Utah House moves $8.5 million to speed distribution of local levy guarantees

On Feb. 7, 2013, the Utah House voted to uncircle and pass House Bill 49, a measure intended to allocate state guarantee funding more quickly to school districts with lower per‑student property tax collections. Representative Sandra Handy, the sponsor, said the bill would address ‘‘appropriations orphan’’ funds and allow money appropriated last year to be distributed where districts meet the minimum revenue level per WPU (weighted pupil unit).

Handy described the bill’s mechanics and pointed members to a handout and district graph. She explained that $19.5 million appropriated in the prior budget had been sitting in an account in the State Office of Education and that HB49 would make it available to eligible districts sooner. Handy said the fiscal estimate for the adjustment was about $8.5 million and described the amount as a “catch up” to apply money appropriated in the budget rather than a new long‑term commitment.

The sponsor invited the fiscal analyst from public education appropriations to assist with questions if needed and answered members’ inquiries about mechanics, emphasizing that the goal was to get previously appropriated funds working in underfunded districts. Representative Handy asked for support and then waived summation.

The House opened and closed the vote; HB49 passed by a vote of 71 yeas and 0 nos and will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

The bill is procedural in effect — reallocating appropriated funds to eligible districts more quickly — and includes a fiscal estimate that lawmakers discussed on the floor.