Enrolled Copy H.B. 447
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Statewide Catalyst Campus Model
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Mike Schultz
Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This bill establishes a grant program to help local education agencies create or expand
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catalyst centers.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This bill:
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▸ creates the Catalyst Center Grant Program (program) to support local education agencies
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(LEA) in creating or expanding catalyst centers;
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▸ allows for multi-year grants and capital expenditures;
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▸ requires alignment with labor market needs, LEA strategic plans, and state career and
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technical education goals;
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▸ establishes accountability measures, including limits on carryforward funds and annual
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reporting;
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▸ requires Talent Ready Utah and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and
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Dynamic Education to create a marketing campaign for the program;
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▸ exempts certain individuals from educator licensing requirements;
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▸ amends the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account to fund the
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program;
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▸ creates requirements related to art and fine arts credits; and
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▸ makes technical changes.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Utah Code Sections Affected: H.B. 447 Enrolled Copy
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AMENDS:
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53E-6-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 186
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53F-9-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 322
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ENACTS:
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53E-3-507.1, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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53G-10-307, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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Section 1. Section 53E-3-507.1 is enacted to read:
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53E-3-507.1 . Catalyst Center Grant Program.
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(1) As used in this section:
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(a) "Catalyst center" means a program or facility operated by an LEA that:
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(i) provides learning experiences and instruction that replicate professional
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environments and workplace practices;
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(ii) provides profession-based learning experiences by partnering with local industry,
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business, and community organizations to develop and implement student projects
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that address specific needs or objectives identified by those partners;
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(iii) aligns programs with high-skill, high-demand career pathways and
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postsecondary education opportunities;
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(iv) incorporates industry-standard tools, technologies, and methods into instruction
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and student work;
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(v) prioritizes student activities and profession-based learning projects to build
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durable professional skills aligned with industry standards and needs;
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(vi) facilitates mentorship and participation by industry professionals to guide a
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student and evaluate the student's work;
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(vii) includes an advisory board composed of industry, postsecondary, and
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community representatives to review program direction and ensure alignment with
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workforce needs; and
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(viii) establishes programs or activities that address gaps in training or resources
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within the local or regional workforce.
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(b) "Director" means the employee described in Subsection (3).
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(c) "LEA" means:
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(i) a school district;
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(ii) charter school; or
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(iii) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
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(d) "Program" means the Catalyst Center Grant Program created in this section.
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(2) Subject to legislative appropriation as described in Section 53F-9-204, the state board
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shall establish the Catalyst Center Grant Program to provide funding to an LEA to create
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or expand an existing catalyst center.
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(3) The state board shall hire a director to oversee the program who:
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(a) has demonstrated abilities in:
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(i) developing and implementing innovative initiatives that transform traditional
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education delivery models;
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(ii) establishing public-private partnership frameworks that create student pathways
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into high-growth industries; and
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(iii) scaling programs that integrate real-world experiences directly into educational
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environments;
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(b) possesses expertise in:
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(i) managing complex multi-stakeholder initiatives across education, industry, and
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government sectors;
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(ii) implementing data-driven organizational change strategies; and
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(iii) developing sustainable funding models for innovative education programs;
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(c) maintains active leadership roles in:
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(i) state or national workforce innovation organizations;
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(ii) industry associations focused on talent development; and
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(iii) public-private collaboratives addressing workforce transformation;
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(d) reports directly to the state superintendent or a deputy superintendent to ensure
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appropriate program oversight and cross-departmental coordination while
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maintaining distinct program objectives and outcomes;
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(e) establishes formal collaboration mechanisms with the state board's career and
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technical education director to align catalyst center initiatives with existing career
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and technical education programs; and
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(f) facilitates training and a collaborative network of experienced catalyst center
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administrators and instructors across all participating LEAs.
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(4) The director
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(a) shall:
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(i) administer the program;
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(ii) collaborate with the director of career and technical education to align the
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program with the career and technical education standards described in Section
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53E-3-507;
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(iii) create a web-based application system to streamline submissions and allow for
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linked supporting documentation;
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(iv) ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with this section; and
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(v) allow grant funds to be used for planning, including:
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(A) feasibility studies;
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(B) stakeholder engagement;
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(C) labor market analysis;
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(D) initial program design and rollout; and
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(E) teacher and staff training specific to the delivery of profession-based learning;
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and
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(b) may collaborate with the Utah System of Higher Education and the First Credential
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Oversight Committee established in Section 53E-10-310.
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(5) An LEA applying for a grant shall demonstrate capacity for workforce alignment
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programs within the LEA or provide a plan to establish or enhance alignment by:
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(a) describing current or planned efforts to align programming with labor market needs
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and local industry demands;
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(b) outlining steps to establish or enhance partnerships with:
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(i) local industries and employers to ensure workforce relevance; or
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(ii) technical colleges, degree-granting institutions, or other postsecondary entities to
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support postsecondary transitions for students;
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(c) identifying proposed programming goals and how the goals address gaps in regional
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workforce training or opportunities; and
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(d) as the LEA determines relevant, planning to incorporate:
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(i) career and technical student organizations;
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(ii) advisory boards with representation from local industries and workforce experts;
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(iii) professional learning opportunities for instructors to improve workforce-focused
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skills; and
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(iv) strategies for using labor market data to refine and improve program offerings.
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(6)(a) An LEA may apply for a grant by submitting an application to the state board.
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(b) The application shall include:
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(i) a plan to:
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(A) create or expand one or more catalyst centers; or
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(B) create or expand current career and technical education offerings within the
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LEA to bring the LEA's career and technical education offerings in alignment
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with the definition of a catalyst center in Subsection (1);
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(ii) a detailed multi-year budget, identifying proposed expenditures for each year of
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the grant;
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(iii) justification for any capital expenditures, including plans for building use;
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(iv) a description of how the grant will be used to improve student outcomes,
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including:
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(A) increased access to career pathway offerings;
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(B) measurable improvements in career readiness, including certifications,
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credentials, or apprenticeships;
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(C) increased offerings that advance students' progression toward postsecondary
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education or advanced training; and
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(D) plans for enhanced student engagement through real-world, profession-based
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learning;
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(v) evidence of any existing partnerships with industry, including letters of
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collaboration;
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(vi) evidence of alignment with the LEA's strategic plan and local labor market needs;
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(vii) an explanation of how awarded funds will be used without unnecessary
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carryforward;
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(viii) as applicable, a description of how the catalyst center programming will align
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with or enhance programs funded by the weighted pupil unit add-on described in
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Section 53F-2-311;
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(ix) for applications submitted by a consortium of LEAs, a description of how:
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(A) the catalyst center will serve students across the consortium;
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(B) costs and resources will be shared; and
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(C) economies of scale will be achieved; and
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(x) a description of any proposed planning activities, including expected timelines
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and outcomes.
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(7) The director shall:
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(a) prioritize an LEA that:
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(i) proposes innovative programming supported by local labor market data;
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(ii) collaborates with local postsecondary institutions and industry;
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(iii) demonstrates the ability to sustain the catalyst center after the grant period;
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(iv) demonstrates a strong focus on student outcomes and workforce alignment;
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(v) addresses gaps in high-demand, high-skill career pathways;
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(vi) ensures funds are used to enhance programming quality before expansion; and
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(vii) provides for a large number of students to participate in catalyst center programs
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without limiting participation to students based on socio-economic challenges;
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(b) allow an LEA to apply for:
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(i) smaller grants to bring existing career and technical education programs to
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high-quality standards the state board establishes;
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(ii) larger multi-year grants for capital expenditures and program expansion; and
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(iii) ensure that grant funding does not duplicate existing resources provided by other
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state or local entities;
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(c) consider the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural LEAs in developing
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and sustaining a career and technical education program or catalyst center, including:
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(i) encouraging collaborative applications from rural consortia or regional education
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service agencies described in Section 53G-4-410 to maximize resources and
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impact; and
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(ii) grant awards that consider both rural and non-rural applicants, recognizing
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regional workforce needs and program readiness; and
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(d) allow an LEA to propose a catalyst center collocated on the campus of an institution
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of higher education if the application includes evidence of an agreement between the
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LEA and the institution of higher education.
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(8)(a) An LEA that receives a grant:
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(i) may coordinate and collaborate with the Utah Board of Higher Education or an
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individual institution of higher education; and
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(ii) shall submit an annual report to the state board.
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(b) The report shall include:
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(i) the use of grant funds;
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(ii) progress in meeting proposed goals and benchmarks;
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(iii) updates on partnerships with industry and postsecondary institutions;
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(iv) a demonstration of the alignment of programming with labor market data; and
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(v) a description of student participation and outcomes.
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(c) The state board shall ensure that awarded funds:
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(i) are used in accordance with an LEA's application; and
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(ii) that are not used are returned for reallocation.
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(d) Upon request, the director shall submit a report on the program to the Education
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Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
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(9) The Talent Ready Utah Program described in Section 53B-34-103 and the Utah Leading
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through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education established in Section
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53E-10-702, shall collaborate with the state board to develop and execute a marketing
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and outreach plan for the Catalyst Center Grant Program.
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(10) Talent Ready Utah and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic
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Education shall:
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(a) execute the marketing and outreach plan described in Subsection (9); and
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(b) submit an annual report to the state board that includes:
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(i) the number of LEAs reached through marketing efforts;
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(ii) a description of outreach activities and events conducted; and
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(iii) feedback from LEAs regarding program accessibility and clarity.
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(11) The state board:
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(a) may provide up to 1% of the funds appropriated by the Legislature as described in
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Section 53F-9-204 to administer the program;
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(b) in fiscal year 2026, shall provide up to 1% of the funds appropriated by the
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Legislature as described in Section 53F-9-204 to Talent Ready Utah and the Utah
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Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education for the purposes
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described in Subsections (9) and (10); and
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(c) shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
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Rulemaking Act, to implement this Subsection (11).
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Section 2. Section 53E-6-204 is amended to read:
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53E-6-204 . Exemptions from licensure.
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(1) Except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, a spouse of an individual serving in
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the armed forces of the United States while the individual is stationed within this state
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may work as an educator without being licensed under this title if:
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[(1)] (a) the spouse holds a valid educator license issued by any other state or jurisdiction
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recognized by the state board; and
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[(2)] (b) the license is current and the spouse is in good standing in the state or
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jurisdiction of licensure.
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(2) An individual with industry experience as an LEA determines, may work as an educator
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without being licensed under this title if the individual:
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(a) demonstrates expertise related to a career and technical education course or catalyst
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center program;
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(b) passes a criminal background check as required by Section 53G-11-402; and
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(c) completes any training required by the LEA prior to or during the teaching
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assignment.
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(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, an educator employed pursuant to
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Subsection (2) shall be considered qualified in determining the state funding distribution
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of career and technical education funding.
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Section 3. Section 53F-9-204 is amended to read:
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53F-9-204 . Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account.
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(1) There is created within the Uniform School Fund a restricted account known as the
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"Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account."
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(2)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the account shall be funded from the
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following revenue sources:
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(i) 15% of the difference between, as determined by the Office of the Legislative
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Fiscal Analyst:
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(A) the estimated amount of ongoing Income Tax Fund and Uniform School Fund
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revenue available for the Legislature to appropriate for the next fiscal year; and
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(B) the amount of ongoing appropriations from the Income Tax Fund and Uniform
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School Fund in the current fiscal year; and
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(ii) other appropriations as the Legislature may designate.
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(b) If the appropriation described in Subsection (2)(a) would cause the ongoing
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appropriations to the account to exceed 11% of Uniform School Fund appropriations
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described in Section 53F-9-201.1 for the same fiscal year, the Legislature shall
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appropriate only those funds necessary to ensure that the ongoing appropriations to
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the account equal 11% of Uniform School Fund appropriations for that fiscal year.
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Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 5, Subsection (4), the ongoing appropriation to the
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account shall be used to fund:
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(a) except for a year described in Subsection (3)(b), one-time appropriations to the
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public education system[; and] , including at least $65,000,000 to the Catalyst Center
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Grant Program described in Section 53E-3-507.1; and
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(b) the Minimum School Program for a year in which Income Tax Fund revenue and
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Uniform School Fund revenue are insufficient to fund:
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(i) ongoing appropriations to the public education system; and
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(ii) enrollment growth and inflation estimates, as defined in Section 53F-9-201.1.
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(4)(a) The account shall earn interest.
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(b) All interest earned on account money shall be deposited in the account.
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(5) On or before December 31, 2023, and every three years thereafter, the Office of the
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Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall:
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(a) review the percentages described in Subsections (2)(a)(i) and (2)(b); and
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(b) recommend to the Executive Appropriations [Subcommittee] Committee any changes
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based on the review described in Subsection (5)(a).
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(6) In preparing budget bills for a given fiscal year, the Executive Appropriations
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Committee shall make the one-time appropriations described in Subsection (3)(a) by
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appropriating at least the lesser of 10% of the total amount of the one-time appropriations[
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; or ] to:
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(a) the cost of providing 32 paid professional hours for teachers in accordance with
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Section 53F-7-203; and
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(b) the amount to make the distribution required under Section 53F-2-527.
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Section 4. Section 53G-10-307 is enacted to read:
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Part 3. Miscellaneous Curriculum and Credit Requirements
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53G-10-307 . Art or fine arts education -- Definition -- Credit requirements.
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(1) As used in this section, "art" or "fine arts" means:
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(a) courses, instruction, or experiences in visual arts, music, dance, or theater;
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(b) courses, instruction, or experiences in applied crafts and technical arts that
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incorporate artistic elements, including:
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(i) woodworking;
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(ii) metalworking and welding;
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(iii) traditional handcrafts;
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(iv) architectural trades, including carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and stonework;
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(v) automotive design and customization;
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(vi) digital design and animation; or
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(vii) other similar courses that combine technical skill with artistic expression; and
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(c) other forms of creative or interpretive expression as an LEA determines.
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(2) For purposes of meeting art or fine arts credit requirements the state board establishes,
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the LEA shall accept for an art or fine arts credit any course listed in Subsection (1) that:
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(a) incorporates artistic or creative elements in the curriculum;
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(b) includes instruction in principles of design, form, or aesthetic expression; and
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(c) provides students opportunities for creative expression and artistic application of
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technical skills.
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(3) Nothing in this section:
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(a) prevents an LEA from:
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(i) establishing the LEA's own additional criteria for artistic and creative elements in
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courses accepted for fine arts credit; or
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(ii) offering additional courses for fine arts credit; or
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(b) requires an LEA to offer all courses listed in Subsection (1).
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Section 5. Effective Date.
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This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
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