Senate approves measure on instructional materials after amendment bid fails
February 07, 2023 | 2023 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate on Feb. 7, 2023, passed Senate Bill 55, a measure directing local school boards to adopt policies to increase transparency around instructional materials and supplemental classroom resources.
Sponsor Senator Fillmore described the bill as a consensus measure supported by the School Superintendents Association, the School Boards Association and the PTA, saying it directs boards to adopt clear policies so parents can review materials and teachers understand the boundaries for selecting supplemental items. After debate over implementation details for small districts, the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected another before passing the bill by roll call.
What changed on the floor: Senator Riebe offered Amendment 2 to make parts of the bill permissive rather than mandatory, arguing that prior legislation had created "many, many hours of school boards having to work through a process" and that small districts should be given leeway. Senator Riebe said the amendment "allows them for this process instead of requires." Senator Fillmore opposed that amendment, telling the chamber the change would undercut the consensus agreement: "This amendment guts the bill. Makes it, it would make it totally, irrelevant." Amendment 2 failed; later, Amendment 1 — which would strip language relating to changes made unilaterally by digital curriculum vendors — was adopted and the bill passed as amended (26 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent).
Why it matters: The bill affects how districts set rules for what teachers can select as supplemental materials and how parents can access information on classroom materials. Sponsor remarks and on-floor amendments focused on balancing uniform transparency with administrative burden for smaller districts. The Senate sent the amended SB55 to the House for consideration.
Next steps: After transmittal to the House, the measure will be considered by House committees and may be further amended there. Local school boards will be the implementing entities under the bill as written.
Exact on-floor language quoted above comes from senators' remarks during Feb. 7 floor proceedings.
Sponsor Senator Fillmore described the bill as a consensus measure supported by the School Superintendents Association, the School Boards Association and the PTA, saying it directs boards to adopt clear policies so parents can review materials and teachers understand the boundaries for selecting supplemental items. After debate over implementation details for small districts, the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected another before passing the bill by roll call.
What changed on the floor: Senator Riebe offered Amendment 2 to make parts of the bill permissive rather than mandatory, arguing that prior legislation had created "many, many hours of school boards having to work through a process" and that small districts should be given leeway. Senator Riebe said the amendment "allows them for this process instead of requires." Senator Fillmore opposed that amendment, telling the chamber the change would undercut the consensus agreement: "This amendment guts the bill. Makes it, it would make it totally, irrelevant." Amendment 2 failed; later, Amendment 1 — which would strip language relating to changes made unilaterally by digital curriculum vendors — was adopted and the bill passed as amended (26 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent).
Why it matters: The bill affects how districts set rules for what teachers can select as supplemental materials and how parents can access information on classroom materials. Sponsor remarks and on-floor amendments focused on balancing uniform transparency with administrative burden for smaller districts. The Senate sent the amended SB55 to the House for consideration.
Next steps: After transmittal to the House, the measure will be considered by House committees and may be further amended there. Local school boards will be the implementing entities under the bill as written.
Exact on-floor language quoted above comes from senators' remarks during Feb. 7 floor proceedings.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
