Legislators / Wayne A. Harper
Wayne A. Harper
Republican · Senate District 16 · President Pro Tempore
“Typical” is the median of all 29 Senate members in the 2026 General Session.
Do their actions match their words?
Sen. Wayne A. Harper measured against their own campaign promises and claims.
2 of 2 promises with a record so far: kept or being worked on · typical Senate member (of 7 reviewed): 100%
2 working on it (of 2 promises)
HousingGive cities and developers more housing options while protecting single-family neighborhoods.Working on it
What they said: nothing found Bills: matches Votes: matchesIn 2026 he sponsored S.B. 39 (Investment Zones Amendments) and S.B. 122 (HOA Amendments), both signed, and S.B. 221 (Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments), which did not pass. On the Senate floor he voted for H.B. 436 and H.B. 492 on housing supply, both signed, and for S.B. 277 (state housing construction loans), which failed in the House.
EnergyExpand energy options to include small modular nuclear reactors.Working on it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: matchesHe sponsored no energy bills in 2026. He voted for H.B. 78, which created a state nuclear energy regulatory office and directs the state to seek more authority from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for S.B. 135 (nuclear fuel recycling coordination), and for two resolutions supporting nuclear energy (S.C.R. 1) and advanced nuclear manufacturing (H.C.R. 1). None of these bills is specific to small modular reactors.
Tap any row to see what we checked. · How we score
Do they follow their party's stated positions?
Sen. Wayne A. Harper measured against the Utah Republican Party platform.
8 of their 8 final floor votes on these bills went the platform's way · typical Senate member: 100%
Typical Senate Republican: 100%.
5 sided with it · 3 no record on it (of 8 positions)
Right to lifeWe strongly support adoption and oppose abortion, except to preserve the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest.No record on it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: nothing foundNone of these bills reached a Senate floor vote. Bills checked: H.B. 232.
Right to workWe support the Utah Right to Work Law.No record on it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: nothing foundNone of these bills reached a Senate floor vote. Bills checked: S.B. 178.
Immigration enforcementWe believe that current laws against employing illegal immigrants should be vigorously enforcedNo record on it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: nothing foundNone of these bills reached a Senate floor vote. Bills checked: H.B. 294, H.B. 386, H.B. 287.
Parental rightsWe affirm that parents have the fundamental right and primary responsibility to direct the upbringing of their childrenSided with it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: matchesVoted with this plank 1 of 1 times. Bills checked: H.B. 259.
Lower taxesHowever, we recognize that the power to tax is also the power to control…Sided with it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: matchesVoted with this plank 1 of 1 times. Bills checked: S.B. 60, H.B. 235.
Right to bear armsWe support the individual constitutionally-protected right of the people to keep and bear arms…Sided with it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: matchesVoted with this plank 3 of 3 times. Bills checked: H.B. 84, H.B. 214, H.B. 101.
Religious freedomWe claim freedom of religion for every citizen and expect the protection of government…Sided with it
What they said: on the record Bills: nothing found Votes: matchesVoted with this plank 2 of 2 times. Bills checked: S.B. 174, H.B. 204, S.B. 268.
Work requirements for welfareWe support requiring welfare recipients to work towards self-sufficiency.Sided with it
What they said: nothing found Bills: nothing found Votes: matchesVoted with this plank 1 of 1 times. Bills checked: H.B. 471.
Tap any row to see what we checked. · How we score
Promises and claims
Updated 2026-11-12Candidate surveys: answered 1 of 1 we found (Salt Lake Tribune 2024 candidate survey: answered).
Positions from his 2024 campaign, checked against the 2026 session. Next on the ballot in 2028. He did not answer the Tribune's questions on a six-week abortion ban, IVF and reproductive health restrictions, or letting the Legislature amend ballot initiatives.
What they promised
- In progressGive cities and developers more housing options while protecting single-family neighborhoods. · Housing
“Allow cities and developers more options in housing choices while respecting Utah's existing single-family neighborhoods.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 2024-10-17
In 2026 he sponsored S.B. 39 (Investment Zones Amendments) and S.B. 122 (HOA Amendments), both signed, and S.B. 221 (Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments), which did not pass. On the Senate floor he voted for H.B. 436 and H.B. 492 on housing supply, both signed, and for S.B. 277 (state housing construction loans), which failed in the House.
- BillS.B. 39 Sponsor; Governor signed.
- BillS.B. 122 Sponsor; Governor signed.
- BillS.B. 221 Sponsor; did not pass.
- VoteH.B. 436 Yea on 2nd and 3rd readings (Mar 6, 2026), passed 20-8-1.
- VoteH.B. 492 Yea on 2nd and 3rd readings (Mar 6, 2026), passed 24-5-0; Yea on final passage (Mar 6, 2026), passed 27-0-2.
- VoteS.B. 277 Yea on 2nd reading (Feb 24, 2026), 25-0-4; Absent on 3rd reading (Feb 25, 2026), passed 21-0-8.
- In progressExpand energy options to include small modular nuclear reactors. · Energy
“Utah needs to expand its energy-producing options to include small modular reactors.” The Salt Lake Tribune, 2024-10-17
He sponsored no energy bills in 2026. He voted for H.B. 78, which created a state nuclear energy regulatory office and directs the state to seek more authority from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for S.B. 135 (nuclear fuel recycling coordination), and for two resolutions supporting nuclear energy (S.C.R. 1) and advanced nuclear manufacturing (H.C.R. 1). None of these bills is specific to small modular reactors.
Every verdict links to the bill, vote, or recorded remark behind it, and the same rules apply to every legislator. How promises are scored.