Saying it was too broad and confusing, House lawmakers defeated a bill Tuesday that sought to end the practice of school districts paying educators on union leave from the classroom.

The House voted 43-25 in opposition to a version of SB77 that would have prohibited districts from paying educators who leave the classroom for certain employee association or union duties, such as to engage in political activities. It also would have required a union, association or employee to reimburse a district for costs of going on certain types of association leaves for more than 10 days.

Proponents of the bill, sponsored by Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, said education dollars should not pay for union activities. Salt Lake, Davis and Granite school districts all pay part of the salaries of local union presidents who are on leave from the classroom.

The bill's opponents, however, said those presidents' duties often include activities that benefit the districts such as representing teachers on district committees and resolving conflicts.