1     
HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING AMENDMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Evan J. Vickers

5     
House Sponsor: Val L. Peterson

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions related to higher education.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     authorizes certain public and private entities to provide money to the Higher
13     Education Student Success Endowment;
14          ▸     creates the Utah Higher Education Savings Board of Trustees to act as fiduciary for
15     the Utah Education Savings Plan;
16          ▸     allows the board to hold a closed meeting to discuss certain fiduciary or commercial
17     information; and
18          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
19     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20          None
21     Other Special Clauses:
22          This bill provides a special effective date.
23     Utah Code Sections Affected:
24     AMENDS:
25          52-4-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 422
26          52-4-205, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 237, 290, 332, 335, 422,
27     and 478

28          53B-1-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 147, 274 and 370
29          53B-7-801, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 186
30          53B-7-802, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 186
31          53B-8a-102.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 365
32          53B-8a-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 6
33          53B-8a-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 46
34     ENACTS:
35          53B-7-804, Utah Code Annotated 1953
36          53B-7-805, Utah Code Annotated 1953
37     REPEALS:
38          53B-11-101, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 167
39          53B-11-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1989, Chapter 22
40          53B-11-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 167
41          53B-12-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 186
42          53B-12-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 365
43          53B-12-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 167
44          53B-12-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 324
45          53B-12-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 167
46          53B-12-106, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 167
47          53B-12-107, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 324
48          53B-12-108, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 167
49          53B-12-109, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 186
50     

51     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
52          Section 1. Section 52-4-103 is amended to read:
53          52-4-103. Definitions.
54          As used in this chapter:
55          (1) "Anchor location" means the physical location from which:
56          (a) an electronic meeting originates; or
57          (b) the participants are connected.
58          (2) "Capitol hill complex" means the grounds and buildings within the area bounded by

59     300 North Street, Columbus Street, 500 North Street, and East Capitol Boulevard in Salt Lake
60     City.
61          (3) (a) "Convening" means the calling together of a public body by a person authorized
62     to do so for the express purpose of discussing or acting upon a subject over which that public
63     body has jurisdiction or advisory power.
64          (b) "Convening" does not include the initiation of a routine conversation between
65     members of a board of trustees of a large public transit district if the members involved in the
66     conversation do not, during the conversation, take a tentative or final vote on the matter that is
67     the subject of the conversation.
68          (4) "Electronic meeting" means a public meeting convened or conducted by means of a
69     conference using electronic communications.
70          (5) "Electronic message" means a communication transmitted electronically, including:
71          (a) electronic mail;
72          (b) instant messaging;
73          (c) electronic chat;
74          (d) text messaging, as that term is defined in Section 76-4-401; or
75          (e) any other method that conveys a message or facilitates communication
76     electronically.
77          (6) "Fiduciary or commercial information" means information:
78          (a) related to any subject if disclosure:
79          (i) would conflict with a fiduciary obligation; or
80          (ii) is prohibited by insider trading provisions; or
81          (b) that is commercial in nature including:
82          (i) account owners or borrowers;
83          (ii) demographic data;
84          (iii) contracts and related payments;
85          (iv) negotiations;
86          (v) proposals or bids;
87          (vi) investments;
88          (vii) management of funds;
89          (viii) fees and charges;

90          (ix) plan and program design;
91          (x) investment options and underlying investments offered to account owners;
92          (xi) marketing and outreach efforts;
93          (xii) financial plans; or
94          (xiii) reviews and audits excluding the final report required under Section 53B-8a-111.
95          [(6)] (7) (a) "Meeting" means the convening of a public body or a specified body, with
96     a quorum present, including a workshop or an executive session, whether in person or by
97     means of electronic communications, for the purpose of discussing, receiving comments from
98     the public about, or acting upon a matter over which the public body or specific body has
99     jurisdiction or advisory power.
100          (b) "Meeting" does not mean:
101          (i) a chance gathering or social gathering;
102          (ii) a convening of the State Tax Commission to consider a confidential tax matter in
103     accordance with Section 59-1-405; or
104          (iii) a convening of a three-member board of trustees of a large public transit district as
105     defined in Section 17B-2a-802 if:
106          (A) the board members do not, during the conversation, take a tentative or final vote on
107     the matter that is the subject of the conversation; or
108          (B) the conversation pertains only to day-to-day management and operation of the
109     public transit district.
110          (c) "Meeting" does not mean the convening of a public body that has both legislative
111     and executive responsibilities if:
112          (i) no public funds are appropriated for expenditure during the time the public body is
113     convened; and
114          (ii) the public body is convened solely for the discussion or implementation of
115     administrative or operational matters:
116          (A) for which no formal action by the public body is required; or
117          (B) that would not come before the public body for discussion or action.
118          [(7)] (8) "Monitor" means to hear or observe, live, by audio or video equipment, all of
119     the public statements of each member of the public body who is participating in a meeting.
120          [(8)] (9) "Participate" means the ability to communicate with all of the members of a

121     public body, either verbally or electronically, so that each member of the public body can hear
122     or observe the communication.
123          [(9)] (10) (a) "Public body" means:
124          (i) any administrative, advisory, executive, or legislative body of the state or its
125     political subdivisions that:
126          (A) is created by the Utah Constitution, statute, rule, ordinance, or resolution;
127          (B) consists of two or more persons;
128          (C) expends, disburses, or is supported in whole or in part by tax revenue; and
129          (D) is vested with the authority to make decisions regarding the public's business; or
130          (ii) any administrative, advisory, executive, or policymaking body of an association, as
131     that term is defined in Section 53G-7-1101, that:
132          (A) consists of two or more persons;
133          (B) expends, disburses, or is supported in whole or in part by dues paid by a public
134     school or whose employees participate in a benefit or program described in Title 49, Utah State
135     Retirement and Insurance Benefit Act; and
136          (C) is vested with authority to make decisions regarding the participation of a public
137     school or student in an interscholastic activity, as that term is defined in Section 53G-7-1101.
138          (b) "Public body" includes:
139          (i) an interlocal entity or joint or cooperative undertaking, as those terms are defined in
140     Section 11-13-103;
141          (ii) a governmental nonprofit corporation as that term is defined in Section 11-13a-102;
142          (iii) the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission; and
143          (iv) a project entity, as that term is defined in Section 11-13-103.
144          (c) "Public body" does not include:
145          (i) a political party, a political group, or a political caucus;
146          (ii) a conference committee, a rules committee, or a sifting committee of the
147     Legislature;
148          (iii) a school community council or charter trust land council, as that term is defined in
149     Section 53G-7-1203;
150          (iv) a taxed interlocal entity, as that term is defined in Section 11-13-602, if the taxed
151     interlocal entity is not a project entity; or

152          (v) the following Legislative Management subcommittees, which are established in
153     Section 36-12-8, when meeting for the purpose of selecting or evaluating a candidate to
154     recommend for employment, except that the meeting in which a subcommittee votes to
155     recommend that a candidate be employed shall be subject to the provisions of this act:
156          (A) the Research and General Counsel Subcommittee;
157          (B) the Budget Subcommittee; and
158          (C) the Audit Subcommittee.
159          [(10)] (11) "Public statement" means a statement made in the ordinary course of
160     business of the public body with the intent that all other members of the public body receive it.
161          [(11)] (12) (a) "Quorum" means a simple majority of the membership of a public body,
162     unless otherwise defined by applicable law.
163          (b) "Quorum" does not include a meeting of two elected officials by themselves when
164     no action, either formal or informal, is taken.
165          [(12)] (13) "Recording" means an audio, or an audio and video, record of the
166     proceedings of a meeting that can be used to review the proceedings of the meeting.
167          [(13)] (14) "Specified body":
168          (a) means an administrative, advisory, executive, or legislative body that:
169          (i) is not a public body;
170          (ii) consists of three or more members; and
171          (iii) includes at least one member who is:
172          (A) a legislator; and
173          (B) officially appointed to the body by the president of the Senate, speaker of the
174     House of Representatives, or governor; and
175          (b) does not include a body listed in Subsection (9)(c)(ii) or (9)(c)(v).
176          [(14)] (15) "Transmit" means to send, convey, or communicate an electronic message
177     by electronic means.
178          Section 2. Section 52-4-205 is amended to read:
179          52-4-205. Purposes of closed meetings -- Certain issues prohibited in closed
180     meetings.
181          (1) A closed meeting described under Section 52-4-204 may only be held for:
182          (a) except as provided in Subsection (3), discussion of the character, professional

183     competence, or physical or mental health of an individual;
184          (b) strategy sessions to discuss collective bargaining;
185          (c) strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation;
186          (d) strategy sessions to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property,
187     including any form of a water right or water shares, or to discuss a proposed development
188     agreement, project proposal, or financing proposal related to the development of land owned by
189     the state, if public discussion would:
190          (i) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or
191          (ii) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms;
192          (e) strategy sessions to discuss the sale of real property, including any form of a water
193     right or water shares, if:
194          (i) public discussion of the transaction would:
195          (A) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or
196          (B) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms;
197          (ii) the public body previously gave public notice that the property would be offered for
198     sale; and
199          (iii) the terms of the sale are publicly disclosed before the public body approves the
200     sale;
201          (f) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel, devices, or systems;
202          (g) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct;
203          (h) as relates to the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission, conducting business
204     relating to the receipt or review of ethics complaints;
205          (i) as relates to an ethics committee of the Legislature, a purpose permitted under
206     Subsection 52-4-204(1)(a)(iii)(C);
207          (j) as relates to the Independent Executive Branch Ethics Commission created in
208     Section 63A-14-202, conducting business relating to an ethics complaint;
209          (k) as relates to a county legislative body, discussing commercial information as
210     defined in Section 59-1-404;
211          (l) as relates to the Utah Higher Education [Assistance Authority] Savings Board of
212     Trustees and its appointed board of directors, discussing fiduciary or commercial information
213     [as defined in Section 53B-12-102];

214          (m) deliberations, not including any information gathering activities, of a public body
215     acting in the capacity of:
216          (i) an evaluation committee under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code,
217     during the process of evaluating responses to a solicitation, as defined in Section 63G-6a-103;
218          (ii) a protest officer, defined in Section 63G-6a-103, during the process of making a
219     decision on a protest under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Part 16, Protests; or
220          (iii) a procurement appeals panel under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement
221     Code, during the process of deciding an appeal under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Part 17,
222     Procurement Appeals Board;
223          (n) the purpose of considering information that is designated as a trade secret, as
224     defined in Section 13-24-2, if the public body's consideration of the information is necessary to
225     properly conduct a procurement under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code;
226          (o) the purpose of discussing information provided to the public body during the
227     procurement process under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, if, at the time of
228     the meeting:
229          (i) the information may not, under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, be
230     disclosed to a member of the public or to a participant in the procurement process; and
231          (ii) the public body needs to review or discuss the information to properly fulfill its
232     role and responsibilities in the procurement process;
233          (p) as relates to the governing board of a governmental nonprofit corporation, as that
234     term is defined in Section 11-13a-102, the purpose of discussing information that is designated
235     as a trade secret, as that term is defined in Section 13-24-2, if:
236          (i) public knowledge of the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in injury
237     to the owner of the trade secret; and
238          (ii) discussion of the information is necessary for the governing board to properly
239     discharge the board's duties and conduct the board's business;
240          (q) as it relates to the Cannabis Production Establishment Licensing Advisory Board,
241     to review confidential information regarding violations and security requirements in relation to
242     the operation of cannabis production establishments; or
243          (r) a purpose for which a meeting is required to be closed under Subsection (2).
244          (2) The following meetings shall be closed:

245          (a) a meeting of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee to review a report
246     described in Subsection 62A-16-301(1)(a), and the responses to the report described in
247     Subsections 62A-16-301(2) and (4);
248          (b) a meeting of the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel to:
249          (i) review a report described in Subsection 62A-16-301(1)(a), and the responses to the
250     report described in Subsections 62A-16-301(2) and (4); or
251          (ii) review and discuss an individual case, as described in Subsection 36-33-103(2);
252          (c) a meeting of the Opioid and Overdose Fatality Review Committee, created in
253     Section 26-7-13, to review and discuss an individual case, as described in Subsection
254     26-7-13(10);
255          (d) a meeting of a conservation district as defined in Section 17D-3-102 for the
256     purpose of advising the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the United States
257     Department of Agriculture on a farm improvement project if the discussed information is
258     protected information under federal law;
259          (e) a meeting of the Compassionate Use Board established in Section 26-61a-105 for
260     the purpose of reviewing petitions for a medical cannabis card in accordance with Section
261     26-61a-105;
262          (f) a meeting of the Colorado River Authority of Utah if:
263          (i) the purpose of the meeting is to discuss an interstate claim to the use of the water in
264     the Colorado River system; and
265          (ii) failing to close the meeting would:
266          (A) reveal the contents of a record classified as protected under Subsection
267     63G-2-305(82);
268          (B) reveal a legal strategy relating to the state's claim to the use of the water in the
269     Colorado River system;
270          (C) harm the ability of the Colorado River Authority of Utah or river commissioner to
271     negotiate the best terms and conditions regarding the use of water in the Colorado River
272     system; or
273          (D) give an advantage to another state or to the federal government in negotiations
274     regarding the use of water in the Colorado River system;
275          (g) a meeting of the General Regulatory Sandbox Program Advisory Committee if:

276          (i) the purpose of the meeting is to discuss an application for participation in the
277     regulatory sandbox as defined in Section 63N-16-102; and
278          (ii) failing to close the meeting would reveal the contents of a record classified as
279     protected under Subsection 63G-2-305(83);
280          (h) a meeting of a project entity if:
281          (i) the purpose of the meeting is to conduct a strategy session to discuss market
282     conditions relevant to a business decision regarding the value of a project entity asset if the
283     terms of the business decision are publicly disclosed before the decision is finalized and a
284     public discussion would:
285          (A) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the project entity asset under
286     consideration; or
287          (B) prevent the project entity from completing on the best possible terms a
288     contemplated transaction concerning the project entity asset;
289          (ii) the purpose of the meeting is to discuss a record, the disclosure of which could
290     cause commercial injury to, or confer a competitive advantage upon a potential or actual
291     competitor of, the project entity;
292          (iii) the purpose of the meeting is to discuss a business decision, the disclosure of
293     which could cause commercial injury to, or confer a competitive advantage upon a potential or
294     actual competitor of, the project entity; or
295          (iv) failing to close the meeting would prevent the project entity from getting the best
296     price on the market; and
297          (i) a meeting of the School Activity Eligibility Commission, described in Section
298     53G-6-1003, if the commission is in effect in accordance with Section 53G-6-1002, to
299     consider, discuss, or determine, in accordance with Section 53G-6-1004, an individual student's
300     eligibility to participate in an interscholastic activity, as that term is defined in Section
301     53G-6-1001, including the commission's determinative vote on the student's eligibility.
302          (3) In a closed meeting, a public body may not:
303          (a) interview a person applying to fill an elected position;
304          (b) discuss filling a midterm vacancy or temporary absence governed by Title 20A,
305     Chapter 1, Part 5, Candidate Vacancy and Vacancy and Temporary Absence in Elected Office;
306     or

307          (c) discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of the
308     person whose name was submitted for consideration to fill a midterm vacancy or temporary
309     absence governed by Title 20A, Chapter 1, Part 5, Candidate Vacancy and Vacancy and
310     Temporary Absence in Elected Office.
311          Section 3. Section 53B-1-301 is amended to read:
312          53B-1-301. Reports to and actions of the Higher Education Appropriations
313     Subcommittee.
314          (1) In accordance with applicable provisions and Section 68-3-14, the following
315     recurring reports are due to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee:
316          (a) the reports described in Sections 34A-2-202.5, 53B-30-206, and 59-9-102.5 by the
317     Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health;
318          (b) the report described in Section 53B-7-101 by the board on recommended
319     appropriations for higher education institutions, including the report described in Section
320     53B-8-104 by the board on the effects of offering nonresident partial tuition scholarships;
321          (c) the report described in Section 53B-7-704 by the Department of Workforce
322     Services and the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity on targeted jobs;
323          (d) the reports described in Section 53B-7-705 by the board on performance;
324          (e) the report described in Section 53B-8-201 by the board on the Opportunity
325     Scholarship Program;
326          (f) the report described in Section 53B-8d-104 by the Division of Child and Family
327     Services on tuition waivers for wards of the state;
328          [(g) the report described in Section 53B-12-107 by the Utah Higher Education
329     Assistance Authority;]
330          [(h)] (g) the report described in Section 53B-13a-103 by the board on the Utah Promise
331     Program;
332          [(i)] (h) the report described in Section 53B-17-201 by the University of Utah
333     regarding the Miners' Hospital for Disabled Miners;
334          [(j)] (i) the report described in Section 53B-26-202 by the Medical Education Council
335     on projected demand for nursing professionals;
336          [(k)] (j) the report described in Section 53B-35-202 regarding the Higher Education
337     and Corrections Council; and

338          [(l)] (k) the report described in Section 53E-10-308 by the State Board of Education
339     and board on student participation in the concurrent enrollment program.
340          (2) In accordance with applicable provisions and Section 68-3-14, the following
341     occasional reports are due to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee:
342          (a) upon request, the information described in Section 53B-8a-111 submitted by the
343     Utah Educational Savings Plan;
344          (b) a proposal described in Section 53B-26-202 by an eligible program to respond to
345     projected demand for nursing professionals; and
346          (c) a report in 2023 from Utah Valley University and the Utah Fire Prevention Board
347     on the fire and rescue training program described in Section 53B-29-202.
348          (3) In accordance with applicable provisions, the Higher Education Appropriations
349     Subcommittee shall complete the following:
350          (a) as required by Section 53B-7-703, the review of performance funding described in
351     Section 53B-7-703;
352          (b) an appropriation recommendation described in Section 53B-26-202 to fund a
353     proposal responding to projected demand for nursing professionals; and
354          (c) review of the report described in Section 63B-10-301 by the University of Utah on
355     the status of a bond and bond payments specified in Section 63B-10-301.
356          Section 4. Section 53B-7-801 is amended to read:
357          53B-7-801. Definitions.
358          [As used in this part:]
359          [(1) "Authority" means the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority.]
360          [(2) "Endowment"] As used in this part, "endowment" means the Higher Education
361     Student Success Endowment created in Section 53B-7-802.
362          Section 5. Section 53B-7-802 is amended to read:
363          53B-7-802. Higher Education Student Success Endowment.
364          (1) There is created the Higher Education Student Success Endowment.
365          (2) The endowment consists of:
366          (a) the proceeds from divestment of the [authority's] dissolved Utah Higher Education
367     Assistance Authority's loan portfolio [in accordance with Section 53B-12-109];
368          (b) appropriations made to the endowment by the Legislature, if any;

369          (c) income from the investment of the endowment; and
370          (d) other revenues received from other sources.
371          (3) The board shall account for the receipt and expenditures of endowment money in
372     accordance with the policies and guidance of the Division of Finance.
373          (4) (a) (i) The state treasurer shall invest the endowment money with the primary goal
374     of providing for stability, income, and growth of the principal.
375          (ii) The state treasurer may deduct any administrative costs incurred in managing
376     endowment assets from earnings before distributing the earnings.
377          (b) Nothing in this section requires a specific outcome in investing.
378          (c) The state treasurer may employ professional asset managers to assist in the
379     investment of assets of the endowment.
380          (d) The state treasurer may only provide compensation to asset managers from earnings
381     generated by the endowment's investments.
382          (e) The state treasurer shall invest and manage the endowment assets as a prudent
383     investor would, by:
384          (i) considering the purposes, terms, distribution requirements, and other circumstances
385     of the endowment; and
386          (ii) exercising reasonable care, skill, and caution in order to meet the standard of care
387     of a prudent investor.
388          (f) In determining whether or not the state treasurer has met the standard of care of a
389     prudent investor, the judge or finder of fact shall:
390          (i) consider the state treasurer's actions in light of the facts and circumstances existing
391     at the time of the investment decision or action, and not by hindsight; and
392          (ii) evaluate the state treasurer's investment and management decisions respecting
393     individual assets not in isolation, but in context of an endowment portfolio as a whole as a part
394     of an overall investment strategy that has risk and return objectives reasonably suited to the
395     endowment.
396          (5) (a) The endowment shall earn interest.
397          (b) The state treasurer shall deposit the interest or other revenue earned from
398     investment of the endowment into the endowment.
399          (6) The board:

400          (a) may expend money from the endowment for programs that:
401          (i) advance the system priorities as established in Subsection 53B-1-402(2)(a); and
402          (ii) support prospective students or current students enrolled at an institution, as
403     described in Section 53B-2-101; and
404          (b) may not expend money from the endowment for a capital expenditure, including
405     the construction or lease of a capital facility or operation and maintenance of a capital facility.
406          (7) The board shall ensure that:
407          (a) money deposited into the endowment is irrevocable and is expended only for
408     programs that advance the system priorities as established in Subsection 53B-1-402(2)(a); and
409          (b) creditors of the board of directors may not seize, attach, or otherwise obtain assets
410     of the endowment.
411          Section 6. Section 53B-7-804 is enacted to read:
412          53B-7-804. State grants to the authority.
413          To the extent otherwise allowed, a state entity may grant money or property to the
414     endowment.
415          Section 7. Section 53B-7-805 is enacted to read:
416          53B-7-805. Gifts to the endowment.
417          A person may make a contribution, gift, grant, bequest, or devise, or loans to the
418     endowment.
419          Section 8. Section 53B-8a-102.5 is amended to read:
420          53B-8a-102.5. Definitions for part.
421          As used in this part:
422          (1) "Administrative fund" means the money used to administer the Utah Educational
423     Savings Plan.
424          (2) "Board" means [the board of directors of the Utah Educational Savings Plan, which
425     is the Utah Board of Higher Education acting in the Utah Board of Higher Education's capacity
426     as the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority under Title 53B, Chapter 12, Higher
427     Education Assistance Authority] the Utah Education Savings Board of Trustees created in
428     Section 53B-8a-105.
429          (3) "Endowment fund" means the endowment fund established under Section
430     53B-8a-107, which is held as a separate fund within the Utah Educational Savings Plan.

431          (4) "Executive director" means the administrator appointed to administer and manage
432     the Utah Educational Savings Plan.
433          (5) "Federally insured depository institution" means an institution whose deposits and
434     accounts are to any extent insured by a federal deposit insurance agency, including the Federal
435     Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union Administration.
436          (6) "Grantor trust" means a trust, the income of which is for the benefit of the grantor
437     under Section 677, Internal Revenue Code.
438          (7) "Higher education costs" means qualified higher education expenses as defined in
439     Section 529(e)(3), Internal Revenue Code.
440          (8) "Owner of the grantor trust" means one or more individuals who are treated as an
441     owner of a trust under Section 677, Internal Revenue Code, if that trust is a grantor trust.
442          (9) "Program fund" means the program fund created under Section 53B-8a-107, which
443     is held as a separate fund within the Utah Educational Savings Plan.
444          (10) "Qualified investment" means an amount invested in accordance with an account
445     agreement established under this part.
446          (11) "Tuition and fees" means the quarterly or semester charges imposed to attend an
447     institution of higher education and required as a condition of enrollment.
448          Section 9. Section 53B-8a-104 is amended to read:
449          53B-8a-104. Office facilities, clerical, and administrative support for the Utah
450     Educational Savings Plan.
451          (1) The [board] Utah Board of Higher Education shall provide to the plan, by
452     agreement, administrative [and clerical] support and office facilities and space.
453          (2) Reasonable charges or fees may be levied against the plan pursuant to the
454     agreement for the services provided by the [board] Utah Board of Higher Education.
455          Section 10. Section 53B-8a-105 is amended to read:
456          53B-8a-105. Powers and duties of board.
457          (1) There is created the Utah Education Savings Board of Trustees.
458          (2) The Utah Board of Higher Education shall:
459          (a) appoint the members of the board as follows:
460          (i) not more than three members from the Utah Board of Higher Education; and
461          (ii) at least four public members, each of whom possesses skills in one or more of the

462     following:
463          (A) investments;
464          (B) accounting;
465          (C) finance;
466          (D) banking;
467          (E) education;
468          (F) technology; or
469          (G) financial operations; and
470          (b) designate a member appointed under Subsection (2)(a) as chair.
471          (3) Each board member serves at the pleasure of the Utah Board of Higher Education.
472          [(1)] (4) The board has all powers necessary to carry out and effectuate the purposes,
473     objectives, and provisions of this chapter pertaining to the plan.
474          (5) The board shall act as a fiduciary of the plan with:
475          (a) a duty of care to act solely in the best interest of the plan's account owners and
476     beneficiaries;
477          (b) a duty of loyalty putting the plan's interest ahead of other interests; and
478          (c) a duty to invest with care, skill, prudence, and diligence.
479          [(2)] (6) The duties, responsibilities, funds, liabilities, and expenses of the board in
480     oversight and governance of the plan shall be maintained separate and apart from the [board's]
481     Utah Board of Higher Education's other duties, responsibilities, funds, liabilities, and expenses.
482          [(3)] (7) The board shall [make policies governing the]:
483          (a) make policies governing the administration of the plan; and
484          [(b) appointment and duties of the plan's executive director.]
485          (b) amend policies related to board governance.
486          [(4)] (8) (a) The board may appoint advisory committees to aid the board in fulfilling
487     its duties and responsibilities.
488          (b) An advisory committee member may receive compensation and be reimbursed for
489     reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the member's official duties as determined
490     by the board.
491          (9) The board may appoint a board of directors known as the Board of Directors of the
492     Utah Education Savings Plan to carry out the obligation of separation of functions required

493     under Subsection (6).
494          (10) If the board creates a board of directors under Subsection (9):
495          (a) the board of directors shall consist of at least five members; and
496          (b) no more than two-thirds of the members of the board of directors may
497     simultaneously serve as a member of the board.
498          Section 11. Repealer.
499          This bill repeals:
500          Section 53B-11-101, Establishment of Student Loan Fund.
501          Section 53B-11-102, Use of Student Loan Fund.
502          Section 53B-11-103, Student loan insurance program -- Board is successor to
503     authority of Coordinating Council -- Maintenance of insurance program.
504          Section 53B-12-101, Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority designated --
505     Powers.
506          Section 53B-12-102, Separation of duties, responsibilities, funds, liabilities, and
507     expenses -- Appointment of board of directors -- No state or local debt -- Minors eligible
508     for loans.
509          Section 53B-12-103, Gifts by persons, corporations, and associations -- Tax
510     deduction.
511          Section 53B-12-104, Guarantee Fund -- Sources -- Use -- Valuation and restoration
512     of assets -- Other funds.
513          Section 53B-12-105, Agreement with loan holders -- Terms unalterable.
514          Section 53B-12-106, Guarantee agreements and expenses limited to funds of the
515     authority.
516          Section 53B-12-107, Annual report -- Annual audit -- Reimbursement of state
517     auditor.
518          Section 53B-12-108, State grants to the authority.
519          Section 53B-12-109, Dissolution of authority -- Higher Education Student Success
520     Endowment.
521          Section 12. Effective date.
522          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.