Wayne Harper

Wayne A. Harper (born February 27, 1956) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing District 16 since 2023. Prior to redistricting, he represented District 6 starting in 2013. from January 1, 1997, until December 31, 2012, Harper represented District 43 in the Utah House of Representatives

Early life, education, and career Harper earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Science from Brigham Young University. He is married to KaLee, and together they have eleven children. Harper is a Certified Archivist, Certified Real Estate Consultant, and Certified Real Estate Developer.

Political career Harper started his political career as a West Jordan City Councilman. Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee (Senate Chair) Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee

Elections In 2012 when Senate District 6 Republican Senator Michael G. Waddoups left the Legislature and left the seat open, Harper was selected from two candidates by the Republican convention for the November 6, 2012, General election, which he won with 28,073 votes (83%) against Democratic nominee John Rendell, who had run for Legislative seats in 2008 and 2010.

Election results history

Legislation

2016 sponsored bills + Bill number and Title Status of Bill S.B. 6 Infrastructure and General Government Base Budget Governor Signed 2/16/2016 S.B. 11 Cancellation of Auto Insurance Coverage Governor Signed 3/21/2016 S.B. 22 Foreclosure of Residential Rental Property Governor Signed 3/28/2016 S.B. 31 Tax Commission Levy Process Governor Signed 3/28/2016 S.B. 65 Sales and Use Tax Reporting Requirements Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 S.B. 68 Property Tax Amendments Governor Signed 3/28/2016 S.B. 74 Aviation Amendments Governor Signed 3/28/2016 S.B. 82 Child Welfare Modifications Governor Signed 3/23/2016 S.B. 86 Sales and Use Tax Compliance Amendments Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 S.B. 135 Administrative Law Judge Amendments Governor Signed 3/23/2016 S.B. 151 Community Development and Renewal Agencies Act Revisions Governor Signed 3/28/2016 S.B. 158 Juvenile Court and Child Abuse Amendments Governor Signed 3/28/2016 S.B. 160 Federal Funds Budget Reserve Account Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 S.B. 182 Sales and Use Tax Revisions Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 S.B. 193 Utah Communications Authority Act Amendments Governor Signed 3/22/2016 S.B 210 Unmanned Vehicle Revisions Senate/Filed for bills not passed 3/10/2016 S.B. 220 Non Judicial Foreclosure Amendments Governor Signed 3/25/2016 S.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution in Support of Sales and Use Tax Transactional Equity Governor Signed 3/17/2016 S.J.R. 3 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution-Property Tax Exemptions Senate/To Lieutenant Governor 3/16/2016

Notable legislation In 2016 Senator Harper passed Senate Bill 210, which outlines and regulates the use of recreational drones in Utah. The law also gives local police the authority to shoot down drones if they are not in compliance with the law, and if being shot down does not pose a threat to people or animals. This bill does not apply to commercial drones.

Controversial legislation In 2018 Harper sponsored SB136 which was signed into law. Among other provisions, SB136 includes an additional annual registration fee of up to $120 on clean air vehicles. The additional fees were opposed by air quality advocates such as the nonprofits Breathe Utah, and Utah Clean Energy which has stated the fees are misguided. Clean air advocates have voiced concerns that the additional fees will slow electric vehicle adoption and promote poorer air quality in Utah. There are an estimated 1,000–2,000 deaths in Utah annually due to poor air quality, and emissions from gasoline and diesel powered vehicles, are the primary cause of pollution.

In 2021 Harper sponsored HB209 to increase EV fees in Utah to $300 annually in addition to normal registration costs. HB209 did not pass. In 2023 Harper sponsored HB301, which passed, and will levy a tax of 12.5% on electricity at EV charging stations. This adds a third tax at charging stations in Utah on top of existing sales and franchise taxes, and some analyses estimate some EV owners will pay twice as much tax as gasoline fueled vehicle drivers.

In February 2025, Harper introduced SB195, which removed Salt Lake City's authority to plan its own streets. In support of the bill, Harper cited a paper critical of the city's safe streets initiative that was reportedly largely AI-generated.