UtahUtah marks 250 years with school lessons and community events
Utah marks the Declaration's 250th anniversary by naming Independence Week and calling on schools and colleges to hold related lessons and events in 2026.
What it does
Utah declares the first week of July 2026 Independence Week, marking the close of the state's America250 celebration season.
Utah colleges and universities are directed to include the anniversary in 2026 lessons and events, such as instruction, programs, or scholarly work about the nation's founding principles.
Local school districts and charter schools are directed to teach students about the Declaration, the Constitution, and the signers' lives and importance, starting with the 2026–27 school year.
The resolution supports state anniversary programs and encourages counties and cities to organize local celebrations. Examples include civics resources, a traveling history exhibit, and community service.
Argument forStudents may learn about the Declaration, the Constitution, and the nation's founding principles through anniversary lessons and events.
Argument againstSchools and colleges could need to make room for anniversary lessons and events during the 2026 calendar year.
More detail
The resolution declares the first week of July 2026 Independence Week. The declaration covers the first week of July 2026. Independence Week is the first week of July 2026.
The resolution directs higher education institutions to include the anniversary in curriculum and events. The direction applies to Utah higher education institutions and covers curriculum and events related to the nation's founding principles. The direction applies during the 2026 calendar year.
The resolution directs local school districts and charter schools to teach students about founding documents and history. The direction applies to local school districts and charter schools and covers the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the signers' lives and historical importance. The direction applies when the 2026–27 school year begins and in conjunction with Constitution Week in September 2026.
The resolution supports state anniversary programs and encourages local celebrations. The resolution supports programs overseen by the America250 Commission and the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, and encourages counties and cities to join as Utah250 Communities. The supported programs and encouraged community events are part of the America250 celebration season, which culminates in July 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 5House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 5Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 5Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 5Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 4House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 4Senate/ to House
- Mar 4Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 4Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 4Senate/ uncircled
- Mar 4Senate/ circled
- Mar 4Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 27Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 27Senate/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 25Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 23House/ to Senate
- Feb 23House/ passed 3rd readingPassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 23House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 20House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 20House/ committee report favorable [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Feb 19House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Feb 18House Comm - Not Considered [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
- Feb 12House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Feb 9House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 6LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HCR012
- Feb 6LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HCR012
- Feb 6House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 6House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 6LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HCR012
- Feb 6LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HCR012
- Feb 6Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 6Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Education