High school acedemic fees may be banned

Parents of high school students could be getting a big break under a legislative measure that takes aim at killing school fees related to academic classes.

HB163, sponsored by Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove, would prohibit course fees, rental and use fees and textbook fees, while fees for clubs, sports and extracurricular activities would still stand.

Frank said statewide, secondary schools collected $13.1 million from academic fees related to classes that are necessary for graduation or count for credit towards graduation. He is asking for $13.1 million in state money in lieu of student fees.

"We have constitutionally guaranteed a free education, and this will help to make our public education conform to our state Constitution," Frank said. "Fees related to academic classes that are required for graduation should actually be part of our tax base, not a substantial hit in some cases to parents of secondary education students."

Panel takes no action on school-hazing bill

Lawmakers put a bill on hold Wednesday that would require school districts to craft bullying and hazing policies.

While most agreed it was a good idea in theory, the House Education Committee took no action because some lawmakers were concerned with bullying definitions like "embarrassing" a student. They were also worried that it could result in students being punished for harmless teasing.

But the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, said that the requirements in the bill for districts to create or alter policies on bullying were drawn from legislation in other states. Local school leaders would be able to create their own policies.

"Those who oppose this fear that somehow we will be putting laws in place that will somehow punish people for minor infractions, calling names or something," Moss said. "But in fact all this does is direct the State Office to direct school to alter their policies on bullying, hazing and cyber bullying."

Seat-belt legislation dies this year, too

The sponsor of Utah's perennial primary seat-belt bill has decided to pull the measure from debate this session, instead waiting until next year for possible action.

Rep. Richard Greenwood, R-Roy, said he is dropping HB87 because of a delay in the House Rules Committee and also because of a lack of support from representatives.