With the 2025 Utah State Legislature session well underway, there has been a variety of bills that have been signed and some that could potentially impact higher education.
The session began Jan. 21 and runs until March 7. During this time, members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate meet together to discuss and vote on new bills. If the bill is passed by both houses, it is sent to Governor Spencer Cox to either sign, veto or decline to take action, allowing the bill to become a law.
Here are four bills that could affect higher education.
HB 265
The Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment Bill, HB 265, was proposed on opening day of the Utah legislative session. This bill enacts and amends provisions regarding the funding of certain programs in higher education. The legislature is currently in the process of removing $60 million from institutions statewide to be placed in a reinvestment fund, with Utah Tech University’s estimated portion around $2.5 million.
Henrie Walton, interim chief of staff and assistant to the president for government and community relations, said, “If the bill becomes law, Utah Tech will work collaboratively to gather input from students, administration, faculty and staff in the development of our strategic reinvestment plan [through] forums for feedback [that] will include listening sessions and surveys.”
Additionally, the bill proposes several other changes including:
- A 120 credit hour degree cap with the exception of up to 126 hours for certain licenses.
- A three-year degree program created by the Utah Board of Higher Education.
- A five-year program review cycle instead of seven, with qualitative and quantitative program standards created by UBHE.
If approved, this bill will take effect May 7, 2025. Higher education institutions will have three years to implement their reinvestment plan, with 30% reallocated in the first year, 70% in the second year and 100% by the third year.
“We are committed to an open process and on making decisions based on student needs,” Walton said. “Our primary focus is on providing an educational experience that prepares students for lives and careers in our community.”
HB 269
Sponsored by Representative Stephanie Gricius, the Privacy Protection in Sex-designated Areas, HB 269, was recently signed by Gov. Cox Feb. 14.
This bill entails that UBHE will provide new restrictions regarding the institution’s policies on transgender students’ on-campus housing. It will require students to reside in dorms based on their sex at birth or reside in a gender-neutral dorm.
On Jan. 28, the bill cleared the House with a 59-13 vote. After amending the bill, the Senate also passed it with a 20-7 vote Feb. 6. During a second meeting, the House passed the amended bill Feb. 10.
Ben Dawson, a junior criminal justice major from Dover, Delaware, is currently interning with Senator Stephanie Pitcher. Dawson said it doesn’t take into account whether or not you’ve transitioned or how you currently identify.
“I don’t know what the long-term effects will be, so it’s kind of hard to say,” Dawson said. “I think there’s always a chance that the bills play out in a way that isn’t foreseen, for better or for worse.”
HB 269 will go into effect June 1, 2025.
“We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all our students and encourage any students who need support to contact the dean of students office or the Booth Wellness Center,” Walton said.
HB 449
A recent bill was introduced aimed at student athletes. HB 449, Student Athletes Amendments, would allow higher education institutes to use certain funds to compensate a student athlete directly for the use of their name, image or likeness.
In addition, the bill defines regulations for the student athletes compensation. Some of the regulations proposed include:
- Institutions can’t prevent student athletes from participating in intercollegiate sports because they are receiving compensation.
- Institutions can’t prevent student athletes from participating if they obtain professional representation from an athlete agent or attorney.
If passed, the bill takes effect May 7, 2025.
HB 267
The Public Sector Labor Union Amendments, HB 267, was signed by Gov. Cox Feb. 14. Sponsored by Representative Jordan D. Teuscher, this bill passed the Senate on a 16-13 vote.
This bill “prohibits a public employer from recognizing a labor organization as a bargaining agent for public employees; prohibits a public employer from entering into collective bargaining contracts; prohibits using public money or public property to assist, promote, or deter union organizing or administration.”
The bill prohibits the process where a school, city, county or organization that works with public employees meets with a union to negotiate contracts for those employees. Bryce Harding, Salt Lake Unit Executive Board of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said it could potentially lead to a decrease in the quality of public services and a shortage of qualified workers.
“If you’re forcing the teachers to make a choice on where they’re going to teach, they’re not going to choose this school in Utah,” Harding said. “Really, wages and benefits are why we go to work. I know most teachers do it because they love it, but at some point in time, the love only goes so far.”
This bill has caused protests at the Utah Capitol to encourage Gov. Cox to veto the bill.
“It will be interesting to see how collective bargaining being removed will affect employees,” Dawson said.
HB 267 will go into effect July 1, 2025.
With the legislation halfway completed, there are still a variety of new bills awaiting to be proposed or passed. Follow along with the 66th Utah State Legislature Session to see how higher education could be potentially affected.
“The biggest thing I would say is just to advocate and make your voice heard,” Dawson said.
