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Utah Senate advances bill limiting use of district-paid time for union activities after heated debate
Summary
Senate places first substitute Senate Bill 77 on the third-reading calendar after a contentious debate over whether the measure infringes on local control; sponsors say the bill targets use of taxpayer funds for union-negotiation activity while opponents warn it is overly broad and administratively burdensome.
The Utah Senate placed first substitute Senate Bill 77 on the third‑reading calendar Tuesday after extended debate over whether the measure curbs local control and improperly restricts school‑employee associations.
Senator Dayton, sponsor of the substitute, said the bill "direct[s] that taxpayer dollars go into the classroom" and is intended to ensure money allocated for education is not used for union activities. "This bill again does not take away from local control," Dayton said, adding the substitute seeks to be more specific than earlier drafts.
Opponents warned the language remains too broad. "This legislation interferes and undermines decisions that should be left up to the local school districts and the local school boards," Senator Morgan said, arguing the bill could sweep in many professional and job‑specific associations. Morgan also raised legal concerns, saying he would request an amended legislative review under rule JR4‑402 before third reading to examine possible federal and constitutional implications.
Senator Goodfellow, who pressed questions about impacts on principals and local negotiations, said the substitute focuses on union activities such as negotiating salaries and collecting dues rather than associations that perform professional functions. "This second substitute is very specific in addressing union activities," Goodfellow said.
Senator Butters voiced a broader objection to the measure's scope and the state's role, saying "this is government way too deep into people's lives" and that the issue should be handled by private enterprise.
The Senate voted to place the bill on the third‑reading calendar; the clerk recorded the placement vote as 15 yeas, 10 nays and 4 absent. The sponsor and several senators signaled plans for additional review and potential amendments before final passage.
Next steps: SB77 will return for third reading where senators may offer further amendments or request the legislative review Senator Morgan described.
