UtahRural school districts would seek grants for bus internet
If enacted, rural school districts could apply for state grants to install and operate internet systems on school buses, subject to funding and three-year service duties.
What it does
Rural school districts would be able to apply for grants to put internet on school buses, subject to legislative funding and long-term operating requirements.
The measure would provide $325,000 for the school-bus internet grants in fiscal year 2027, beginning July 1, 2026.
Argument forInternet on buses could give students in rural districts more time to complete schoolwork while traveling, if districts receive funding and maintain the service.
Argument againstDistricts may face ongoing service and maintenance costs after grant money runs out, and they could have to repay funds if they end service too early.
More detail
The State Board of Education would distribute grants to rural school districts for internet systems on school buses. Eligible districts would operate a public school in a fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-class county, or have fewer than 3,000 students. Grants would depend on legislative appropriations and a district application that follows state board rules. Recipients would use the money for bus equipment and internet service, follow school internet safety and filtering rules, and report as required. Districts would be responsible for service costs after the grant-funded service period and could have to repay some or all of the grant if they stop service during the required period. A recipient would have to maintain the systems and services for at least three years after receiving a grant.
The state would set aside $325,000 for the State Board of Education’s grants and contracted initiatives. The money would come from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account and support the described school-bus internet grants. The grant program would remain subject to legislative appropriations. The appropriation would cover fiscal year 2027, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The bill would take effect July 1, 2026, and the appropriation would apply to fiscal year 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox VetoedLatest
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 7House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 7Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 5House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 5House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 4Senate/ to House
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 4Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 4Senate/ uncircled
- Mar 4Senate/ circled
- Mar 4Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 3Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 3Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Education Committee]Minor
- Mar 3Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 25Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 24Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24House/ to Senate
- Feb 24House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 24House/ floor amendment
- Feb 24House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 19House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 19House/ committee report favorable [House Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 19House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 17House Comm - Not Considered [House Education Committee]
- Feb 13House/ to standing committee [House Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 4House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 4LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0462
- Feb 4LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0462
- Feb 3House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 3House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0462
- Feb 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0462
- Feb 2Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 2Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
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