbersome and now focuses on class time missed (not total time), numbers of participants, total miles traveled, transportation costs and a breakdown by type of activity (athletics, music, speech, clubs). Allen emphasized the bill returns authority to local school boards to require an activity disclosure statement that lists maximum participants, tryout requirements, dates, tentative schedules and personal costs so families can make informed decisions.

Members asked whether the bill would report fees for vandalism or damages; Representative Allen said the bill is not intended to cover vandalism, only personal costs tied to participation. Representative Hickman confirmed there was no fiscal note anticipated and that any implementation costs could be handled within existing budgets.

Voting on the bill encountered electronic voting problems that forced the Chair to close the initial vote and call a revote. Representative Chard and Representative Chart explained how members can access fiscal notes on legislative laptops while technicians worked to fix loading issues. On revote the Clerk announced HB174 passed with 72 yes votes and 0 no votes; it will be forwarded to the Senate.

Supporters said the bill provides important information to parents and helps track loss of class time associated with extracurricular travel; opponents raised no recorded objections in floor debate.