MINUTES OF THE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • 3:40 p.m. • 210 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. John D. Johnson, Chair
Sen. Heidi Balderree
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore
Sen. David P. Hinkins
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe

Members Absent:
Sen. Chris H. Wilson

Staff Present:
Micah Ann Wixom, Policy Analyst
Cassie Sudekum, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Johnson called the meeting to order.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to approve the minutes for the January 29, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
1.S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments(Fillmore, L.)
Sen. Fillmore presented the bill with the assistance of Ronnie Daniel, Executive Director, Children First Education Fund.
Emily Niehaus spoke in favor of the bill.
Jennifer Stout spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Fillmore moved to pass SB0054 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
2.S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications(Fillmore, L.)
Sen. Fillmore presented the bill with the assistance of David Forbush, Associate Director, Center for the School of the Future at Utah State University.
MOTION:Sen. Fillmore moved to replace SB0085 with SB0085S01.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
Lexi Cunningham, Executive Director, Utah School Superintendents Association, spoke to the bill.
Jennie Earl spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Fillmore moved to pass SB0085S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-2-1.
Yeas - 4Nays- 2Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
3.S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding(Millner, A.)
Sen. Ann Millner presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to amend SB0216 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 221 through 229 :  Line 221 through 229
221222223224225226227228229

Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
Brad Asay, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Utah, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass SB0216 as amended out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
4.S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments(Millner, A.)
Se. Millner presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass SB0220 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting.