The 2011 Libertas Legislator Index


Index Key Vote agrees with Libertas' position Vote conflicts with Libertas' position Legislator was absent or did not vote Legislator sponsored the bill(awarded 2% if it's a bill we support,
docked 2% if we opposed)

While hundreds of votes are cast during each year's general session, Libertas chooses for its index the bills and resolutions which directly relate to our mission to defend personal freedom, property rights, free markets, and equal justice.

The overall ranking for the legislature for this year is .

Don't know who your Representative or Senator is? Use our lookup tool to find out.

Tip: You can hover over any of the bill numbers in the top row to learn more about it, and see which vote Libertas supports.
Click any table cell in the header to re-sort the entire table.

House of Representatives (view the Senate)

Legislator HB116Utah Immigration Accountability and Enforcement Amendments

This bill creates a guest worker program in Utah for non-citizen aliens residing in Utah without the federal government's permission. Libertas recognizes the inherent and individual right of all persons to reside, travel, and work where they wish, and affirms that the federal government has no constitutional authority to manage immigration. We therefore support Utah taking immigration-related matters into its own hands. However, this bill contains significant flaws and while it should be praised for getting Utah legislators thinking about immigration solutions, it does not gain our support.

This bill passed the House 41-32, passed the Senate 19-5, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB138Federal Receipts Reporting Requirements

This bill requires state agencies to report the percentage of their budget that comes from federal funds and put in place a contingency plan in the event federal funds are diminished. Utah's dependency upon the federal government must be eliminated and this bill is a good first step in beginning that process.

This bill passed the House 59-9, passed the Senate 25-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herber. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB14Catastrophic Mental Health Coverage - Sunset Act

This bill removes the sunset clause on a law which fixes a maximum amount that insurance companies can charge their customers for mental health care coverage, thereby making the law permanent. The government has no authority to dictate to private insurance companies what services they can offer and for what prices they may offer them.

This bill passed the House 66-0, passed the Senate 26-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB23Controlled Substance Modifications

This bill expands the war on drugs within Utah by criminalizing the use of "spice" (synthetic marijuana) and bath salts. The government has no legitimate authority in dictating to a person what he may or may not ingest when that action causes no demonstrable harm to others.

This bill passed the House 65-3, passed the Senate 25-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB243Occupations and Professions Amendments

This bill empowers the government with the ability to issue citations and fines against those who offer massage services without being licensed by the state as well as those who receive the services. Business licensure is illegitimate; government has no authority to dictate to consenting adults what forms of commerce they may or may not engage in.

This bill passed the House 71-0, passed the Senate 25-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB249Growing of Food

This bill would have rejected federal jurisdiction regarding food grown and consumed by an individual and his/her family. The federal government's long-standing abuse of the commerce clause must be challenged, as that clause was never meant by the founders to empower the federal government to micro-manage the most minute of commercially-related actions.

This bill passed the House 49-15 and died in the Senate. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB317Currency Amendments

This bill requires the state to recognize gold and silver as legal tender based on the value of the metal. It also orders the state to study whether Utah should establish an alternative form of legal tender. The government's fiat monopoly money must be challenged, and the Constitution requires states to only recognize gold and silver.

This bill passed 47-26 in the House, passed 17-7 in the Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert.
HB353Abortion Freedom of Conscience

This bill ensures that doctors who are not morally opposed to abortion will not face punishment or civil liability for refusing to perform an abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. No individual should be compelled to take the life of another human being.

This bill passed the House 54-13, passed the Senate 23-6, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB47Government Records Amendments

This bill exempts instant messages, voicemails, video chats, and texts from records requests available to the public, in addition to making other changes related to citizens' ability to determine what their representatives in government are up to. While Libertas recognizes the need for confidentiality at times between a government official and a constituent, we feel that this bill goes too far.

This bill passed the House 42-29, passed the Senate 23-6, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB70Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act

This bill would have required police officers to investigate and enforce federal immigration laws. The federal government has nowhere been delegated the constitutional authority over immigration, and Utah should therefore not help enforce it.

This bill passed the House 58-15 and died in the Senate. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB75Dangerous Weapons Amendments

This bill eliminates "gun-free zones" around schools, removing the 1,000-foot perimeter that previously existed. Events such as the shooting at Columbine and Virginia Tech show the chaos that can occur when law-abiding citizens are prohibited from carrying guns in certain places. Individuals should remain free to protect themselves (including with a gun) on all public premises.

This bill passed the House 58-15, passed the Senate 19-8, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB76Federal Law Evaluation and Response

This bill creates a new federalism subcommittee to monitor all actions of the federal government against the express powers delegated to it under the U.S. Constitution, in order to better challenge federal overreach in a proactive manner together with other states and with Utah's congressional delegation. The federal government's long-standing usurpations of power must be checked by the states.

This bill passed the House 58-11, passed the Senate 25-2, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB89Protection of Children Riding in Motor Vehicles

This bill would have criminalized smoking in a car when children were present. This invasive penalty for a legal action (smoking) is problematic in and of itself, but would also set a dangerous precent for regulating the activity in other locations/areas as well.

This bill passed the House 39-35 and died in the Senate. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
SB314Alcoholic Beverage Amendments

This bill eliminates alcoholic drink specials and contains other alcohol-related micromanagement policies that violate the proper role of government. Property owners and consenting consumers should be free to engage in commerce, including alcohol, provided that no harm is caused to a third party.

This bill passed the Senate 28-1, passed the House 69-4, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert.
SB65Statewide Online Education Program

This bill allows students to earn credit for high school graduation through the completion of online courses. Tax funding follows the students, allowing parents to choose alternative education methods than standard public schools for their children. Those who are taxed for the education of their children should be able to dictate where and how that money is spent.

This bill passed the Senate 27-0, passed the House 48-27, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert.
2011 Rating
Anderson, Johnny (R)NoYesNoYesNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes60%
Arent, P. (D)NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo13%
Barrus, R. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes60%
Bird, J. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNo33%
Biskupski, J. (D)NoYesNoNoNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoNoNoNo21%
Briscoe, J. (D)YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo20%
Brown, D. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes47%
Brown, M. (R)NoYesNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesxNoYes46%
Butterfield, D. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes47%
Chavez-Houck, R. (D)YesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo20%
Christensen, L. (R)NoYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesxYesNoYes54%
Clark, D. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes67%
Cosgrove, T. (D)NoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNo20%
Cox, F. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes60%
Daw, B. (R)xYesNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes54%
Dee, B. (R)NoxNoNoxxYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes50%
Dougall, J. (R)NoYesNoxNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes54%
Draxler, J. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoYesNoNoNoYesNoYesYes40%
Duckworth, S. (D)YesYesNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNo33%
Dunnigan, J. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesNoNoNo53%
Edwards, R. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoNo27%
Eliason, S. (R)YesYesNoNoNoxNoYesYesNoNoYesNoNoYes43%
Fisher, Janice (D)NoYesNoNoNoNoYesxYesYesNoNoNoNoNo29%
Fisher, Julie (R)YesYesNoYesxYesxYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes77%
Froerer, G. (R)NoYesxNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYes43%
Galvez, B. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYes53%
Gibson, F. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes60%
Greenwood, R. (R)YesYesNoxNoYesNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoNo50%
Grover, K. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes60%
Handy, S. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesNoYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYes47%
Harper, W. (R)YesYesxNoNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes62%
Hemingway, L. (D)NoxNoNoNoNoNoNoYesxNoNoNoNoNo8%
Hendrickson, N. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNo27%
Herrod, C. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesxNoYesYesYesNoYes64%
Hughes, G. (R)YesxNoNoNoxYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoYes50%
Hutchings, E. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesxNoxYesYesNoNoYes46%
Ipson, D. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes67%
Ivory, K. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesxNoYesYesYesNoYes64%
King, Brian S. (D)YesNoNoxNoNoNoNoYesYesxNoNoNoNo23%
Kiser, T. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes53%
Last, B. (R)xxNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes54%
Litvack, D. (D)NoxNoNoxNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo15%
Lockhart, R. (R)NoxNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes46%
Mathis, J. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesxYesNoYes57%
McIff, K. (R)NoYesNoNoNoxxYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNo31%
Menlove, R. (R)NoYesNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesNoYesNo43%
Morley, M. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesxNoYesYesYesNoYes64%
Moss, C. (D)NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo13%
Newbold, M. (R)YesYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesxYes69%
Nielson, J. (R)YesNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes60%
Noel, M. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes60%
Oda, C. (R)YesxNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes64%
Painter, P. (R)YesYesNoxNoYesYesYesNoNoYesxYesNoYes62%
Perry, L. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNo40%
Peterson, J. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesxYesYesYesYesNoYes64%
Peterson, V. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes53%
Pitcher, D. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes53%
Poulson, M. (D)NoYesNoNoNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoNoNoNo21%
Powell, K. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoNo40%
Ray, P. (R)YesYesNoxNoYesNoxNoNoxYesNoNoYes42%
Richardson, H. (R)NoYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes57%
Sagers, D. (R)NoYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesxNoNoNo38%
Sandstrom, S. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesxYesNoNo57%
Sanpei, D. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYes47%
Seelig, J. (D)NoNoNoxxNoNoNoYesYesNoYesNoNoNo23%
Sumsion, K. (R)YesYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesYesxYes69%
Vickers, E. (R)NoYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYes50%
Watkins, C. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNo40%
Webb, R. C. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesNoxNoNoYesYesYesNoYes43%
Wheatley, M. (D)NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoxNoYesNo21%
Wilcox, R. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoYesYesNoNoYes53%
Wiley, L. (D)NoYesxNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoYesNo43%
Wilson, B. (R)YesYesNoNoNoxYesYesNoNoYesYesYesNoYes57%
Wimmer, C. (R)YesYesNoYesNoYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes73%
Wright, B. (R)NoYesNoxNoYesYesxNoNoYesYesYesNoYes54%

Senate

Legislator HB116Utah Immigration Accountability and Enforcement Amendments

This bill creates a guest worker program in Utah for non-citizen aliens residing in Utah without the federal government's permission. Libertas recognizes the inherent and individual right of all persons to reside, travel, and work where they wish, and affirms that the federal government has no constitutional authority to manage immigration. We therefore support Utah taking immigration-related matters into its own hands. However, this bill contains significant flaws and while it should be praised for getting Utah legislators thinking about immigration solutions, it does not gain our support.

This bill passed the House 41-32, passed the Senate 19-5, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB138Federal Receipts Reporting Requirements

This bill requires state agencies to report the percentage of their budget that comes from federal funds and put in place a contingency plan in the event federal funds are diminished. Utah's dependency upon the federal government must be eliminated and this bill is a good first step in beginning that process.

This bill passed the House 59-9, passed the Senate 25-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herber. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB14Catastrophic Mental Health Coverage - Sunset Act

This bill removes the sunset clause on a law which fixes a maximum amount that insurance companies can charge their customers for mental health care coverage, thereby making the law permanent. The government has no authority to dictate to private insurance companies what services they can offer and for what prices they may offer them.

This bill passed the House 66-0, passed the Senate 26-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB23Controlled Substance Modifications

This bill expands the war on drugs within Utah by criminalizing the use of "spice" (synthetic marijuana) and bath salts. The government has no legitimate authority in dictating to a person what he may or may not ingest when that action causes no demonstrable harm to others.

This bill passed the House 65-3, passed the Senate 25-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB243Occupations and Professions Amendments

This bill empowers the government with the ability to issue citations and fines against those who offer massage services without being licensed by the state as well as those who receive the services. Business licensure is illegitimate; government has no authority to dictate to consenting adults what forms of commerce they may or may not engage in.

This bill passed the House 71-0, passed the Senate 25-0, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB317Currency Amendments

This bill requires the state to recognize gold and silver as legal tender based on the value of the metal. It also orders the state to study whether Utah should establish an alternative form of legal tender. The government's fiat monopoly money must be challenged, and the Constitution requires states to only recognize gold and silver.

This bill passed 47-26 in the House, passed 17-7 in the Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert.
HB353Abortion Freedom of Conscience

This bill ensures that doctors who are not morally opposed to abortion will not face punishment or civil liability for refusing to perform an abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. No individual should be compelled to take the life of another human being.

This bill passed the House 54-13, passed the Senate 23-6, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB47Government Records Amendments

This bill exempts instant messages, voicemails, video chats, and texts from records requests available to the public, in addition to making other changes related to citizens' ability to determine what their representatives in government are up to. While Libertas recognizes the need for confidentiality at times between a government official and a constituent, we feel that this bill goes too far.

This bill passed the House 42-29, passed the Senate 23-6, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
HB75Dangerous Weapons Amendments

This bill eliminates "gun-free zones" around schools, removing the 1,000-foot perimeter that previously existed. Events such as the shooting at Columbine and Virginia Tech show the chaos that can occur when law-abiding citizens are prohibited from carrying guns in certain places. Individuals should remain free to protect themselves (including with a gun) on all public premises.

This bill passed the House 58-15, passed the Senate 19-8, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
HB76Federal Law Evaluation and Response

This bill creates a new federalism subcommittee to monitor all actions of the federal government against the express powers delegated to it under the U.S. Constitution, in order to better challenge federal overreach in a proactive manner together with other states and with Utah's congressional delegation. The federal government's long-standing usurpations of power must be checked by the states.

This bill passed the House 58-11, passed the Senate 25-2, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas supports a "yea" vote.
SB270Modifications to Sales and Use Tax

This bill would have raised the state sales and use tax rate on food and food ingredients and lowered the general state sales and use tax rate. Libertas supports the reduction and/or elimination of taxes but opposes the use of taxation policy to encourage or discourage economic behavior.

This bill passed the Senate 19-9 and died in the House. Libertas supports a "nay" vote.
SB314Alcoholic Beverage Amendments

This bill eliminates alcoholic drink specials and contains other alcohol-related micromanagement policies that violate the proper role of government. Property owners and consenting consumers should be free to engage in commerce, including alcohol, provided that no harm is caused to a third party.

This bill passed the Senate 28-1, passed the House 69-4, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert.
SB65Statewide Online Education Program

This bill allows students to earn credit for high school graduation through the completion of online courses. Tax funding follows the students, allowing parents to choose alternative education methods than standard public schools for their children. Those who are taxed for the education of their children should be able to dictate where and how that money is spent.

This bill passed the Senate 27-0, passed the House 48-27, and was signed into law by Governor Herbert.
2011 Rating
Adams, J. Stuart (R)NoYesNoNoNoxYesNoYesYesNoNoYes42%
Bramble, C. (R)NoYesNoxxYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes55%
Buttars, C. (R)xYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoYesYes58%
Christensen, A. (R)NoYesNoNoNoNoYesNoYesYesNoNoYes38%
Davis, G. (D)NoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNoYes23%
Dayton, M. (R)YesYesNoNoxYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes58%
Escamilla, L. (D)NoYesNoNoxNoNoYesNoxYesNoYes36%
Hillyard, L. (R)NoYesNoxNoNoYesNoNoYesNoNoYes33%
Hinkins, D. (R)xxNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes45%
Jenkins, S. (R)NoxNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNox36%
Jones, P. (D)NoYesNoNoNoNoNoYesNoYesxNoYes33%
Knudson, P. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes46%
Liljenquist, D. (R)xYesxNoNoxYesNoxYesNoNoYes44%
Madsen, M. (L)YesxNoNoxYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes55%
Mayne, K. (D)xYesxNoNoNoNoYesNoYesYesNoYes45%
McAdams, B. (D)NoYesNoxNoxNoYesNoxYesNoYes40%
Morgan, K. (D)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesNoYesYesNoYes54%
Niederhauser, W. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes46%
Okerlund, R. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes46%
Reid, S. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes46%
Romero, R. (D)YesYesNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoYesNoYes38%
Stephenson, H. (R)NoxxxNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes50%
Stevenson, J. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes46%
Stowell, D. (R)xYesNoNoNoxYesNoxYesNoNoYes40%
Thatcher, D. (R)YesYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes62%
Urquhart, S. (R)YesYesNoNoNoxYesNoYesYesYesNoYes58%
Valentine, J. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNox42%
Van Tassell, K. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesNoNoYes46%
Waddoups, M. (R)NoYesNoNoNoYesYesNoYesYesYesNoYes54%

Note: Like any legislative index, this one is based on a limited sampling of an elected official's voting record. It is important to do your own in-depth research when determining whether or not to support a candidate for office and consider other factors, including unreported committee or subcommittee service and constituent interaction.