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SALT LAKE CITY — HB136, whom some have dubbed the “we got your back bill,” won final passage Wednesday in the Utah House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, provides assurances to the Utah State Board of Education that after analyzing the fiscal impacts of foregoing federal grants with requirements it deems contrary to Utah’s education objectives, it can turn to the Legislature to help make up the difference.
The Legislature may have the State School Board's back philosophically, but lawmakers would not be obligated to fund requests, “and we note that in statute,” said Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork.
Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, questioned the need for the legislation, saying both bodies already have the authority to do what the bill states.
“Why is it necessary?” Dabakis asked.
Henderson agreed that each body has its respective authority, but the bill sets up a procedure for the board’s deliberations and gives additional security in the event it makes such a determination.
— Marjorie Cortez
