Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

SB 186 — Charter School Modifications

Last action — Governor Signed

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 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

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

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

190 added · 253 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of SB 186 includes several key changes. It clarifies that charter schools are considered public schools and sets a requirement for a study group to look into their administrative costs and funding options, with a report due to the Legislature by December 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill now allocates $3.6 million in funding for the next fiscal year instead of the previously proposed $15.995 million. These changes are important because they help define the status and funding structures of charter schools, aiming to improve their administration and financial transparency.

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SB0186S02 compared with SB0186 {Omitted text} shows text that was in SB0186 but was omitted in SB0186S02 inserted text shows text that was not in SB0186 but was inserted into SB0186S02 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy S.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
186 Charter School Modifications GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Sometimes this automated comparison will NOT be completely accurate.
Heidi Balderree House Sponsor:
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
Candice B.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
limitations of the compare program;
bad input data;
or other causes.
Charter School {Base Funding Amendments} Modifications GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Heidi Balderree House Sponsor:Candice B.
▸ directs the State Board of Education to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2026;and S ▸ {creates charter school educational service agencies to provide economies of scale for charter schools;
▸ directs the State Board of Education to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2026;
} 1 ▸ 8 SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 {allows charter schools to form a service agency through a memorandum of understanding;
and ▸ makes technical changes.
and} ▸ makes technical changes.
▸ This bill appropriates {$15,995,000} $3,600,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, all of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill.
This bill appropriates $3,600,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, all of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill.
53F-2-706 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 53F-9-203 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 507 53G-5-104 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 63 53G-5-401 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 63 ENACTS:
53F-2-706 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 467 53F-9-203 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, S.B.
53F-9-203.1 (Effective upon governor's approval), Utah Code Annotated 1953 53G-5-406.5 (Effective upon governor's approval), Utah Code Annotated 1953 {53G-5-415 (Effective upon governor's approval), Utah Code Annotated 1953} Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
186 Enrolled Copy Chapter 507 53G-5-104 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 63 53G-5-401 (Effective upon governor's approval), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 63 ENACTS:
53F-9-203.1 (Effective upon governor's approval), Utah Code Annotated 1953 53G-5-406.5 (Effective upon governor's approval), Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
53F-2-706.
53F-2-706 (Effective upon governor's approval).
- 2 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (2) A charter school's eligibility for small charter school base funding is determined by the charter school's student enrollment on October 1 of a given year.
(2) A charter school's eligibility for small charter school base funding is determined by the charter school's student enrollment on October 1 of a given year.
(3) Notwithstanding this section and subject to legislative appropriations, including intent language for the applicable fiscal year, the state board may distribute to charter schools, regardless of size, one- time funding that the Legislature appropriates[ to mitigate funding losses as described in legislative appropriations].
(3) Notwithstanding this section and subject to legislative appropriations, including intent language for the applicable fiscal year, the state board may distribute to charter schools, regardless of size, one-time funding that the Legislature appropriates[ to mitigate funding losses as described in legislative appropriations].
(4) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall coordinate and facilitate a comprehensive study of administrative and base funding costs for charter schools.
(4)(a) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall coordinate and facilitate a comprehensive study of administrative and base funding costs for charter schools.
{(i) {one member of the Senate whom the president of the Senate appoints;} } {(ii) {one member of the House of Representatives whom the speaker of the House of Representatives appoints;} } (iii){(i)} a charter school business administrator from a small charter school whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(i) a charter school business administrator from a small charter school whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(iv){(ii)} a charter school director from a large charter school whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(ii) a charter school director from a large charter school whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(v){(iii)} a school district business administrator whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(iii) a school district business administrator whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(vi){(iv)} the director of each charter school association that has a member charter school operating in the state, or the director's designee;
(iv) the director of each charter school association that has a member charter school operating in the state, or the director's designee;
(vii){(v)} a member of the Utah State Charter School Board whom the chair of the state board appoints;
- 2 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
(viii){(vi)} a member of the state board whom the chair of the state board appoints;
186 (v) a member of the Utah State Charter School Board whom the chair of the state board appoints;
(ix){(vii)} relevant staff from the state board whom the chair of the state board appoints;and {(x) {a representative from the Legislative Fiscal Analyst Office whom the director of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst Office appoints;
(vi) a member of the state board whom the chair of the state board appoints;
and} } (xi){(viii)} a representative from the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget whom the director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget appoints.
(vii) relevant staff from the state board whom the chair of the state board appoints;
and (viii) a representative from the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget whom the director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget appoints.
- 3 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (5) The study group described in Subsection (4)(b) shall:
(5) The study group described in Subsection (4)(b) shall:
(7) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board may contract with a qualified third party, including institutions of higher education or research organizations, to conduct part of the study described in this section.
(7) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board may contract with a qualified third - 3 - S.B.
186 Enrolled Copy party, including institutions of higher education or research organizations, to conduct part of the study described in this section.
53F-9-203.
53F-9-203 (Effective upon governor's approval).
(1) (a) The terms defined in Section 53G-5-102 apply to this section.
(1)(a) The terms defined in Section 53G-5-102 apply to this section.
(2) - 4 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (a) There is created within the Uniform School Fund a restricted account known as the "Charter School Revolving Account" to provide assistance to charter schools to:
(2)(a) There is created within the Uniform School Fund a restricted account known as the "Charter School Revolving Account" to provide assistance to charter schools to:
(9) The state board may not approve loans to charter schools under this section that exceed a total of $2,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(9) The state board may not approve loans to charter schools under this section that exceed - 4 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
(10) (a) On March 16, 2011, the assets of the Charter School Building Subaccount administered by the state board shall be deposited into the Charter School Revolving Account.
186 a total of $2,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(10)(a) On March 16, 2011, the assets of the Charter School Building Subaccount administered by the state board shall be deposited into the Charter School Revolving Account.
(11) - 5 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (a) On July 1, 2026, the state board shall transfer into the Charter School Revolving Fund created in Section 53F-9-203.1 the assets, unused money, and obligations of the Charter School Revolving Account administered under this section.
(11)(a) On July 1, 2026, the state board shall transfer into the Charter School Revolving Fund created in Section 53F-9-203.1 the assets, unused money, and obligations of the Charter School Revolving Account administered under this section.
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Section 3 is enacted to read:
Section 53F-9-203.1 is enacted to read:
53F-9-203.1.
53F-9-203.1 (Effective upon governor's approval).
(2) (a) There is created within the Uniform School Fund a restricted account known as the Charter School Revolving Fund to provide assistance to charter schools to:
(2)(a) There is created within the Uniform School Fund a restricted account known as the Charter School Revolving Fund to provide assistance to charter schools to:
(4) The Utah Charter Finance Authority shall make loans to charter schools from the fund for a loan of:
- 5 - S.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (4) The Utah Charter Finance Authority shall make loans to charter schools from the fund for a loan of:
- 6 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (a) review requests by charter schools for loans under this section;
(a) review requests by charter schools for loans under this section;
(9) (a) On July 1, 2026, the state board shall transfer into the fund the assets, unused money, and obligations of the Charter School Revolving Account administered under Section 53F-9-203.
(9)(a) On July 1, 2026, the state board shall transfer into the fund the assets, unused money, and obligations of the Charter School Revolving Account administered under Section 53F-9-203.
53G-5-104.
53G-5-104 (Effective upon governor's approval).
[(4)] (d) increasing choice of learning opportunities for students;
- 6 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
186 [(4)] (d) increasing choice of learning opportunities for students;
- 7 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 [(7)] (g) expanding public school choice in areas where there is a lack of school choice or where schools have been identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring;
[(7)] (g) expanding public school choice in areas where there is a lack of school choice or where schools have been identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring;
53G-5-401.
53G-5-401 (Effective upon governor's approval).
Section 6 is enacted to read:
Section 53G-5-406.5 is enacted to read:
53G-5-406.5.
53G-5-406.5 (Effective upon governor's approval).
(1) Before entering upon the duties of office, each charter school governing board member shall take and subscribe to the following oath:
- 7 - S.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (1) Before entering upon the duties of office, each charter school governing board member shall take and subscribe to the following oath:
- 8 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (b) for a newly authorized charter school, a representative of the charter school's authorizer;
(b) for a newly authorized charter school, a representative of the charter school's authorizer;
Section 2.
Section 2 is enacted to read:
53G-5-415.
Charter school educational service agencies.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Charter school educational service agency" means an entity formed by two or more charter schools under a memorandum of understanding with the authority and duties described in this section.
(b) "Member charter school" means a charter school that enters into a memorandum of understanding to form or participate in a charter school educational service agency.
(2) The Legislature strongly encourages charter schools to collaborate and cooperate to provide educational services in a manner that uses resources efficiently for the overall operation of the charter school system.
(3) A charter school educational service agency formed by a memorandum of understanding:
(a) may apply directly for any grant or program in which an LEA may participate if the agency has the written consent of a majority of member charter schools that the agency serves;
(b) may receive a service from or partner with any department, division, or agency of the state, including coverage by the Division of Risk Management;
(c) may recommend an educator for licensing;
(d) may provide a service for a student as agreed upon in the memorandum of understanding approved by the charter school educational service agency's governing body;
(e) may access as necessary an LEA system that the state board provides;
and (f) does not have authority over a member charter school that the agency serves.
(4) A charter school educational service agency may elect to participate as an employer for a retirement program under:
(a) Title 49, Chapter 12, Public Employees' Contributory Retirement Act;
(b) Title 49, Chapter 13, Public Employees' Noncontributory Retirement Act;
and - 9 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (c) Title 49, Chapter 22, New Public Employees' Tier II Contributory Retirement Act.
(5) (a) A memorandum of understanding that forms a charter school educational service agency shall:
(i) identify each member charter school;
(ii) describe the purpose and scope of the charter school educational service agency;
(iii) establish a governing structure for the charter school educational service agency, including fees and appropriate costs for services to be provided by the agency;
(iv) specify the terms of the memorandum of understanding;
and (v) describe the process by which a member charter school may withdraw from the charter school educational service agency.
(b) A member charter school may withdraw from a charter school educational service agency in accordance with the memorandum of understanding.
(6) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall distribute funding to a charter school educational service agency as provided by the Legislature.
(b) The state board may provide funding to a charter school educational service agency in addition to a legislative appropriation.
(7) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make a rule regarding charter school educational service agencies similar to the rules for the Regional Education Service Agencies, including:
(a) the authority, scope, and duty of a charter school educational service agency;
(b) the distribution of a legislative appropriation to a charter school educational service agency;
and (c) the designation of a charter school educational service agency as an agent to distribute a service.
(8) The state board shall annually:
(a) review the funding the Legislature appropriates to support a charter school educational service agency;
and (b) recommend an adjustment as part of the state board's annual budget request.
- 10 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 Subsection 7(a).
Subsection 7(a).
ITEM 1 To State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs From Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account,{14n4-i,000} 3,100,000 Schedule of Programs:
ITEM 1 To State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs From Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, One-time 3,100,000 Schedule of Programs:
Charter School Funding Base Program {14,495,000} 3,100,000 (1) The Legislature intends the state board to provide additional base funding to charter schools above the amounts directed in Section 53F-2-706 using a formula approved by the state board that distributes no more than $220,000 in total base funding to any charter school with amounts decreasing proportionately for each additional student.
Charter School Funding Base Program 3,100,000 (1) The Legislature intends the state board to provide additional base funding to charter schools above the amounts directed in Section 53F-2-706 using a formula approved by the state board that distributes no more than $220,000 in total base funding to any charter - 8 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
186 school with amounts decreasing proportionately for each additional student.
ITEM 2 To State Board of Education - Regional Education Service Agencies From Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, On{1-5m0,000} 500,000 Schedule of Programs:
TEM 2 To State Board of Education - Regional Education Service Agencies From Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account, One-time 500,000 Schedule of Programs:
Charter School Educational Service Agency {1,500,000} 500,000 Section 8.
Charter School Educational Service Agency 500,000 Section 8.
Effective date.
- 11 - SB0186 compared with SB0186S02 (1) except as provided in Subsection (2), May 6, 2026;
(1) except as provided in Subsection (2), May 6, 2026;
3-4-26 1:55 PM - 12 -
- 9 -
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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. Senate/ to Governor

  3. Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling

  8. Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

  9. Senate/ received from House

  10. House/ to Senate

  11. House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

  12. House/ received from Senate

  13. Senate/ to House

  14. Senate/ concurs with House amendment

  15. Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. Senate/ received from House

  17. House/ to Senate

  18. House/ passed 3rd reading

  19. House/ substituted

  20. House/ 3rd reading

  21. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0186S02

  22. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0186S02

  23. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0186S02

  24. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0186S02

  25. House/ 2nd reading

  26. House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar

  27. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0186S01

  28. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0186S01

  29. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0186S01

  30. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0186S01

  31. House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]

  32. House/ committee report favorable [House Education Committee]

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

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

  35. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  36. House/ received from Senate

  37. Senate/ to House

  38. Senate/ passed 3rd reading

  39. Senate/ 3rd reading

  40. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  41. Senate/ 2nd reading

  42. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  43. Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Education Committee]

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

  45. Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  46. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0186

  47. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0186

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

  49. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  50. Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research

  51. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0186

  52. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0186

  53. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  54. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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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.

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"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.

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Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 186?
SB 186 is sponsored by Candice B. Pierucci (Republican) and Heidi Balderree (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 186?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 186?
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