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Utah Senate Advances SB 199 After Lengthy Debate Over Capital Outlay Equalization
Summary
After extended debate, the Utah Senate advanced Senate Bill 199, a measure to phase in a statewide capital outlay mill levy to equalize school facility funding. Supporters called it an equity remedy for fast-growth districts; opponents warned of local tax impacts and urged more study. The bill was placed on the second-reading calendar after recorded votes.
Senate Bill 199, a sweeping amendment to education capital outlay and debt service rules, was advanced by the Utah State Senate on Feb. 24 after an extended floor debate about how to fund school buildings across the state.
Senator Lane Beatty, sponsor of SB 199, told colleagues the bill would create a base capital outlay levy of two mills (described in debate as 0.002) phased in over four years to establish a statewide foundation for capital outlay and reduce sharp disparities between fast-growth urban districts and smaller or rural systems. "We have a state of emergency," Beatty said in describing capacity shortfalls in some districts and the need for a structural solution rather than ad hoc bond measures.
Supporters argued the bill would bring fairness to districts that have been unable to…
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