Denver — Utah Senate President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper (R) has been elected vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,383 state lawmakers and more than 30,000 legislative staff.
Harper will serve one year as vice president, ascend to president-elect the following year and become NCSL’s president at the Legislative Summit in 2024. NCSL’s presidency alternates between parties every year. Idaho Speaker Scott Bedke (R) is NCSL’s current president, and Rhode Island Speaker Pro Tem Brian Patrick (D) is president-elect.
“NCSL has done an exceptional job promoting legislative institutions and supporting legislators and staff,” Harper said. “As your next vice president, one of my principal goals is to continue enhancing the policy and processes NCSL has established to help elected officials, regardless of their party affiliation, work together and collaborate on the most challenging problems of our time.”
Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams (R) said Harper’s leadership capabilities will add tremendous value to NCSL. “For 25 years, Wayne has been an instrumental partner in finding lasting solutions to many of the challenges Utah has encountered,” Adams said.
Utah Speaker Brad Wilson (R) added, “Sen. Harper has been an instrumental partner with an uncanny ability to collaborate and build consensus among groups of varied opinions.”
Harper has served in the Utah House of Representatives since 1997, before being elected to the state Senate in 2013. He has been active in NCSL, serving on the NCSL Executive Committee and several subcommittees and working groups.
Harper resides in Taylorsville, Utah, and began his public service career as a West Jordan city councilman. He received his Bachelor of Arts in history and Master of Science from Brigham Young University.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.