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Senate passes House Bill 148, creating statewide education voucher program
Summary
After hours of debate and failed amendments, the Utah Senate passed House Bill 148 under suspension of rules, 19–10. The bill creates means‑based scholarships of $500–$3,000, includes a five‑year hold‑harmless for public schools and audit/accountability requirements; opponents raised fiscal and constitutional concerns.
The Utah Senate on a time‑certain vote approved House Bill 148, a statewide education voucher program that offers scholarship payments ranging from $500 to $3,000 depending on family size and income. The chamber passed the measure under suspension of rules and final passage on a roll call vote of 19 yes, 10 no, 0 absent. The bill was signed by the president in open session for transmittal back to the House for the speaker’s signature.
Sponsor Senator Bill Bramble said the program is intended to expand parental choice while protecting public education budgets. “These are general fund monies,” Bramble said, describing the vouchers as a way to allow parents to pay a portion of tuition while leaving the bulk of per‑pupil public education funding intact. He told colleagues the program includes accountability steps for participating private schools, including annual norm‑referenced testing and teacher credential disclosures, a requirement…
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