Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB219: Higher Education Civics Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 19, 2026
This bill amends provisions related to general education writing requirements.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:
2 Higher Education Civics Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Melissa G. Ballard Senate Sponsor: Lincoln Fillmore LONG TITLE General Description: This bill amends provisions related to general education writing requirements. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - allows institutions of higher education to voluntarily adopt certain writing requirements; - directs the Utah Board of Higher Education to establish minimum requirements for using primary source documents in writing courses; and - makes technical and conforming changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: ENACTS: 53H-3-610 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 53H-3-610 is enacted to read: 53H-3-610 . Incorporation of seminal documents in writing courses. (1) As used in this section: (a) "Founding documents" means primary source documents that are foundational to the establishment and development of the United States of America, including: (i) the Declaration of Independence; (ii) the United States Constitution; (iii) the Federalist Papers; (iv) the Bill of Rights; and (v) other documents identified by the board as foundational to American constitutional history. (b) "Presidential speeches" means speeches, addresses, or written messages by presidents of the United States that address matters of national significance or articulate principles of governance. (c) "Seminal documents" means primary source documents …
Sponsors
- Ballard, Melissa G. (R, 20) · primary sponsor
- Fillmore, Lincoln (R, 17)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : House/ to Governor
- : House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from House for Enrolling
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
Votes
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 6, 2026): 17 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 2, 2026): 4 yea, 2 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 23, 2026): 38 yea, 31 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 12, 2026): 12 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Education, Competency in Education, Higher Education Students, Higher Education, Colleges and Universities, Utah Board of Higher Education
Common questions
- What is HB219?
- HB219 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Higher Education Civics Amendments.
- What does HB219 do?
- This bill amends provisions related to general education writing requirements.
- What is the status of HB219?
- Signed into law as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB219?
- Ballard, Melissa G. (R, 20), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB219?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0219.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.