Read the full stored bill text
2
0
Joint Resolution to Initiate a Law School at Utah Valley University
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Brady Brammer
House Sponsor: David Shallenberger
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution directs Utah Valley University to conduct a feasibility study for establishing
a law school.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
recognizes the need for increased access to legal education in the state;
acknowledges Utah Valley University's mission to serve working professionals;
directs Utah Valley University to study the feasibility of establishing a law school at the
Thanksgiving Point campus;
requires evaluation of facility needs, faculty requirements, accreditation pathways, and
market viability;
directs Utah Valley University to design programming focused on evening and weekend
instruction for working professionals; and
requires a report to the Legislature on findings and recommendations.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, access to legal education is essential for developing a robust legal profession
to serve Utah's growing population;
WHEREAS, Utah's population is projected to reach 4.2 million by 2030, increasing demand
for legal services across the state;
WHEREAS, Utah currently has two law schools, both located in the northern Wasatch
Front, limiting geographic and programmatic diversity;
WHEREAS, Utah Valley University serves as the state's largest public university and
maintains a mission of providing accessible, career-focused education;
WHEREAS, Utah Valley University operates facilities at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi,
providing modern educational space in a central location along the Wasatch Front;
WHEREAS, many working professionals seek legal education but cannot accommodate
traditional daytime law school schedules;
WHEREAS, part-time, evening, and weekend law programs successfully serve working
professionals at accredited institutions nationwide;
WHEREAS, the American Bar Association accredits law schools that meet rigorous
standards for faculty, curriculum, facilities, and student services;
WHEREAS, establishing a law school requires careful evaluation of accreditation
requirements, faculty recruitment, facility adequacy, and financial sustainability;
WHEREAS, a law school at Utah Valley University could expand access to legal education
for non-traditional students, working professionals, and underserved communities;
WHEREAS, Utah's technology sector, growing business community, and expanding state
and local government operations create sustained demand for legal professionals;
WHEREAS, a feasibility study should examine initial enrollment projections, tuition
models, faculty hiring needs, library and technology requirements, and pathways to American
Bar Association accreditation;
WHEREAS, collaboration with the
Utah
Board of Higher Education
and the Utah System
of Higher Education would ensure alignment with statewide higher education priorities; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive feasibility study would provide the Legislature and the Utah
Board of Higher Education with information necessary to evaluate this proposal:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah directs
Utah Valley University, in consultation with the
Utah Board of Higher Education
, to conduct a
comprehensive feasibility study for establishing a law school.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the feasibility study shall address:
(1)
facility requirements, including adequacy of existing Thanksgiving Point campus
facilities, library resources, classroom technology, and necessary modifications or
expansions;
(2)
faculty requirements, including the number of full-time and adjunct faculty needed for
American Bar Association accreditation, anticipated faculty salaries, and faculty
recruitment strategies;
(3)
student needs, including projected enrollment for initial and subsequent classes, student
support services, bar examination preparation resources, and career services;
(4)
staffing requirements, including administrative personnel, library staff, academic
support staff, and operational personnel;
(5)
accreditation pathways, including American Bar Association provisional and full
accreditation requirements, a timeline for achieving accreditation, and compliance
strategies;
(6)
market viability, including demand analysis for legal education in Utah, employment
outcomes for graduates, potential impacts on existing Utah law schools, and regional
workforce needs;
(7)
initial class size recommendations based on faculty capacity, facility limitations, and
market demand;
(8)
tuition cost projections, including estimated tuition for the initial years, comparison with
other law schools in the region, and financial aid considerations;
(9)
program design focused on evening and weekend instruction to serve working
professionals and non-traditional students;
(10)
operating budget projections for the first five years, including revenue assumptions and
expense categories;
(11)
capital investment requirements and potential funding sources;
(12)
timelines for program development, accreditation process, and student enrollment;
(13)
efficiencies, benefits, and viability of a law school at Utah Valley University or at
another institution or as a shared school with multiple universities within the Utah
System of Higher Education; and
(14)
any other considerations necessary for legislative evaluation of this proposal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Utah Valley University shall submit a written
report of findings and recommendations to the Education Interim Committee and the
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee no later than November 30, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the feasibility study shall consider how a law
school at Utah Valley University would complement existing legal education in Utah
and serve populations not currently reached by traditional law school programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Utah Valley University shall pay all costs
related to the feasibility study using only funds the Legislature appropriates from
non-tax based funds.
3-11-26 3:37 PM