The final-passage votes in the 2026 sessions that were decided by the fewest votes, with Wayne A. Harper's vote. These are picked by the size of the margin in the official tally alone, not by topic or party.
March 6, 2026 · Vote 2133Voted: Absent or not voting
4th Sub. SB 31: Office of Professional Licensure Review Amendments
Concurrence, Final Passage · Result: Ayes 0 Nays 0 Abs 29 · Official record
Wayne A. Harper's professional work includes business, government, economic development and real estate development. His official Senate biography identifies Wayne Harper Consulting as his firm. The Legislature's member record also lists work with Taylorsville City and bachelor's and master's degrees in history from Brigham Young University. That background precedes and runs alongside a long career in state government. [1] [2]
Service in both chambers
Harper served in the Utah House from 1997 through 2012 and moved to the Senate in 2013. He represents District 16, including Taylorsville and West Jordan communities, and serves as Senate president pro tempore. His official biography also records national work with the National Conference of State Legislatures, including service as its president and later president emeritus. [1]
Transportation and retirement responsibilities
The Senate biography identifies Harper as chair of the committee for Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology. His current roster adds Revenue and Taxation, transportation appropriations and interim work on transportation, political subdivisions, and retirement and independent entities. These assignments connect road and transit policy with revenue and public administration. A committee hearing is part of the lawmaking process, not evidence that every measure heard there became law. [1] [2]
In the 2026 General Session, Wayne A. Harper was chief sponsor of S.B. 22, Minor Driving Hours Amendments. It clarifies that a stepparent or foster parent may supervise a minor driving on a learner permit. The governor signed it on March 7, 2026. [4]
In the 2026 General Session, Wayne A. Harper was chief sponsor of S.B. 25, Retirement Modifications. It redefines bona fide termination of employment for state retirement, changes the Membership Council's makeup and clarifies that judges' retirement service credit does not transfer to Tier II. The governor signed it on March 18, 2026. [5]
A transportation fiscal record
The fiscal note for Harper's 2026 S.B. 242, Transportation Amendments, describes proposed changes involving road-usage charges, transportation accounts and allocations of local-option sales taxes. It also estimates administrative costs and possible transit spending. These are the analyst's estimates for that bill version, not audited results or a promise of benefits to an individual city. The record illustrates why transportation policy involves both statewide funding and local-government revenue. [3]
Profile sources
Profile refreshed October 20, 2026. Candidate statements describe the candidate's own experience or positions; official records and reporting are labeled separately.
The FY2027 adopted budget says the Main Street RDA expired in 2021 and that state legislation requires its remaining funds to be spent by the end of 2026. Its two funds held $2.46 million at June 30, 2025, the latest audited date.
AI-generated illustration: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger
A state committee approved a housing and transit reinvestment zone by Lehi's FrontRunner station in 2023. Agreements that refer to up to 80% of the zone's new property tax, capped at $122,144,769, were on redevelopment agency agendas in July and again on Oct. 13, 2026.
AI-generated illustration: The Utah Ledger · Original graphic · The Utah Ledger
The redevelopment agency's 2026 annual report lists unaudited June 30, 2026 balances in East Bangerter, Sand Hills and West Freeway, along with intended uses. The agency's consultant told the council the areas had two years to spend or commit the money.
