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Utah Senate approves third-substitute bill to equalize property-tax funding for schools
Summary
The Senate passed third substitute Senate Bill 97 to create a restricted equalization account intended to address local property-tax inequities and provide an ongoing funding source for education; the measure passed 18–9 with two absent after floor explanation and a roll call.
The Utah Senate passed the third substitute of Senate Bill 97 on a roll call vote after floor debate and a call of the chamber to ensure members were present.
Sponsor remarks and floor materials framed the measure as a response to persistent differences in local property-tax base and school funding. "We have provided a lot of material, videos, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets," the sponsor said while urging colleagues to move the bill forward. Senator Harper, explaining his yes vote, called the bill "a fair and equitable way" to address tax inequity and to provide an ongoing funding source for education.
Supporters said the restricted equalization account established under the bill will help districts with low tax bases per student while they examine the complexity of equalization formulas and the possibility of incorporating local tax effort in future amendments. Opponents expressed concern that the measure amounts to a tax increase.
The Senate clerk announced the vote tally: 18 yeas, 9 nays, and 2 absent; the bill passed and will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
Procedural note: the sponsor asked for a call of the Senate so members could be present for this sensitive vote; Senate leadership complied and the roll call was held. No amendments were adopted on the floor during final passage.
