MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 13, 2025 • 2:00 p.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci, Chair
Rep. Michael L. Kohler, Vice Chair
Rep. Tiara Auxier
Rep. Ariel Defay
Rep. Joseph Elison
Rep. Sahara Hayes
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee
Rep. Matt MacPherson
Rep. Tracy J. Miller
Rep. Carol S. Moss
Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck
Rep. Karen M. Peterson
Rep. Val L. Peterson
Rep. R. Neil Walter
Rep. Douglas R. Welton

Members Absent:
Rep. Jefferson Moss

Staff Present:
Finn Andrew Rose, Policy Analyst
Tisha Gibby, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
Chair Lisonbee called the meeting to order at 2:14 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. Auxier moved to approve the February 10, 2025, minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-5.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. C. Pierucci
1.H.B. 381 Civics Education Amendments (Welton, D.)
Rep. Welton presented the bill.
Gayle Ruzicka, Utah Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Chase Thomas, Better Utah Institute, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dalane England, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Diane Livingston, Worldwide Organization for Women, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jessica Rodrigues Bianco, Kimber Academy, spoke in favor of the bill.
Rep. Pierucci assumed the chair.
Jack Draxler, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend H.B. 381 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 42 through 45 :  Line 42 through 45
4243 44 45
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. V. Peterson
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to pass H.B. 381 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. V. Peterson
2.H.B. 303 Public School Directory Sharing Amendments (Acton, C.K.)
Rep. Cheryl Acton presented the bill with the assistance of Royce Van Tassell, Utah Association of Public Charter Schools.
Sarah Reale, resident, spoke to the bill.
Jennilyn Derbidge, Utah County Academy of Sciences, spoke in favor of the bill.
Teri Rhodes, Utah School Board Association (USBA), spoke against the bill.
Kelli Booth, Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science, spoke to the bill.
Amber Bonner, Utah Parent Teacher Association, spoke against the bill.
Anna Graff-Rice, parent, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to pass H.B. 303 out favorably.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to hold H.B. 303.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 7-6-3.
Yeas - 7Nays- 6Abs- 3
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. V. Peterson
3.H.B. 77 Flag Display Amendments (Lee, T.)
Rep. Trevor Lee presented the bill.
Tenille Taggart, resident, spoke against the bill.
David Boettger, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marina Lowe, Equality Utah, spoke against the bill.
Aaron Bullen, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Annie Berbert, resident, spoke against the bill.
Chad Saunders, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Millie Dworkin, resident, spoke against the bill.
Jonas Rodrigues, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Nova Adstrum, resident, spoke against the bill.
Jayden Laursen, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ellie Menlove, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Utah, spoke against the bill.
Madeline Huffman, student, spoke in favor of the bill.
Zee Kilpack, resident, spoke against the bill.
Caroline Huffman, student, spoke in favor of the bill.
Tawna Campbell, resident, spoke against the bill.
Shannon Macinnes, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jennifer Rowley, resident, spoke against the bill.
Alexis Ence, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Brett Baker, resident, spoke against the bill.
Zoey Bullen, resident, spoke against the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Auxier moved to replace H.B. 77 with 1st Substitute H.B. 77.The motion passed with a vote of 12-2-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 2Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend 1st Substitute H.B. 77 with Amendment #4.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-2.
Amendment 4

1 .        Line 44 through 47 :  Line 44 through 47
44454647

2 .        Line 89 through 93 :  Line 89 through 93
8990919293

3 .        Line 98 through 100 :  Line 98 through 100
9899100
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend 1st Substitute H.B. 77 as amended with Amendment #3.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-2.
Amendment 3

1 .        Line 11 through 13 :  Line 11 through 13
111213

2 .        Line 79 through 92 :  Line 79 through 92
79808182838485868788899091 92
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. Auxier moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 77 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 11-2-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 2Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
4.H.B. 233 School Curriculum Amendments (Peck, N.)
HB233 handout
Rep. Peck presented the bill.
Brittany Breneman, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, spoke against the bill.
Tim Jimenez, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ashley Anderson, resident, spoke against the bill.
Deanna Holland, Pro-Life Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
Laurie Humbert, resident, spoke against the bill.
Mary Taylor, Pro-Life Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
Azul Bolivar, resident, spoke against the bill.
Danielle Cypers, Pro-Life Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
Rebecca Butler, resident, spoke against the bill.
James Bullen, 7th grade student, spoke in favor of the bill.
Deborah Candler, educator, spoke against the bill.
Kevin Korous, resident, spoke against the bill.
Brooke Stephens, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Merrilee Boyack, Empowered Families Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to replace H.B. 233 with 1st Substitute H.B. 233.The motion passed with a vote of 12-2-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 2Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 233 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 12-2-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 2Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. J. Moss
5.H.B. 250 Public Employee Gender-specific Language Requirements (Peck, N.)
Rep. Peck presented the bill with the assistance of former state representative Tim Jimenez.
Carlos Jimenez, educator, provided additional information on the bill.
Liz Oats, resident, spoke against the bill.
Corinne Johnson, Utah Parents United, spoke in favor of the bill.
Zoe Allgaier, resident, spoke against the bill.
Diane Livingston, Worldwide Organization for Women, spoke in favor of the bill.
Billy Clouse, resident, spoke against the bill.
Dalane England, Utah Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marina Lowe, Equality Utah, spoke against the bill.
Neil Schultz, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Nick Arteaga, ACLU of Utah, spoke against the bill.
Aaron Bullen, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jonathan Butcher, Heritage Action for America, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jakey Siolo, Nuanua Collective, spoke against the bill.
Merrilee Boyack, Empowered Families Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
Cassidy Blue, resident, spoke against the bill.
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend H.B. 250 with Amendment #2.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-3.
Amendment 2

1 .        Line 88 through 91 :  Line 88 through 91
88899091

2 .        Line 97 through 105 :  Line 97 through 105
979899100101102103104105
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to pass H.B. 250 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 12-1-3.
Yeas - 12Nays- 1Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. Lisonbee resumed the chair.
6.H.B. 455 Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments (Pierucci, C.)
HB455 handout
Rep. Pierucci presented the bill.
Mary Burton, student, spoke to the bill.
Melissa Ericson, Utah Home-education Organizations for Parental Empowerment Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
Peter Burton, student, spoke against the bill.
Galey Colosimo, Utah Private Schools Association, Utah Education Fits All, spoke in favor of the bill.
Rae Ward, resident, spoke to the bill.
Teri Rhodes, USBA, spoke in favor of the bill.
Liam Richens, resident, spoke to the bill.
Ryker Richens, student, spoke to the bill.
Bahar R., resident, spoke against the bill.
Jennifer McClellan, resident, spoke against the bill.
Stewart Campbell, resident, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to replace H.B. 455 with 1st Substitute H.B. 455.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-5.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. R. Walter
MOTION:Chair Lisonbee moved to amend 1st Substitute H.B. 455 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-4.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 252 through 257 :  Line 252 through 257
252253254255256257

2 .        Line 695 through 697 :  Line 695 through 697
695696697

3 .        Line 1216 through 1218 :  Line 1216 through 1218
121612171218

4 .        Line 1321 through 1323 :  Line 1321 through 1323
132113221323
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 455 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-3.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-3.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Chair Lisonbee adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
NOTE: H.B. 0399 was not discussed in the meeting.