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Panel backs bill to map military training to civilian licenses to speed veterans' workforce entry
Summary
S.B. 90 would create a military 'crosswalk' mapping service codes to civilian licensing requirements so veterans may use experience in place of education requirements while still taking any required exams; the committee heard strong supportive testimony and advanced the bill unanimously.
Sen. Baldry presented S.B. 90 to create a systematic process for recognizing military training and credentials in Utah occupational licensing. The bill authorizes development of a "military crosswalk" that maps military occupational specialty and code sets to civilian licensing requirements, allowing experience to substitute for formal education where appropriate while still requiring any statutory examinations.
Jason Chipman of the Libertas Institute described an 18‑month mapping effort across branches of service that produced detailed translation materials and said the work was offered to the Division of Professional Licensing for verification. Brian Garrett, deputy director of the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, said the department appreciates the public‑private partnership and noted interest from federal leadership if Utah succeeds.
Committee members pressed whether examinations, background checks and equivalency standards were explicitly required; Mark Steinegal (DOPL) said the term "substantially equivalent" is used in the bill and existing statutes allow DOPL latitude to implement alternative pathways and clarify testing, with further rulemaking where necessary. Multiple veterans and industry stakeholders testified in support of the bill, citing workforce and family stability benefits. The committee voted unanimously to favorably recommend the bill.
