Bill > SB0043

This bill amends existing Utah law to redefine and strengthen the role of the School and Institutional Trust Beneficiaries' Advocacy Office, referred to as the "advocacy office," which represents various trust beneficiaries, including public schools, schools for the deaf and blind, and state institutions. Key provisions include clarifying the advocacy office's authority to represent beneficiaries' rights and interests, establishing a new governance structure with an advocacy council and an advocacy director appointed by the state treasurer, and outlining specific responsibilities for the advocacy office in monitoring trust assets, advocating for beneficiaries, and advising them on their rights. The bill also implements distribution accountability requirements for non-public education trust beneficiaries, requiring them to maintain records, develop spending plans, and participate in compliance reviews, while exempting public schools under the School LAND Trust Program from these specific measures. Additionally, the bill modifies the composition and responsibilities of nominating committees for the School and Institutional Trust Lands Board of Trustees and the School and Institutional Trust Fund Office, ensuring greater representation from the advocacy office and beneficiaries. The bill also clarifies definitions related to trust beneficiaries and their interests, and establishes an advocacy account funded by trust fund earnings to cover the advocacy office's operational costs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0043.html