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Utah House approves small per-waiver payment for hard-hit districts; bill now heads to Senate
Summary
After extended floor debate, the Utah House passed House Bill 69 to provide up to $40 per school fee waiver (estimated $400,000 annually) to help districts with large numbers of waivers; supporters said the measure raises awareness and offers limited relief while critics warned it may broadly subsidize non-classroom costs.
Representative Shurtleff, sponsor of House Bill 69, told the Utah House on Feb. 11 that the bill would return up to $40 for each school fee waiver in heavily affected districts, with an annual allocation of about $400,000 to offset local losses.
The measure targets districts that lose substantial per-school revenue when many students qualify for fee waivers. Shurtleff cited individual school shortfalls, saying Highland High "lost over $68,000 last year in fee waivers" and "Ogden High and Ben Lomond High each lost $50,000." She said the $40 payment would not fully replace lost funds but could help schools most affected.
Supporters argued the bill…
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