Lawmakers back package on potty-training standard, state curriculum and stabilization-fund use

Senate Bill 119, a three-part package, won committee approval after sponsors and witnesses described technical fixes and a fiscal plan to protect K–12 funding amid a projected state revenue shortfall.

Sponsor Senator Fillmore said the bill first clarifies that children must be potty trained before entering public school (not only before kindergarten), updating language from last year’s law. The second part tasks the State Board of Education with developing a Utah-specific K–8 curriculum aligned to state standards and making it available free to public schools; supporters argued this could save districts money on purchased curricula. The third part proposes using a portion of the existing School Stabilization Fund to cover the mandated increase to the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) if federal action reduces state revenue significantly; figures discussed included moving roughly $178–179 million into ongoing funding this year to support a 4.2% WPU increase and references to a roughly $300 million projected revenue shortfall.

Critics called the funding change a potential "shell game," worrying that shifting one-time funds could reduce flexibility for other priorities. Supporters replied that the funds are already set aside for education and that the measure provides another statutorily authorized reason to use stabilization funds in a revenue-impact situation. Public testimony from district business officials urged caution about moving ongoing funds out of the stabilization account; several speakers also raised concerns about unfunded mandates if the State Board lacks bandwidth to develop curriculum resources without dedicated funding.

The committee voted to advance SB 119 with a favorable recommendation (reported as 4–2 with two recorded opponents). Sponsor materials referenced a fiscal note and estimated one-time and ongoing impacts; the bill now proceeds to the full Senate.