HJR 8

Enrolled Copy  H.J.R. 8
1House Resolution Regarding LEA Reporting Requirements
  (converted from a joint resolution per JR4-5-104)
  2026 GENERAL SESSION
  STATE OF UTAH
  Chief Sponsor: Doug Welton
2
3   LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This resolution addresses the need for comprehensive fiscal impact analysis of legislation
6  on local education agencies.
7  Highlighted Provisions:
8      This resolution:
9      ▸ acknowledges the importance of understanding fiscal impacts of legislation on local
10  education agencies;
11      ▸ recognizes the partnership between the House of Representatives of the state of Utah,
12  State Board of Education (state board), and local education stakeholders;
13      ▸ supports the development of systematic processes for collecting and analyzing local
14  education agency fiscal impact data;
15      ▸ calls on the state board to collaborate with local education agencies and stakeholders to
16  provide real-time fiscal impact information to the House of Representatives of the state
17  of Utah; and
18      ▸ requests specific recommendations for implementing local education agency fiscal impact
19  analysis systems.
20  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21      None
22  Other Special Clauses:
23      None
24
25  Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
26      WHEREAS, the state's commitment to educational excellence depends on thoughtful
 H.J.R. 8  Enrolled Copy
27   policy-making that considers the full impact of legislation on all levels of the education system;
28WHEREAS, local education agencies serve as the primary implementers of state education
29   policy and are directly affected by legislative decisions;
30WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the state of Utah values partnerships with
31   education stakeholders, including the state board, local school boards, charter governing
32   boards, superintendents, business administrators, charter directors, and education associations
33   in creating effective education policy;
34WHEREAS, legislation affecting education often has varying fiscal impacts across different
35   local education agencies based on factors such as enrollment size, geographic location, student
36   demographics, and existing infrastructure;
37WHEREAS, current fiscal note processes primarily focus on state-level fiscal impacts and
38   may not fully capture the diverse effects of legislation on individual local education agencies;
39WHEREAS, local education agency business administrators and financial officers possess
40   specialized knowledge about operational costs, funding mechanisms, and implementation
41   challenges that is essential for comprehensive fiscal analysis;
42WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the state of Utah recognizes that informed
43   decision-making requires understanding both state-level and local-level fiscal implications of
44   proposed legislation;
45WHEREAS, timely access to local education agency fiscal impact information during the
46   legislative session would enhance the Legislature's ability to make well-informed policy
47   decisions;
48WHEREAS, collaborative processes between state and local education entities strengthen
49   the education system and ensure effective use of public resources;
50WHEREAS, transparency in fiscal impact analysis supports public accountability and
51   builds trust between state government and local communities;
52WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the state of Utah recognizes that multiple
53   mechanisms could enhance local education agency fiscal impact analysis, including the state
54   board utilizing the local impact section of fiscal note submissions to provide timely local
55   education agency fiscal impact assessments;
56WHEREAS, establishing a rotating committee of local education agency business
57   administrators to review proposed legislation during the legislative session could provide
58   valuable fiscal impact feedback from practitioners with direct implementation experience;
59WHEREAS, the state board could create an accessible online tracking system or document
60   that would provide real-time local education agency fiscal impact information for legislators,
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 Enrolled Copy  H.J.R. 8
61  stakeholders, and the public;
62      WHEREAS, developing standardized templates and methodologies for local education
63  agency fiscal impact analysis would ensure consistency and accuracy across different local
64  education agencies;
65      WHEREAS, establishing rapid response protocols for high-priority legislation could help
66  identify significant impacts on local education agencies before final legislative action;
67      WHEREAS, creating feedback mechanisms that allow local education agencies to report
68  actual versus projected fiscal impacts of enacted legislation would improve future impact
69  analysis accuracy;
70      WHEREAS, the state board has established relationships with key stakeholder
71  organizations, including the Joint Leadership Council, the Utah School Boards Association,
72  the Utah Association of School Business Officials, the Utah School Superintendents
73  Association, and charter school associations;
74      WHEREAS, local education agencies employ subject matter experts in education finance,
75  including business administrators, financial officers, and budget analysts, who possess
76  essential knowledge for accurate fiscal impact assessments;
77      WHEREAS, training and resources would help local education agencies participate
78  effectively in fiscal impact analysis processes and standardize assessment methodologies
79  across districts and charter schools;
80      WHEREAS, regular updates to legislative committees on implementation and effectiveness
81  would ensure accountability and continuous improvement of local education agency fiscal
82  impact analysis systems; and
83      WHEREAS, effective fiscal impact analysis requires ongoing collaboration and
84  communication between state and local education entities supported by appropriate legislative
85  processes and resources:
86      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the state of
87  Utah supports the development of comprehensive systems or processes to analyze and
88  communicate the fiscal impacts of legislation on local education agencies.
89      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the state of Utah
90  supports the state board in working collaboratively with local education agencies and
91  stakeholder organizations to establish processes for providing local education agency-level
92  fiscal impact information during legislative sessions.
93      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the state of Utah calls
94  on the state board to develop and implement mechanisms for gathering and disseminating local
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 H.J.R. 8  Enrolled Copy
95   education agency fiscal impact information as outlined in the whereas clauses of this
96   resolution.
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