Fees for your child to take a class in public schools may be eliminated.

Common fees, such as lab fees, English class fees, locker fees, and so forth have been targeted in a bill sponsored by Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove. The bill would provide Utah schools with an additional $10 million to cover the costs of those fees.

The actual cost, according to Frank, could range from $10-$12 million, but Frank said that this can be amended as more study is completed.

Frank cited having to pay over $600 to his children's high school for academic classes, along with the complaints of his constituents as the impetus for this bill.

"This is a tax," Frank said. "Let's make our public education system free."

According to Frank, this bill applies only to those school activities which are academic in nature. Sports and other similar after-school activities would not be fee-free.

Rep. LaWanna Shurtliff, D-Ogden, said that some fees were important, though she acknowledged that they were out of line in some districts.

"There are so many different fees, I'm concerned about the bill, I think his heart is in the right place ... but I would certainly like a little more time to look at this."

The bill passed out of committee by 6-5 vote. It now moves to the House floor.

First Substitute HB 165, School Fee Amendments, Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove. This bill would eliminate some public school fees.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A3.