Utah legislative leaders are expected to tout in the coming days that they're boosting public education funding for the 2025-26 school year by nearly a quarter billion dollars or more. However, it's important to understand how much of that increase is mandatory, and how much is discretionary.

Last December, legislative leaders approved a 4% increase in the weighted pupil unit (WPU), the formula determining how much the state spends per student in the public education system. Currently, Utah spends just under $4,500 per student.

The 4% increase, amounting to approximately $180 million, is required under state law to cover inflationary costs to public schools, calculated on a five-year rolling average. Lawmakers are also required to cover the cost of enrollment growth, which adds about $21 million.

Anything above the $200 million approved in December is discretionary.

The Public Education Appropriations subcommittee is recommending a discretionary increase to the WPU of just 1%, which amounts to $43 million.

In contrast, that same subcommittee has recommended increasing funding to Utah's private school voucher program by $40 million.

New Bills that caught my attention

  • HB521 from Rep. Nicholeen Peck prohibits the use of public funds for "transgender medical treatments and procedures."

Afternoon headlines

Senate committee OKs bill aimed at immigrants thought to be involved in organized crime. [KSL]

Utah lawmaker moves to restrict transgender adults access to gender-affirming care. [Tribune]

Bill expanding Utah's free school lunch program advances past committee. [Fox 13]

Utah bill would require cops to disclose AI-authored police reports. [Popular Science]

Utah lawmakers work to ensure modesty, privacy for children in schools. [Deseret News]

A new Utah bill would protect religious clubs at universities. [Deseret News]

What state oversight is there for Utah's next Olympics? [Deseret News]

What's on Wednesday's agenda?

Morning committee meetings

  • HB120, which keeps Utah on mountain standard time year-round until Congress allows Utah to switch to mountain daylight time permanently, is up in the Senate Business and Labor Committee.
  • HB84 from Rep. Trevor Lee mandates that any food that is used as a method for delivering a vaccine be labeled as a drug. The bill is set for debate in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Afternoon committee meetings

  • The House Education Committee will debate HB402 from Rep. Kristen Chevrier that bans schools from serving food with certain food dyes in them.
  • The House Education Committee will also consider HB169 from Rep. Doug Welton that requires the State Board of Education to establish a code of conduct and ethical rules for members.
  • HB331 which establishes rules for the sale or transfer of one of Utah's Olympic facilities is scheduled for the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee.
  • SB142 which requires age verification for app store purchases from Sen. Todd Weiler is also on the House Economic Development committee.