Raise The Cap | Utah Land Trusts Advocacy Office

Constitutional Amendment B

Proposal to Increase the Limit on Annual Distributions

This November, Utahns will vote on Amendment B, which proposes increasing the current cap on distributions from the $3.3 billion Permanent State School Fund from 4% to 5%.

If Amendment B were in place today, students would receive $120 million rather
than $106 million in LAND Trust distributions this school year.
Raising the cap costs taxpayers nothing, it simply increases the percentage of School LAND Trust distributions schools may receive from the Permanent State School Fund.
Amendment B aims to create more balanced distributions from the Permanent School Fund for current and future school children.

Established at statehood, the Permanent School Fund tops $3.3 billion. This perpetual endowment provides funding for critical academic needs identified by each School Council.

Supporters of Amendment B include:

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.

School LAND Trust Funds

School LAND Trust distributions from the Permanent School Fund are unique because each school uses its funds on its most critical need as determined by its School Community Council or Charter School Council.

Comprising parents, teachers, and principals, each School 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.

See how Amendment B would increase distributions in your school district.

Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks and Rep. Jefferson Moss

Amendment B

Both the Utah House and Senate unanimously approved HJR18 Proposal to Amend the Utah Constitution - State School Fund in 2023, which placed Amendment B on the November 2024 ballot. Utah voters will now consider increasing the Permanent School Fund annual distribution cap from 4% to 5%.

Revenue from trust lands and prudent investment have grown the Permanent School Fund to $3.3 billion. Each school year, Utah students receive distributions of up to 4%, called School LAND Trust distributions, from this permanent endowment.

Amendment B 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.