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House amends UCAT statute to clarify higher‑education classification and lease rules
Summary
The House passed House Bill 86 to clarify the Utah College of Applied Technology's classification under higher education and to revise lease procedures (including language allowing termination without penalty). Sponsor Ron Bigelow emphasized accreditation goals; the bill passed 73‑0.
House Bill 86, amending statutes related to the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT), passed the House after floor amendments clarifying leases and institutional classification.
Ron Bigelow, sponsor on the floor, said the changes reflect UCAT’s evolving role and put UCAT under the section for institutions of higher education to assist accreditation efforts. He emphasized maintaining UCAT’s open‑entry/open‑exit vocational mission and not converting it to a traditional community college.
Bigelow explained amendment #2 clarifies lease language for leases longer than one year so the legislature remains informed; Representative Alexander successfully moved an insertion to allow termination of a lease "without penalty," which Bigelow supported as consistent with legislative oversight. Representatives Snow and Johnson spoke in favor of the bill’s corrections to transferability and overall direction. The bill passed 73‑0 and will be referred to the Senate.
Next steps: the amended bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.
