The Senate Education Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 308, a bill that amends Utah’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and the Bridge concurrent‑enrollment pathway, to the full Senate.

Former Senator Howard Stevenson and university faculty described the history and aims of Utah’s DLI program, which began in 2008 and now serves tens of thousands of students in multiple languages. Stevenson said the bill’s purpose is to ensure that when students who have come up through DLI pass an Advanced Placement language exam in ninth grade, the concurrent enrollment language courses they take will be upper‑division courses that can count toward a college major or minor and be taught by appropriately qualified instructors.

Christopher Lewis, chair of the University of Utah Department of World Languages and Cultures, told the committee university outcomes show DLI students outperform peers in advanced language classes and urged the committee to adopt provisions ensuring instructor qualifications and course level alignment so credits remain transferable statewide. The testimony stressed flexibility to accommodate different delivery models—such as a dual‑instructor model or a one‑teacher model when qualifications warrant—and suggested processes for approving exceptions where necessary.

Why it matters: supporters said the bill protects the transferability of college credit earned through the Bridge program and maintains high academic standards for concurrent‑enrollment language courses.

Key provisions and discussion: the bill would require that 3000‑level concurrent enrollment language courses tied to Bridge be taught by qualified instructors so credits are transferable between institutions. Witnesses noted the legislation permits local education agencies to partner with institutions outside their service area when quality assurances require that step. Committee members asked whether the bill might prevent a class from running when a suitably qualified instructor cannot be found; presenters said districts can partner with different universities and that the bill includes flexibility and the possibility of approved exceptions.

Public testimony included university deans and faculty from the University of Utah and Utah Tech University and other higher‑education witnesses who described Bridge’s positive effect on campus language programs and student outcomes.

Committee action: Senator Baldry moved and the committee voted to pass SB308 with a favorable recommendation; the chair called the recommendation unanimous.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for additional consideration.