Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0260 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
	1	+	03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
	2	+	Val L. Peterson proposes the following substitute bill:
2	3		1
3	4		First Credential Program
4	5		2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	6		STATE OF UTAH
6	7		Chief Sponsor: Val L. Peterson
7	8		Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner
8	9		2
9	10
10	11		3
11	12		LONG TITLE
12	13		4
13	14		General Description:
14	15		5
15	16		This bill replaces the PRIME program to create the First Credential program.
16	17		6
17	18		Highlighted Provisions:
18	19		7
19	20		This bill:
20	21		8
21	22		▸ requires designated pathway development positions to perform certain duties;
22	23		9
23	24		▸ repeals the PRIME program;
24	25		10
25	26		▸ establishes a first credential program;
26	27		11
27	28		▸ requires development of a master plan for scaling credentialing programs;
28	29		12
29	30		▸ establishes a master credential list of approved industry-recognized credentials;
30	31		13
31	32		▸ ensures credits are transferable to higher education institutions and technical colleges;
32	33		14
33	34		▸ provides a scholarship for students who complete the first credential program;
34	35		15
35	36		▸ requires annual review and updates based on labor market needs;
36	37		16
37	38		▸ provides a grant for implementation and incentives for outcomes;
38	39		17
39	40		▸ mandates partnerships between schools, employers, and apprenticeship programs;
40	41		18
41	42		▸ promotes stackable credentials that lead to career advancement;
42	43		19
43	44		▸ coordinates language with other legislation contingent upon passage;
44	45		20
45	46		▸ defines terms; and
46	47		21
47	48		▸ makes technical changes.
48	49		22
49	50		Money Appropriated in this Bill:
50	51		23
51	52		This bill appropriates $3,000,000 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026,
52	53		24
53	54		including:
54	55		25
55	56		▸ $1,000,000 from Income Tax Fund; and
56	57		26
57	58		▸ $2,000,000 from various sources as detailed in this bill.
58	59		27
59		-	Other Special Clauses: ~~H.B. 260 Enrolled Copy~~
	60	+	Other Special Clauses:
60	61		28
61	62		This bill provides a special effective date.
	63	+	2nd Sub. H.B. 260 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260 03-05 16:43
62	64		29
63	65		This bill provides coordination clauses.
64	66		30
65	67		Utah Code Sections Affected:
66	68		31
67	69		AMENDS:
68	70		32
69	71		53B-10-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 453
70	72		33
71	73		ENACTS:
72	74		34
73	75		53E-10-310, Utah Code Annotated 1953
74	76		35
75	77		REPEALS:
76	78		36
77	79		53E-10-309, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 29
78	80		37
79	81		Utah Code Sections affected by Coordination Clause:
80	82		38
81	83		53E-10-310, Utah Code Annotated 1953
82	84		39
83	85
84	86		40
85	87		Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
86	88		41
87	89		Section 1. Section 53B-10-106 is amended to read:
88	90		42
89	91		53B-10-106 . Pathways development.
90	92		43
91	93		(1) The board shall develop and implement a plan that creates clear educational pathways:
92	94		44
93	95		(a) from a technical college described in Subsection 53B-1-102(1)(b) to a
94	96		45
95	97		degree-granting institution;
96	98		46
97	99		(b) in course work leading to a qualifying job or a qualifying degree as described in
98	100		47
99	101		Section 53B-10-203; and
100	102		48
101	103		(c) for high schools that offer criminal justice or protective services pathways programs,
102	104		49
103	105		including information on:
104	106		50
105	107		(i) available concurrent enrollment classes in subjects described in Section
106	108		51
107	109		53B-8-112.5; and
108	110		52
109	111		(ii) scholarship opportunities for careers as peace officers as defined in Section
110	112		53
111	113		53B-8c-102.
112	114		54
113	115		(2) The plan shall maximize efficiencies in transferring earned credit and help align
114	116		55
115	117		academic programs with workforce needs.
116	118		56
117	119		(3) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
118	120		57
119	121		board may make rules necessary to establish:
120	122		58
121	123		(a) a plan described in this section[.] ; and
122	124		59
123	125		(b) the job requirements related to regional pathway coordinators funded by the
124	126		60
125	127		Legislature related to this section and as described in Subsection (4).
126	128		61
127	129		(4) Under the direction of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, regional
128		-	- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
129	130		62
130	131		pathway coordinators shall:
	132	+	- 2 - 03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
131	133		63
132	134		(a) collaborate with regional secondary and postsecondary professionals in:
133	135		64
134	136		(i) concurrent enrollment;
135	137		65
136	138		(ii) career and technical education; and
137	139		66
138	140		(iii) workforce development;
139	141		67
140	142		(b) coordinate regional responsibilities with the professionals described in Subsection
141	143		68
142	144		(4)(a) for programming that aligns work between:
143	145		69
144	146		(i) the statewide college and career mapping efforts;
145	147		70
146	148		(ii) the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310; and
147	149		71
148	150		(iii) related pathway initiatives, including those described in this section;
149	151		72
150	152		(c) support implementation of:
151	153		73
152	154		(i) the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310; and
153	155		74
154	156		(ii) future programming aligned with updates related to and within the Utah First
155	157		75
156	158		Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310;
157	159		76
158	160		(d) as the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education requests, contribute to the
159	161		77
160	162		development of:
161	163		78
162	164		(i) the Utah First Credential Master Plan described in Section 53E-10-310;
163	165		79
164	166		(ii) the master credential list described in Section 53E-10-310; and
165	167		80
166	168		(iii) related Utah First Credential program elements described in Section 53E-10-310,
167	169		81
168	170		including:
169	171		82
170	172		(A) alignment of the first credential framework with college and career mapping;
171	173		83
172	174		(B) regional needs assessments;
173	175		84
174	176		(C) landscape analyses;
175	177		85
176	178		(D) definitions and assessment tools; and
177	179		86
178	180		(E) statewide reporting frameworks; and
179	181		87
180	182		(e) provide required reporting on institutional and regional outcomes related to key
181	183		88
182	184		performance indicators the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
183	185		89
184	186		establishes.
185	187		90
186	188		The following section is affected by a coordination clause at the end of this bill.
187	189		91
188	190		Section 2. Section 53E-10-310 is enacted to read:
189	191		92
190	192		53E-10-310 . Utah First Credential program.
191	193		93
192	194		(1) As used in this section:
193	195		94
194	196		(a) "Eligible institution" means a degree-granting institution of higher education or a
195	197		95
196	198		technical college within the state system of higher education, as identified in
197		-	- 3 - H.B. 260 Enrolled Copy
198	199		96
199	200		Subsection 53B-2-101(1).
	201	+	- 3 - 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260 03-05 16:43
200	202		97
201	203		(b) "First credential" means a certificate awarded by the state board to an eligible student
202	204		98
203	205		who meets the criteria described in Subsection (7).
204	206		99
205	207		(c) "Industry-recognized credential" means a credential that is:
206	208		100
207	209		(i) developed and offered by, or endorsed by, a nationally recognized industry
208	210		101
209	211		association or organization representing a sizable portion of the industry sector;
210	212		102
211	213		(ii) sought or accepted by employers within the industry or sector as a recognized,
212	214		103
213	215		preferred, or required credential for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention, or
214	216		104
215	217		advancement purposes; and
216	218		105
217	219		(iii) regularly reviewed, updated, and validated by the issuing body to ensure ongoing
218	220		106
219	221		alignment with industry standards and labor market needs.
220	222		107
221	223		(d) "Master credential list" means the list of approved industry-recognized credentials
222	224		108
223	225		maintained by the state board in accordance with this section.
224	226		109
225	227		(e) "Program" means the first credential program described in this section.
226	228		110
227	229		(f) "Technical college" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53B-1-101.5.
228	230		111
229	231		(2) The commissioner of higher education, the state superintendent of public instruction,
230	232		112
231	233		and the governor's education advisor shall establish the First Credential Oversight
232	234		113
233	235		Committee comprised of:
234	236		114
235	237		(a) representatives from industries, including:
236	238		115
237	239		(i) members of professional associations or trade groups; and
238	240		116
239	241		(ii) employers from high-demand sectors as the state board determines in
240	242		117
241	243		collaboration with the Utah Board of Higher Education and the Department of
242	244		118
243	245		Workforce Services;
244	246		119
245	247		(b) representatives from education including:
246	248		120
247	249		(i) members from the state board;
248	250		121
249	251		(ii) LEA administrators, such as a superintendent or charter school director;
250	252		122
251	253		(iii) professionals from institutions of higher education, including technical colleges;
252	254		123
253	255		(iv) career and technical education specialists; and
254	256		124
255	257		(v) Talent Ready Utah; and
256	258		125
257	259		(c) workforce development experts, including representatives from the Department of
258	260		126
259	261		Workforce Services.
260	262		127
261	263		(3) The state board shall staff the First Credential Oversight Committee.
262	264		128
263	265		(4) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall develop a first credential master plan,
264	266		129
265	267		which shall include:
266		-	- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
267	268		130
268	269		(a) a framework for developing and maintaining the master credential list;
	270	+	- 4 - 03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
269	271		131
270	272		(b) a comprehensive needs assessment framework that evaluates:
271	273		132
272	274		(i) resources available through institutions of higher education, including:
273	275		133
274	276		(A) faculty expertise and availability;
275	277		134
276	278		(B) facilities and equipment;
277	279		135
278	280		(C) existing certification programs; and
279	281		136
280	282		(D) potential for program expansion;
281	283		137
282	284		(ii) industry partnership opportunities, including:
283	285		138
284	286		(A) geographical proximity to potential partners;
285	287		139
286	288		(B) willingness of local industries to participate;
287	289		140
288	290		(C) capacity for work-based learning placements; and
289	291		141
290	292		(D) alignment between industry needs and educational capabilities;
291	293		142
292	294		(iii) general resource availability, including:
293	295		143
294	296		(A) current funding streams and potential funding sources;
295	297		144
296	298		(B) existing technology infrastructure;
297	299		145
298	300		(C) qualified personnel and staffing needs; and
299	301		146
300	302		(D) professional development requirements;
301	303		147
302	304		(c) credential approval processes;
303	305		148
304	306		(d) methods for ensuring industry demand alignment;
305	307		149
306	308		(e) wage considerations for occupations associated with approved credentials;
307	309		150
308	310		(f) clear definitions of industry-recognized credentials;
309	311		151
310	312		(g) strategies for promoting stackability and sequencing of credentials;
311	313		152
312	314		(h) approaches to ensure regional relevance of credentials;
313	315		153
314	316		(i) mechanisms for collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners, and
315	317		154
316	318		workforce development agencies;
317	319		155
318	320		(j) strategies for continuous evaluation and improvement of the program;
319	321		156
320	322		(k) the creation of a credentials review committee, including membership and duties;
321	323		157
322	324		(l) in accordance with Subsection (17), an established framework of planning,
323	325		158
324	326		implementation, and student outcome performance funding for an LEA administering
325	327		159
326	328		first credential programming;
327	329		160
328	330		(m) a weighted system for the master credential list that:
329	331		161
330	332		(i) assigns higher values to credentials based on:
331	333		162
332	334		(A) alignment with high-demand, high-wage occupations;
333	335		163
334	336		(B) incorporation of multiple learning pathways, including coursework,
335		-	- 5 - H.B. 260 Enrolled Copy
336	337		164
337	338		apprenticeships, internships, work-based learning, and related service
	339	+	- 5 - 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260 03-05 16:43
338	340		165
339	341		opportunities;
340	342		166
341	343		(C) industry recognition and portability; and
342	344		167
343	345		(D) stackability with other credentials or degrees;
344	346		168
345	347		(ii) uses the weighted values to:
346	348		169
347	349		(A) determine incentive funding levels;
348	350		170
349	351		(B) prioritize program expansion support; and
350	352		171
351	353		(C) guide student career planning; and
352	354		172
353	355		(n) guidelines for LEAs to procure industry-recognized certification program licenses,
354	356		173
355	357		including:
356	358		174
357	359		(i) verification that certifications appear on the master credential list;
358	360		175
359	361		(ii) requirement for competency-based assessments in proctored environments;
360	362		176
361	363		(iii) documentation of local industry endorsement; and
362	364		177
363	365		(iv) alignment with state and federal computer science initiatives where applicable,
364	366		178
365	367		including the Computer Science for Utah Grant Program described in Section
366	368		179
367	369		53B-34-106.
368	370		180
369	371		(5) In accordance with the Utah First Credential Master Plan, the state board shall:
370	372		181
371	373		(a) ensure that the credentials review committee membership reflects a balance of
372	374		182
373	375		perspectives and expertise;
374	376		183
375	377		(b) develop an online application and submission system for credentialing organizations
376	378		184
377	379		and providers to submit programs for inclusion in the master credential list;
378	380		185
379	381		(c) establish and maintain the master credential list based on the recommendations of the
380	382		186
381	383		credentials review committee;
382	384		187
383	385		(d) develop clear mechanisms for students to understand how earning one credential can
384	386		188
385	387		lead to higher-level certifications or degrees; and
386	388		189
387	389		(e) foster partnerships between high schools, technical colleges, employers, and
388	390		190
389	391		apprenticeship programs to ensure students have access to meaningful work-based
390	392		191
391	393		learning opportunities.
392	394		192
393	395		(6) The state board shall:
394	396		193
395	397		(a) automatically include on the initial master credential list any existing credential that:
396	398		194
397	399		(i) meets the definition of industry-recognized credential under this section; and
398	400		195
399	401		(ii) is currently recognized by the state board or Utah Board of Higher Education as
400	402		196
401	403		of July 1, 2024; and
402	404		197
403	405		(b) review all automatically included credentials within one year to ensure ongoing
404		-	- 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
405	406		198
406	407		compliance with program requirements.
	408	+	- 6 - 03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
407	409		199
408	410		(7) The state board shall award a first credential certificate to an eligible student who
409	411		200
410	412		completes one of the following:
411	413		201
412	414		(a) concurrent enrollment courses, composed of:
413	415		202
414	416		(i) between 12 and 18 core general education credits, or as industry standards dictate,
415	417		203
416	418		with courses from different general education categories; or
417	419		204
418	420		(ii) a prescribed set of courses as the Utah Board of Higher Education designates;
419	421		205
420	422		(b) an industry-recognized credential included on the master credential list;
421	423		206
422	424		(c) 300 hours of completion through a youth apprenticeship program that:
423	425		207
424	426		(i) is described in Sections 35A-6-102 and 35A-6-104.5; and
425	427		208
426	428		(ii) includes courses that fulfill the requirements for an industry-recognized credential
427	429		209
428	430		included on the master credential list;
429	431		210
430	432		(d) completion of a technical college certificate; or
431	433		211
432	434		(e) completion of a Career and Technical Education Pathway program.
433	435		212
434	436		(8) The Utah Board of Higher Education shall ensure that credits earned for a first
435	437		213
436	438		credential certificate are:
437	439		214
438	440		(a) accepted and transferable to institutions of higher education, including technical
439	441		215
440		-	colleges;
	442	+	colleges; and
441	443		216
442	444		(b) applicable towards relevant degree programs; and
443	445		217
444	446		(c) recognized by relevant industries as adequate preparation for employment.
445	447		218
446	448		(9) Subject to legislative appropriations, the Utah Board of Higher Education shall award a
447	449		219
448	450		first credential scholarship to each student who earns a first credential certificate.
449	451		220
450	452		(10) The first credential scholarship may be used at the following institutions:
451	453		221
452	454		(a) a degree-granting institution of higher education or a technical college within the
453	455		222
454	456		state system of higher education, as identified in Subsection 53B-2-101(1); or
455	457		223
456	458		(b) a private, nonprofit college or university in the state that is accredited by the
457	459		224
458	460		Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
459	461		225
460	462		(11) The Utah Board of Higher Education shall annually determine the first credential
461	463		226
462	464		scholarship amount based on:
463	465		227
464	466		(a) the number of eligible students; and
465	467		228
466	468		(b) appropriations made by the Legislature.
467	469		229
468	470		(12) A student may use the first credential scholarship for:
469	471		230
470	472		(a) tuition and fees;
471	473		231
472	474		(b) books and supplies; or
473		-	- 7 - H.B. 260 Enrolled Copy
474	475		232
475	476		(c) other educational expenses as the Utah Board of Higher Education determines.
	477	+	- 7 - 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260 03-05 16:43
476	478		233
477	479		(13) The Utah Board of Higher Education shall ensure the scholarship is valid for use
478	480		234
479	481		within three years from the date the student graduates from high school.
480	482		235
481	483		(14) A student may earn the first credential scholarship in addition to any other
482	484		236
483	485		state-sponsored scholarships for which the student may be eligible.
484	486		237
485	487		(15) The first credential oversight committee shall present the master plan described in
486	488		238
487	489		Subsection (4) to the Education Interim Committee by the November 2025 interim
488	490		239
489	491		committee meeting.
490	492		240
491	493		(16) Every three years, the First Credential Oversight Committee shall:
492	494		241
493		-	(a) review the Utah First Credential Master Plan;
	495	+	(a) review of the Utah First Credential Master Plan;
494	496		242
495	497		(b) as needed, create a list of recommendations and update the Utah First Credential
496	498		243
497	499		Master Plan;
498	500		244
499	501		(c) report the list of recommendations and the updated Utah First Credential Master Plan
500	502		245
501	503		to:
502	504		246
503	505		(i) the state board;
504	506		247
505	507		(ii) the Utah Board of Higher Education;
506	508		248
507	509		(iii) the Department of Workforce Services;
508	510		249
509	511		(iv) the Education Interim Committee; and
510	512		250
511	513		(v) the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee.
512	514		251
513		-	(17~~)(a~~) The state board shall administer a first credential grant program for an LEA and
	515	+	(17) The state board shall administer a first credential grant program for an LEA and award
514	516		252
515		-	~~award~~ a grant in accordance with the following process.
	517	+	a grant in accordance with the following process.
516	518		253
517		-	(b) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall establish:
	519	+	(a) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall establish:
518	520		254
519	521		(i) a needs assessment tool that evaluates:
520	522		255
521	523		(A) an LEA's current first credential offering;
522	524		256
523	525		(B) an LEA's capacity to develop or expand a first credential pathway;
524	526		257
525	527		(C) resources and support needed for a first credential program, including
526	528		258
527	529		resources available through institutions of higher education, industry
528	530		259
529	531		partnership opportunities, and general resource availability; and
530	532		260
531	533		(D) each potential barrier to implementation; and
532	534		261
533	535		(ii) a continuum of need to place each applying LEA.
534	536		262
535		-	(c) An LEA seeking a first credential grant shall submit to the First Credential Oversight
	537	+	(b) An LEA seeking a first credential grant shall submit to the First Credential Oversight
536	538		263
537	539		Committee:
538	540		264
539	541		(i) a completed needs assessment; and
540	542		265
541	543		(ii) a grant application that contains:
542		-	- 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
543	544		266
544	545		(A) current first credential data, including current credentials offered;
	546	+	- 8 - 03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
545	547		267
546	548		(B) preliminary goals for creating or expanding first credential opportunities
547	549		268
548	550		within the LEA; and
549	551		269
550	552		(C) if applicable, plans for procurement of industry certification program licenses,
551	553		270
552	554		including certification details and alignment with master credential list,
553	555		271
554	556		documentation of employer endorsements, assessment and proctoring
555	557		272
556	558		procedures, and integration with existing computer science programs.
557	559		273
558		-	(d) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall:
	560	+	(c) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall:
559	561		274
560	562		(i) review each submitted application and needs assessment;
561	563		275
562	564		(ii) assign the LEA a placement on the continuum of need; and
563	565		276
564	566		(iii) provide to the LEA a specific requirement for an implementation plan based on:
565	567		277
566	568		(A) the LEA's continuum placement;
567	569		278
568	570		(B) each identified area for growth;
569	571		279
570	572		(C) each available resource; and
571	573		280
572	574		(D) each additional factor the First Credential Oversight Committee determines
573	575		281
574	576		relevant.
575	577		282
576		-	(e) An LEA shall submit to the First Credential Oversight Committee an implementation
	578	+	(d) An LEA shall submit to the First Credential Oversight Committee an implementation
577	579		283
578	580		plan that includes:
579	581		284
580	582		(i) specific goals for expanding a first credential opportunity;
581	583		285
582	584		(ii) each implementation step and timeline;
583	585		286
584	586		(iii) a detailed cost projection; and
585	587		287
586	588		(iv) each additional element the committee requires based on the needs assessment
587	589		288
588	590		results.
589	591		289
590		-	(f) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall:
	592	+	(e) The First Credential Oversight Committee shall:
591	593		290
592	594		(i) review the implementation plan;
593	595		291
594	596		(ii) direct technical assistance to the LEA in accordance with the LEA's
595	597		292
596	598		implementation plan;
597	599		293
598	600		(iii) provide feedback to the LEA to improve the implementation plan;
599	601		294
600	602		(iv) approve each implementation plan that meets the established criteria; and
601	603		295
602	604		(v) award an implementation grant for each approved plan.
603	605		296
604		-	(g) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall:
	606	+	(f) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall:
605	607		297
606	608		(i) award an incentive grant to an LEA that:
607	609		298
608	610		(A) has implemented an approved plan;
609	611		299
610	612		(B) increases the number of students who earn a first credential certificate; and
611		-	- 9 - H.B. 260 Enrolled Copy
612	613		300
613	614		(C) achieves each established implementation goal; and
	615	+	- 9 - 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260 03-05 16:43
614	616		301
615	617		(ii) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
616	618		302
617	619		and in collaboration with the First Credential Oversight Committee, establish by
618	620		303
619	621		rule:
620	622		304
621	623		(A) tiers for incentive grant awards;
622	624		305
623	625		(B) performance metrics for continued funding;
624	626		306
625	627		(C) reporting requirements for a grant recipient;
626	628		307
627	629		(D) requirements for reporting certification program outcomes and industry
628	630		308
629	631		alignment;
630	632		309
631	633		(E) procedures for coordinating with computer science initiative grants; and
632	634		310
633	635		(F) guidelines for certification program procurement and implementation.
634	636		311
635	637		(18) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, and in
636	638		312
637	639		collaboration with the Utah Board of Higher Education and the Department of
638	640		313
639	641		Workforce Services, the state board shall make rules to implement the provisions of this
640	642		314
641	643		section.
642	644		315
643	645		Section 3. Repealer.
644	646		316
645	647		This bill repeals:
646	648		317
647	649		Section 53E-10-309, Utah PRIME Program -- LAUNCH certificate -- TRANSFORM
648	650		318
649	651		certificate.
650	652		319
651	653		Section 4. FY 2026 Appropriations.
652	654		320
653	655		The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
654	656		321
655	657		2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
656	658		322
657	659		fiscal year 2026.
658	660		323
659	661		Subsection 4(a). Operating and Capital Budgets
660	662		324
661	663		Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the
662	664		325
663	665		Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for
664	666		326
665	667		the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
666	668		327
667	669		ITEM 1 To Utah Board of Higher Education - Student Assistance
668	670		328
669	671		From Income Tax Fund, One-time 1,000,000
670	672		329
671	673		Schedule of Programs:
672	674		330
673	675		Prime Pilot Program Amendments 1,000,000
674	676		331
675	677		The Legislature intends that the Utah System of
676	678		332
677	679		Higher Education uses $1,000,000 one-time
678	680		333
679	681		appropriation for:
680		-	- 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
681	682		334
682	683		(1) providing scholarship funding to students completing the
	684	+	- 10 - 03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
683	685		335
684	686		student's first credential; and
685	687		336
686	688		(2) creating completion incentives for a student who completes a
687	689		337
688	690		technical college certificate.
689	691		338
690	692		ITEM 2 To State Board of Education - System Standards & Accountability
691	693		339
692	694		From Public Education Economic Stabilization
693	695		340
694	696		Restricted Account, One-time 2,000,000
695	697		341
696	698		Schedule of Programs:
697	699		342
698		-	[Teaching and Learning (800,000)]
	700	+	Ŝ→ [Teaching and Learning (800,000)] ←Ŝ
699	701		343
700		-	First Credential Program [2,800,000] 2,000,000
	702	+	First Credential Program Ŝ→ [2,800,000] 2,000,000 ←Ŝ
701	703		344 345
702	704		The Legislature intends that the State Board of
703	705		346
704	706		Education use:
705	707		347
706	708		(1) $500,000 one-time appropriation for the
707	709		348
708	710		development of the First Credential Master Plan, where:
709	711		349
710	712		(a) the First Credential Oversight Committee shall work with
711	713		350
712	714		stakeholders to develop the framework for the first
713	715		351
714	716		credential program; and
715	717		352
716	718		(b) findings shall be presented to the October 2025 Education
717	719		353
718	720		Interim meeting.
719	721		354
720	722		(2) $500,000 one-time appropriation for the
721	723		355
722	724		development of the approved master credential list to:
723	725		356
724	726		(a) outline targeted industry clusters, skill clusters, credential
725	727		357
726	728		naming, and approved providers or certifiers;
727	729		358
728	730		(b) establish a credential review committee; and
729	731		359
730	732		(c) create new first credentials and endorsements.
731	733		360
732	734		(3) $1,000,000 one-time appropriation for K-12
733	735		361
734	736		performace incentives to:
735	737		362
736	738		(a) establish a mechanism for incentivizing first credential
737	739		363
738	740		completers; and
739	741		364
740	742		(b) implement a weighted system where a school can earn
741	743		365
742	744		performance dollars based on the quantity and quality of
743	745		366
744	746		the first credentials earned by students enrolled at the
745	747		367
746	748		school.
747	749		368
748	750		Section 5. Effective Date.
749		-	- 11 - H.B. 260 Enrolled Copy
750	751		369
751	752		This bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
	753	+	- 11 - 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260 03-05 16:43
752	754		370
753	755		Section 6. Coordinating H.B. 260 with H.B. 447.
754	756		371
755	757		If H.B. 260, First Credential Program, and H.B. 447, Statewide Catalyst Campus Model,
756	758		372
757	759		both pass and become law, the Legislature intends that, on July 1, 2025:
758	760		373
759	761		(1) Subsection 53E-3-507.1(1)(a) enacted in H.B. 447 be amended to read:
760	762		374
761	763		"(a) "Catalyst center" means a program or facility operated by an LEA that:
762	764		375
763	765		(i) provides learning experiences and instruction that replicate professional
764	766		376
765	767		environments and workplace practices, including experiences obtained through the Utah First
766	768		377
767	769		Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310;
768	770		378
769	771		(ii) provides profession-based learning experiences by partnering with local industry,
770	772		379
771	773		business, and community organizations to develop and implement student projects that address
772	774		380
773	775		specific needs or objectives identified by those partners;
774	776		381
775	777		(iii) aligns programs with high-skill, high-demand career pathways and postsecondary
776	778		382
777	779		education opportunities;
778	780		383
779	781		(iv) incorporates industry-standard tools, technologies, and methods into instruction and
780	782		384
781	783		student work;
782	784		385
783	785		(v) prioritizes student activities and profession-based learning projects to build durable
784	786		386
785	787		professional skills aligned with industry standards and needs;
786	788		387
787	789		(vi) facilitates mentorship and participation by industry professionals to guide a student
788	790		388
789	791		and evaluate the student's work;
790	792		389
791	793		(vii) includes an advisory board composed of industry, postsecondary, and community
792	794		390
793	795		representatives to review program direction and ensure alignment with workforce needs; and
794	796		391
795	797		(viii) establishes programs or activities that address gaps in training or resources within
796	798		392
797	799		the local or regional workforce."; and
798	800		393
799	801		(2) Subsections 53E-10-310(1) and (2) enacted in H.B. 260 be amended to read:
800	802		394
801	803		"(1) As used in this section:
802	804		395
803	805		(a) "Eligible institution" means a degree-granting institution of higher education or a
804	806		396
805	807		technical college within the state system of higher education, as identified in Subsection
806	808		397
807	809		53B-2-101(1).
808	810		398
809	811		(b) "First credential" means a certificate awarded by the state board to an eligible
810	812		399
811	813		student who meets the criteria described in Subsection (7).
812	814		400
813	815		(c) (i) "Industry-recognized credential" means a credential that is:
814	816		401
815	817		(A) developed and offered by, or endorsed by, a nationally recognized industry
816	818		402
817	819		association or organization representing a sizable portion of the industry sector;
818		-	- 12 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 260
819	820		403
820	821		(B) sought or accepted by employers within the industry or sector as a
	822	+	- 12 - 03-05 16:43 2nd Sub. (Gray) H.B. 260
821	823		404
822	824		recognized, preferred, or required credential for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention, or
823	825		405
824	826		advancement purposes; and
825	827		406
826	828		(C) regularly reviewed, updated, and validated by the issuing body to ensure
827	829		407
828	830		ongoing alignment with industry standards and labor market needs.
829	831		408
830	832		(ii) "Industry-recognized credential" may also include a credential offered through a
831	833		409
832	834		catalyst center as described in Section 53E-3-507.1.
833	835		410
834	836		(d) "Master credential list" means the list of approved industry-recognized credentials
835	837		411
836	838		maintained by the state board in accordance with this section.
837	839		412
838	840		(e) "Program" means the first credential program described in this section.
839	841		413
840	842		(f) "Technical college" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53B-1-101.5.
841	843		414
842	844		(2) The commissioner of higher education, the state superintendent of public instruction,
843	845		415
844	846		and the governor's education advisor shall establish the First Credential Oversight Committee
845	847		416
846	848		comprised of:
847	849		417
848	850		(a) representatives from industries, including:
849	851		418
850	852		(i) members of professional associations or trade groups; and
851	853		419
852	854		(ii) employers from high-demand sectors as the state board determines in
853	855		420
854	856		collaboration with the Utah Board of Higher Education and the Department of Workforce
855	857		421
856	858		Services;
857	859		422
858	860		(b) representatives from education including:
859	861		423
860	862		(i) members from the state board;
861	863		424
862	864		(ii) the director of the Catalyst Center Grant Program described in Section
863	865		425
864	866		53E-3-507.1;
865	867		426
866	868		(iii) LEA administrators, such as a superintendent or charter school director;
867	869		427
868	870		(iv) professionals from institutions of higher education, including technical colleges;
869	871		428
870	872		(v) career and technical education specialists; and
871	873		429
872	874		(vi) Talent Ready Utah; and
873	875		430
874	876		(c) workforce development experts, including representatives from the Department of
875	877		431
876	878		Workforce Services.".
877	879		- 13 -