Senate unanimously advances fourth substitute of House Bill 32 to allow limited baccalaureate programs at Dixie College

The Utah State Senate on Feb. 24 approved the fourth substitute to House Bill 32, a compromise measure that authorizes a limited set of four-year baccalaureate programs at Dixie College and directs the State Board of Regents to review the college’s role and report back to the Legislature by Nov. 15, 1999. The Senate voted 29–0 to pass the substitute and sent the bill to the House for consideration.

Senator Jones, who requested personal privilege to place the bill on the floor, said the substitute retains the bill’s main purposes: authorizing a minimum of three baccalaureate programs, authorizing delivery methods (including contracting with a research university), transferring University Center funds and related administrative dollars directly to Dixie College or the Board of Regents for distribution, and considering a name change to Dixie State College. Jones noted the Board of Regents would “review the role and mission of Dixie College” and submit findings with legislative recommendations no later than Nov. 15, 1999.

The substitute also references a community pledge: sponsors said the Dixie Foundation committed to contribute $500,000 to help cover start-up and name-change costs, a pledge that proponents said demonstrated substantial local support. Senator Jones described the pledge as “pledged” funds held by the foundation, not an immediate state appropriation, and clarified the Board of Regents would oversee implementation decisions tied to accreditation and program delivery timelines.

Several senators emphasized the bill’s compromise approach and the role of the Regents. Senator Beatty and others urged letting the Regents evaluate delivery methods, including on-campus programs, contracting with research universities, or distance/delivery options. Senators asked clarifying questions on the report deadline and the proposed July 1, 2000 effective date for the name change; sponsors and President Beatty explained the dates are upper-bound targets intended to allow for necessary accreditation and implementation work and said the Regents could deliver findings earlier.

Supporters repeatedly cited strong grassroots and community backing from Washington County, with witnesses and local donors described as persuasive in negotiations. Lawmakers who raised funding concerns urged the Legislature to ensure adequate resources statewide if more institutions assume expanded roles; floor comments noted that while the Dixie Foundation pledge is significant locally, a stable funding commitment from the state would be required to sustain four-year programs.

The motion to substitute and suspend rules to read the bill for the first, second and third times was agreed to on the floor; the final roll-call vote recorded 29 ayes, 0 nays. The Senate adjourned the measure to the House for further consideration.