Utah Sen. Wayne Harper (R) has now become the president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) at the annual Legislative Summit in Louisville, Ky.
Sen. Harper previously served as vice president and president-elect for NCSL. He succeeds Rhode Island Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D), who served as the NCSL president from 2023-2024. NCSL, a bipartisan organization that serves the nation’s 7,386 state lawmakers and more than 30,000 legislative staff, alternates its leadership annually between the two major political parties.
“I’m truly honored to have the opportunity, through NCSL, to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration among legislative leaders from all states and across the aisle, working together to promote effective legislative processes and policies that serve the best interests of our communities,” said Sen. Harper. “I am excited to engage with legislators to share insights and tackle the complex challenges we face in our respective states. This collaboration will be particularly beneficial for Utahns as it is a unique chance to bridge gaps, build consensus and drive positive change through exchanging ideas and best practices to address local challenges even more effectively.”
Sen. Harper has a distinguished legislative career, having served in both chambers of the Utah Legislature. From 1997 to 2012, he was a dedicated member of the Utah House of Representatives before transitioning to the Utah Senate in 2013. He has a strong track record of legislative achievements, consistently utilizing collaborative approaches to deliver impactful results for his constituents. Sen. Harper serves as the Senate president pro tempore and chairs numerous committees, including the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee and Senate Retirement and Independent Entities Committee.
Sen. Harper has been a committed leader in national policy discussions. He has actively contributed to the NCSL, including roles on the Executive Committee, various subcommittees and working groups.
Harper is a real estate and community development consultant and serves on several community and national boards. He resides in Taylorsville, UT and earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Science from Brigham Young University.
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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. Stay connected with NCSL on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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