The 2026 Utah Legislature began its 40-day session on January 20, with over 850 bills introduced, some of which apply directly to students throughout Utah.
House Bill 227, “Student Journalism Amendments,” immediately caught my attention. The bill proposed that public schools allow students to produce stories critical of their school as long as they meet the criteria of being factual and not inappropriate. This bill is sponsored by Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, and protects students who create media, as well as teachers who facilitate and encourage the production of such stories from any backlash from administration. With a vote of 44 Yea to 20 Nay, the bill will be sent to a Rules Committee.
While this bill doesn’t directly impact the Bulldog Press, its influence could.
The Utah legislature has very minimal control over student expression in private schools such as Judge, but the bills they pass do have an external impact on school policies. In the past Judge and local legislation have had a correlation between policies as social and environmental norms evolve. An example of this influence in the past regarded the phone policy, as Judge had required phones to be in lockers during the school day in 2024. Last year Stuco rallied at the Capitol in support of the Focused Student Project supported a bill removing phone from public school classrooms.
As a student journalist, I am in support of this bill. While this policy doesn’t directly influence me as a student journalist, it is a good option for student journalists in public schools to have, a way for them to exercise their freedom of speech in a safe and non-violent way. The Bulldog Press does a great job of supporting the stories of not only me but also my peers, and has published student opinion stories in the past on policies such as the uniform and substance abuse.
Looking forward, more student opinion pieces constructed with time and care would only benefit the school, and voice the vast opinions that our walls hold. I am beyond grateful to be on the Bulldog Press, where opinions are shared and valued.
I can’t wait to see what the addition of HB 227 adds to the culture of Utah high schools.
