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Utah committee backs bill to allow referendums on school board fiscal decisions

Utah State Senate — First Subcommittee · February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The committee approved H.B.170 (second substitute) to make local school-board fiscal decisions subject to referendum, 3–1. Supporters said it gives taxpayers a last-resort check on local levies; opponents raised timing and constitutional questions.

Representative Shipp introduced H.B.170, saying the bill would make school-board actions that affect local revenue subject to referendum, noting school boards are currently the only local legislative body in Utah not covered by such a process. "School boards are the only legislative body in the state that is not subject to a referendum process," Shipp said, framing the proposal as bringing school districts into parity with other local governments.

Supporters, including Billy Hesterman of the…

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