MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 • 4:00 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. Matt MacPherson
Rep. Tracy J. Miller
Rep. Carol S. Moss
Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci
Rep. Jason E. Thompson
Rep. Doug Welton

Members Absent:
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee
Rep. Karen M. Peterson
Rep. Val L. Peterson

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 4:16 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. Auxier moved to approve the February 18 and February 20, 2026, meeting minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-8.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
1.2nd Sub. S.B. 164 School Construction Amendments(Wilson, C.)
Sen. Chris Wilson presented the bill with the assistance of Rep. Thomas Peterson.
Jim Russell, former director of Division of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM), provided additional information on the bill.
Molly Hart, State Superintendent, Utah State Board of Education, spoke in favor of the bill and provided additional clarification.
Andy Marr, Director, DFCM, further clarified the bill.
Joe McAllister, Hughes General Contractors, spoke to the bill.
Aaron Metcalfe, Hogan and Associates Construction, spoke to the bill.
Ben Horsley, Granite School District, spoke to the bill.
Dan Pratt, Hughes General Contractors, spoke to the bill.
Matt Throckmorton, resident, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Thompson moved to pass SB0164S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-4-5.
Yeas - 6Nays- 4Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
2.2nd Sub. S.B. 77 Dual Language Immersion Amendments(McCay, D.)
Sen. Daniel McCay presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Elison moved to pass SB0077S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-7.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
3.H.B. 528 Local School Board Reporting(Acton, C.K.)
HB0528 handout
Rep. Cheryl Acton presented the bill with the assistance of Christine Cooke Fairbanks, Sutherland Institute.
Cody Stewart, yes. every kid., spoke in favor of the bill.
Jude Schwalbach, Reason Foundation, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Thompson moved to replace HB0528 with HB0528S01.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-6.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. D. Welton
MOTION:Rep. Thompson moved to pass HB0528S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-6.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. D. Welton
4.S.B. 88 School Technology Amendments(Fillmore, L.)
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Auxier moved to pass SB0088 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-2-5.
Yeas - 8Nays- 2Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. Defay assumed the chair.
5.H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments(Walter, N.)
HB0521 handout
Rep. Walter presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to replace HB0521 with HB0521S01.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-5.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to pass HB0521S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-5.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-5.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. T. Auxier
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Elison
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. J. Thompson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. C. Pierucci
Chair Defay adjourned the meeting at 6:13 p.m.