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House backs proposal to grant in-state tuition status to Job Corps students for local college programs
Summary
The House passed the first substitute to Senate Bill 122 to allow Job Corps students participating in a local college program to be treated as in-state for tuition purposes; supporters said the change would help retain students and strengthen workforce pipelines; the measure passed 59-12.
The Utah House approved a first substitute to Senate Bill 122 to treat Job Corps students who participate in a local college program as in-state for tuition purposes. Sponsor Representative D said the management training corporation (MTC), which operates national Job Corps centers and has headquarters in Utah, wished to place a college program in the state that could send roughly 50 students to area universities, about half of whom would be from out of state. Representative D argued offering in-state tuition improves educational opportunities and could result in many students staying and contributing to the Utah workforce.
Critics raised residency and fairness concerns. Representative Hogue said many Job Corps students have out-of-state addresses and questioned whether they would remain in Utah after training. Representative Allen asked for studies validating retention rates; the sponsor acknowledged he did not have long-term tracking data on hand but cited an internal MTC estimate that roughly 70% of Job Corps students in Utah remain in the state after training.
Representative Oda, whose district includes the Job Corps base, spoke in favor and said many graduates now work productively and pay taxes. Supporters emphasized training, second-chance opportunities and local economic benefits. The House approved the first substitute by a recorded vote of 59 yes and 12 no; the bill will track to the Senate for further action.
