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Senate advances HB 33 to address American Indian and Alaska Native education gaps
Summary
Senate sponsors moved and passed HB 33 to create a short-term, state-tribal effort to study and recommend improvements for Native American student outcomes; sponsor cited test-score gaps and set a Dec. 31 timeline for an appointed group to report back.
Senator Van Tassel presented House Bill 33, the American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments, on the Senate floor and asked the chamber to suspend the three-reading requirement and move the bill to immediate final passage. Van Tassel said the bill grew from committee findings that Native students lag behind state averages in multiple subjects, and described a time-limited review process that would include tribal appointees and the state superintendent's designee.
Van Tassel said, “they are 20.4% lower than the Utah average, grades 3 through 11 [language arts]; mathematics 20[.]3[–]15 percent lower than the Utah average… and science, 29.85 lower than the Utah average,” and urged swift action. He told colleagues the group would have “between now and December 31 for the state superintendent [to appoint] an appointee from each of the individual tribal nations” and other education stakeholders to produce recommendations.
Senators approved suspending the three-reading requirement and then moved to final passage. The roll call recorded 25 yea votes, 0 nay votes and 4 absent; the bill was declared passed and slated to be signed by the president in open session and transmitted to the House for the speaker’s signature. After the vote, Van Tassel used a personal-privilege recognition to acknowledge Native American leaders in the gallery, saying they had met with the governor and the president and thanking them for attending.
Why it matters: The measure sets up a short, focused review intended to produce actionable recommendations to improve educational outcomes for Native students. The bill directs state and tribal participation rather than creating a long-term new program on the face of the statute; the sponsor and supporters said the expedited schedule is meant to provide immediate guidance.
Next steps: The senate sent HB 33 to the House for the speaker’s signature; the sponsor said the appointed group is expected to complete work by Dec. 31.
