Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 194 — Utah State Board of Education Ethics Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 19, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

841 added · 847 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of Bill HB 194 now includes new requirements for conflict of interest disclosures and ethics training for board members. It also clarifies rules regarding the potential disqualification of commission members who may have a conflict of interest. These changes aim to improve transparency and integrity in state operations, ensuring that those in positions of authority act fairly and avoid situations that could lead to bias or favoritism. Additionally, the timing for electing a commission chair has been updated from annually to biennially, allowing for longer terms of leadership.

→
Previous
Latest
02-10 09:51 H.B.
Enrolled Copy H.B.
53E-3-1301, Utah Code Annotated 1953 H 53E-3-1302, Utah Code Annotated 1953 B 53E-3-1303, Utah Code Annotated 1953 .
53E-3-1301, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1302, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1303, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1304, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1305, Utah Code Annotated 1953 H.B.
53E-3-1304, Utah Code Annotated 1953 9 53E-3-1305, Utah Code Annotated 1953 4 53E-3-1306, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1307, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1308, Utah Code Annotated 1953 H.B.
194 Enrolled Copy 53E-3-1306, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1307, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1308, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1309, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1310, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1311, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1312, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1313, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1314, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1315, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1316, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1317, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1318, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1319, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
194 02-10 09:51 53E-3-1309, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1310, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1311, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1312, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1313, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1314, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1315, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1316, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1317, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1318, Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-3-1319, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
(b) "Board leadership" means the chair and vice chair of the State Board of Education.
- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
194 (b) "Board leadership" means the chair and vice chair of the State Board of Education.
- 2 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
(d) "Commission" means the independent ethics commission established under Section 53E-3-1303.
194 (d) "Commission" means the independent ethics commission established under Section 53E-3-1303.
(e) a board member may not use any nonpublic information obtained by reason of the board member's official position to gain advantage over any business or professional competition for activities with the state and it's political subdivisions;
(e) a board member may not use any nonpublic information obtained by reason of the board member's official position to gain advantage over any business or professional competition for activities with the state and its political subdivisions;
(f) a board member may not engage in any business relationship or activity that would require the disclosure of confidential information obtained because of the board member's official position;
(f) a board member may not engage in any business relationship or activity that would require the disclosure of confidential information obtained because of the board - 3 - H.B.
194 Enrolled Copy member's official position;
- 3 - H.B.
(h) a board member shall disclose any conflict of interest on any matter before the board as provided in Section 53E-3-1309;
194 02-10 09:51 (h) a board member shall disclose any conflict of interest on any matter before the board as provided in Section 53E-3-1309;
(j) a board member may engage in business or professional activities with the state or it's political subdivisions if the activities are entered into under the same conditions and in the same manner applicable to any private citizen or company engaged in similar activities;
(j) a board member may engage in business or professional activities with the state or its political subdivisions if the activities are entered into under the same conditions and in the same manner applicable to any private citizen or company engaged in similar activities;
(a) two members, who have served as judges of a court of record in this state, each of whom the board leadership shall nominate and the board shall appoint by a majority vote;
(a) two members, who have served as judges of a court of record in this state, each of whom the board leadership shall nominate and the board shall appoint by a majority - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(b) two members, who have served as a member of the board no more recently than four years before the date of appointment, each of whom the board leadership shall - 4 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
194 vote;
194 nominate and the board shall appoint by a majority vote;
(b) two members, who have served as a member of the board no more recently than four years before the date of appointment, each of whom the board leadership shall nominate and the board shall appoint by a majority vote;
(g) If a commission member is accused of wrongdoing in a complaint, or if a commission member is found, under Section 53E-3-1304, to have a conflict of interest in relation to a complaint, a temporary commission member shall be appointed to serve in that member's place for the purposes of reviewing that - 5 - H.B.
(g) If a commission member is accused of wrongdoing in a complaint, or if a - 5 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 complaint using the procedures and requirements of Subsection (2).
194 Enrolled Copy commission member is found, under Section 53E-3-1304, to have a conflict of interest in relation to a complaint, a temporary commission member shall be appointed to serve in that member's place for the purposes of reviewing that complaint using the procedures and requirements of Subsection (2).
(ii) Section 63A-3-107;
and (ii) rules made by the Division of Finance according to Sections 63A-3-106.
and (iii) rules made by the Division of Finance according to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
(6)(a) The commission members shall convene a meeting Ĥ→ [annually each] 176a biennially in ←Ĥ January and elect, by a majority vote, a commission chair from among the commission members.
(6)(a) The commission members shall convene a meeting biennially in January and elect, by a majority vote, a commission chair from among the commission members.
(b) A person may not serve as chair for more than two consecutive Ĥ→ [years] 178a terms ←Ĥ .
(b) A person may not serve as chair for more than two consecutive terms.
and - 6 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
and (c) a statement that the motion is filed in good faith, supported by an affidavit or - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
194 (c) a statement that the motion is filed in good faith, supported by an affidavit or declaration under penalty of Title 78B, Chapter 18a, Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act, stating that the motion and all accompanying statements and documents are true and correct to the best of the complainant's or respondent's knowledge.
194 declaration under penalty of Title 78B, Chapter 18a, Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act, stating that the motion and all accompanying statements and documents are true and correct to the best of the complainant's or respondent's knowledge.
- 7 - H.B.
(d) A vote of the commission, under Subsection (7)(c), constitutes a final decision on the - 7 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 (d) A vote of the commission, under Subsection (7)(c), constitutes a final decision on the issue of a conflict of interest.
194 Enrolled Copy issue of a conflict of interest.
and - 8 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
and (ii) the crime of moral turpitude is one of the allegations contained in the complaint.
194 (ii) the crime of moral turpitude is one of the allegations contained in the complaint.
- 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(3) The commission and the board are authorized to review an ethics complaint against a board member if the complaint alleges:
194 (3) The commission and the board are authorized to review an ethics complaint against a board member if the complaint alleges:
(b) If an allegation in the complaint does not comply with the requirements of Subsection (5)(a), the allegation shall be summarily dismissed with prejudice by the chair of the commission when reviewing the complaint under Section 53E-3-1305.
(b) If an allegation in the complaint does not comply with the requirements of Subsection (5)(a), the allegation shall be summarily dismissed with prejudice by the chair of the commission when reviewing the complaint under Section 53E-3-1306.
- 9 - H.B.
(A) the section of the code of conduct alleged to have been violated;
194 02-10 09:51 (A) the section of the code of conduct alleged to have been violated;
or - 9 - H.B.
or (B) the criminal provision violated and the docket number of the case involving the board member;
194 Enrolled Copy (B) the criminal provision violated and the docket number of the case involving the board member;
and - 10 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
and (B) a copy of the applicable provisions of this part;
194 (B) a copy of the applicable provisions of this part;
and - 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
and (ii) notify the board chair and board leadership that:
194 (ii) notify the board chair and board leadership that:
(1) The board member that is the subject of the complaint may file a response to the complaint no later than 30 days after the day on which the board member receives - 11 - H.B.
(1) The board member that is the subject of the complaint may file a response to the complaint no later than 30 days after the day on which the board member receives delivery of the complaint.
194 02-10 09:51 delivery of the complaint.
- 11 - H.B.
(2) The respondent shall file the response with the commission and shall ensure that the response is in writing and contains the following information:
194 Enrolled Copy (2) The respondent shall file the response with the commission and shall ensure that the response is in writing and contains the following information:
Show all 86 changed rows (46 more)
Previous
Latest
- 12 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
Section 8.
194 Section 8.
53E-3-1308 .
- 12 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
194 53E-3-1308 .
- 13 - H.B.
53E-3-1309 .
194 02-10 09:51 53E-3-1309 .
(1) As used in this section, "conflict of interest disclosure" means the same as that term is defined in Section 20A-11-1602.
- 13 - H.B.
194 Enrolled Copy (1) As used in this section, "conflict of interest disclosure" means the same as that term is defined in Section 20A-11-1602.
(i) hearing motions or arguments from the parties, including hearing motions or - 14 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
(i) hearing motions or arguments from the parties, including hearing motions or arguments relating to dismissal of a complaint, admission of evidence, or - 14 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
194 arguments relating to dismissal of a complaint, admission of evidence, or procedures;
194 procedures;
or - 15 - H.B.
or (ii) a majority vote of the commission.
194 02-10 09:51 (ii) a majority vote of the commission.
- 15 - H.B.
(d) When the commission deliberates at the conclusion of presentation of testimony and evidence, the commission shall ensure that those deliberations are closed to all persons except for the members of the commission and commission staff.
194 Enrolled Copy (d) When the commission deliberates at the conclusion of presentation of testimony and evidence, the commission shall ensure that those deliberations are closed to all persons except for the members of the commission and commission staff.
(e) respondent's opening argument, to be presented by the respondent or respondent's - 16 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
(e) respondent's opening argument, to be presented by the respondent or respondent's counsel;
194 counsel;
- 16 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(f) respondent's presentation of evidence and witnesses refuting allegations in the complaint;
194 (f) respondent's presentation of evidence and witnesses refuting allegations in the complaint;
- 17 - H.B.
(f)(i) Before the commission issues its recommendation under Subsection (13), the - 17 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 (f)(i) Before the commission issues its recommendation under Subsection (13), the commission may, upon a majority vote, reconsider and hold a new vote on an allegation.
194 Enrolled Copy commission may, upon a majority vote, reconsider and hold a new vote on an allegation.
and - 18 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
and (H) is signed by each commission member;
194 (H) is signed by each commission member;
- 18 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(iii) prepare a written recommendation to the board for each allegation described in Subsection (13)(b)(ii)(D) that:
194 (iii) prepare a written recommendation to the board for each allegation described in Subsection (13)(b)(ii)(D) that:
and - 19 - H.B.
and (b) the following documents are made publicly available and are provided to the board - 19 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 (b) the following documents are made publicly available and are provided to the board chair and board leadership:
194 Enrolled Copy chair and board leadership:
or - 20 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
or (v) request and subpoena witnesses or evidence.
194 (v) request and subpoena witnesses or evidence.
- 20 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(4)(a) Each witness shall testify under oath.
194 (4)(a) Each witness shall testify under oath.
- 21 - H.B.
(b) Because the purpose of the privilege granted by the Fifth Amendment to the United - 21 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 (b) Because the purpose of the privilege granted by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution is not to incriminate oneself is to prevent prosecution for criminal action, it is improper for a witness to invoke this privilege if the witness cannot be prosecuted for the crime to which the witness's testimony relates.
194 Enrolled Copy States Constitution is not to incriminate oneself is to prevent prosecution for criminal action, it is improper for a witness to invoke this privilege if the witness cannot be prosecuted for the crime to which the witness's testimony relates.
- 22 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
(2) The scope of the board's review is limited to the alleged violations found to have been - 22 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
194 (2) The scope of the board's review is limited to the alleged violations found to have been proven by the commission, as pled in the edited complaint and the edited response provided by the commission.
194 proven by the commission, as pled in the edited complaint and the edited response provided by the commission.
- 23 - H.B.
(7) In addition to the recording required in Subsection (6), the board chair shall ensure that - 23 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 (7) In addition to the recording required in Subsection (6), the board chair shall ensure that a record of each meeting is made, which shall include:
194 Enrolled Copy a record of each meeting is made, which shall include:
or - 24 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
or (b) not proven.
194 (b) not proven.
- 24 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(11)(a) Votes shall be taken by verbal roll call and each member's vote shall be recorded.
194 (11)(a) Votes shall be taken by verbal roll call and each member's vote shall be recorded.
(15) If the board votes in accordance with Subsection (14)(e) to recommend impeachment - 25 - H.B.
(15) If the board votes in accordance with Subsection (14)(e) to recommend impeachment proceedings, the board shall:
194 02-10 09:51 proceedings, the board shall:
- 25 - H.B.
(a) prepare a formal written recommendation to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate that includes:
194 Enrolled Copy (a) prepare a formal written recommendation to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate that includes:
- 26 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
(i) may, but is not required to, retain legal representation during the complaint review - 26 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
194 (i) may, but is not required to, retain legal representation during the complaint review process;
194 process;
- 27 - H.B.
(1) As used in this section, "final decision or order" means a decision or order that - 27 - H.B.
194 02-10 09:51 (1) As used in this section, "final decision or order" means a decision or order that determines the rights of the parties and concerns which appellate remedies have been exhausted or that the time for appeal has expired.
194 Enrolled Copy determines the rights of the parties and concerns which appellate remedies have been exhausted or that the time for appeal has expired.
(a) the Legislature shall maintain appropriate confidentiality for materials classified as - 28 - 02-10 09:51 H.B.
(a) the Legislature shall maintain appropriate confidentiality for materials classified as private records under Section 63G-2-302;
194 private records under Section 63G-2-302;
and - 28 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
and (b) the respondent's due process rights are protected.
194 (b) the respondent's due process rights are protected.
(5) This section does not limit the Legislature's constitutional authority to establish it's own procedures for impeachment proceedings.
(5) This section does not limit the Legislature's constitutional authority to establish its own procedures for impeachment proceedings.
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (6)

Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. House/ to Governor

  3. House/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. House/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from House for Enrolling

  8. House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

  9. House/ received from Senate

  10. Senate/ to House

  11. Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

  12. Senate/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. House/ concurs with Senate amendment

  15. House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. House/ received from Senate

  17. Senate/ to House with amendments

  18. Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  19. Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  20. Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar

  21. Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  22. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0194

  23. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0194

  24. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  25. Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Education Committee]

  26. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]

  27. Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]

  28. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]

  29. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  30. Senate/ received from House

  31. House/ to Senate

  32. House/ passed 3rd reading

  33. House/ 3rd reading

  34. House/ 2nd reading

  35. House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Education Committee]

  36. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Education Committee]

  37. House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Education Committee]

  38. House/ to standing committee [House Education Committee]

  39. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  40. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  41. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0194

  42. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0194

  43. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  44. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0194

  45. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0194

  46. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  47. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 102 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 194?
HB 194 is sponsored by John D. Johnson (Republican) and Sahara Hayes (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 194?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 08, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 194?
Track HB 194 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 194

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 194

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →