MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 12, 2026 • 2:00 p.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. R. Neil Walter, Chair
Rep. Ariel Defay, Vice Chair
Rep. Tiara Auxier
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. Candice B. Pierucci
Rep. Jason E. Thompson
Rep. Doug Welton

Staff Present:
Finn Rose, Managing 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 Walter called the meeting to order at 2:38 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to approve the February 9, 2026, minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-7.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
1.1st Sub. H.B. 197 School Materials Amendments(Peck, N.)
HB0197 handout
Rep. Peck presented the bill.
Daniel Neville-Rehbehn, Utah Library Association, spoke to the bill.
Corinne Johnson, Utah Parents United, spoke in favor of the bill .
Phyllis Kimpel, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Aaron Bullen, parent, spoke to the bill.
Jean Rivera, Utah Moms for America, spoke in favor of the bill.
Diane Matson, librarian, speaking on her own behalf, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dona Gallegos, parent, spoke to the bill.
Laurene Starkey, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kristin Richey, Eagle Forum, spoke to the bill.
Chelsea Hagman, school librarian, speaking on her own behalf, spoke against the bill.
Nicole Allen, educator, speaking on her own behalf, spoke against the bill.
Rep. Lisonbee raised a point of order.
Joe LaSure, resident, spoke to the bill.
Amy Watson, Utah Library Association, spoke against the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to replace HB0197S01 with HB0197S04.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-2.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. C. Pierucci
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to pass HB0197S04 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-4-2.
Yeas - 9Nays- 4Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. C. Pierucci
2.1st Sub. H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments(Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Melissa Ballard presented the bill.
Dalane England, United Women's Forum, and Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Brad Asay, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Utah, and AFT Utah College Council, spoke against the bill.
Kyle Killebrew, instructor at Utah Tech University, speaking on his own behalf, spoke against the bill.
Christy Henshaw, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Katie Mazzie, Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to pass HB0219S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 12-3-0.
Yeas - 12Nays- 3Abs- 0
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. K. Peterson
3.H.B. 36 Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program(Hall, K.)
Rep. Katy Hall presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to replace HB0036 with HB0036S01.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-2.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to pass HB0036S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-2.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. D. Welton
4.H.C.R. 11 Resolution Urging Healthy Activities in Schools(Hall, K.)
Rep. Hall presented the resolution.
MOTION:Rep. Miller moved to pass HCR011 out favorably.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to hold HCR011.The substitute motion failed with a vote of 3-11-1.
Yeas - 3Nays- 11Abs- 1
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. Miller's underlying motionpassed with a vote 14-0-1.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
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. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
5.1st Sub. H.B. 399 Prohibition Against Student Character Tracking and Grading Systems(Lee, T.)
HB0399 FAQ handout
HB0399 presentation
Rep. Trevor Lee presented the bill with the assistance of Lisa Bruns, independent researcher and investigative journalist.
Tiffany Boyd, resident of Tennessee, provided additional information on the bill.
Kelly Schenkoske, independent researcher, further clarified the bill.
Priscilla West, education researcher, gave more information on the bill.
Rep. Lisonbee raised a point of order.
Christy Henshaw, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Megan Jensen, part of the prevention team at Davis Behavioral Health, and speaking on her own behalf, spoke against the bill.
Wendy Hart, parent, spoke in favor of the bill.
Susannah Burt, Utah Prevention Advisory Committee, spoke to the bill.
Kim Chandler, school board member, speaking on her own behalf, spoke against the bill.
LaVar Christensen, former legislator, spoke to the bill.
Julie Behling, parent, spoke in favor of the bill.
Aimee Warren, Utah Parent Teacher Association, spoke against the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Thompson moved to hold HB0399S01.The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-0.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 0
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
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. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
6.H.B. 312 Civics Education Modifications(Auxier, T.)
Rep. Auxier presented the bill with the assistance of Rep. Welton.
Jennie Earl, Board Member, Utah State Board of Education, spoke to the bill.
Yvette Romero Coronado, resident, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to replace HB0312 with HB0312S02.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-1.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
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. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. J. Elison
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to amend HB0312S02 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-1.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 640 through 648 :  Line 640 through 648
640641642643644645646647648
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
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. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. J. Elison
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to pass HB0312S02 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 13-1-1.
Yeas - 13Nays- 1Abs- 1
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
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. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. J. Elison
7.H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments(Auxier, T.)
Rep. Auxier presented the bill.
Ben Horsley, Superintendent, Granite School District, spoke to the bill.
Sarah Stroup, Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, spoke to the bill.
Tiana McCall, licensed clinical social worker and school social worker, spoke to the bill.
Neil Rickard, Child Nutrition Advocate, Utahns Against Hunger, spoke to the bill.
Lexi Cunningham, Utah School Superintendents Association (USSA), and Utah School Boards Association (USBA), spoke against the bill.
Emily Bastian, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kava Tukuafu, teacher, speaking on her own behalf, spoke against the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to replace HB0440 with HB0440S01.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Miller moved to hold HB0440.The substitute motion failed with a vote of 4-8-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 8Abs- 3
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. Lisonbee's underlying motionpassed with a vote 12-0-3.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to amend HB0440S01 with Amendment #3.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-3.
Amendment 3

1 .        Line 302 through 308 :  Line 302 through 308
302303304305306307308

2 .        Line 315 through 321 :  Line 315 through 321
315316317318319320321
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to pass HB0440S01 out favorably.
Rep. Lisonbee withdrew the motion.
MOTION:Rep. Miller moved to amend HB0440S01 as amended with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 368 :  Line 368
368369370371372373

Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to amend HB0440S01 as amended with Amendment #2.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-3.
Amendment 2

1 .        Line 309 through 318 :  Line 309 through 318
309310311312313314315316317318

2 .        Line 336 through 351 :  Line 336 through 351
336337338339340341342 343344345346347348349350351
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
MOTION:Rep. Lisonbee moved to pass HB0440S01 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 7-5-3.
Yeas - 7Nays- 5Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
MOTION:Rep. Pierucci moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-3.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
Chair Walter adjourned the meeting at 6:09 p.m.