MINUTES OF THE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Monday, March 2, 2026 • 4:00 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
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 at 04:17 PM.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to approve the minutes from the February 27, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
1.3rd Sub. H.B. 467 Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications(Pierucci, C.)
Rep. Candice Pierucci presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to replace HB0467S03 with HB0467S04.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
Odyssey Handout
HB 467 Handout
Jon England, Policy Analyst, Libertas Institute, spoke in favor of the bill.
Corinne Johnson, President, Utah Parents United, spoke in favor of the bill.
Lexi Cunningham, Executive Director, Utah School Superintendents Association, spoke to the bill.
Amaya Mueller, Governmental Affairs Manager, Sutherland Institute, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kevin Greene, Americans for Prosperity, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marcos Lopez, Western Legislative Director, ExcelinEd, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass HB0467S04 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-1-1.
Yeas - 5Nays- 1Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. C. Wilson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. Balderree assumed the chair.
2.S.B. 322 AI in Education Grant Amendments(Johnson, J.)
Sen. Johnson presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Johnson moved to replace SB0322 with SB0322S01.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
Corinne Johnson, President, Utah Parents United, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to pass SB0322S01 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
3.S.B. 326 School Board Election Modifications(Grover, K.)
Sen. Keith Grover presented the bill with the assistance of Julie King, Lake Mountain School Board President.
MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to pass SB0326 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
Chair Johnson resumed the chair.
4.1st Sub. H.B. 129 Education Board Amendments(Thurston, N.)
Rep. Norman Thurston presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to amend HB0129S01 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 45 through 52 :  Line 45 through 52
45464748 49 505152

Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to pass HB0129S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-1-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 1Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
5.1st Sub. H.B. 394 1st Sub. H.B. 394 Veterinary Amendments(Thurston, N.)
Rep. Norman Thurston presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to pass HB394S1 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to place HB0394S01 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
6.1st Sub. H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments(Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Melissa Ballard presented the bill.
Rick McDonald, Professor, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Dalane England, Utah Eagle Forum, United Women's Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jennie Earl, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
Keri Holt, resident, Cache County, spoke to the bill.
Shane Graham, resident, Salt Lake City, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Joe LaSure, resident, Logan city, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0219S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-2-1.
Yeas - 4Nays- 2Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
Chair Johnson moved to saunter.
7.2nd Sub. H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications(Auxier, T.)
Rep. Tiara Auxier presented the bill.
Corinne Johnson, President, Utah Parents United, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dalane England, Utah Eagle Forum, United Women's Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jennie Earl, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0312S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
8.H.B. 462 School Bus Internet Access(Auxier, T.)
Rep. Tiara Auxier presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0462 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
9.1st Sub. H.B. 358 School Scheduling Amendments(Welton, D.)
Rep. Doug Welton presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass HB0358S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to place HB0358S01 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
10.H.J.R. 8 Joint Resolution Regarding LEA Reporting Requirements(Welton, D.)
Rep. Doug Welton presented the bill.
Lexi Cunningham, Executive Director, Utah School Superintendents Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HJR008 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. C. Wilson
11.1st Sub. H.B. 393 Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments(Defay, A.)
Rep. Ariel Defay presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to replace HB0393S01 with HB0393S02.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
Nancy Sylvester, Attorney, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sherry Evans, Dyslexia Interventionist, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sindee Savage, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Alyssa DeHart, CEO, Utah Advocacy Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marcos Lopez, Western Legislative Director, ExcelinEd, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass HB0393S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
12.1st Sub. H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments(Walter, N.)
Rep. R. Neil Walter presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass HB0426S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
13.H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers(Walter, N.)
Rep. R. Neil Walter presented the bill.
Niki George, President, Jordan School Board, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Lexi Cunningham, Executive Director, Utah School Superintendents Association, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass HB0524 as amended out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 1-2-4.
Yeas - 1Nays- 2Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
MOTION:Sen. Riebe moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Riebe
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Wilson
Chair Johnson adjourned the meeting at 07:00 PM.