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Senate amends and passes teacher-supplies reimbursement bill; increases per-teacher cap
Summary
Senators amended and passed House Bill 189 to adjust appropriations for classroom supplies and raise reimbursement caps (K–6 up to $225; grades 7–12 up to $175). Sponsors said the bill reimburses teachers for out-of-pocket purchases; the bill passed 24–0 and will return to the House.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 25 amended and passed House Bill 189, a measure that reimburses K–12 teachers for classroom supplies and increases reimbursement caps.
Senator Hillier moved that House Bill 189 be lifted to the top of the third-reading calendar. Senator Steele offered floor amendments changing appropriation language and reimbursement limits: inserting an appropriation figure (listed as $3,700,000 in the amendment text) and raising the per-teacher cap for grades kindergarten through 6 from $200 to $225 and retaining $175 for grades 7–12.
Senator Wadhams recounted a teacher complaint and asked whether this reimbursement represented the only available funding for supplies. Senator McGovern said the bill "just reimburses teachers for the money they take out of their pockets and buy supplies for their class," and emphasized that district and state appropriations also fund classroom materials. McGovern cited a board rule that districts must spend 5.5% of their WPU (weighted pupil unit) on textbooks and supplies; he estimated that amounts to roughly $70,000,000 statewide, about $150 per student annually, and noted a one-time committee boost of $6,000,000.
During the roll call several senators declared potential conflicts of interest because family members are teachers; those conflicts were recorded but did not prevent voting. The clerk reported House Bill 189 passed the Senate 24–0 with four absent. The bill was amended on the floor and will be returned to the House.
