UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO HIGHER EDUCATION
ENACTED BY THE 2002 GENERAL SESSION

H.B. 30 Master State Highway Amendments - Joseph G. Murray

With C.E.U. concurrance, eliminates the designation of State Highway SR-283, the peripheral road around the College of Eastern Utah.

H.B. 46 Annual Reports Given to the Legislature - Marda Dillree

Modifies provisions relating to the State System of Public Education and State System of Higher Education by eliminating or amending requirements to submit reports to the Legislature.

H.B. 52 Higher Education Savings Incentive Program Amendments - Katherine M. Bryson

As recommended by the Board, modifies higher education and tax code provisions relating to the Higher Education Savings Incentive Programs, including refund provisions.

H.B. 61 Funds Consolidation - Jeff Alexander

Repeals, among others, 53B, Chapter 7, Part 4, Higher Education Endowment Matching Fund.  This fund, enacted in 1991, was intended to provide matching for fundraising projects by students at the institutions.  It has never been funded by appropriations, nor have any fundraising projects been developed as a result of its existence.

H.B. 111 State Responsibility for Regulation of Postsecondary Proprietary Schools - Afton B. Bradshaw

Transfers the responsibility of registering and regulating postsecondary proprietary schools from the State Board of Regents to the Division of Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2002.

H.B. 144 Exemption from Nonresident Tuition - David Ure

If allowed by federal law, an undocumented alien who has attended a Utah high school for three years, graduated, and who has applied for U.S. residency or agrees to do so as soon as permitted, may attend a USHE institution at resident tuition rates.

H.B. 206  New Century Scholarship Programs Amendments - Afton B. Bradshaw

Increases the time period for completing a baccalaureate degree under the New Century Scholarship program and authorizes the Board to limit or reduce scholarships as necessary to stay within available appropriations.

H.B. 238  Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Amendments - Carl R. Saunders

Increases the rates of tax levied on cigarettes and other tobacco products and specifies that 15 % (~$2.0 million) go to the University of Utah Health Sciences Center for the Huntsman Cancer Institute for cancer research and another 21% (~$2.9 million) go to the Medical Education Council for medical education at the University of Utah School of Medicine. 

H.B. 245   Amendments to Sex Offender Registry - Afton B. Bradshaw

Requires a sex offender, among other things, to provide the Department of Corrections with each institution of higher education in Utah at which the sex offender is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student.  The Department must provide the information to any law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where the institution is located.

H.B. 252   General Obligation Bonds for Engineering Buildings - Gerry A. Adair

Modifies provisions governing capital facilities authorizations for engineering buildings at Utah State University and the University of Utah.  The bonds, not to exceed $21,250,000, may be issued when the universities have certified to the State Bonding Commission that each has obtained the required "reliable commitments" of matching funds.

H.B. 253  Rural Schools-Equity in Education - Bradley T. Johnson

$150,000 ongoing appropriation to allow the State Board of Education to award scholarships to teachers in necessarily existent small schools or small school districts to obtain endorsements or master's degrees.

H.B. 331  Nonresident Tuition for Higher Education - Jeff Alexander

Amends the definition of resident student for tuition purposes so that a person who comes to Utah to attend a higher education institution must maintain Utah residency and complete 60 semester credit hours at a Utah institution prior to being able to register as a resident student.

H.C.R. 3   Resolution Honoring Service of Pamela Atkinson - Martin R. Stephens

 ". . . WHEREAS, Pamela serves on the State Board of Regents and represents the regents on the State School Board; . . . WHEREAS, Pamela is widely recognized and beloved as one of the most compassionate, hardest working, and selfless civic leaders in Utah; . . ." the Legislature, the Governor concurring ". . .honors the life and service of Pamela Atkinson and her tireless acts of charity on behalf of those less fortunate."

H.J.R. 15   Resolution Promoting Financial Literacy for Utah Students - David L. Hogue

Urges Utah public school districts to ensure that school curriculums promote financial literacy among students.  Presumably colleges of education would be expected to train teachers to impart the concepts of "financial literacy."

S.B. 10   Revisions to Senate Advise and Consent Powers - Ron Allen

A governor's appointee to fill an unexpired term on the Board must have the consent of the Senate before he or she serves, instead of the current requirement of "confirmation at the next session."

S.B. 50   Utah Medical Practice Act Amendments - E. Edgar Allen

An individual enrolled in a foreign medical school eligible for licensure in this state as a physician or surgeon if certain requirements are met.  This will help the UU medical school fill some clinical residency positions.

S.B. 66   Revenues from Federal Land Exchange Parcels - Mike Dmitrich

Increases from 29.66% to 40% the percent of royalties and rentals received from federal land exchange parcels distributed to the Mineral Lease Account.  The Water Research Laboratory at Utah State University receives 2.25% of all deposits made to the Mineral Lease Account.

S.B. 105   Repeal of Education Mandates and Programs - Howard A. Stephenson

Amends 53B-17-104, responsibilities of UEN related to telecommunications for education, so that UEN no longer has the responsibility to coordinate through the UEN steering committee the technology initiatives for public and higher education which are under the direction of the State Office of Education and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.  Also eliminates UEN's coordination of the public education Educational Technology Initiative authorized under Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 7.

S.B. 113   Health Care Workforce Loan Repayment Assistance - Peter C. Knudson

Replaces three financial assistance programs  with a new Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program.  Provides loan repayment assistance to health care workers in underserved areas.

S.B. 142   Higher Education Budget Authority - Lyle W. Hillyard

Authorizes the presidents of the institutions of higher education and the State Board of Regents to reallocate designated appropriations between line items.  Does not apply to UCAT.

S.B. 164   Secure Facilities Amendments - David L. Gladwell

Authorizes the State Board of Regents to establish institutional hearing rooms as secure areas as prescribed in Section 76-8-311.1.  The institutions may establish no more than one secure hearing room at their respective institutions; detailed guidelines are given as to when, where, how, and how long secure areas may be established.

S.B. 170  Reauthorization of Administrative Rules - Howard A. Stephenson

Does not "reauthorize" rules pertaining to dangerous weapons and explosives on various USHE campuses (because the policies and rules do not exempt concealed weapons permit holders.)   These institutional policies and rules cease to be effective as of May 1.