Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah SB295: Intellectual Diversity in Education and Government
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
This bill amends and enacts provisions regarding intellectual diversity within the public and higher education systems and state government.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
0 Intellectual Diversity in Education and Government 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: John D. Johnson House Sponsor: Katy Hall LONG TITLE General Description: This bill amends and enacts provisions regarding intellectual diversity within the public and higher education systems and state government. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines terms; - amends provisions regarding prohibited discriminatory practices, submissions, and training within the public and higher education systems and state government, including reporting requirements; - amends provisions regarding curricular and noncurricular clubs within the public education system, including ensuring objective and uniform treatment of noncurricular clubs; - provides that existing prohibitions on a discriminatory practice does not restrict a presentation or instruction by a guest lecturer in an academic course or a speaker who speaks at an institution of higher education by invitation; - requires each institution of higher education to: - organize certain events on public policy issues, including debates and representation of differing perspectives; and - provide public accessibility and transparency through event calendars; and - makes technical and conforming changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: This bill provides a special effective date. Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 53E-1-201 Effective 07/01/26 Partially Repealed 07/01/27 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 9 53E-3-1101 Effective 07/01/26 , as …
Sponsors
- Johnson, John D. (R, 3) · primary sponsor
- Hall, Katy (R, 11)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : Senate/ to Governor
- : Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
- : Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
- : Senate/ received from House
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
Votes
- Senate/ concurs with House amendment (March 6, 2026): 27 yea, 2 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (March 6, 2026): 48 yea, 23 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (March 6, 2026): 48 yea, 16 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (March 3, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 3, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 27, 2026): 22 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Education, On-campus Speech, Higher Education Students, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Colleges and Universities, Utah Board of Higher Education
Common questions
- What is SB295?
- SB295 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Intellectual Diversity in Education and Government.
- What does SB295 do?
- This bill amends and enacts provisions regarding intellectual diversity within the public and higher education systems and state government.
- What is the status of SB295?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB295?
- Johnson, John D. (R, 3), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB295?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0295.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.