MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 • 4:00 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. R. Neil Walter
Rep. Douglas R. Welton

Members Absent:
Rep. Jefferson Moss
Rep. Karen M. Peterson
Rep. Val L. Peterson

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 Kohler called the meeting to order at 4:16 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to approve the February 18, 2025 minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-9.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 9
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. D. Welton
1.H.B. 247 School Swimming and Lifeguarding Programs (Ballard, M.G.)
Drownings in Utah handout
Rep. Melissa Ballard presented the bill with the assistance of Josh Reusser, CJ Swim Group.
Dennis Tesch, Wasatch Aquatics Center, provided additional information on the bill.
Dr. Richard Ferguson, Black Physicians of Utah, shared clarification and support for the bill.
Akow Ibrahim, Black Physicians of Utah, provided additional support for the bill.
Jennie Earl, resident, spoke to the bill.
Sheri Mattle, Safety Commissioner, Utah Parent Teacher Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Martindale, Utah Academy of Family Physicians, spoke in favor of the bill.
Lexx Hernandez-Nietling, Project Zero Drowning Inc, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Elison moved to amend H.B. 247 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-8.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 31 through 34 :  Line 31 through 34
31323334

2 .        Line 36 through 40 :  Line 36 through 40
3637383940

3 .        Line 50 through 52 :  Line 50 through 52
505152

Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
MOTION:Rep. Elison moved to pass H.B. 247 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 6-3-7.
Yeas - 6Nays- 3Abs- 7
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
2.H.B. 402 Foods Available at Schools Amendments (Chevrier, K.)
Rep. Kristen Chevrier presented the bill with the assistance of Justin Mares, End Chronic Disease.
Dave Davis, Utah Food Industry Association, spoke to the bill.
Glenn Judd, resident, spoke against the bill.
Jennie Earl, Utah State Board of Education (USBE), spoke to the bill.
Emily Snow, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ben Horsley, Superintendent, Granite School District, spoke to the bill.
Emily Stembridge, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Nora Snow, high school student, spoke in favor of the bill.
Andrew Snow, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
Bella Didier, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Emily Peery, a Charter School Director, spoke to the bill.
Briana Harrell, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Auxier moved to hold H.B. 402.The motion passed with a vote of 7-2-7.
Yeas - 7Nays- 2Abs- 7
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
3.H.B. 453 State School Board Transparency Amendments (Brooks, W.)
Rep. Walt Brooks presented the bill.
Jennie Earl, USBE, spoke to the bill.
Joann Brinton, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Alexis Ence, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Haylee Caplin, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to amend H.B. 453 with Amendment #2.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-6.
Amendment 2

1 .        Line 33 through 36 :  Line 33 through 36
33343536

2 .        Line 42 through 45 :  Line 42 through 45
42434445

Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend H.B. 453 with Amendment #3.
Amendment 3

1 .        Line 31 through 34 :  Line 31 through 34
31323334

2 .        Line 39 through 43 :  Line 39 through 43
3940414243

Rep. MacPherson withdrew the motion.
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend H.B. 453 with Amendment #3.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-6.
Amendment 3

1 .        Line 31 through 34 :  Line 31 through 34
31323334

2 .        Line 39 through 43 :  Line 39 through 43
3940414243

Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to pass H.B. 453 out favorably as amended.The motion failed with a vote of 5-5-6.
Yeas - 5Nays- 5Abs- 6
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
4.H.B. 169 State Board of Education Amendments (Welton, D.)
HB 169 handout
Rep. Welton presented the bill.
Jennie Earl, USBE, provided additional clarification.
Christina Boggess, member of the USBE, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to replace H.B. 169 with 2nd Substitute H.B. 169.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. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 169 out favorably.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. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
5.H.B. 479 Student Athlete Revisions (Hayes, S.)
Rep. Hayes presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Defay moved to amend H.B. 479 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-7.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 30 through 37 :  Line 30 through 37
30313233 34353637

Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
MOTION:Rep. Defay moved to pass H.B. 479 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 8-1-7.
Yeas - 8Nays- 1Abs- 7
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
MOTION:Rep. Hayes moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-7.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Walter
Chair Kohler adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m.
NOTE: H.B. 0189, 01st Substitute S.B. 0099 were not discussed in the meeting.