Raise the Cap

This November, Utahns will vote on constitutional amendment that would raise the current cap on distributions from the Permanent School Fund from 4% to 5%.

If the amendment were in place today, students would have received $15 million beyond the $102 million in LAND Trust distributions they received this school year.

Supporters

Supporters of the Raise the Cap constitutional amendment include:

  • Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks
  • Utah State Board of Education

Under Utah Code §53D-2-201, the Land Trusts Protection & Advocacy Office is statutorily required to advocate for the interests of trust lands beneficiaries and takes the position that increasing distributions permitted within the Utah Constitution will best serve public school beneficiaries, now and in the future. Opinions expressed on this webpage do not represent the official position of the State of Utah or other government agencies.
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The Amendment

Both the Utah House and Senate unanimously approved HJR18 Proposal to Amend the Utah Constitution - State School Fund, allowing Utah voters to consider increasing the Permanent School Fund annual distribution cap from 4% to 5%.

Established at statehood, the Permanent School Fund tops $3 billion. Each school year, Utah students receive interest revenue, called LAND Trust distributions, from this permanent endowment. Currently, annual LAND Trust distributions from the endowment are capped at 4% of the fund.

This Raise the Cap Amendment will increase LAND Trust distributions up to to 5% annually and promote balance of distribution earnings among current and future schoolchildren.

Designated Beneficiary Institutions
These lands are held in trust specifically to generate revenue to support each designated beneficiary institution. Each receives an annual distribution from their permanent fund. Distributions provide an important and growing source of funding for several of Utah’s most important public purposes.
Students learning in the classroom
LAND Trust Funds

LAND Trust distributions from the Permanent School Fund are unique.

Each school uses its funds on its most critical need as determined by its School Community Council. Comprising parents, teachers, and principals, each School Community Council determines how to best use its funding, whether it's one-on-one reading or math tutoring programs, college prep courses, science labs or other academic needs.

Utah's Raise the Cap Amendment may increase LAND Trust funding for your school.

Vote Yes Raise the Cap for Utah schools
Raise the Cap Resources

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 Contact:
    Kim S. Christy, Director
    Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office
    801-201-7480