Gov. Huntsman Signs Bills in Cache Valley

Gov. Jon M. Hunstman, Jr., held a ceremonial bill-signing ceremony March 20 in Cache Valley at the historic Courthouse in downtown Logan. Utah State University President Stan Albrecht attended the ceremony. The bill sponsors, all local legislators, attended as well, including Rep. Fred R. Hunsaker, Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard, Sen. Peter C. Knudson, Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove and Rep. Jack R. Draxler. The newly signed bills positively affect Utah State University.

Among the bills signed by Gov. Huntsman was a bill that updates the Utah Income Tax Laws for parents and grandparents who save for a child’s higher education through the Utah Educational Savings Plan. State Board of Regent member Sara V. Sinclair witnessed the signing, as did USU President Stan Albrecht and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Hunsaker.

SB 217 added amendments to the Science and Technology Education Program. The legislation provides $50,000 ongoing funds for grade school and high school students to attend summer camps to create interest in science, including math, chemistry and physics.

HB 241 provided appropriations for the Terrel H. Bell Program, which allocates an additional $1.2 million for scholarships of university students preparing to become teachers in Utah public schools. A large group witnessed the signing, including bill sponsor Rep. Menlove, a teacher who previously received the scholarship, students from USU’s College of Education and Human Services, local school district superintendents Steve Norton and Marshall Garrett, President Albrecht and Christine Kearl, the governor’s Deputy of Education.

Rep. Jack Draxler sponsored HB 118, a bill that allows nonresident students to obtain Utah residency after one year of continuous residency in the state. Rep. Draxler and members of his family witnessed the signing.

Gov. Huntsman signed SB 18, Creation of Severance Tax and Infrastructure and Economic Diversification Accounts, which adds to the education fund for future generations from severance tax interest accrued from non-renewable resources. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Lyle Hillyard.