Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Libertas Institute Changing hearts, minds, and laws to create a freer future ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://libertas.institute/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://libertas.institute/blog/) - posts.... - [Nobody Can Predict How AI Will Be Used. Congress Shouldn't Pretend Otherwise.](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/nobody-can-predict-how-ai-will-be-used-congress-shouldnt-pretend-otherwise/) - The GUARD Act would ban AI for teens instead of trusting parents to guide them. You can't build a wondrous future on a foundation of fear. - [America Is Still the Easiest Place on Earth to Get Rich](https://libertas.institute/free-market/america-is-still-the-easiest-place-on-earth-to-get-rich/) - The United States remains the easiest country on earth to get rich, and the gap isn't even close. - [America's Tax Exodus Holds a Lesson for Utah](https://libertas.institute/free-market/americas-tax-exodus-holds-a-lesson-for-utah/) - Americans are leaving high-tax states like California and New York for lower-tax alternatives. This holds a lesson for Utah. - [What the Utah Fits All Audit Missed](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/what-the-utah-fits-all-audit-missed/) - A new audit on the Utah Fits All scholarship found purchases auditors called “wasteful and extravagant.” But the audit does not measure why the program exists. - [Foreign Tourists Are Shocked by America's Material Abundance](https://libertas.institute/free-market/foreign-tourists-are-shocked-by-americas-material-abundance/) - Europeans arriving in America for the World Cup are experiencing culture shock. They are in disbelief over the free refills and portion sizes. - [Why Crypto Remains Free Market Infrastructure](https://libertas.institute/free-market/why-crypto-remains-free-market-infrastructure/) - Bitcoin has fallen more than 50% from its 2025 all time high. Still, the conditions that gave Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies a use case in the first place have not changed. - [California’s Billionaire Tax Is a Cautionary Tale for Other States](https://libertas.institute/free-market/californias-billionaire-tax-is-a-cautionary-tale-for-other-states/) - California lawmakers are pushing a one-time 5% tax on residents worth over $1 billion to plug a massive budget deficit. - [The Supreme Court Just Protected Your Digital Life](https://libertas.institute/privacy/the-supreme-court-just-protected-your-digital-life/) - The Supreme Court just ruled that your phone's location history is protected by the Fourth Amendment. Police need constitutional justification before accessing it. - [Schools Should Be More Efficient](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/schools-should-be-more-efficient/) - New York City spends $39,304 per student, but only 31% of students are proficient in reading and 26% are proficient in math. - [New Study, Same Lesson: Government Stacks Major Costs Onto Home Prices](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/new-study-same-lesson-government-stacks-major-costs-onto-home-prices/) - A new study shows regulation accounts for 26.4% of the price of a new home, or $131,734 nationally. - [Alan Greenspan Believed in Free Markets. He Also Ran the Institution That Overrules Them.](https://libertas.institute/free-market/alan-greenspan-believed-in-free-markets-he-also-ran-the-institution-that-overrules-them/) - Earlier this week, Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, died at the age of 100. - [Portable Benefits Win in Six More States](https://libertas.institute/free-market/portable-benefits-win-in-six-more-states/) - Tens of millions of Americans now work for themselves rather than for an employer, and their numbers keep climbing. Yet the country’s benefits system was built around the traditional job - [Supreme Court Narrows Drug-User Gun Ban Enforced in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/supreme-court-narrows-drug-user-gun-ban-enforced-in-utah/) - The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the government cannot strip Second Amendment rights based only on drug use. - [Utah's Tax System Isn't as Competitive as Utahns Think](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utahs-tax-system-isnt-as-competitive-as-utahns-think/) - Utah enjoys a reputation as a low-tax state, but that reputation rests on a flattering comparison. - [Grading Education Options In Every State](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/grading-education-options-in-every-state/) - Parents deserve a clear, honest picture of what their state actually allows. I want them to know what the law says, what their family can actually do, and where the state is making it harder than it needs to be. - [Here’s What You Need To Know About Utah’s New Supreme Court Justices](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-utahs-new-supreme-court-justices/) - Utah’s highest court is about to look very different, and Governor Spencer Cox gets to reshape it. - [Drought, Again: Water Myths and What Freedom Can Teach Us](https://libertas.institute/free-market/drought-again-water-myths-and-what-freedom-can-teach-us/) - Utah, along with much of the West, is once again in a drought. With the dry year come the familiar conversations about farms, growth, and green lawns. - [Permits Were Never Meant for a Kid’s Lemonade Stand](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/permits-were-never-meant-for-a-kids-lemonade-stand/) - Across the political spectrum, encouraging young entrepreneurship is a value most Americans share. Lemonade Stand Laws recognize this. - [Declining Achievement Means We Need New Solutions](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/declining-achievement-means-we-need-new-solutions/) - 70% of fourth-graders cannot read proficiently and 73% of eighth-graders fail math. That is worse than in 2019. - [Free Countries are More Likely to Participate in the World Cup. That's Not a Coincidence.](https://libertas.institute/free-market/free-countries-are-more-likely-to-participate-in-the-world-cup-thats-not-a-coincidence/) - Free societies build better institutions, and better institutions build better talent. - [Government Shouldn’t Be the Only Check on Itself](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/government-shouldnt-be-the-only-check-on-itself/) - Transparency is the foundation on which public trust is built on, and a watchful citizenry is how liberty continues to stand. - [What Congress Must Get Right on FISA Section 702](https://libertas.institute/privacy/what-congress-must-get-right-on-fisa-section-702/) - Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was enacted in 2008 to authorize government collection of communications from non-U.S. persons located abroad. - [What Voters Don’t Know When They ‘Support’ Teachers’ Unions](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/what-voters-dont-know-when-they-support-teachers-unions/) - Many voters support teachers’ unions without understanding how this support translates into political actions and priorities. - [Untapped: The Programs Utah’s Corrections System Isn’t Using](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/untapped-the-programs-utahs-corrections-system-isnt-using/) - Despite evidence of successful outcomes and available capacity, the therapeutic community model is largely underused as a corrections resource. - [The College Path Isn’t Enough](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-college-path-isnt-enough/) - Headlines say Gen Z cannot find work to support themselves. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs go unfilled every month. - [The United Kingdom Is a Cautionary Tale for Utah](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-united-kingdom-is-a-cautionary-tale-for-utah/) - If the United Kingdom, once the richest country in the world, were an American state, it would now be the poorest one. - [Ed Tech is A Symptom, Not the Disease](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/ed-tech-is-a-symptom-not-the-disease/) - Public schools need to adapt. In the meantime, policymakers should expand school choice so families can find learning environments that fit their children. - [When Urban Camping Ordinances Miss the Point](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/when-urban-camping-ordinances-miss-the-point/) - Public disorder concerns are real, and residents deserve effective responses. But overcriminalization is at its most counterproductive reaches people not causing harm while leaving the underlying disorder untouched. - [The $51 Million Revolving Door Has a Private Sector Exit](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-51-million-revolving-door-has-a-private-sector-exit/) - Utah's top 25% most-arrested homeless individuals cost Salt Lake City $51 million annually in shelter, police, court, and medical expenses. As lawmakers pour another $45.6 million into the system, organizations like The Other Side Village are already breaking the cycle through sobriety, accountability, and employment, without taxpayer funding. The data makes the case: expanding a broken system isn't the answer. - [We Don't Have to Debate Price Controls, Actually](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/we-dont-have-to-debate-price-controls-actually/) - No, rent control doesn't work as supporters believe. Rather it treat symptoms while suppressing the signals that prompt more building, and lower costs. - [The Marxist "Microlooting" Argument Gets Justice Backwards](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-marxist-microlooting-argument-gets-justice-backwards/) - A Twitch streamer made the moral case for stealing from corporations on the New York Times' podcast. As a former prosecutor, here's why that argument gets justice exactly backwards, and why the real victims are never corporations. - [Utah's Database Snooping Law Needs Better Enforcement](https://libertas.institute/privacy/utahs-database-snooping-law-needs-better-enforcement/) - A Washington County detective fired for misusing Utah’s criminal justice database for personal reasons. How can we better protect the privacy of our citizens? - [Trump Says He's Willing to Give Up Rights For Surveillance Legislation](https://libertas.institute/privacy/trump-says-hes-willing-to-give-up-rights-for-surveillance-legislation/) - Congress and the Executive Branch continue to erode the Fourth Amendment year after year, regardless of which party is in control. - [No Single School Works for Every Child](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/no-single-school-works-for-every-child/) - As families look for better educational fits, lawmakers should expand options like microschools and remove outdated barriers to opening new schools. A variety of school models can better serve a variety of learners. - [Home-Based Business Model Ordinance](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/home-based-business-model-ordinance/) - This model ordinance is being updated and will be a featured item in our Local Government Toolkit. To download, access this model ordinance via Google Docs. Are you a local elected official and interested in chatting with us more about this model ordinance? Please reach out to us at localgovt@libertas.institute—we’d love to chat! - [Micro-Education Entity Model Ordinance](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/micro-education-entity-model-ordinance/) - “Micro-Education Entity" means an individual or association of individuals that: registers as a business entity in accordance with state and local laws. - [Home-Based Microschool Model Ordinance](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/home-based-microschool-model-ordinance/) - This model ordinance is being updated and will be a featured item in our Local Government Toolkit. To download, access this model ordinance via Google Docs. Are you a local elected official and interested in chatting with us more about this model ordinance? Please reach out to us at localgovt@libertas.institute—we’d love to chat! - [Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Model Ordinance](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/accessory-dwelling-unit-adu-model-ordinance/) - This model ordinance is being updated and will be a featured item in our Local Government Toolkit. To download, access this model ordinance via Google Docs. Are you a local elected official and interested in chatting with us more about this model ordinance? Please reach out to us at localgovt@libertas.institute—we’d love to chat! - [Short-Term Rental Model Ordinance](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/short-term-rental-model-ordinance/) - A short-term rental is a residential dwelling unit rented for occupancy for a period of less than 30 consecutive calendar days. - [Food Truck Model Ordinance](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/food-truck-model-ordinance/) - This model ordinance is currently being updated and will be a featured item in our Local Government Toolkit. To download, access this model ordinance via Google Docs. Are you a local elected official and interested in chatting with us more about this model ordinance? Please reach out to us at localgovt@libertas.institute—we’d love to - [Tax Day Isn’t a Celebration](https://libertas.institute/free-market/tax-day-isnt-a-celebration/) - Tax Day comes with a strange expectation that Americans should feel some sense of pride or gratitude. You’ll hear about refunds, credits, and relief. Politicians talk as if they’ve handed something back to you out of goodwill. - [America Needs One AI Playbook](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/america-needs-one-ai-playbook/) - The White House’s new AI framework calls for a light national standard to avoid a chaotic patchwork of state laws, protecting innovation, free speech, and economic growth while targeting real harms. - [West Virginia Approves Portable Benefits For Gig Workers](https://libertas.institute/national/west-virginia-approves-portable-benefits-for-gig-workers/) - West Virginia is the latest state to empower gig workers with portable benefits. - [Utah's 2026 Legislative Session Makes the Case for School Choice](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utahs-2026-legislative-session-makes-the-case-for-school-choice/) - In a system where the rules must apply to everyone, any difference in perspective quickly turns into a political conflict. - [The 2026 Legislative Session: Technology and AI Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/the-2026-legislative-session-technology-and-ai-wins-and-losses/) - Here are the most significant bills Libertas Institute tracked this session related to AI and technology. - [Everything is Bigger in Texas...including school choice](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/everything-is-bigger-in-texas-including-school-choice/) - Texas parents told the country that they want more education options for their children. - [The 2026 Legislative Session: Privacy Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/privacy/the-2026-legislative-session-privacy-wins-and-losses/) - Strong privacy protections, and transparency about how the government uses new technologies, are more important than ever. - [The 2026 Legislative Session: Criminal Justice Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-2026-legislative-session-criminal-justice-wins-and-losses/) - During the 2026 general session, lawmakers tackled everything from victim privacy and juvenile justice to kratom regulation, capital punishment procedures, and police transparency. - [The 2026 Legislative Session: Occupational Licensing Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/the-2026-legislative-session-occupational-licensing-wins-and-losses/) - Utah has made significant progress over the past decade in reducing unnecessary occupational licensing barriers. - [The 2026 Legislative Session: Education Freedom Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-2026-legislative-session-education-freedom-wins-and-losses/) - Utah’s Legislature spent considerable time this session debating how to improve education across the state. - [The 2026 Legislative Session: Property Rights Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/the-2026-legislative-session-property-rights-wins-and-losses/) - The freedom to use your property as you see fit represents one of the most direct paths to economic opportunity and the exercise of personal freedom. - [The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: A Look Back at the 2026 Utah Legislative Session](https://libertas.institute/utah/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-a-look-back-at-the-2026-utah-legislative-session/) - Here’s our final digest of the highest-priority bills for Libertas Institute this year. - [At The Capitol: We Are Adjourned!](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-we-are-adjourned/) - What will soon become law and what failed to advance this year? - [At The Capitol: Major Reforms Advance](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-major-reforms-advance/) - There are just five days left in the 2026 legislative session. - [Statement on Passage of HB 126: Making It Easier to Start a Microschool in Utah](https://libertas.institute/press-release/statement-on-passage-of-hb-126-making-it-easier-to-start-a-microschool-in-utah/) - Libertas Institute applauds the passage of HB 126, making it easier to start a microschool in Utah. - [Why Utah Got a “C” for Student-Centered Funding Programs](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/why-utah-got-a-c-for-student-centered-funding-programs/) - Most Utah families want more control over their children’s education. So how is Utah doing? - [At The Capitol: Time Is Running Out](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-time-is-running-out/) - A bill to place new limits on how law enforcement officers can use unmarked vehicles during traffic enforcement has cleared committee. - [Amazon’s Ring Ends Surveillance Partnership After Backlash](https://libertas.institute/privacy/amazons-ring-ends-surveillance-partnership-after-backlash/) - Amazon’s Ring has canceled a planned partnership with surveillance company Flock Safety after facing public backlash over a Super Bowl ad promoting its new AI feature. - [At The Capitol: Four Weeks Down](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-four-weeks-down/) - We have now completed the fourth week of the 2026 legislative session, as the pace at the Capitol continues to pick up speed. - [At The Capitol: We are now through three weeks](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-we-are-now-through-three-weeks/) - Lawmakers continued their work in Salt Lake City as we conclude the third week of the legislative session. - [Poll: Utahns Support Education Reforms](https://libertas.institute/utah/poll-utahns-support-education-reforms/) - New Libertas Institute Poll finds the majority of Utahns approve of neighborhood microschools and many support occupational licensing reform to reduce college degree requirements. - [Poll: Utahns Support Alternatives to Legal Services](https://libertas.institute/utah/poll-utahns-support-alternatives-to-legal-services/) - New Libertas Institute Poll finds Utahns are interested in affordable alternatives to legal services providers. - [Poll: Utahns Support Privacy Protection Measures](https://libertas.institute/utah/poll-utahns-support-privacy-protection-measures/) - New Libertas Institute Poll finds broad support among Utahns for legislation that would ensure privacy protections from undue government surveillance. - [January 2026 Utah Poll](https://libertas.institute/press-release/utah-2026-poll/) - A new statewide poll reveals surprising findings about Utah voters' opinions on high-profile topics ranging from upcoming Olympic branding to popular entertainment. - [The Feds Want Your Voter Data. What Could Go Wrong?](https://libertas.institute/privacy/the-feds-want-your-voter-data-what-could-go-wrong/) - The feds have no business compiling a national database of voters' private data, regardless of which party controls the White House. - [At The Capitol: What Moved In Week Two](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-what-moved-in-week-two/) - Lawmakers in Salt Lake City continued their work this week as the Legislature wrapped up its second week in session. - [Poll: Utahns Say Yes to Property Rights](https://libertas.institute/utah/poll-utahns-say-yes-to-property-rights/) - New Libertas Institute Poll finds Utahns broadly support property rights and housing reforms. - [Poll: Utahns Support Military Crosswalk Policy](https://libertas.institute/utah/utahns-support-military-crosswalk/) - New Libertas Institute Poll finds broad support among Utahns for the Military Crosswalk policy outlined in SB 90. - [Red Light Cameras Are a Bipartisan Threat to Freedom and Fairness](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/red-light-cameras-are-a-bipartisan-threat-to-freedom-and-fairness/) - HB 275 expands automated surveillance and revenue-driven enforcement in ways that undermine due process, burden families, and erode the limited-government principles Utahns across the political spectrum value. - [At The Capitol: The Session Begins](https://libertas.institute/utah/at-the-capitol-the-session-begins/) - The first week of Utah’s 45-day legislative session is officially behind us, and lawmakers have been busy introducing bills, holding committee hearings, and setting the tone for the weeks ahead. - [Public School Neutrality Doesn't Exist](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/public-school-neutrality-doesnt-exist/) - Public schools are supposedly neutral spaces. However, recent events show how wrong that idea can be. - [Utah's legislative session begins next week](https://libertas.institute/press-release/utahs-legislative-session-begins-next-week/) - Utah’s legislative session begins next Tuesday, and we wanted to offer a quick refresher—or introduction—on how this fast-paced 45-day process works. - [The Feds Finally Flip the Pyramid](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-feds-finally-flip-the-pyramid/) - "Eat real food" is now official HHS guidance. - [Why Politicians Can’t Wish World Cup Ticket Prices Lower](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/why-politicians-cant-wish-world-cup-ticket-prices-lower/) - New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani made headlines when he announced he will work to bring down World Cup ticket pricing given "the necessity of it being a more affordable experience for all." - [When States Get Labor Policy Wrong, Workers Pay the Price](https://libertas.institute/national/when-states-get-labor-policy-wrong-workers-pay-the-price/) - Politicians claim to be helping gig workers, but their policies are actually crushing the freedom and flexibility that make this gig possible. - [Policies We’re Thankful For This Christmas in Utah](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/policies-were-thankful-for-this-christmas-in-utah/) - Christmas is a season for gratitude—for family, community, and the values that make a good life possible. - [What the Instacart Backlash Gets Wrong](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/what-the-instacart-backlash-gets-wrong/) - Outrage erupted against Instacart after new pricing practices were exposed, impacting families’ weekly grocery bill. - [Salt Lake County’s Look to Miami Shows Promise](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/salt-lake-countys-look-to-miami-shows-promise/) - Salt Lake County leaders are exploring a community-based approach that diverts people experiencing mental health crises and homelessness away from the criminal justice system and into treatment, could guide local reforms. - [Utah’s School Enrollment Decline: Parents Want Choices](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utahs-school-enrollment-decline-parents-want-choices/) - Utah public school enrollment just experienced its steepest drop in more than 20 years. - [Can Utah Keep Its Lead in Pro-Innovation AI Policy?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/can-utah-keep-its-lead-in-pro-innovation-ai-policy/) - Gov. Spencer Cox just reaffirmed the state’s “pro-human” AI strategy and announced major workforce investments. - [Utah's Budget Season: The Question Nobody's Asking](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/utahs-budget-season-the-question-nobodys-asking/) - Governor Cox just released his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, and the usual reactions are rolling in. - [A Failed School Tax Increase Could Be an Opportunity](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/a-failed-school-tax-increase-could-be-an-opportunity/) - Iron County School District is considering a four-day school week in the 2026-27 school year because its proposed tax increase failed. - [New Facial-Recognition App Threatens Utah’s Privacy Protections](https://libertas.institute/privacy/new-facial-recognition-app-threatens-utahs-privacy-protections/) - Ars Technica reports that the federal government is distributing a face scanning app called Mobile Identify to local police. - [Washington Ruling Confirms Camera Vendor Data is Public Record](https://libertas.institute/privacy/washington-ruling-confirms-camera-vendor-data-is-public-record/) - In a recent decision, a Washington court held that images captured by Flock Safety’s automated license-plate reader (ALPR) cameras constitute public records. - [What’s Going on in Utah’s Criminal Justice System?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/whats-going-on-in-utahs-criminal-justice-system/) - Utahns are getting mixed signals about the state’s criminal justice system. - [Microschools Are Popular](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/microschools-are-popular/) - Few political issues enjoy support from both Republicans and Democrats. Microschools are one of them. - [Truth in Surveillance](https://libertas.institute/privacy/truth-in-surveillance/) - Utah’s Truth in Taxation model is built on a simple idea: before government reaches into your wallet, it has to tell you why, and give you a chance to speak up. The same principle should apply to surveillance technology - [Utah’s Aerospace Industry Is Ready for Liftoff – If We Keep the Runway Clear](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/utahs-aerospace-industry-is-ready-for-liftoff-if-we-keep-the-runway-clear/) - Nearly one-fifth of Utah’s economy, amounting to more than $100 billion annually and over 500,000 high-skill jobs, now stems from aerospace, defense, and space technology. - [This Bill Protects Your Car and Phone Data](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/this-bill-protects-your-car-and-phone-data/) - Senate Bill 226 aims to protect digital privacy by requiring warrants for car and cell phone data access. Exceptions had allowed warrantless data retrieval. - [Companies Like Turo Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/companies-like-turo-can-now-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief/) - SB 121 levels the playing field between rental car companies and innovative companies like Turo. This new bill resolves the issue of double taxation. - [Who to Blame for Utah's Housing Crisis?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/who-to-blame-for-utahs-housing-crisis/) - Utah is in the midst of a housing crisis, and residents are understandably frustrated. So, who can we blame for this situation, and what's the solution? - [Local Elections Are More Important Than You Think](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/local-elections-are-more-important-than-you-think/) - While federal politics dominate the spotlight, local elections are uniquely significant. They influence zoning, school policies, public safety , and more. - [You Can Opt Out of TSA Facial Recognition... For Now](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/you-can-opt-out-of-tsa-facial-recognition-for-now/) - While facial recognition technology offers potential benefits in terms of security and efficiency at airports, it also comes with significant concerns related to privacy, accuracy, bias, and precedent. - [Money Isn't the Key to Fixing Utah's Housing Crisis](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/money-isnt-the-key-to-fixing-utahs-housing-shortage/) - For Gov. Cox's plan to succeed, we don't need money — we need local officials to fix minimum lot sizes and zoning regulations that make building homes hard. - [Temple Grandin Highlights Our Need for Customizable Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/temple-grandin-highlights-our-need-for-customizable-education/) - Rather than lower expectations, children can succeed if we move expectations to fit their learning style. We simply need to meet them where they're at. - [Houston: No Zoning, More Housing](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/houston-no-zoning-more-housing/) - Our research has consistently shown that supply and demand is the biggest factor in our housing crisis. However, this is a short version of a bigger story. - [The Silent Erosion of Privacy: Why We Should Care About Financial Surveillance](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-silent-erosion-of-privacy-why-we-should-care-about-financial-surveillance/) - Pervasive financial surveillance often goes unnoticed by the public, which seems largely indifferent to the potential privacy violations it entails. - [Let Kids Be Entrepreneurs: Why Massachusetts Should Follow Utah's Lead](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/let-kids-be-entrepreneurs-why-massachusetts-should-follow-utahs-lead/) - It’s time for Massachusetts and other states to follow Utah’s example and pass sensible laws that protect youth-run businesses from overregulation. - [Top 5 Reasons to be White-Pilled on Privacy](https://libertas.institute/privacy/top-5-reasons-to-be-white-pilled-on-privacy/) - This isn’t just a battle for today — it’s a continuation of the American legacy of resisting overreach and protecting individual liberty. - [NIMBYism is Worsening Utah’s Housing Crisis](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/nimbyism-is-worsening-utahs-housing-crisis/) - Local governments and planners must be willing to push back against misinformation and opposition rooted in outdated fears. - [Psilocybin Program Offers Hope in Fixing Utah’s Mental Health Crisis](https://libertas.institute/psychotherapeutics/psilocybin-program-offers-hope-in-fixing-utahs-mental-health-crisis/) - As more data emerges and public awareness grows, let’s hope Utah continues to lead the charge in legalizing these treatments. - [NIMBYism is an Obstacle to Affordable Housing](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/nimbyism-is-an-obstacle-to-affordable-housing/) - If we want to ensure our kids live close to family and maintain the strong social ties that Utah is known for, we must embrace a wider variety of housing types. - [Banning Short-term Rentals Won’t Fix Utah’s Housing Crisis](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/banning-short-term-rentals-wont-fix-utahs-housing-crisis/) - While short-term rentals add a small amount of strain to the housing market, they are far from the main cause of Utah’s affordable housing crisis. - [California’s Rejection of Rent Control – A Cautionary Tale for Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/californias-rejection-of-rent-control-a-cautionary-tale-for-utah/) - By focusing on expanding housing supply and fostering a supportive environment for builders and renters alike, Utah can keep moving in the right direction. - [We Need Stronger Safeguards Against License Plate Readers](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/we-need-stronger-safeguards-against-license-plate-readers/) - As these AI-powered systems continue to proliferate, we must act now to implement stronger safeguards that protect our privacy and our civil liberties. - [The Truth About Medicinal Cannabis Legalization](https://libertas.institute/psychotherapeutics/the-truth-about-medicinal-cannabis-legalization/) - Fearmongering clouds the medical cannabis debate—but the facts tell a different story. Here’s what the data really says. - [The Truth About Barber Licensing: Protectionism in Disguise](https://libertas.institute/occupational-licensure/the-truth-about-barber-licensing-protectionism-in-disguise/) - Utah barbers defend licensing rules, but are they protecting consumers—or just blocking competition? - [So, You Want to Homeschool](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/so-you-want-to-homeschool/) - Starting homeschooling is a big step—but with the right mindset and a simple plan, it can be one of the most rewarding choices ever. - [This One Policy Choice Is Making Utah’s Housing Crisis Worse](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/this-one-policy-choice-is-making-utahs-housing-crisis-worse/) - Why are Utah families paying $1,000 more each month just to buy a new home—and what outdated policy is to blame? - [It's Not Conspiracy—It's Truth in Taxation!](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/its-not-conspiracy-its-truth-in-taxation/) - You’re not imagining things—everyone’s proposing tax hikes. But why now? There’s a good reason it’s all happening at once. - [Quick Reaction: Utah’s “Statewide Zoning Takeover”](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/quick-reaction-utahs-statewide-zoning-takeover/) - Ongoing discussions about what state and local governments should do to address high home prices in Utah have recently been characterized as a “statewide zoning takeover.” - [White House Renovation: Here’s My Take](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/white-house-renovation-heres-my-take/) - By now, almost everyone knows about President Trump’s renovation plan for the White House’s East Wing. - [Public School Enrollment Decline: Here's My Take](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/public-school-enrollment-decline-heres-my-take/) - KSL recently reported that public schools have been losing students for three straight years. - [AWS Outage: Here’s My Take](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/aws-outage-heres-my-take/) - A global outage of Amazon Web Services (AWS) disrupted companies across every sector early on Oct. 20, 2025. - [Utah Broadband at the Speed of Innovation](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/utah-broadband-at-the-speed-of-innovation/) - Broadband is Utah’s modern-day railroad — vital for connection, innovation, and opportunity — but Utah must act now to stay ahead. - [The Shutdown Reminder: Look to Your City and State, Not Washington D.C.](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/the-shutdown-reminder/) - As the federal government again faces a partial “shutdown," take it as a reminder to focus more on your local and state governments. - [Sixteen Million Students Can't Be Wrong](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/sixteen-million-students-cant-be-wrong/) - Sixteen million students could walk away from public schools by 2030, and that’s only the beginning. - [Why Cruz’s AI Sandbox Is a Win for Innovation and America’s Future](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/why-cruzs-ai-sandbox-is-a-win-for-innovation-and-americas-future/) - Could Ted Cruz’s SANDBOX Act be the key to keeping America ahead of China in the AI race? - [Increase Access to Affordable Legal Services](https://libertas.institute/occupational-licensure/increase-access-to-affordable-legal-services/) - What if getting legal help in Utah were as affordable as seeing a nurse practitioner, and why did we give that progress away? - [Protecting Utahns from the Surveillance State](https://libertas.institute/privacy/protecting-utahns-from-the-surveillance-state/) - Should Utah police be able to deploy powerful surveillance tech without public debate, or should lawmakers and citizens have a say first? - [How State AI Laws Threaten America’s Warfighting Edge](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-state-ai-laws-threaten-americas-warfighting-edge/) - As China races ahead with AI for warfare, America is tying itself in knots with contradictory state laws, putting our military readiness at risk. - [Replace Degrees with Competency in Licensing](https://libertas.institute/occupational-licensure/replace-degrees-with-competency-in-licensing/) - Why does Utah make it harder to become a massage therapist than an EMT — and how much is this red tape costing your family? - [Legalize Family-Friendly Neighborhoods](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/legalize-family-friendly-neighborhoods/) - What if Utah’s housing crisis could be eased not with more taxes or subsidies, but simply by restoring your right to use your own property? - [Military Crosswalk: Protect Our Investment](https://libertas.institute/occupational-licensure/military-crosswalk-protect-our-investment/) - Utah has nearly 130,000 veterans, but many can’t work in the fields they’re already trained for. This new proposal would fix that. - [Libertas Institute Unveils Five Key Policy Priorities for 2026](https://libertas.institute/press-release/libertas-institute-unveils-five-key-policy-priorities-for-2026/) - From fixing Utah’s housing crisis to protecting your privacy, here are five reforms Libertas Institute is bringing to the legislature this year. - [Zoning Laws Are Crushing Microschools—Even Zuckerberg’s](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/zoning-laws-are-crushing-microschools-even-zuckerbergs/) - If Mark Zuckerberg’s tiny homeschool co-op can be shut down by zoning laws, what hope do ordinary teachers and parents have? - [The Public School Monopoly is Crumbling — and That’s a Good Thing](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-public-school-monopoly-is-crumbling/) - Across the country, public schools are scrambling to win families back—because for the first time, parents really do have other options. - [Understanding AI’s Impact on Work](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/understanding-ais-impact-on-work/) - Worried AI will steal your job? The real story isn’t about jobs disappearing—it’s about which skills are truly safe. - [AI is Transforming Jobs, Not Destroying Them](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/ai-is-transforming-jobs-not-destroying-them/) - States like Utah and Colorado are quietly rewriting the rulebook on how workers can survive—and thrive—in the age of AI and automation. - [A History of Technopanic and Progress](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/a-history-of-technopanic-and-progress/) - Worried that AI will take your job? History says it’s more likely to make life better — and here’s why. - [Federal School Choice: A Win for Parents or a Step Too Far?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/federal-school-choice-a-win-for-parents-or-a-step-too-far/) - Could it be that a new federal school choice program, which looks like a win for parents, is actually a Trojan horse for more federal control over education? - [Utah's Energy Future Begins With Nuclear Readiness](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/utahs-energy-future-begins-with-nuclear-readiness/) - Could a Utah rail case unlock the future of nuclear energy across America? — A Supreme Court ruling just changed the game. - [Utah’s Sky-high Tech Ambitions Are a Bet Worth Making](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/utahs-sky-high-tech-ambitions-are-a-bet-worth-making/) - Utah isn’t the next Silicon Valley — it’s something bolder: a pro-innovation frontier where startups thrive without the coastal red tape. - [AI Vibe Check from Overton Insights Polling](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/ai-vibe-check-from-overton-insights-polling/) - From AI lovebots to taxpayer-funded data centers, Americans have opinions—and this latest poll shows the vibes are very, very off. - [Legislation Will Not Protect Kids Online](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/legislation-will-not-protect-kids-online/) - New laws aimed at protecting kids online won’t work, and could even make things worse. Parents, not politicians, are the best defense against digital dangers. - [Nevada Approves Property Insurance Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/national/nevada-approves-property-insurance-sandbox/) - Nevada has made a bold bet on innovation—creating a new sandbox where property insurance startups can test solutions to wildfire risk and rising premiums. - [What to Know about the AI Moratorium](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/what-to-know-about-the-ai-moratorium/) - Is Congress really blocking states from passing AI laws—or is there more to the “AI Moratorium” than headlines suggest? - [Utah Fits All is Popular](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-fits-all-is-popular/) - Nearly two-thirds of Utahns support the Utah Fits All Scholarship — because when families are free to choose what works, kids thrive. - [Teaching in the Age of AI Means Rethinking the Classroom](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/teaching-in-the-age-of-ai-means-rethinking-the-classroom/) - If AI can finish a school assignment in seconds, maybe the problem isn’t the student—it’s the assignment. - [Texas Could Blow Its Shot at Leading the AI Revolution](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/texas-could-blow-its-shot-at-leading-the-ai-revolution/) - Texas nearly sabotaged its AI gold rush—until lawmakers hit the brakes on a bill that could’ve driven innovators to California, Virginia, or worse, Europe. - [The New Landscape of U.S. Tech and AI Task Forces](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/the-new-landscape-of-u-s-tech-and-ai-task-forces/) - As America races to lead the AI revolution, a battle is unfolding between innovation and overregulation. - [What the School Enrollment Shift Tells Us About Education in America](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/what-the-school-enrollment-shift-tells-us-about-education-in-america/) - Utah families aren’t just having fewer kids — they’re actively choosing different ways to educate them. - [The AI Boom Is Global, Tariffs Won’t Make It Local](https://libertas.institute/blog/the-ai-boom-is-global-tariffs-wont-make-it-local/) - In the race to lead in AI, the worst-case scenario for the U.S. is to give our foreign adversaries an unnecessary competitive edge. - [Utah Continues to Lead the Nation with Forward-Thinking AI Legislation](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/utah-continues-to-lead-the-nation-with-forward-thinking-ai-legislation/) - While other states consider restrictive policies toward AI, Utah continues to set an example of how to regulate more thoughtfully. - [Utah REINS: Yet Another Step Forward for Utah’s Regulatory Environment](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-reins-yet-another-step-forward-for-utahs-regulatory-environment/) - The passage of HB 474 is a major step toward fostering a more predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment in Utah. - [Utah Embraces Digital Asset Innovation with Passage of H.B. 230](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/utah-embraces-digital-asset-innovation-with-passage-of-h-b-230/) - With this new law, Utah is sending a strong message: we are ready to lead in the rapidly evolving world of digital assets and currencies. - [Bringing Transparency and Accountability to Municipal Broadband Projects](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/bringing-transparency-and-accountability-to-municipal-broadband-projects/) - SB 165 is a significant step toward ensuring that municipal broadband projects are financially sound and transparent. - [What’s Next for the Utah Fits All Scholarship?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/whats-next-for-the-utah-fits-all-scholarship/) - A recent court decision has shaken things up in Utah’s education landscape: a judge ruled that the Utah Fits All Scholarship program is unconstitutional. - [Don’t Slam the Brakes on AI Before It Even Starts](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/dont-slam-the-brakes-on-ai-before-it-even-starts/) - What if we’d regulated the internet before Google, Amazon, or email even existed—are we about to make the same mistake with AI? - [UPDATE: Utah Fits All Continues for Now](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/update-utah-fits-all-continues-for-now/) - The Utah Fits All Scholarship program is still alive. This legal fight is far from over. But for now, Utah families can move forward. - [Don’t Count Utah Fits All Out Just Yet](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/dont-count-utah-fits-all-out-just-yet/) - This ruling may feel like a full stop, but it’s only a pause. The fight to give Utah parents and kids education choice is far from over. - [Independent Workers Receive Bipartisan Support in Alabama](https://libertas.institute/national/independent-workers-receive-bipartisan-support-in-alabama/) - Alabama passed legislation to support independent workers by introducing tax deductions for contributions to portable benefits accounts. - [Portable Benefits Polling Out](https://libertas.institute/national/portable-benefits-polling-out/) - Now is the time for states to act on widely supported solutions like portable benefits that protect workers without compromising flexibility. - [Kansas Breaks Ground With Leap to Universal Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/free-market/kansas-breaks-ground-with-leap-to-universal-sandbox/) - This year, Kansas has become the second state to go straight from no sandbox to a universal sandbox. - [State-Level Growth Undone by Top Down Tariffs](https://libertas.institute/free-market/state-level-growth-undone-by-top-down-tariffs/) - As states like Utah work to grow their economies through innovation and open trade, federal tariffs threaten to sink that progress. - [Tennessee Supports Independent Workers](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/tennessee-supports-independent-workers/) - Tennessee just became the second state in the nation to adopt portable benefits—offering contract workers more financial security. - [Build More Power, but Don’t Forget About the Grid](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/build-more-power-but-dont-forget-about-the-grid/) - As AI’s appetite for power surges, America’s aging energy grid is being pushed to the brink. - [Removing Regulations for Education Entrepreneurs](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/removing-regulations-for-education-entrepreneurs/) - Red tape no more—now education entrepreneurs have a clear pathway to launch their microschool. - [Empowering Gig Workers with Portable Benefits](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/empowering-gig-workers-with-portable-benefits/) - Gig workers now have the opportunity to receive benefits previously given only to traditional W-2 workers. - [Empowering Families with Education Scholarships](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/empowering-families-with-education-scholarships/) - A new school choice program empowers families to take their tax dollars to alternative education options. - [Protecting Seniors from Rising Property Taxes](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/protecting-seniors-from-rising-property-taxes/) - A new program brings much-needed relief to house-rich and cash-poor senior citizens. - [Shielding Entrepreneurs from Regulations](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/shielding-entrepreneurs-from-regulations/) - We created the nation's first regulatory sandbox, helping exempt innovative entrepreneurs from outdated laws and regulations. - [A Multi-Year Battle for Medical Cannabis​](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/a-multi-year-battle-for-medical-cannabis/) - Relief finally came to tens of thousands of Utahns despite significant opposition in the state. - [Protecting the Right to Work](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/protecting-the-right-to-work/) - In an effort to protect the right to work, our proposal limits the government's ability to deny someone an occupational license. - [Closing the Third-Party Privacy Loophole](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/closing-the-third-party-privacy-loophole/) - A first-in-the-nation law to protect privacy clamped down on law enforcement snooping on your digital data. - [Repealing Mandatory Vehicle Safety Inspections](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/repealing-mandatory-vehicle-safety-inspections/) - The government was taking $25 million from drivers for a program that didn't protect public safety. - [Cutting Red Tape for Mobile Entrepreneurs](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/cutting-red-tape-for-mobile-entrepreneurs/) - A first-of-its-kind law helps food trucks and other mobile business owners get to work without red tape getting in the way. - [Shining a Light on Local Government](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/shining-a-light-on-local-government/) - A first-of-its-kind report brought much-needed transparency to local government in Utah. - [Reforming No-Knock Raids to Protect Lives](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/reforming-no-knock-raids-to-protect-lives/) - Utah became tip of the spear for police reform after a failed raid led to multiple injuries and deaths in Ogden. - [Corruption Exposed in the Attorney General’s Office](https://libertas.institute/our-impact/corruption-exposed-in-the-attorney-generals-office/) - Libertas Institute was tip of the spear in exposing the corrupt actions of government prosecutors deceiving the legislature into undermining private property protections in Utah law. - [2025 Legislative Session: Tax Policy Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/2025-bills/2025-legislative-session-tax-policy-wins-and-losses/) - Utah lawmakers made key tax policy changes this session—so how will these shifts impact your wallet? - [2025 Legislative Session: Property Rights Wins and Losses](https://libertas.institute/2025-bills/2025-legislative-session-property-rights-wins-and-losses/) - This past legislative session saw both victories and setbacks in the fight for property rights, shaping the future of housing. - [Education Choice a Solution to Changing School Boundaries?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/education-choice-a-solution-to-changing-school-boundaries/) - Heartbroken. Devastated. These are the words that one mother used to describe her and her children’s feelings over the school closures coming to Alpine School District. - [Standardized Education Caused the Learning Pandemic](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/standardized-education-caused-the-learning-pandemic/) - Standardized education does not benefit students, because students are far from standardized. - [Reforming Occupational Licensing Can Help Veterans Unlock New Career Paths](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/reforming-occupational-licensing-can-help-veterans-unlock-new-career-paths/) - Utah must pass increasing amounts of legislation supporting veterans through the reduction of occupational licensing barriers. - [Welcome to the Gig Economy](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/welcome-to-the-gig-economy/) - The benefits provided by a portable benefit plan can include anything, not just health coverage and unlike traditional coverage, a portable benefit plan doesn't require a worker to stay with one app or another to maintain their coverage. - [Utah Law Would Strike a Balance Between Public Safety and Digital Privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-law-would-strike-a-balance-between-public-safety-and-digital-privacy/) - Bill to place rules on how police can seek digital warrants is something other states should copy. - [When I Met Madhu](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/when-i-met-madhu/) - Before the world was flipped upside down by the pandemic response, Madhu was an assistant manager. But she, like countless others, was furloughed and eventually forced to seek out a new job. This is what eventually led her into working full time in the ride-sharing economy. - [Tax Increases on the Ballot — What Happened and Why They Matter](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/tax-increases-on-the-ballot-what-happened-and-why-they-matter/) - In addition to the federal, state, and county elections that took place last November, many voters in Utah voted on various ballot propositions. Spoiler alert — most taxes are increasing. - [Libertas Requests Veto of DNA Warrantless Search Bill (SB156)](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/libertas-requests-veto-of-dna-warrantless-search-bill-sb156/) - Three years ago, Libertas published a policy brief highlighting how law enforcement was using new DNA technology to identify individuals and the problems this poses by empowering the government to identify suspects using massive databases of DNA familial connections. Individuals who obtain their DNA profile (via Ancestry or 23andMe, for example) can upload them to - [The Pardon Power in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-pardon-power-in-utah/) - The topic of pardons can be controversial. Advocates like Governor Brown call them a “chance to save lives.” However, granting one individual the power to override a lawful conviction leaves that power subject to abuse. - [The Missing Children Aren't Actually Missing](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-missing-children-arent-actually-missing/) - Are there really over a million students missing? Following the school closures, 1.3 million students in fact did not return to public schools. But they didn’t move to charter or private schools either. So, what's really going on here? - [Utah Legalizes Fentanyl Test Strips](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-legalizes-fentanyl-test-strips/) - In an ideal world, no one would use or traffic in harmful drugs. But we don’t live in an ideal world. Until that day, harm-reducing measures like permitting dealers and users to test drugs for fentanyl, will save lives. - [Should Texas Takeover Houston ISD?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/should-texas-takeover-houston-isd/) - The Texas Education Agency is taking over the Houston Independent School District (ISD), but should they? - [Economic Empowerment of Women Can Improve With Licensing Reform](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/economic-empowerment-of-women-can-improve-with-licensing-reform/) - Occupational licensing has become a significant topic of debate in recent years. Advocates of licensing argue that licensing requirements protect public safety and consumer welfare, while critics contend that they restrict competition, raise prices, and limit job opportunities. - [What We Can Learn From Mental Health Care Reform During a Public Health Crisis](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/what-we-can-learn-from-mental-health-care-reform-during-a-public-health-crisis/) - By deregulating occupational licensing and telehealth, states can increase the supply of mental healthcare providers and reduce costs, while also increasing the availability of care for patients in areas with provider shortages. - [The Unintended Consequences of Giving the Government Power](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-unintended-consequences-of-giving-the-government-power/) - The unintended consequences of doing so was never more evident than in a recent library book challenge in Davis School District. The book in question, the Bible. - [Federal Parent Bill of Rights](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/federal-parent-bill-of-rights/) - Honoring parental rights is a noble cause, but opening the door for the federal government to have more control will have unintended consequences as political winds change. Never give the government a power you wouldn’t want used against you. - [The Right to Prescribe Movement Gains Momentum Across States, Improving Access to Mental Health Treatment](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/the-right-to-prescribe-movement-gains-momentum-across-states-improving-access-to-mental-health-treatment/) - With states already adopting laws to allow psychologists to prescribe medication and Utah’s elected officials lessening scope of practice laws, it only makes sense for this law to come to fruition. - [Kentucky Goes All-In on Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/kentucky-goes-all-in-on-sandboxes/) - Regulatory sandboxes are an issue that Libertas Institute has researched extensively, and we stand ready to help your state pursue this opportunity as we have with Kentucky. - [Why Utah Needs to Expand GRAMA to Cover Unsustained Police Misconduct Allegations.](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-utah-needs-to-expand-grama-to-cover-unsustained-police-misconduct-allegations/) - Certainly, police agencies should watch themselves and each other. But ultimately if the people themselves cannot access the information needed to watch these watchers, there cannot be true police accountability. - [How to Achieve a More Dynamic Teaching Workforce](https://libertas.institute/uncategorized/how-to-achieve-a-more-dynamic-teaching-workforce/) - Nationwide, teacher shortages are rampant. It is time for our state and others to embrace this change and work together to build a more robust and dynamic teaching workforce. - [The Purpose of Punishment](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-purpose-of-punishment/) - We can better tailor punishment to effectively serve a purpose, rather than mindlessly handing out sentences that are unlikely to accomplish anything of value. - [How We Can Restore Balance to the Financial Ecosystem](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-we-can-restore-balance-to-the-financial-ecosystem/) - There is no perfect solution for the retail investor, but getting people access to alternative solutions like private equity and venture capital could help grow their savings accounts. - [Most Young Adults Don't Want to Go to College](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/most-young-adults-dont-want-to-go-to-college/) - A recent survey conducted by Populace showed that parents ranked college preparation number forty-seven out of fifty-seven priorities for their children’s K-12 education. - [Government Overreach and Housing Affordability in Resort Towns](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/government-overreach-and-housing-affordability-in-resort-towns/) - This article was authored by research intern Mitchell McCabe. Utah is known for its beautiful snow and thriving skiing industry, but behind the picturesque winter wonderland, a significant problem persists: a lack of affordable housing for the seasonal workers who keep the resorts running. Each year, thousands of people flock to Utah’s resorts and other - [Parental Rights Don't Come from the Government](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/parental-rights-dont-come-from-the-government/) - If our parental rights do not come from the government, where do they come from? The answer to this question will frame every controversy and debate happening in public schools. - [Life is Funny That Way](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/life-is-funny-that-way/) - One of the recurring themes I’ve noticed in New York City is that all my drivers have a few parking tickets under their belt. One driver told me he once pulled over to close his eyes for a few minutes, and woke up to find a piece of paper stuck to his windshield without so much as a courtesy knock. - [Why Police License Plate Readers Might be Illegal](https://libertas.institute/privacy/why-police-license-plate-readers-might-be-illegal/) - Although a Supreme Court ruling is not imminent, the dangers associated with data collection raised by the mosaic theory should give policy makers reason to strengthen — not weaken — guardrails surrounding the acquisition and use of this data. - [Turf Wars in Occupational Licensing](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/the-battle-of-professions-ending-the-turf-wars-in-occupational-licensing/) - Ben Shelton - In the world of occupational licensing, turf wars can seem like a never-ending battle between established professionals and emerging players. - [Think the Feds Will Legalize Psilocybin Soon? Think Again](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/think-the-feds-will-legalize-psilocybin-soon-think-again/) - Given the federal government’s abysmal track record when it comes to scheduling drugs in a timely manner that comports with current science, states shouldn’t wait. It’s time they step up and do the right thing for individuals suffering from mental illness. - [What Exactly is an Indictment?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/what-exactly-is-an-indictment/) - Former President Trump was recently indicted on thirty-four charges. So you may be wondering, what even is an indictment? - [The Case for Licensing Reform to Combat Economic Protectionism](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/the-case-for-licensing-reform-to-combat-economic-protectionism/) - Occupational licensing laws have severe consequences, such as stifled innovation, reduced consumer choice, higher prices, and a less competitive economic landscape. - [Empowering Parents Doesn’t Mean Banning Social Media](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/empowering-parents-doesnt-mean-banning-social-media/) - If the warning signs are true, and social media is creating all the harm talked about in the news, we can’t simply ban the problems away. - [Want to Fix Prison Healthcare? Address High Turnover Rates](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/want-to-fix-prison-healthcare-address-high-turnover-rates/) - Although there are multiple facets to the shortcomings in prison healthcare, employee turnover is certainly a contributing factor and will have to be addressed if healthcare outcomes are to improve. - [Teacher Salaries, Tax Breaks, and TIF](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/teacher-salaries-tax-breaks-and-tif/) - If local school districts already have the authority to give teachers a raise, why haven’t they already done so? - [Red Tape Limits Second Chances](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/red-tape-limits-second-chances/) - When a person has done the work to earn an expungement, red tape and fees shouldn’t stand in the way of making good on a second chance. - [A New Path for Gig Workers?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-new-path-for-gig-workers/) - One thing is clear: Utah’s legal innovation has opened a door for more robust conversations and opportunities in the gig economy — a door kept shut for far too long. - [Stop Measuring Your Kids](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/stop-measuring-your-kids/) - We all want our children to achieve greatness, and they can. But not if we compare them to others. Arbitrary standards measured by a high-stakes test undermine the greatness they can achieve. - [A Bidding War for Bread? A Metaphor for Utah's Housing Crisis](https://libertas.institute/free-market/a-bidding-war-for-bread-a-metaphor-for-utahs-housing-crisis/) - In short, the solution to shortages is removing barriers to supply. After all, without widespread abundance of life’s necessities, economic security for self and society is not possible. - [Our Next Step to Help Military Families](https://libertas.institute/uncategorized/beyond-the-uniform-utahs-next-step-in-supporting-military-families/) - Ben Shelton “Utah ranks among the top destinations for military families transitioning to a new duty station, a new report indicates.” - [Build a Better Future of Work](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/build-a-better-future-of-work/) - Life moves much faster than it did four decades ago. And it keeps getting faster. The workforce, in turn, is along for the ride with little hope of slowing down. - [Top 3 Takeaways from Hybrid Schools Conference](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/top-3-takeaways-from-hybrid-schools-conference/) - At the end of April, I spent two days in Atlanta attending the Hybrid Schools Conference. Here are three things I learned. - [Understanding the Utah Interim Session](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/understanding-the-utah-interim-session/) - Libertas Institute Staff In the realm of legislative processes, the Utah Interim Session plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and advancing important discussions. - [Montana is Innovating the Insurance Industry](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/montana-is-innovating-the-insurance-industry/) - Libertas Institute is ready to help your state pursue regulatory sandbox reform, as we have with Montana. For groups or legislators in other states looking to work on the issue, we’d love to help! - [Parents Value Education. Shop Accordingly](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/parents-value-education-shop-accordingly/) - Every child’s education should match the greatness and potential their parents see in them. But finding that education will take work. - [Universal Licensure Can Boost Economic Opportunities](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/universal-licensure-can-boost-economic-opportunities/) - Did you know that if you moved to another state, your occupational license might not be valid anymore? Occupational licenses can cost tens of thousands of dollars!! Universal licensing recognition is the solution we all want and need! - [Homeschool: Good for Kids, Bad for Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/homeschool-good-for-kids-bad-for-schools/) - It's no wonder that many question if public schools prepare kids for the real world. Most students have little experience making decisions for themselves. - [In a World with AI, What is Human Intelligence?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/in-a-world-with-ai-what-is-human-intelligence/) - Jon England Knowing how to use AI effectively will be a powerful skill. Using it ethically will be powerful for humanity. - [Bureaucracy Delays Workforce Entry](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/bureaucracy-delays-workforce-entry/) - States should take pre-emptive action to ensure backlogs in the licensing process don't become an issue and that licensing processes remain efficient. - [Nebraska is Innovating the Insurance Industry](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/nebraska-is-innovating-the-insurance-industry/) - The Cornhusker State, a state known for its expansive prairies and agriculture industry, just made a strong move in innovation. - [Privacy Month Part 1: A Decade of Snowden](https://libertas.institute/privacy/privacy-month-part-1-a-decade-of-snowden/) - This week marks the ten-year anniversary of Edward Snowden blowing the whistle on the many crimes and abuses by the US intelligence community. - [Privacy Month Part 2: A Beginner’s Guide to Whistleblowers](https://libertas.institute/privacy/privacy-month-part-2-a-beginners-guide-to-whistleblowers/) - We explore the important role dissenters of corrupt federal and state agencies play in promoting transparency, accountability, and protecting our rights. - [A House for Cars, But Not for Granny](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/a-house-for-cars-but-not-for-granny/) - When I learned that my grandmother in Tennessee needed to move from my father’s accessory dwelling unit and into a nursing home, I started planning alternatives. The solution was straight from my father’s playbook. I decided I would demolish the ugly old garage on my property in downtown Provo and build a small cottage home - [Privacy Month Part 3: Nothing To Hide](https://libertas.institute/privacy/privacy-month-part-3-nothing-to-hide/) - The reality is that we all have things to hide; not because we’re guilty of any crime but rather because there are parts of our lives — whether intimate or embarrassing — we prefer to keep private. Our privacy should be valued and protected. - [Bible ban? School choice!](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/bible-ban-school-choice/) - You and I should be demanding that the government acknowledges our rights. It is why Utah and many other states are passing bills supporting school choice. - [The Beauty of Microschools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-beauty-of-microschools/) - Microschools. You may have heard of them. But what are they, and are there any near you? - [Privacy Month Part 4: The Digital Panopticon](https://libertas.institute/privacy/privacy-month-part-4-the-digital-panopticon/) - Massive data collection and advanced surveillance technology enables government eyes to be in more places than ever before. But privacy matters. - [Employability Certificates: From Conviction to Qualification](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/employability-certificates-from-conviction-to-qualification/) - Job hunting is tough enough, but for those with a criminal record, it can feel like a nearly impossible task. That's where employability certificates come in. - [Montana Tackles Facial Recognition](https://libertas.institute/privacy/montana-tackles-facial-recognition/) - Fortunately, there are state lawmakers who are diligently working to erect digital safeguards to protect citizens from undue intrusion by government agencies. - [Social Media Age Bans and the Real-World Cyber Risks](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/social-media-age-bans-and-the-real-world-cyber-risks/) - When it comes to statutory restrictions that use age-verification mechanisms, legislators should slow down. Caden Rosenbaum - [Model Policy: AI and Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/model-policy-ai-and-education/) - This policy seeks to integrate AI into assignments while upholding ethical standards and promoting critical thinking. Jon England - [ChatGPT Uncovers the Shortcomings of Our Licensing Exams](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/chatgpt-uncovers-the-shortcomings-of-our-licensing-exams/) - Utah’s lawmakers will have a plethora of regulatory decisions to make surrounding these tools. With these decisions, lawmakers must allow the benefits of the tools to be reaped by their citizens to their fullest extent. - [Countries with Large Health Care Professional Shortages Could Save us from Ours](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/countries-with-large-health-care-professional-shortages-could-save-us-from-ours/) - Utah can be the next state to explore innovative and effective treatment options, and Utah’s lawmakers should explore deregulation barriers to this treatment. - [Don't Fear the Nuclear Future](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/dont-fear-the-nuclear-future/) - Utahns need not fear proposals to build nuclear power plants near or in Utah. Caution is always warranted and healthy, but it shouldn't override our progress. - [Does Utah Need More Law Enforcement in Schools?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/does-utah-need-more-law-enforcement-in-schools/) - Does placing more police in schools work or is it counterproductive? That is the question that should be included in current school safety discussions. - [What is Education?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/what-is-education/) - Education isn't just about knowledge; it's about nurturing the soul, finding truth and beauty, and creating a moral compass to guide our kids through life. - [What Exactly is a City?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/what-exactly-is-a-city/) - “Should we become a city?” Residents in five areas of Utah are asking this question. To understand the implications, let's explore a few fundamental questions. - [Demand for UT Fits All Scholarships Likely to Outpace Supply](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/demand-for-ut-fits-all-scholarships-likely-to-outpace-supply/) - The number of applications for the Utah Fits All Scholarship will likely blow past the 5,000 scholarships available. While that might be frustrating to families as this program launches, it will send a strong message that many families need this type of program to create the best education for their children. - [Public Education is a Sinking Ship](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/public-education-is-a-sinking-ship/) - This op-ed originally appeared in Daily Herald on August 3, 2023. Public schools are a shipwreck, and it may be time to save ourselves. “We shipwrecked in 2020, but it was already a leaky boat,” John Arthur said during a panel on learning loss at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute in Salt Lake City. It’s a good metaphor. Public - [The Danger of Normalizing Big Brother](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-danger-of-normalizing-big-brother/) - Many are taught that once something is on the internet, we can't get it back. Let’s protect our children from that happening to their personal information. - [AI Weapon Detection Normalizes Big Brother](https://libertas.institute/privacy/ai-weapon-detection-normalizes-big-brother/) - “There are no solutions, there are only trade-offs.” This is apt given the $3 million contract for AI weapon detection in schools. So, what are the trade-offs? - [The Curious Case of the Provo Twin Home](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-curious-case-of-the-provo-twin-home/) - If we don’t want our home prices to be as high as California’s, we need to stop debating twin homes and look at the real problem — our California-style zoning. - [Personalize Your Child’s Learning](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/personalize-your-childs-learning/) - Your child’s education should match the greatness and potential that you see in them. If it doesn't, you have options. Let's redefine education! - [Kids Don't Want Normal School](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/kids-dont-want-normal-school/) - Yes, kids are rejecting public schools — but that doesn’t mean they are rejecting learning. They just want to learn differently. - [10 Years Later, Medical Cannabis is Here to Stay](https://libertas.institute/blog/10-years-later-medical-cannabis-is-here-to-stay/) - A decade ago today, Libertas Institute kickstarted the effort in Utah to legalize cannabis for medicinal use. And it all began after watching CNN's "Weed" documentary featuring Dr. Sanjay Gupta on August 11, 2013. In that video, Dr. Gupta highlighted the story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl with severe seizures for whom cannabis was her - [Told to Remove ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ patch, This Colorado Kid Took a Stand](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/told-to-remove-dont-tread-on-me-patch/) - The only thing necessary for the triumph of school policies that infringe on students’ rights is for good students to do nothing. - [Are Genetic Genealogy Investigations Willing to Skirt the Rules?](https://libertas.institute/privacy/are-genetic-genealogy-investigations-willing-to-skirt-the-rules/) - To uphold the ideals expressed in the Bill of Rights, we must stop data fishing expeditions, whether the databases are created by corporations or government. - [Employment for Ex-Offenders: Utah's Vision](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/employment-for-ex-offenders-utahs-vision/) - Implementing policies that make working more available to ex-offenders will ensure freedom to all, keep our state and cities safer, and lower taxpayer costs. - [Don't Ban AI, Use It!](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/dont-ban-ai-use-it/) - Banning AI doesn’t help students learn; it holds them back. Sooner or later, using AI well will become a necessary skill set for any young professional. - [Learning is More Than School](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/learning-is-more-than-school/) - Most learning happens outside of school. So if you feel that your child isn’t learning or doesn’t fit into the formal classroom, remember — you have options. - [I Needed School Choice](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/i-needed-school-choice/) - Don’t leave your kids bored or unchallenged or overlooked in an education system that isn’t a good fit for them. Choose an education for your family and your kids that leads them to success. - [Life in the Surveillance State](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/life-in-the-surveillance-state/) - It’s easy to imagine worst-case scenarios with new tech. But you don’t have to rely on fiction to see what these systems would look like in the real world. - [Kindergarten Standardized Tests? No Thanks!](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/kindergarten-standardized-tests-no-thanks/) - Children, especially young children, learn through play. But focusing on standardized assessments limits play in schools. - [Utah Teachers are Innovating Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-teachers-are-innovating-education/) - Javonne Tanner, a teacher, started her own school. So did Renae Zentz, Heather Poll, and many other teachers across the state. And you can too! - [Kids Are Smart: Teach Them To Be Safe Online](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/kids-are-smart-teach-them-to-be-safe-online/) - Florida’s Governor may have called the state the “Utah of the Southeast,” but when it comes to teen social media use, Florida leads the field. - [Why We Care about Gig Workers: 60-Second Stories](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/why-we-care-about-gig-workers-60-second-stories/) - I’ve written about Rosemary in the past, but in this 60-second story, I lay out the reason why I first took notice of this important segment of the economy. - [Why Gig Workers Use Platforms: 60-Second Stories](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/why-gig-workers-use-platforms-60-second-stories/) - The issues might not be simple, but solutions are necessary and will benefit so many who are working hard in the gig economy. - [Schools, Especially for Teenagers, Need a makeover. ](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/schools-especially-for-teens-need-a-makeover/) - Teenagers want to study something meaningful. But what is meaningful to one is boring to another. We can change the way school looks for teenagers. - [Why Gig Work isn’t Ready for Full Time: 60 Second Stories](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/why-gig-work-isnt-ready-for-full-time-60-second-stories/) - There's a tendency to think of app-based gig work as an easy alternative to traditional employment. But stories of misplaced liability and danger abound. - [Would You Ever Live in an HOA — And Do You Still Have a Choice?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/would-you-ever-live-in-an-hoa-and-do-you-still-have-a-choice/) - Strict zoning causes HOAs to appear in areas you might not expect them — small towns, outside of the city limits, and even rural and semi-rural areas. - [Police in Schools Don't Help Student Discipline](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/police-in-schools-dont-help-student-discipline/) - School officers seem to be a quick fix to the issue of school safety. However, studies demonstrate they have an overall negative impact on student discipline. - [How to Ease Veterans' Transition into Civilian Life](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/how-to-ease-veterans-transition-into-civilian-life/) - Utah values its veterans. But that support is only half-hearted if we do not also actively take down barriers that hinder their transition into civilian life. - [A New Jersey Catholic Considers Moving to Utah, But is Housing Within Reach?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-new-jersey-catholic-considers-moving-to-utah-but-is-housing-within-reach/) - It’s time that government barriers are lifted on housing so Utah can fully shine as the sanctuary it has always encompassed. - [How Teachers in Utah Are Creating Innovative Microschools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/how-teachers-in-utah-are-creating-innovative-microschools/) - Teachers, you can start your own microschool or education business. If you build it, the students will come. - [Education Choice is Not the Boogeyman](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/education-choice-is-not-the-boogeyman/) - No, choice programs aren't the boogeyman, but for the students who don’t fit into typical education, it could be a knight in shining armor coming to save them. - [Public Schools Shouldn’t Be Cultural Battlefields](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/public-schools-shouldnt-be-cultural-battlefields/) - School choice laws won’t resolve culture wars, but they will move battlegrounds away from schools. Let parents and students choose what schools teach. - [Utah's Efforts to Reform Occupational Licensure](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/utahs-efforts-to-reform-occupational-licensure/) - Occupational licensing regulation still stops many people from getting jobs, including veterans and ex-offenders. Utah needs to erase these barriers. - [How to Fix Utah’s Cybersecurity Problem](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-to-fix-utahs-cybersecurity-problem/) - Utah may have raised some concerning red flags, but because it has taken the step to audit and identify problems, it’s now perfectly positioned to solve them. - [How Drones, AI, and Chatty Plants Can Help Feed the Planet](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/how-drones-ai-and-chatty-plants-can-help-feed-the-planet/) - These types of innovations have the potential to help millions of people in the future as we get better at farming, especially in harsh conditions of the world where people struggle to survive. - [How to Use the Utah Fits All Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/how-to-use-the-utah-fits-all-scholarship/) - Most parents choose traditional education models. But for students who don’t fit into that model, the Utah Fits All Scholarship lets them find what they need. - [Moving Past AI’s Regulatory Conundrum](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/moving-past-ais-regulatory-conundrum/) - Disinformation in the age of AI makes people more skeptical about the information they consume, and it’s becoming an urgent matter in the face of the upcoming presidential elections. - [The Surveillance Generation](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-surveillance-generation/) - As we work to improve student safety, officials must think twice before buying invasive technology to use on children — especially when the tech is ineffective. - [Let's Reimagine Licensing for Military Veterans](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/lets-reimagine-licensing-for-military-veterans/) - No person should have to face laws that unnecessarily limit their access to jobs. Utah legislators should strongly consider these changes to help veterans and the state continue to thrive. - [Innovative Solutions for Utah's Housing Crunch](https://libertas.institute/free-market/innovative-solutions-for-utahs-housing-crunch/) - Utahns should embrace innovation and reform now and help Utah again become an affordable place to live. - [Restoring Financial Privacy and Security](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/restoring-financial-privacy-and-security/) - The New York Times reports that US banks are denying services to people whose banking activities trigger an algorithm, or whose political views they dislike. - [Here Comes AI, It's Alright](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/here-comes-ai-its-alright/) - We need to keep an open mind with AI. Doing so can help us recapture the spirit of our continued evolution. - [We Don’t Need to Control Education](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/we-dont-need-to-control-education/) - Milton Friedman said it best: “(A free economy) gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.” - [Curbing AI Disinformation Requires Innovation, Not Regulation](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/curbing-ai-disinformation-requires-innovation-not-regulation/) - Our technological capability will improve, just like any other industry. But heavy-handed regulations and executive orders are doomed to fail. - [When Supply Meets Demand](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/when-supply-meets-demand/) - While supply and demand is basic economics, some doubt that building more homes will have the positive effect needed on prices. - [The Impact of Utah's Local Government Elections](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/the-impact-of-utahs-local-government-elections/) - Far from being inconsequential, local government matters. When municipal elections come back, watch what candidates bring to or detract from your area. - [The Utah Fits All Scholarship Won’t Destroy Public Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-utah-fits-all-scholarship-wont-destroy-public-schools/) - Those who like public schools can keep it. But for those who don’t fit into that model, this scholarship provides a much needed alternative for their education. - [To Bond or Not to Bond, That Was The Question](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/to-bond-or-not-to-bond-that-was-the-question/) - This November, Utah voters didn't just choose their city officials; they also had their say on various ballot propositions. What do these propositions entail, how did they fare statewide, and what repercussions do they hold for voters? (Hint: In many instances, they signify higher taxes.) - [Gov. Cox Wants 35,000 New Starter Homes. But How Will They Get Built?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/gov-cox-wants-35000-new-starter-homes-but-how-will-they-get-built/) - If local government acts in a deregulatory, free-market way, then getting 35,000 homes built could be met or even exceeded — at no cost to the taxpayer. - [7 Steps to Homeschool](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/7-steps-to-homeschool/) - Have you wanted to start homeschooling your children but feel overwhelmed by the idea? If so, you are not alone. Luckily it's far easier than you think. - [College Can Wait](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/college-can-wait/) - College may not be the golden ticket to success it once was. Entrepreneurship can provide a better path to success than attending a traditional college. - [We Need All Kinds of Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/we-need-all-kinds-of-schools/) - If public school works for you and your child, great! 84 percent of Utah parents feel the same. But don’t let that take an opportunity away from the 16 percent that aren’t happy with public schools. - [SLC Apartment Surge Causing Increase of Rental Incentives?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/slc-apartment-surge-causing-increase-of-rental-incentives/) - If the market were free to build a variety of homes to meet the demand, we could end our housing shortage. - [My Education Christmas List](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/my-education-christmas-list/) - Dear Santa, I have been a very good boy this year. We advocated for the passage of the Utah Fits All Scholarship, and I met many new micro-school founders to help share their stories. With that in mind, I hope you'll consider my education Christmas list. - [How the Grinch Made Christmas More Expensive](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/how-the-grinch-made-christmas-more-expensive/) - Every taxpayer in Whoville, Utah, liked affordable Christmas a lot… but the tax-hiking Grinch did NOT! The tax-hiking Grinch hated affordable Christmas! - [Yes Virginia, There is a Limited Government](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/yes-virginia-there-is-a-limited-government/) - If we choose to usher a tyrannical government into existence, it'll happen. But if we choose to embrace the principles of private property, free enterprise, and the rule of law, then a small government can thrive. - [It’s Time for Young Adults to Care About Digital Privacy](https://libertas.institute/privacy/its-time-for-young-adults-to-care-about-digital-privacy/) - There's hope for bolstering digital protections. It's time for this generation to become trailblazers, and demand digital privacy rights. - [Out of Work But Optimistic](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/out-of-work-but-optimistic/) - How can states help people flourish, instead of just surviving, when career setbacks come their way? And how can we help tech talent in times of uncertainty? - [Why Ditching Passwords is Better for User Privacy](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/why-ditching-passwords-is-better-for-user-privacy/) - While no system is impervious to every threat, the shift toward biometric passkeys marks a significant stride in online security. - [AI Weapon Detection is Theater](https://libertas.institute/privacy/ai-weapon-detection-is-theater/) - AI weapon detection violates student’s right to privacy. Currently, we're selling our privacy for an illusion of security. - [UT Supreme Court Favors Privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/ut-supreme-court-favors-privacy/) - While police officers may be permitted to search your device with a warrant, you are not obligated to reveal the passcode to unlock it. - [Solving Cell Phones in Schools](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/solving-cell-phones-in-schools/) - Advocates say banning cell phones will improve student achievement, decrease student misbehavior, and improve the school's overall climate. But do these bans work? - [How Artificial Intelligence Can Disrupt Our Outdated School System](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-artificial-intelligence-can-disrupt-our-outdated-school-system/) - Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence offer a paradigm shift, challenging entrenched educational norms and encouraging us to reimagine the system. - [More Questions Than Answers for Herriman’s Broadband Proposal](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/more-questions-than-answers-for-herrimans-broadband-proposal/) - The idea of offering cheaper and faster internet is appealing, but the reality is that municipal networks struggle to break even, much less turn a profit, without the help of taxpayer funds. - [Housing Innovation, Part 1: How Did We Get Here?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/housing-innovation-part-1/) - "Skyrocketing rent! High-interest rates! Limited Supply! Increased Homelessness!" These are some of the headlines and issues that we have been dealing with during this housing crisis. But why? - [Housing Innovation, Part 2: What Could the Future Look Like?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/housing-innovation-part-2-what-could-the-future-look-like/) - By applying creative principles both in and outside the home, we can provide starter homes for everybody who wants one — and at a price much lower than what we are seeing today. - [Decoding Utah's Education Budget Puzzle](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/decoding-utahs-education-budget-puzzle/) - Utah is often ridiculed by media and public school proponents for having the least amount of money spent per student on education. They aren’t wrong, but they also aren’t telling the whole story. - [Utah Microschools Face Outdated Regulations](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-microschools-face-outdated-regulations/) - The education world has changed in the past few years. It is time that new models of learning are recognized and allowed into our communities. - [Punishments Won’t Solve Absenteeism](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/punishments-wont-solve-absenteeism/) - Schools need to take a deep look at their practices. There is something keeping students from attending school, and it isn’t a lack of punishment. - [Public Schools, a Continuing Battlefield](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/public-schools-a-continuing-battlefield/) - If you want to solve the school culture wars, allow parents to decide who will teach their children and how. No parent should be forced to send their child to a school that teaches values they don’t accept. - [Utah Actually Spends Over $11,000 per Student](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-actually-spends-over-11000-per-student/) - Utah public schools receive $11,000 per student, $3,000 more than private schools. Funding sources include state, local, and federal contributions. - [Utah Doubles Utah Fits All Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-doubles-utah-fits-all-scholarship/) - This expansion is exciting, and we are looking forward to how the legislature further expands the scholarship in the future. - [Combining Carson Smith and Opportunity Scholarships](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/combining-carson-smith-and-opportunity-scholarships/) - Senate Bill 44 from Senator Fillmore combines the Carson Smith and Special Needs Opportunity Scholarships into one program, eliminating the bureaucracy and thus making access to the program easier for families. - [Utah Simplifies Microschool Startup Rules](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-simplifies-microschool-startup-rules/) - By removing these barriers, Utah can continue to grow its thriving and diverse learning environment. Teachers and parents are now free to create the education that works best for their children. - [HB 31 Helps Farmers and Agritourism](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/hb-31-helps-farmers-and-agritourism/) - Utah farmers rejoice! With the passage of HB 31, sponsored by Representative Carl Albrecht, agritourism activities are now more viable. - [More "Truth" in Truth-in-Taxation](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/more-truth-in-truth-in-taxation/) - With the passage of SB 29 this legislative session, Utah’s “Truth-in-Taxation” law (first enacted in 1985) just got an upgrade. The bill, sponsored by Senator Chris Wilson, will help keep Utah residents informed when their local governments are proposing a property tax increase. - [Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: SB 47 Victory](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/empowering-young-entrepreneurs-sb-47-victory/) - Child entrepreneurs who open a lemonade stand, wash cars, or operate other occasional businesses now have another hurdle removed. - [More Fairness in the Building Permitting Process](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/more-fairness-in-the-building-permitting-process/) - This bill ensures fairness for those in the construction process by stipulating that cities and counties cannot change the permit requirements after a permit has been issued. - [Utah Legalizes Cold Plunges](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/utah-legalizes-cold-plunges/) - Fortunately, this year Utah’s legislature passed SB 106, sponsored by Senator Curt Bramble, to amend the law and take cold plunges out of the public pool regulatory requirements. - [Utah to Train Employees on Cybersecurity Best Practices](https://libertas.institute/privacy/utah-to-train-employees-on-cybersecurity-best-practices/) - The bill, sponsored by Representative Carl Albrecht, requires all state employees to undergo cybersecurity training. - [Utah’s Sandbox Continues to Improve](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/utahs-sandbox-continues-to-improve/) - Utah’s regulatory sandbox movement has been a major advancement in state regulatory reform. A regulatory sandbox creates a safe-space for businesses to experiment with new and innovative ideas in the market without the burden of regulatory barriers for one year with a possible one year extension. The sandbox is designed for businesses with innovative products, - [Yes! You Can Customize Your Child's Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/yes-you-can-customize-your-childs-education/) - The Utah Fits All Scholarship allows parents to meet their child’s unique education needs. All children are unique, and they deserve an education that matches their individual interests and needs. I couldn’t be more excited for the possibilities. - [Utah’s Sandbox Takes On a New Role](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/utahs-sandbox-takes-on-a-new-role/) - Utah’s universal sandbox is continually pushing the boundaries of what a state can achieve with proactive regulatory programs. What’s next under this newly minted component of the sandbox will be sure to surprise and inspire other states to follow suit in the coming years. - [Privacy Prevails: How Utah is Finding Harmony with Technology and Privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/privacy-prevails-how-utah-is-finding-harmony-with-technology-and-privacy/) - SB231 is a blueprint for a future where technology, privacy and the government are not all at odds. - [A Medicinal Pilot for Psychedelic Therapy in Utah](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/a-medicinal-pilot-for-psychedelic-therapy-in-utah/) - Utah recognizes the potential of psilocybin and MDMA by passing this legislation. This comes after the hard work of a psychotherapy and mental illness taskforce which ultimately concluded the psilocybin is both safe and effective. - [5 Myths about Education Choice](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/5-myths-about-education-choice/) - Do not let these myths make you lose focus on what is important: an educational environment where every student, teacher, and parent has the opportunity to choose what is best for them. - [Microschools Would Have Helped Me as a Kid in Peru. Now They Can Help Utahns](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/microschools-would-have-helped-me-as-a-kid-in-peru-now-they-can-help-utahns/) - This new law, sponsored by Sen. Fillmore, diminishes barriers and reaffirms education empowerment. This new step represents an excellent opportunity for parents, children and teachers to innovate and improve education. - [Stop Pressuring Kids Into College](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/stop-pressuring-kids-into-college/) - College will always be there. But allowing young adults to explore outside of traditional college allows college to be part of the plan, rather than the only plan. - [College Should Wait](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/college-should-wait/) - A college student's money isn't going as far as it used to, and far too many students are graduating with crippling debt. That isn't to say that college isn't necessary for some, but in an age where information is just a few clicks away, college may not be the golden ticket it once was. - [Do Squatters Have Rights in Utah?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/do-squatters-have-rights-in-utah/) - How did squatting start, and why do we still have issues with it in the modern-day United States? - [Utah’s New Microschool Law: a Model for Other States](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-new-microschool-law-a-model-for-other-states/) - Microschool founders face major problems. One of the biggest: local governments. Overly burdensome regulations dictate where these schools can be located and how they must be built. But Utah just passed a law, a first of its kind in the nation, which reduces those regulations. - [Earth Day Means Sandboxing](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/earth-day-means-sandboxing/) - As environmental issues become more challenging, the time we are afforded to clutch our pearls over regulatory control is quickly coming to an end. What’s needed now, more than another overly-cautious government regulation, is a sandbox for innovators – working proactively with regulators to solve this enormous challenge. - [Over 27,000 Students Applied for Utah Fits All Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/over-27000-students-applied/) - 27,270 students. That is how many students applied for the Utah Fits All Scholarship by the April 22nd deadline. Excitement for the program was evident as 10,617 students applied within the first twenty-four hours. - [Bluffdale Allows for Detached ADUs. Should Your City?](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/bluffdale-allows-for-detached-adus-should-your-city/) - With its support of detached ADUs, Bluffdale sets an example for municipalities across the state. Should other cities consider similar measures? - [Utah Lights An Innovative Path To Matching Benefits With Work Realities](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-lights-an-innovative-path-to-matching-benefits-with-work-realities/) - This shift to full time gig work has come at the expense of traditional work-related benefits. That is, until last year, when Utah passed an innovative idea for portable benefits into law. - [Experience is Better Than a Degree](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/experience-is-better-than-a-degree/) - Students must carefully evaluate their options and think about what is best for them before deciding to enroll in college. Higher education is not the only way and there are many interesting alternatives. - [Is Your Car Actually Spying On You?](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/is-your-car-actually-spying-on-you/) - We need to start thinking of our vehicles as giant smartphones that hold tremendous amounts of data about us. Then we can start to take the necessary legal and common sense precautions to protect our own privacy, as well as the privacy of others in civil society. - [Debunking Myths About Utah Education Fits All Distribution](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/debunking-myths-about-utah-education-fits-all-distribution/) - Almost all of the 10,000 Utah Fits All Scholarships went to the lowest income families who applied, 9880 scholarships to be exact. This flies in the face of arguments that the Utah Fits All will only go to rich families. - [We Must Build More Homes – The Emerging Political Consensus](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/we-must-build-more-homes-the-emerging-political-consensus/) - Despite politicians from different parties often having stark political differences, increasingly their assessments of America’s housing market woes are aligned. - [What is Zoning?](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/what-is-zoning/) - Zoning is the mother lode of city rules. Going far beyond describing that factories are not allowed in the middle of neighborhoods, zoning laws contain a striking level of regulatory detail that often goes on for hundreds of pages. - [The UEA's Frivolous Lawsuit](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-ueas-frivolous-lawsuit/) - Utah’s floundering teachers’ union, the UEA, sued to stop the implementation of the Utah Fits All Scholarship. Makes me wonder, why did they wait over a year to do this? - [Principal to Education Choice Expert](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/principal-to-education-choice-expert/) - How does a 14-year public school teacher and principal become a leading voice for the education choice and microschool movement? - [Louisiana is Innovating the Insurance Industry](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/louisiana-is-innovating-the-insurance-industry/) - After four years of effort, in 2024, Representative Kim Carver introduced House Bill 701, which established an insurance sandbox – the state’s first. - [Automated Lawnmowers are Just the Beginning!](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/automated-lawmowers-are-just-the-beginning/) - When we think of "autonomous vehicles," we naturally think of cars. But the future is fast approaching, and it's more than just cars that are self-driving nowadays. - [The Utah Fits All Scholarship Will Stand Strong in the Courts](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-utah-fits-all-scholarship-will-stand-strong-in-the-courts/) - The legal precedents set by the Supreme Court and countless state-level rulings suggest parents in Utah will remain free to choose what is best for their children’s education after all. - [Hands-On Learning](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/hands-on-learning/) - Schools should offer more hands-on vocational programs, as the current college-focused education system fails to engage many students who prefer practical, on-the-job training. - [How to Accommodate Microschools](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/how-to-accommodate-microschools/) - Like the name suggests, microschools have smaller class sizes and buildings than typical schools. - [What's Next for Airbnb Regulation in Utah?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/whats-next-for-airbnb-regulation-in-utah/) - Short-term rentals face varying local regulations; state-level legislation has stalled amid debates over property rights versus community d housing concerns. - [The Freedoms We Have Lost](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-freedoms-we-have-lost/) - As we reflect on the freedoms celebrated in the Declaration of Independence, it is essential to acknowledge those we have lost along the way. - [Police Want Access to Your ‘Data Mobile’](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/police-want-access-to-your-data-mobile/) - Legislators interested in protecting the Fourth Amendment rights of their constituents should follow Utah’s lead in requiring search warrants for vehicle data and any other third-party data that law enforcement might try to access. - [School Choice in Rural America: New Opportunities for Endless Potential](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-choice-in-rural-america/) - School choice programs will unlock the potential of all students in Utah, both rural and those along the Wasatch Front. At the same time, they will provide the healthy competition needed for schools to thrive and find ways to face the challenges they encounter. - [The Housing Shortage Tax We All Pay](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/the-housing-shortage-tax-we-all-pay/) - In short, we can declare housing a crisis and we can debate about growth, but unless more homes are built, Utah’s housing shortage tax will only increase. - [Missouri Goes Zero to One Hundred on Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/missouri-goes-zero-to-one-hundred-on-sandboxes/) - Missouri, also known as The-Show-Me State, is known for more than just the Gateway Arch. This year, the state has shown the rest of the country how to promote innovation. - [Breast Cancer Screening Bus Faces Zoning Fight](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/breast-cancer-screening-bus-faces-zoning-fight/) - In South Jordan, Utah, overly strict zoning regulations are impeding the operation of a mobile breast cancer screening business. - [True School Accountability](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/true-school-accountability/) - How do we hold businesses who treat us poorly accountable? We may refuse to do business with them, write a negative review online, or let everyone know not to do business with that company. In essence, we vote with our pocketbooks and our feet. - [6 Benefits of Microschools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/6-benefits-of-microschools/) - These entrepreneurial education entities are blossoming around the country. But what are they, and why are they so helpful? - [College: Just Say No](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/college-just-say-no/) - Students should explore their options more before committing to four years and thousands of dollars worth of debt. You may decide that college is what you need. But there are ways to do it quickly and cheaply, and other viable alternative paths. - [How to Regulate Short-Term Rentals](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/how-to-regulate-short-term-rentals/) - Regarding the regulation of short-term rentals, our primary recommendation is to avoid banning them in residential areas. - [The Case Against College](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-case-against-college/) - As college continues to evolve, it may be important to reevaluate what success can look like and consider other pathways apart from the traditional college experience. - [RV, Camper, and Trailer Parking](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/rv-camper-and-trailer-parking/) - Many residents you represent own products commonly called RVs, campers, and trailers. An issue that sometimes arises is how these are defined and where they are allowed to park. - [Splitting Alpine School District Will Give Parents More of a Say and Will Help Students Succeed](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/splitting-alpine-school-district-will-give-parents-more-of-a-say-and-will-help-students-succeed/) - It’s time to give parents a say on whether they want to leave Alpine School District. Should the proposals make it on the ballot this fall, by approving them families in Northeastern Utah County would see local tax resources allocated directly to facilities, programs and initiative in a way that truly allows their children to succeed. - [Utah's Upcoming Execution Will Solve Nothing](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utahs-upcoming-execution-will-solve-nothing/) - The growing opposition to the death penalty reflects a broader recognition that more humane and effective alternatives exist, and it is time for policymakers to act on this understanding. - [The Free Market is Not to Blame for Our Housing Crisis](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-free-market-is-not-to-blame-for-our-housing-crisis/) - Instead of blaming the free market, it would be more productive to explore ways to reduce regulatory barriers and increase market flexibility. - [Choose the Right Internship, Not the Wrong Class](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/choose-the-right-internship-not-the-wrong-class/) - Whatever your chosen field of study, choose the right internship, not the wrong class. You’ll thank yourself for giving your career an early boost. - [School Choice: Gen Z’s Mental Health 'Glow Up'](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-choice-gen-zs-mental-health-glow-up/) - Helping students find their way in life should be a pillar of education. Instead, performance pressure is taking a toll on Gen Z and leaving many disoriented. - [Why it’s Time to End the Department of Education](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-its-time-to-end-the-department-of-education/) - We don’t need federal bureaucrats telling us what to do, especially when it comes to our children’s education. Instead, we need to push for local control. - [What Do Local Officials And Staff Think About Housing?](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/what-do-local-officials-and-staff-think-about-housing/) - More people are starting to support ADUs and smaller lots, but community opposition remains a major barrier to housing reforms. How can Utah balance growth? - [A Fourth Amendment Victory From the Fifth Circuit](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/a-fourth-amendment-victory-from-the-fifth-circuit/) - “We hold that geofence warrants are modern-day general warrants and are unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment.” - [Why Regulating AI is a Losing Battle](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-regulating-ai-is-a-losing-battle/) - In the end, the battle over AI isn’t just about who has the best chips; it’s about who has the best minds, the most advanced algorithms and the strongest strategies for protecting them. - [AI is the Brush, Not the Artist](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/ai-is-the-brush-not-the-artist/) - Despite its capabilities, AI is just a tool. As David Autor put it, "tools generally aren’t substitutes for expertise but rather levers for its application.” - [The Tyranny of Homework](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-tyranny-of-homework/) - Here's why homework, especially in elementary schools, is a tyrannical burden on your family. - [What Exactly is a Microschool?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/what-exactly-is-a-microschool/) - Microschools exist all over the state and nation. In fact, more parents than ever are choosing them as the main way to educate their children. - [Affordable Housing vs Housing Affordability](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/affordable-housing-vs-housing-affordability/) - At first glance, “housing affordability” and “affordable housing” might seem like interchangeable terms. However, these concepts represent distinct concepts in housing policy, each deserving a closer look. - [Regulators Tying the Hands of Innovation in the Face of an AI Race](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/regulators-tying-the-hands-of-innovation-in-the-face-of-an-ai-race/) - If we want open-source AI models to thrive, collaboration to abound, and small businesses to flourish, we must ditch the suffocating grip of regulation, and let innovation flow. - [Geofence Warrants: The Modern-Day General Warrant](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/geofence-warrants-the-modern-day-general-warrant/) - In an era where digital surveillance is becoming increasingly pervasive, the Fifth Circuit’s decision is a crucial step in the right direction. - [Let's Rethink Chicken Ownership in Cities](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/lets-rethink-chicken-ownership-in-cities/) - From a liberty standpoint, owning chickens is not much different from owning cats or dogs. Animal ownership comes with responsibilities such as feeding, sheltering and maintaining sanitary conditions. - [Housing Issues on Display at Gubernatorial Debate](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/housing-issues-on-display-at-gubernatorial-debate/) - As the housing debate continues to dominate Utah’s politics, this year's gubernatorial candidates' differing approaches reflect the complexity of the issue. - [Should Cities Pursue Municipal Broadband?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/should-cities-pursue-municipal-broadband/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. Residents you represent may want faster or more reliable internet service than they currently have. One option that sometimes comes up is municipal broadband—where the internet infrastructure or service is funded by the municipality rather than by private companies. While increasing the number of the internet - [Libertas Institute Submits Comments Regarding the Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act Rule](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/libertas-institute-submits-comments-regarding-the-utah-minor-protection-in-social-media-act-rule/) - Today, Libertas Institute and our partners at Abundance Institute submitted comments to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection regarding the Regarding the Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act Rule. - [How the Founders’ Fight for Privacy is More Relevant Than Ever in the Digital Age](https://libertas.institute/privacy/how-the-founders-fight-for-privacy-is-more-relevant-than-ever-in-the-digital-age/) - Just as Otis declared that “a man’s house is his castle,” we must now declare that our phones, cars, and data are part of that same castle, deserving the same protections from government intrusion. - [Are Police Dogs the Right Move for Utah Schools?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/are-police-dogs-the-right-move-for-utah-schools/) - Introducing K-9 dogs into schools may seem like a nice solution. But schools can do other things that don’t involve violating a student’s right to privacy. - [Traditional Schools Kill Curiosity](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/traditional-schools-kill-curiosity/) - Teachers often say they want children to ask questions, but the unfortunate reality is that traditional schools discourage child curiosity. - [Should Your City Copy Farmington's New ADU Ordinance?](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/should-your-city-copy-farmingtons-new-adu-ordinance/) - Farmington's new, innovative, and forward-thinking ordinance marks a noticeable shift towards property rights and housing freedom. - [Regulations for Backyard Chickens?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/regulations-for-backyard-chickens/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. Many cities throughout Utah have recognized that the keeping of chickens is compatible with neighborhood living. For example, when properly cared for, the noise and odors from chickens are minimal and hardly noticeable, even in close quarters. Accordingly, it is common to have ordinances that allow - [Should Government Dictate Home Sizes?](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/should-government-dictate-home-sizes/) - Home owners should have the flexibility to build homes that reflect their lifestyle needs, rather than be forced to conform to arbitrary zoning restrictions. - [Silver Linings in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/silver-linings-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene/) - X has been flooded with posts of North Carolinians thanking Apple and Elon Musk for their technology, a testament to how tech innovation can save lives. - [Demand Surges for Utah Fits All Scholarships](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/demand-surges-for-utah-fits-all-scholarships/) - There is clearly demand for this program, and we can afford to do even more to make Utah a hub for educational innovation and let parents make the choices they feel are best for their kids. - [Microschools: A Lifeline for Unique Learners](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/microschools-a-lifeline-for-unique-learners/) - Microschools are not just an option, but a lifeline to parents seeking an education that meets the needs of their children. - [Autopilot Tragedy in Draper Spurs Debate as Tesla Expands Fully Autonomous Fleet](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/autopilot-tragedy-in-draper-spurs-debate-as-tesla-expands-fully-autonomous-fleet/) - Incidents like the accident in Draper shouldn’t derail progress on AV tech. They should prompt us to focus on improving these systems. - [We Need a Freer Housing Market](https://libertas.institute/housing-crisis/we-need-a-freer-housing-market/) - The time for market-driven solutions is now, and it begins with zoning reforms that give the housing market freedom to meet the needs of Utah's growth. - [Disruptive Children Deserve Support, Not Isolation](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/disruptive-children-deserve-support-not-isolation/) - There are better ways to handle challenging behaviors. Schools, stop using these isolation rooms and techniques. They don’t help you or your students. - [Utah Cities Should Legalize Backyard Cottages](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-cities-should-legalize-backyard-cottages/) - Given Utah’s growing demand and high housing costs, it is crucial for policymakers to reduce the regulations surrounding backyard cottage construction. - [Gen Z’s New Path: Skip College](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/gen-zs-new-path-skip-college-2/) - Gen Z doesn’t need to follow the same outdated formula. They need options, freedom and the chance to pursue careers that don’t come with a financial anchor. - [Homeschooling Isn't the Problem](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/homeschooling-isnt-the-problem/) - This isn’t the first time we've seen calls for stronger regulation on homeschooling after a tragedy. But adding more regulations won't help. Here's why. - [Getting Started with Small-lot Starter Homes](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/getting-started-with-small-lot-starter-homes/) - A "starter home" lacks an official definition but is generally understood as a smaller home on a smaller lot, like a three-bed, two-bath house under 1,500 square feet on a one-eighth-acre lot. - [Utah’s Nuclear Energy Moment](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/utahs-nuclear-energy-moment/) - Backed by strong public support and a strong economic need for greater energy abundance, Utah is staking its claim in the nuclear renaissance. - [Getting Started with Cottage Court Starter Homes](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/getting-started-with-cottage-court-starter-homes/) - A “cottage court” is a cluster of homes arranged around a shared courtyard, clubhouse, garden, or other amenity. - [Trump Won: Now End Fed Ed](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/trump-won-now-end-fed-ed/) - Ending the Department of Education gives kids a chance to succeed by putting power back where it belongs - with parents. - [Why Adversarial AI Laws Are the Wrong Move for America ](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/why-adversarial-ai-laws-are-the-wrong-move-for-america/) - If states are serious about capitalizing on the AI revolution, they must do more than avoid bad policy – they must build a foundation that welcomes innovation. - [Utah is Getting a New City and Town](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/utah-is-getting-a-new-city-and-town/) - Utah is getting two new cities. What does this process entail, and what does it mean for the residents and Utahns in general? - [Utah’s Operation Gigawatt Should be a Blueprint for the Country](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-operation-gigawatt-should-be-a-blueprint-for-the-country/) - Investing in nuclear energy is the key to unlocking the full potential of AI, an abundance of clean and reliable power and a wave of economic growth. - [What Does Work Have to do with Healthcare Anyway?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/what-does-work-have-to-do-with-healthcare-anyway/) - This op-ed originally appeared in American Habits on December 2, 2024. If you’re a healthy working-age adult in the United States, you typically need a health insurance plan to afford seeing a doctor. To afford a health insurance plan, you typically need a “real job.” You typically need a steady paycheck to be considered someone having - [Don’t Buy Junk Stocks – Viewing College as an Investment](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/dont-buy-junk-stocks-viewing-college-as-an-investment/) - College degrees are taking longer and costing more than ever before. Despite this, most high school graduates are still going to college. - [Your Taxes, Your Choice: What Utah’s 2024 Ballot Propositions Mean for You](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/your-taxes-your-choice-what-utahs-2024-ballot-propositions-mean-for-you/) - If you want a say in how your tax dollars are spent, learning about these bonds — and turning out to vote on them — is essential. - [Zoos, Arts, and Parks: How Utah Voters Are Shaping Local Taxes](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/zoos-arts-and-parks-how-utah-voters-are-shaping-local-taxes/) - In the end, RAP taxes reflect a broader principle: Local democracy works best when citizens are empowered to make decisions that directly impact their lives. - [How Scrooge Learned to Embrace Education Reform](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/how-scrooge-learned-to-embrace-education-reform/) - Jon England reimagines the "Christmas Carol” narrative to emphasize that embracing innovative education models like microschools and personalized learning can transform the future of education, offering families better choices and opportunities for students to thrive. - [School Choice on Trial: Defending the Utah Fits All Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-choice-on-trial-defending-the-utah-fits-all-scholarship/) - Opponents fear the scholarship will undermine public education, but Utah Fits All is not about dismantling the public system; it’s about providing families with options. - [The Education Revolution: Why Parents Are Abandoning the Status Quo](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-education-revolution-why-parents-are-abandoning-the-status-quo/) - The disruption in education isn’t a trend - it’s a shift in what families expect and seek. Public schools face a pivotal choice: adapt or become irrelevant. - [Utah’s Bold Move: General Education Cuts](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-bold-move-general-education-cuts/) - General education classes have long been seen as little more than a checklist. As one student commented online, these courses often feel like a waste of time that could be spent honing their skills and focusing on their major. - [Breaking the College-as-Salvation Mindset](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/breaking-the-college-as-salvation-mindset/) - Is college still the best path for success? Here are some alternatives that might offer a smarter, more fulfilling future. - [How Outdated Zoning Laws Are Stifling Agritourism Innovation](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/how-outdated-zoning-laws-are-stifling-agritourism-innovation/) - Zoning restrictions are stifling innovation. Here’s how agritourism can thrive with simpler, clearer regulations. - [Microschools: Small Schools, Big Impact](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/microschools-small-schools-big-impact/) - Elon Musk’s school is part of a growing trend: microschools revolutionizing education with flexibility and creativity. - [State AI Policy in 2024: What Happened, What Didn’t, and Where Do We Go From Here?](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/state-ai-policy-in-2024-what-happened-what-didnt-and-where-do-we-go-from-here/) - In 2024, states clashed over AI regulation—who will lead the tech race and who will hold it back? - [Reimagining Public Schools Through Innovation](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/reimagining-public-schools-through-innovation/) - Parents want options that meet their child’s needs, and if traditional schools don’t deliver, the problems will get worse, and parents will seek alternatives. - [Personalized Education for All is Closer Than You Think](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/personalized-education-for-all-is-closer-than-you-think/) - AI is revolutionizing education—discover how personalized learning can transform classrooms for all students. - [Are AI Agents A Threat to Jobs or a Path to New Opportunities?](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/are-ai-agents-a-threat-to-jobs-or-a-path-to-new-opportunities/) - AI agents are revolutionizing work—here's how they impact jobs, security, and the future of industries. - [AI is Here to Work With Us, Not Against Us](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/ai-is-here-to-work-with-us-not-against-us/) - Humanoid robots are here—discover how they could reshape industries and the future of work. - [The False Promise of AI Security](https://libertas.institute/ai-regulation/the-false-promise-of-ai-security/) - AI weapon detectors in schools are failing, compromising student safety and privacy—here’s why that’s a problem. - [A Look Back at BEAD Program: What Worked, and What Didn’t](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/a-look-back-at-bead-program-what-worked-and-what-didnt/) - The BEAD program’s slow progress and rigid requirements are failing to connect Americans to broadband—here’s a better way forward. - [Policymakers Don’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel for AI](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/policymakers-dont-need-to-reinvent-the-wheel-for-ai/) - AI chatbots can be manipulated—but should regulation or innovation solve the problem? Here’s why adaptability beats bureaucracy. - [Utah’s Catalyst Program is a Game-Changer](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utahs-catalyst-program-is-a-game-changer/) - The Catalyst Program is luring homeschool families back with its innovative, hands-on approach to education. - [HB 455 Utah Fits All Updates: The Good and The Concerning](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/hb-455-utah-fits-all-updates-the-good-and-the-concerning/) - HB 455 strengthens Utah’s school choice program, but new funding tiers risk stifling innovation. - [Finally, a Path Forward for Online Age Verification](https://libertas.institute/privacy/finally-a-path-forward-for-online-age-verification/) - Can Utah balance online child protection with privacy rights? A new Digital ID proposal may offer a solution without government overreach. - [A Win for Small Business: SB 179 Streamlines Zoning for Utah’s Entrepreneurs](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/a-win-for-small-business-sb-179-streamlines-zoning-for-utahs-entrepreneurs/) - Utah’s SB 179 cuts zoning red tape, making it easier for entrepreneurs to launch innovative businesses like food trucks and microschools. - [How Utah Just Made Licensing Easier for Professionals](https://libertas.institute/occupational-licensure/how-utah-just-made-licensing-easier-for-professionals/) - This bill slashes redundant degree requirements, opening faster career paths for architects and others. - [Legislative Update: Key Public School Changes](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/legislative-update-key-public-school-changes/) - Utah just passed bold new education reforms—ending collective bargaining, expanding school choice, and revolutionizing career pathways. - [Utah’s Public Labor Union Bill Should Be a Model for the Nation](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-public-labor-union-bill-should-be-a-model-for-the-nation/) - Utah just banned public-sector unions from collective bargaining—saving taxpayers money and restoring fairness. Should other states follow? - [School Choice Isn’t Hurting Public Schools — Their Bank Accounts Prove It](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/school-choice-isnt-hurting-public-schools-their-bank-accounts-prove-it/) - Utah’s public schools sit on billions while teachers struggle. Should education funding follow students instead? Here’s the reality. - [Utah's HB 230, A Calculated Move into Digital Assets](https://libertas.institute/tech-innovation/utahs-hb-230-a-calculated-move-into-digital-assets/) - Utah’s HB 230 embraces Bitcoin, balancing financial innovation with caution. Will Utah lead the way in state crypto investments? - [The Difference Between a Fee and a Tax](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/the-difference-between-a-fee-and-a-tax/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. Taxes are collected to raise the revenue necessary to fund the local roads, law enforcement, fire department, and other services that cannot be attributed to a single user or beneficiary. This is in contrast to fees, which fund services that can be measured and attributed to - [The FAA’s Dalliance with Federal Regulatory Waivers](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-faas-dalliance-with-federal-regulatory-waivers/) - Drone delivery has long been viewed as a clear example of technological innovation that could greatly benefit consumers. By the 2010s, however, the FAA’s regulatory approach to overseeing drones in the airspace had fallen behind. - [Rosemary and the Very Long Ride](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/rosemary-and-the-very-long-ride/) - I started talking to my rideshare drivers as often as they would let me. Their stories, world views, and reasons for driving have been diverse and surprising. Eventually, their stories led to what is now our Future of Work project — with the addition of benefit portability to better suit a gig work lifestyle. - [Marlea and Me](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/marlea-and-me/) - Underneath the legal issues and political problems, what is most interesting is that platforms like Uber and Lyft actually agreed to pay for statutorily mandated benefits because the cost of reclassifying workers as employees was even greater. - [New Bill Makes it Easier for Workers Moving to Utah](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/new-bill-makes-it-easier-for-workers-moving-to-utah/) - Senate Bill 35, sponsored by Senator Curtis Bramble, will reduce barriers to obtaining an occupational license and will make it easier for workers to move to Utah and immediately enter their professional field. Specifically, this legislation will allow for the more efficient issuance of a Utah occupational license to a person who has come to - [Libertas Institute Submits Comments Opposing DOL Independent Contractor Reclassification](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/libertas-institute-submits-comments-opposing-dol-independent-contractor-reclassification/) - The DOL’s proposed rule, reclassifying many independent contractors in the gig economy as employees, will complicate the relationship between gig workers and their customers — resulting in fewer jobs, reduced income, and less economic opportunity. - [Utah Mobile Businesses, Say Goodbye to These Headaches](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/utah-mobile-businesses-say-goodbye-to-these-headaches/) - We applaud the Utah House of Representatives and Senate for passing this bill without a single no vote! - [A Parent's Only Influence on Public Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/a-parents-only-influence-on-public-schools/) - Teachers and sometimes parents are brought in by the district to choose the new textbook. Parent participation is purely for optics. - [Passage of HB 250 is a Big Win for Social Workers](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/passage-of-hb-250-is-a-big-win-for-social-workers/) - This new bill could provide a solution to current issues with social worker licensing exams by removing various examination requirements for licensure as a certified social worker or social service worker. - [Utahns Will Soon Have Access to More Mental Health Professionals](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/utahns-will-soon-have-access-to-more-mental-health-professionals/) - This new bill will start to topple poorly constructed telehealth regulations and expand the number of mental health professionals available to Utahns. - [2023 Brings Occupational Licensing Reform to Utah with Over Half a Dozen Bills](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/2023-brings-occupational-licensing-reform-to-utah-with-over-half-a-dozen-bills/) - We commend Utah’s Legislature for working towards giving the power back to the market, where it belongs, and not the government when deciding if someone is qualified enough to work. - [Education Choice is Coming to Utah](https://libertas.institute/2023-bills/education-choice-is-coming-to-utah/) - "It was the largest group in twenty years." That is what one capitol worker told me about the education choice rally that took place on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. - [Relaxing Occupational Licensing Laws: A Less Controversial Solution to Labor Shortages](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/relaxing-occupational-licensing-laws-a-less-controversial-solution-to-labor-shortages/) - It is clear that the deregulation of laws dictating who can gain employment in various jobs is needed to combat labor shortages. The best place to start this deregulation should come from a reexamination of licensing laws. - [Connecticut Sandboxes Energy](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/connecticut-sandboxes-energy/) - Regulatory sandboxes are a solution that Libertas Institute has researched extensively, and we stand ready to help your state pursue this reform opportunity. For groups or legislators in other states looking to work on the issue, we’d love to help. - [Ohio: Innovating in Fintech](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/ohio-innovating-in-fintech/) - Regulatory sandboxes are a solution that Libertas Institute has researched extensively, and we stand ready to help your state pursue this reform opportunity as we have with Ohio. - [Utah’s Legal Services Sandbox is a Game Changer](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-legal-services-sandbox-is-a-game-changer/) - As the Utah courts and Utah legislature review the results of the regulatory sandbox and consider continuing to fund and support the program, the data should not be drowned out by hypotheticals and political rhetoric. - [Waiting is Not Always the Safe Play](https://libertas.institute/free-market/waiting-is-not-always-the-safe-play/) - Dr. Terry Sellers admits, “It is indeed likely that... psilocybin could become a valuable intervention” but thinks the time is “not yet.” Waiting is not always the safe play. It certainly isn’t with psilocybin. - [Efforts to Open Job Opportunities for People with Criminal Records in Georgia](https://libertas.institute/free-market/efforts-to-open-job-opportunities-for-people-with-criminal-records-in-georgia/) - Unfortunately, in many places across the country a criminal record, even if the crime happened long ago or was minor in nature, can be an impediment to employment. - [Libertas Supports Protecting Free Expression Online](https://libertas.institute/free-market/libertas-supports-protecting-free-expression-online/) - The free expression we currently enjoy on the internet is at risk in today’s Supreme Court case, Gonzalez v. Google. - [Don't Ban Teenagers From Social Media](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/dont-ban-teenagers-from-social-media/) - Instead of limiting access to social media, we need to focus on education and empowerment, providing minors and their parents with the skills and judgment they need to navigate the online world and interact with their peers in and outside of Utah. - [School Culture Wars](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-culture-wars/) - I’m agnostic when it comes to what a child is taught. I am not agnostic when it comes to who decides. In order for parents to decide, we need to allow all of the choices to exist. - [Nevada's Executive Orders Bring the State Closer to a Free Market Approach to Worker Competence](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/nevadas-executive-orders-bring-the-state-closer-to-a-free-market-approach-to-worker-competence/) - This shift will ensure that only the most qualified workers are allowed to work, rather than just those who have been able to navigate the bureaucratic licensing process. - [Microschools Face Major Problems](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/microschools-face-major-problems/) - Microschool founders face major problems when it comes to establishing their schools. And local governments don’t help. - [The Benefits of Education Choice](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-benefits-of-education-choice/) - Yes, there are studies that support both sides of this argument, but when all of the evidence is reviewed, the decision becomes clear. Education choice policies benefit all children in Utah. - [Let's Eliminate Record-Based Rejection for Ex-Offenders in Utah](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/lets-eliminate-record-based-rejection-for-ex-offenders-in-utah/) - A conviction in one’s past should not be a nearly insurmountable roadblock to a prosperous future. - [Probationers Are Struggling More Than They Used To](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/probationers-are-struggling-more-than-they-used-to/) - The goal of limiting the number of people incarcerated has merit: incarceration is a drain on society and should be a last resort. However, the number of people who are not successful with community supervision indicates that work remains to be done. - [Occupational Licensing Reform: A Solution to Retention and Attraction of Qualified Judges in Utah](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/occupational-licensing-reform-a-solution-to-retention-and-attraction-of-qualified-judges-in-utah/) - While pay raises may provide a short-term solution, it may not address the root cause of the problem. - [Bad Apples Are Inevitable. Cover-ups and Bullying to Protect Bad Apples Aren’t.](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/bad-apples-are-inevitable-cover-ups-and-bullying-to-protect-bad-apples-arent/) - Officers and supervisors who attempt to sweep misconduct under the rug or, worse, retaliate against officers for doing the right thing, deserve severe consequences and certainly shouldn’t be put in positions of even greater authority. - [What is the Utah Sentencing Commission?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/what-is-the-utah-sentencing-commission/) - Determining what behavior is criminal and what punishments are attached is a core function of government. Ultimately, elected and accountable legislators should be determining what sentences the state doles out. - [Eliminating Record-Based Rejection for Ex-Offenders in Utah](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/eliminating-record-based-rejection-for-ex-offenders-in-utah/) - A conviction in one’s past should not be a nearly insurmountable roadblock to a prosperous future. - [Are Non-Native English Speakers at a Disadvantage in Occupational Licensing?](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/are-non-native-english-speakers-at-a-disadvantage-in-occupational-licensing/) - The America everyone idealizes is not just a dream; it's a promise this country has made. - [Education Choice Advocates Filled the Capitol](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/education-choice-advocates-filled-the-capitol/) - Parents, students, and teachers are clamoring for more options in education. Yes, most parents will continue to choose their public school, but when public education isn’t a good fit for a student, parents will be able to find an education that does. - [How Ohio and Utah's Licensing Portability Laws are Boosting the Economy and Easing the Labor Shortage](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/how-ohio-and-utahs-licensing-portability-laws-are-boosting-the-economy-and-easing-the-labor-shortage/) - Occupational licensing has become a major barrier to entry for many workers in the United States, preventing them from using their skills and experience to make a living. Thankfully, some states are taking steps to address this issue. - [The Accountability Question](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-accountability-question/) - Parents and students should be the ones who decide which educational fit is the best. When they are given this choice, parents and students are more satisfied with their education. - [Who Uses School Choice Programs?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/who-uses-school-choice-programs/) - “A student's parent is the primary person responsible for the education of the student, and the state is in a secondary and supportive role to the parent.” - [Occupational Licensing: A Threat to Free Speech and Economic Prosperity](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/occupational-licensing-a-threat-to-free-speech-and-economic-prosperity/) - Recent developments in California and Canada demonstrate that the dangers of occupational licensing may go beyond just economic consequences and may pose a threat to free speech. - [Film 'Emily the Criminal' Shows the Plight of Some Workers Today](https://libertas.institute/policy-analysis/film-emily-the-criminal-shows-the-plight-of-some-workers-today/) - This morality tale shines a light on several policy areas that lawmakers should be studying and taking action on to help the modern-day American worker achieve gainful employment. - [Too Few Violent Crimes in Utah Are Solved or Resolved](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/too-few-violent-crimes-in-utah-are-solved-or-resolved/) - In 2021, only 45 percent of violent crimes were “cleared” in Utah. What does that mean and why is it so important? - [What Variances and Special Permits Are, Why They Matter](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-challenges-of-obtaining-variances-and-special-permits-in-utah/) - Local officials must protect this fundamental necessity by significantly reducing, expediting, or abolishing the hearing processes associated with obtaining a special permit or variance. - [My Takeaway from CES 2023](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/my-takeaway-from-ces-2023/) - Everything I took note of during my time at CES will change lives. Here’s why I stuck to the startups and not the showcases - [Who Owns Your DNA?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/who-owns-your-dna/) - How secure is your DNA? Even if you have never purchased an ancestry kit, your identity can easily be traced through the DNA samples of your relatives. - [Top 3 Changes to Utah Sentencing Guidelines](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/top-3-changes-to-utah-sentencing-guidelines/) - The Utah Sentencing Commission released their new Adult Sentencing, Release, and Supervision Guidelines for 2023. Here are the top three changes to this edition of the Guidelines. - [Utah Should Lead the Way in School Choice for 2023](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-should-lead-the-way-in-school-choice-for-2023/) - Utah has a chance to lead the way in 2023 with education choice. The work put in by parents, lawmakers, and groups like Education Opportunity for Every Child, Utah Fits All, Libertas, and AFP Utah is coming together. - [The Ultimate Guide to Utah’s 2023 Legislative Session](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/the-ultimate-guide-to-utahs-2023-legislative-session/) - Our website offers a wide range of tools that allow you to keep up to date and stay informed about the happenings at the Capitol. - [School Choice Is Not The Boogey Man of Your Local School](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-choice-is-not-the-boogey-man-of-your-local-school/) - Some teachers fear what will happen to their local school if an education choice bill passes in Utah. How justified are these fears in reality? - [Choose Privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/choose-privacy/) - The latest "Twitter files" release reveals how the federal government heavily impacted content moderation policies... but they reveal more than corporate decision making. - [The FTC’s War on Gaming](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/the-ftcs-war-on-gaming/) - Even before she took the job as the FTC’s new Chair, Lina Khan had her sights set on big tech. But few expected the Chair to block tech companies from buying into gaming. - [Massachusetts Violates Consumer Consent](https://libertas.institute/privacy/massachusetts-violates-consumer-consent/) - A recent lawsuit reveals the problems that arise from the unholy union between technology firms and government actors. - [How do Utah’s Occupational Licensing Laws Stack Up Against the Rest of the Country?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-do-utahs-occupational-licensing-laws-stack-up-against-the-rest-of-the-country/) - In order to keep improving Utah’s ranking in the License to Work report and continuously make the state's labor market fair and free of needless regulation, Utah should continue pursuing occupational licensing reform. - [Police Killed My Mentally Ill Neighbor. We Have to do Better.](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/police-killed-my-mentally-ill-neighbor-we-have-to-do-better/) - Twenty-two Utahns were killed by police in 2022, or one death per 154,761 Utahns. This is far above the national rate of one deadly officer shooting per 284,212 Americans. - [Reforming Occupancy Limits Can Increase Personal Freedom](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/reforming-occupancy-limits-can-increase-personal-freedom/) - Access to safe, affordable, and stable housing is crucial for meeting other basic needs, such as education, transportation, and employment opportunities. - [The Government Wants to Erase the Privacy of Crypto](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-government-wants-to-erase-the-privacy-of-crypto/) - The United States and other world governments have been running a financial surveillance state since even before the internet existed. This latest piece of legislation is no different. - [Teachers Aren't Stuck in Public Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/teachers-arent-stuck-in-public-schools/) - The idea of beginning something new is scary for teachers, but the rewards outweigh the fear. You can begin the classroom you envisioned during your college years. You can have the impact in your students’ lives that you dreamt about as a student teacher. Do it! - [Bundle Insurance, Not Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/bundle-insurance-not-education/) - Yes, unbundling education does take more effort from the parents. But the payoffs are worth it. The students are happy and love learning. And the result is a child passionate about their own self-improvement. - [IRS Implements New Rule Requiring Payment Processors to Issue 1099-K Forms for Gig Workers Earning Over $600 per Year](https://libertas.institute/free-enterprise/irs-implements-new-rule-requiring-payment-processors-to-issue-1099-k-forms-for-gig-workers-earning-over-600-per-year/) - Beginning January 1, 2023, the IRS will require payment processors like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle to issue a 1099-K for business transactions totaling $600 in a year. - [We Suck at Bail](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/we-suck-at-bail/) - Because people are legally innocent until proven guilty, they should generally not be kept in jail unless and until they are found guilty. However, the justice system owes a duty not only to defendants, but also to the public. - [Hermey the Elf Needed a Choice](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/hermey-the-elf-needed-a-choice/) - Hermey didn’t fit the elf mold in Rudolph. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t a productive member of the community. - [Deed Restrictions Can Help Free You From Bad Zoning Policies](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/deed-restrictions-can-help-free-you-from-bad-zoning-policies/) - Deed restrictions help ensure that everyone has an opportunity to own a home in a good neighborhood located close to public amenities and high-paying jobs. - [Ban-the-Box: Good or Bad for Ex-Offenders?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/ban-the-box-good-or-bad-for-ex-offenders/) - It’s imperative to understand that ban-the-box policies are an important step in helping ex-offenders enter into a more equitable and fair labor market. - [Crack and Powder Cocaine Disparities Highlight Deeper Problem with Drug Laws](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/crack-and-powder-cocaine-disparities-highlight-deeper-problem-with-drug-laws/) - Current drug penalties pass neither of these tests. Lawmakers owe it to both those accused of drug crimes and the taxpayers, who fund their prosecution and incarceration, to make sure that drug classifications and penalties are grounded in objective fact. - [Justice Delayed is Justice Denied](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/justice-delayed-in-justice-denied/) - It has been truly said that justice delayed is justice denied. As memories fade and evidence becomes stale, it is harder for juries to accurately determine truth. - [Libertas Institute Submits Comments Opposing NLRB Joint Employer Rule Making](https://libertas.institute/free-market/libertas-institute-submits-comments-opposing-nlrb-joint-employer-rule-making/) - This week, Libertas Institute submitted comments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) opposing its Notice of Proposed Rule Making titled, “Standard for Determining Joint-Employer Standard.” - [Solving Gig Worker Problem will Open Up the Future of Work](https://libertas.institute/free-market/solving-gig-worker-problem-will-open-up-the-future-of-work/) - The gig economy has transformed the way we live our lives. From food delivery to rideshare to freelance design, a whole bundle of services is at our fingertips. But the gig economy has a sustainability problem. - [Time to Rip Off the Zoning Red Tape](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/time-to-rip-off-the-zoning-red-tape/) - Utah can’t seem to build fast enough to accommodate new homebuyers — many of them born and raised here — and everyone else looking for housing. - [Psychotherapeutic Taskforce Top Ten Takeaways](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/psychotherapeutic-taskforce-top-ten-takeaways/) - The task force concluded, following months of study, that MDMA and psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) can offer significant benefits to those with mental illness. - [Education Choice is Coming. Here is the First Step on the path.](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/education-choice-is-coming-here-is-the-first-step-on-the-path/) - By increasing teacher pay and funding choice in education, the governor and legislature acknowledge the dedication and effort of Utah’s public school teachers and recognize that the public education model is not the best fit for every child. - [Occupational Licensing Headed to the Supreme Court](https://libertas.institute/free-market/occupational-licensing-headed-to-the-supreme-court/) - Paid advice that millions of Americans rely on and that serves no threat to public well-being must be free of government intervention. Individuals should not be subjected to government silencing or lose their livelihoods simply because they are not licensed professionals. - [Tracking Truckers](https://libertas.institute/privacy/tracking-truckers/) - Yet again, the public is being asked to trade privacy for safety. This time, truckers are in the midst of the controversy, sparked by a proposed rule creating a digital tracking system for commercial truckers that may further stress the nation’s already weak supply chains. - [The Power of Consumers To Protect Their Privacy](https://libertas.institute/privacy/the-power-of-consumers-to-protect-their-privacy/) - Consumers have no control over how their private data — such as location and search history — is collected, stored, and distributed. When people lack control over when and how details of their private life become public, it is a problem for individual rights and privacy. - [Facial Recognition Is Plagued by Problems](https://libertas.institute/privacy/facial-recognition-is-plagued-by-problems/) - From false arrests to Fourth Amendment violations to psychological warfare, real issues plague facial recognition technology implementation, and they should be taken seriously. - [How Safe Are Psychotherapeutics?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/how-safe-are-psychotherapeutics/) - Drug policy, like all policy, should be based on facts. In this case, the facts show that psychotherapeutics are safer and less harmful than alcohol and not deserving of their Schedule I classification. - [Utah Psychotherapy and Mental Illness Taskforce Finds Psilocybin and MDMA are Safe and Effective](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-psychotherapy-and-mental-illness-taskforce-finds-psilocybin-and-mdma-are-safe-and-effective/) - Utah lawmakers are well aware that Utah has the highest rates of mental illness in the nation. In an effort to avail themselves of every available tool, they created the Utah Mental Illness and Psychotherapy Task Force earlier this year. The task force reported its findings, and what they said might surprise you. - [Psychotherapeutics Aren’t the Next Big Thing. They’re Already Here.](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/psychotherapeutics-arent-the-next-big-thing-theyre-already-here/) - Ketamine has already been helping Utah patients for years. - [A Review of How to Change Your Mind](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/a-review-of-how-to-change-your-mind/) - Accessible and compelling, How to Change Your Mind is an informative introduction to the world of psychotherapeutics. - [Ring Reveals Our Current Privacy Problem](https://libertas.institute/privacy/ring-reveals-our-current-privacy-problem/) - Recent revelations that have landed Ring—a residential, visual doorbell service—in hot water reveal the need for legislative and cultural change to protect individual privacy rights. - [Lack of Privacy Leads to Political Abuses](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/lack-of-privacy-leads-to-political-abuses/) - In the Internet age, the distribution of state power has drastic implications for Americans’ civil and privacy rights. Across the globe, counterterrorism is weaponized as a pretext for civil rights abuses. To preserve freedom, Americans must reignite their passion for defending privacy and civil rights. - [States Ignoring the First Amendment Is Landing Creatives Behind Bars](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/states-ignoring-the-first-amendment-is-landing-creatives-behind-bars/) - It is undeniable that rap music plays an important cultural role in today's society and has only gained in popularity in recent years. It's not only a large mode of expression for young black and brown individuals but also for young white boys, like myself. - [The Danger of Doxxing](https://libertas.institute/privacy/the-danger-of-doxxing/) - What is doxxing? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term as “publicly identify[ing] for [publication] private information about (someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge.” - [Proposed Tax Cuts Are the Utah Way](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/proposed-tax-cuts-are-the-utah-way/) - The tax cuts before the Legislature this year are the smart, responsible way to deal with the state's budget surplus. And the help Utahns help themselves. - [The New State Privacy Officer Is Appointed — Now What?](https://libertas.institute/privacy/the-new-state-privacy-officer-is-appointed-now-what/) - What should Utah's new Privacy Officer — and the Legislature — consider in the coming months? Libertas Institute has some ideas. - [Colorado Just Became the Second State To Legalize Psilocybin](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/colorado-just-became-the-second-state-to-legalize-psilocybin/) - Colorado’s latest measure legalizes not only possessing psilocybin, but also growing psilocybin-containing mushrooms at home and giving them to others. - [Occupational Licensing Can Expand Inequality](https://libertas.institute/free-market/occupational-licensing-can-expand-inequality/) - While licensing is still useful for protecting consumers, it can also become a tool for protecting those who are already licensed or financially stable. - [Zipline Is a Glimpse Into What Drones Should Already Be Doing](https://libertas.institute/free-market/zipline-is-a-glimpse-into-what-drones-should-already-be-doing/) - Zipline, the latest drone delivery service to launch in Salt Lake City, is unlike the rest. Instead of a four-prop quadcopter that hovers in place, Zipline drones look more like airplanes with a fixed wing design that weighs up to forty pounds and can travel over fifty miles. - [Why Is a Licensing Board Trying To Shut Down a Small Business Owner?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/why-is-a-licensing-board-trying-to-shut-down-a-small-business-owner/) - A California business owner was issued a citation and told to shut down after a licensing board claimed he was land surveying without a state-mandated license. - [The Free Market Solution to Teacher Shortages](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-free-market-solution-to-teacher-shortages-2/) - Headlines around the country are bemoaning the upcoming teacher shortage. Many claim that all we need to do is increase teacher pay and lower class sizes to solve this problem. Teacher shortages are more complicated than simply increasing teacher pay. - [Healthcare and Telehealth Deregulation Comes to Another State (Connecticut)](https://libertas.institute/free-market/healthcare-and-telehealth-deregulation-comes-to-another-state-connecticut/) - Connecticut should be applauded for the recent adoption of these compacts. - [Cutting Taxes in Utah Is a No-Brainer](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/cutting-taxes-in-utah-is-a-no-brainer/) - At a time when people are making cuts to their own budget, the state government needs to strongly consider giving back excess revenue to the people it took it from. - [County Elections: What Happened and Why They Matter](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/county-elections-what-happened-and-why-they-matter/) - This article will describe the roles of the of county officials that were on the most recent ballot, in addition to providing a wrap-up of Utah county election results. - [Does Utah Need Another Water Study?](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/does-utah-need-another-water-study/) - "Mega-drought! Don’t water your lawn before this date! Slow the flow! Pray for moisture!" If you’ve lived in Utah for any significant amount of time, then you’ve probably heard all these phrases. The fact of the matter is Utah has a semi-arid climate with a fair amount of desert regions. Utah will likely never have abundant sources of water anytime soon. But how does this affect our public policy around water? - [Ibogaine: A New Option for Addiction?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/ibogaine-a-new-option-for-addiction/) - A humble plant may be able to do what expensive treatment programs can’t: End addiction. - [Douglas Carter and Integrity](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/douglas-carter-and-integrity/) - Victims deserve finality. A lot of that is out of our control: convicted murderers on death row have every incentive to fight their conviction indefinitely. But by doing the right thing up front, police and prosecutors can ensure convictions are the product of a just process and that they stick, even through all the appeals. - [Privacy in the Digital Era: Who Controls Private Data?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/privacy-in-the-digital-era-who-controls-private-data/) - The boundaries between physical and digital spheres are collapsing. The digital sharing of personal information is now embedded into the economic and relational activities of daily life. Following the COVID pandemic, the popularity of work from home and other hybrid work relationships continued to erode traditional boundaries. - [Full Day Kindergarten Doesn't Solve Absenteeism](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/full-day-kindergarten-doesnt-solve-absenteeism/) - If we keep offering the same solution, we can expect to get the same results. Full-day kindergarten is more of the same solution that doesn’t solve anything. - [Standardized Testing, Another Licensing Barrier](https://libertas.institute/free-market/standardized-testing-another-licensing-barrier/) - In 2025, prospective law students may no longer have to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) to be granted admission to their dream school. - [Colleges Have Two Choices: Adapt or Fail](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/colleges-have-two-choices-adapt-or-fail/) - There are many reasons that enrollment may shrink: a declining birth rate from twenty years ago, tuition increases, on-the-job training, or an increase in alternatives to traditional college. Whatever the reason, colleges and universities, especially small ones, should begin looking at changing their model. - [The Criminal Justice System Was Not Designed for People With Mental Illness](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-criminal-justice-system-was-not-designed-for-people-with-mental-illness/) - The criminal justice system was designed for rational people who respond to incentives. It’s a poor fit for people whose mental illness is so severe they are incapable of doing so. - [A Framework for Patients to Safely Access Psychotherapeutic Medicine in Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-framework-for-patients-to-safely-access-psychotherapeutic-medicine-in-utah/) - Following months of study, the Utah Mental Illness and Psychotherapy Task Force found that MDMA and psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) can offer significant benefits to those with mental illness. - [Musk Wants to Fix Twitter — Good Luck!](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/musk-wants-to-fix-twitter-good-luck/) - Like it or not, Twitter is in trouble. The social media giant is losing loyal users and struggling to turn a profit — and not because Elon Musk bought the company and immediately began firing people. - [The Nation’s Report Card Is In, and It’s Straight Fs](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-nations-report-card-is-in-and-its-straight-fs/) - We have an opportunity to dramatically improve education in Utah. We don’t need industrial style schooling. We need education that meets the individual needs of our students. - [Tech Companies and Other Legacy Corporations Aren’t the Economy’s Job Creators](https://libertas.institute/free-market/tech-companies-and-other-legacy-corporations-arent-the-economys-job-creators/) - You may have heard politicians say in the past that “small businesses are the backbone of America.” The funny thing is that they are actually right. - [Montana Protects Privacy](https://libertas.institute/privacy/montana-protects-privacy/) - The passage of C-48 means Montana is now the third state to pass constitutional protections for privacy in digital data. - [Civil Commitment: A Solution in Name Only](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/civil-commitment-a-solution-in-name-only/) - When someone has been the victim of a vicious attack, he is usually willing and eager to participate in prosecution. But I found it impossible to connect with Roger. - [Was Gabby Petito’s Death Preventable? The Answer has a Lot to do With Bail](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/was-gabby-petitos-death-preventable-the-answer-has-a-lot-to-do-with-bail/) - Moab police were called to a domestic violence incident between Gabby Petito and her boyfriend a mere two weeks before he strangled her to death. Many have questioned whether a stronger intervention by Moab police could have saved her life. - [Why Libertas Supports ESAs](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/why-libertas-supports-esas/) - An ESA is designed to put parents in control of the state funding for their child. Parents are able to then make decisions about what education option is best for their student. - [Montana: The Privacy State](https://libertas.institute/privacy/montana-the-privacy-state/) - s our lives become more connected to the digital world with exciting new technologies, it’s crucial that our civil liberties are uploaded with us. Over the last decade, a handful of states have made important legislative changes with this end in mind. - [Are We Experiencing an Airbnbust?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/are-we-experiencing-an-airbnbust/) - Travelers have stayed in people’s primary or secondary properties in exchange for money for centuries. What’s modern are the apps we use to arrange such rentals and the zoning laws that criminalize the otherwise peaceful activity. - [Election Time Anxiety is Coming to An End](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/election-time-anxiety-is-coming-to-an-end/) - Rather than worrying so much about the “most important election of our lives,” take a look at what is happening around you in your neighborhood and your state. - [Book Banning, Critical Race Theory, Masks — It All Comes Down to School Choice](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/public-schools-have-always-been-and-will-always-be-an-ideological-battleground/) - The latest battle in the realm of public schooling is over what books should be in school libraries. But these battles have been ongoing since the birth of public schools. - [Look at Licensing Reform To Ease Utah’s Mental Health Crisis](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/look-at-licensing-reform-to-ease-utahs-mental-health-crisis/) - The attention surrounding Utah’s ongoing mental health crisis has been turning heads at the recently formed Office of Professional Licensure Review (OPLR). - [Consumer Privacy Laws Aren’t About the Public](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/consumer-privacy-laws-arent-about-the-public/) - When citizens consent to data collection, they make their personal information vulnerable to misuse and third party sales. - [A Key Lawsuit Could Reveal Just How Blurry The Lines Between Social Media And Government Have Become](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-key-lawsuit-could-reveal-just-how-blurry-the-lines-between-social-media-and-government-have-become/) - The problems raised by these lawsuits are not new. A recent CATO report discusses how the government uses bullying techniques to establish the “rules” by which social media operates. - [What Should Happen if an Officer Lies To Obtain a Search Warrant?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/what-should-happen-if-an-officer-lies-to-obtain-a-search-warrant/) - This question has become more than theoretical for Roderick Talley, whose apartment door was blown off its hinges and apartment searched after an officer lied in an affidavit. - [Receiving Centers Offer Safety to the Public and Those in Crisis Outside of the Criminal Justice System](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/receiving-centers-offer-safety-to-the-public-and-those-in-crisis-outside-of-the-criminal-justice-system/) - Officers are frequently called on to intervene in mental health crises. They routinely encounter people talking to themselves or behaving erratically, experiencing drug-induced psychosis, or acting violently with family members due to mental illness. Historically, scenarios like this put officers in a very tough position with few good options. - [Defendants Can Now Make More Informed Decisions About Plea Bargains](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/defendants-can-now-make-more-informed-decisions-about-plea-bargains/) - Defendants hold the right to trial, and there are circumstances when waiving that right and accepting a plea bargain are in a defendant’s best interest. However, that is a weighty decision and should be made with complete information. At the core of every bargain is an assessment of whether benefits outweigh costs. Plea bargains are no different. Thanks to legislation promoted by the Libertas Institute, defendants are now in a better position to evaluate whether a plea bargain serves their interests. In 2021, Utah passed Senate Bill 216, requiring the Sentencing Commission to - - [Why Are Vets Taking Notice of Occupational Licensing Regulations?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/why-are-vets-taking-notice-of-occupational-licensing-regulations/) - Too often, occupational licensing regulations create unnecessary barriers for those who have bravely served the country and their families. - [Jury Discretion in the Wild](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/jury-discretion-in-the-wild/) - Jury discretion — when a jury acquits a defendant despite clear evidence of guilt — is often discussed, but is rarely identified in the wild. - [How Occupational Licensing Might Boost Utah's GDP and Employment Outcomes](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-occupational-licensing-might-boost-utahs-gdp-and-employment-outcomes/) - In 2019, Arizona became the first state to require that state licensing agencies recognize an equivalent license issued by another state and issue a reciprocal license to practice in Arizona. - [Can Self-Governance Survive Surveillance?](https://libertas.institute/privacy/can-self-governance-survive-surveillance/) - Surveillance and self-governance are like oil and water. They do no not mix well. - [School Funding Should Focus On Learning, Not Attendance](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-funding-should-focus-on-learning-not-attendance/) - Schools in Utah are facing a problem. Students don’t want to return after the COVID years. - [The Federal Government's Micromanagement of School Discipline](https://libertas.institute/tenth-amendment/the-federal-governments-micromanagement-of-school-discipline/) - Why are the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice investigating discipline procedures in Utah's schools? - [Nullification: How it Should and Shouldn't Be Used](https://libertas.institute/tenth-amendment/nullification-how-it-should-and-shouldnt-be-used/) - States that claim to void a federal law may be doing damage to their cause. Thankfully, many tools are at their disposal to fight back against the federal govt. - [The Commerce Clause: Or How the Federal Government Came to Control (Almost) Everything](https://libertas.institute/tenth-amendment/the-commerce-clause-or-how-the-federal-government-came-to-control-almost-everything/) - The expanding power of the federal government has largely come due to judges misinterpreting and malapplying the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. - [The Price of Higher Ed](https://libertas.institute/tenth-amendment/the-price-of-higher-ed/) - Federal involvement in higher education has skyrocketed costs and restricted academic freedom. - [The "How" of a Federal Land Transfer](https://libertas.institute/tenth-amendment/the-how-of-a-federal-land-transfer/) - The nuts and bolts of taking over the federal land within the borders of Utah is complicated—but it's an issue worth pursuing. - [The Potential Perils and Promise of Predictive Policing](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-potential-perils-and-promise-of-predictive-policing/) - A new algorithm claims to reliably predict patterns in violent crime and property crime as well as police responses a week or more in advance. - [Crisis Intervention Teams: An Additional Tool to Address Mental Health](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/crisis-intervention-teams-an-additional-tool-to-address-mental-health/) - On July 15, 2022, the new “988” phone number went live. It aims to be a resource for people experiencing a mental health crisis and an alternative to the police response which would typically be triggered by a 911 call. Calls are answered by a trained counselor who can offer support, connect people with local resources, and call 911 if necessary. - [Structuring Sentencing and Sanctions for Real Rehabilitation](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/structuring-sentencing-and-sanctions-for-real-rehabilitation/) - Joe broke Sarah’s car window and stole her purse. This isn’t Joe’s first run-in with the law. He is already on probation, has two prior felonies ... - [Choice in Indigent Defense](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/choice-in-indigent-defense/) - Joaquin Ciria spent thirty-two years imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. And while there is plenty of blame to go around since police pressured an accomplice to implicate Ciria and prosecutors offered an accomplice immunity to testify against Ciria, at least part of the reason he lost three decades of his life was that his defense attorney did not provide effective assistance of counsel. - [New Hope For Treating Mental Illness in Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/new-hope-for-treating-mental-illness-in-utah/) - Utah has a mental health problem. We boast the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of mental illness in the nation (29%) and above average suicide rates. What is being done to address this significant problem? - [The Inequality of School Zoning Laws](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-inequality-of-school-zoning-laws/) - The biggest hurdle facing education entrepreneurs is zoning and occupancy rules. - [Why FTC’s Data Privacy Rulemaking Is Probably Unconstitutional](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-ftcs-data-privacy-rulemaking-is-probably-unconstitutional/) - Over the past two years, the Supreme Court has issued three rulings transforming how the Court handles cases involving administrative overreach. - [The Troubling Rise of Surveillance Cities](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-troubling-rise-of-surveillance-cities/) - A new Houston law leverages funds from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to require businesses to provide police access to private surveillance footage. - [Biden Forgot We No Longer Work in 1930s Conditions](https://libertas.institute/free-market/biden-forgot-we-no-longer-work-in-1930s-conditions/) - In the latest mishandling of the modern-day economy, the Biden Administration announced earlier this week a draft rule that will effectively put many gig workers out of work. - [How Inmates Are Earning Their Law Degrees While Incarcerated](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/how-inmates-are-earning-their-law-degrees-while-incarcerated/) - This law school is being granted the ability to admit two incarcerated students each academic year. - [Governor Cox, the Time Is Now To Ask for the Pardoning of Simple State Marijuana Possession Convictions](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/governor-cox-the-time-is-now-to-ask-for-the-pardoning-of-simple-state-marijuana-possession-convictions/) - The Biden administration has officially taken one of the first significant steps toward federally decriminalizing marijuana. - [Don’t Fear the Robot Pizza Maker](https://libertas.institute/free-market/dont-fear-the-robot-pizza-maker/) - Low wages and lack of no upward mobility. Sound familiar? While these are the current complaints behind the restaurant service worker shortage, they aren’t new. - [Is College Worth It?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/is-college-worth-it/) - A college degree used to be a golden ticket when it came to earning potential. - [Opposition to School Choice is Crumbling](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/opposition-to-school-choice-is-crumbling/) - Critics of school choice have learned a valuable lesson. They cannot stop the school choice movement. Opponents have tried to stop legislation from being passed - [Rural Communities Understand Rural Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/rural-communities-understand-rural-education/) - No one understands education needs in rural Utah better than parents and teachers living there. - [Civic Education is Broken. Teachers Agree.](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/civic-education-is-broken-teachers-agree/) - The headlines are everywhere and well known. Millennials are ignorant of history. They also like socialism. Coincidence? Declaration of Obliviousness: We hold these youths to be self-ignorant Americans know literally nothing about the Constitution Test scores show that around one-fourth of eighth graders are "proficient" or better in government and civics, with only 15% proficient - [If Your Occupational License Is Suspended, You Might Be Out of Options](https://libertas.institute/free-market/if-your-occupational-license-is-suspended-you-might-be-out-of-options/) - Licensing restrictions are housed in individual states' statutory or administrative laws. At first, these seemingly innocent laws appear to simply define what a specific occupation is and what a practitioner of the occupation may do as well as establish conditions for entry into an occupation. However, there is a sinister side to occupational licensing. - [Tired of National Politics? Your Local Representative Wants to Talk to You](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/tired-of-national-politics-your-local-representative-wants-to-talk-to-you/) - Cracking open an egg and finding a double-yolk inside. Correctly guessing a four-digit pin number. Getting struck by lightning. communicate a concern or idea with their representatives in the United States Congress. - [Is Citizenship Another Barrier Attached to Occupational Licensing?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/is-citizenship-another-barrier-attached-to-occupational-licensing/) - The birthplace of a person bears little to no relationship on that individual’s ability to dutifully carry out the requirements of various professional roles. Yet for years, many states have utilized citizen status as a barrier to keep individuals from obtaining state-mandated occupational licenses. - [Utah's Licensing Boards Discriminate Against Ex-offenders](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utahs-licensing-boards-discriminate-against-ex-offenders/) - Picture this. A young man falls into poverty and, out of desperation, resorts to petty theft in order to help feed his family. He gets caught and is sentenced to a few months in prison as punishment for committing a Class B misdemeanor. - [Privacy, Liberty's Precondition](https://libertas.institute/privacy/privacy-libertys-precondition/) - Liberty does not grow in every soil. Certain preconditions are necessary for freedom to flourish. Privacy is one of these necessary preconditions. - [Utah Should Put Limits Around Geofence Warrants](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-should-put-limits-around-geofence-warrants/) - Utah’s use of geofence warrants is under the microscope. A recent KSL article highlights privacy concerns related to location tracking. - [Five Alternatives to Occupational Licensing](https://libertas.institute/free-market/five-alternatives-to-occupational-licensing/) - Libertas has long documented the detrimental effects of occupational licensing. This form of government regulation stifles economies and creates a stringent, artificial class system via economic protectionism. Unfortunately, in conversations relating to reforming occupational licensing laws, many overlook solutions outside of simply slashing various licensing requirements. - [Back to Other Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/back-to-other-schools/) - This is a time of year that is filled with hope for many children. Unfortunately, it can be a time of dread for others. But it doesn’t have to be. Parents have many other options. - [Defining State Action in a Sea of Bureaucracy](https://libertas.institute/privacy/defining-state-action-in-a-sea-of-bureaucracy/) - Many legal principles impact the daily lives of Americans. The state action and third-party doctrines play an influential role in determining how easy it is for the government to access an individual’s digital data. - [The Free Market Solution to Teacher Shortages](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-free-market-solution-to-teacher-shortages/) - Headlines around the country are bemoaning the upcoming teacher shortage. Many claim that all we need to do is increase teacher pay and lower class sizes to solve this problem. Teacher shortages are more complicated than simply increasing teacher pay. - [What Is the Scope of a Warrant?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/what-is-the-scope-of-a-warrant/) - Trust cannot be built without clarity, but when law enforcement meets rapid technological innovation, confusion abounds. - [Consumers Will Be the Winners From Amazon's iRobot Purchase](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/consumers-will-be-the-winners-from-amazons-irobot-purchase/) - Earlier this month, Amazon announced their $1.7 billion deal to buy iRobot, and in spite of the critical reviews they’ve received since, this could be a good thing for American consumers. - [It's Time to Stop Punishing Professionals for Taking Mental Health Seriously](https://libertas.institute/free-market/its-time-to-stop-punishing-professionals-for-taking-mental-health-seriously/) - In the US, the unacceptable reality for many professionals is that a trip to the therapist could put them out of a job. - [Consumers Will Be the Winners From Amazon's iRobot Purchase](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/consumers-will-be-the-winners-from-amazons-irobot-purchase-2/) - Earlier this month, Amazon announced their $1.7 billion deal to buy iRobot, and in spite of the critical reviews they’ve received since, this could be a good thing for American consumers. - [Rescuing the Housing Market with Manufactured Housing](https://libertas.institute/free-market/rescuing-the-housing-market-with-manufactured-housing/) - Melissa Graft, a single mother of five children and a resident in Utah’s Wasatch Front, was forced to make a difficult decision and move back in with her parents after she became effectively priced out of the housing market. - [Rescuing the Housing Market with Manufactured Housing](https://libertas.institute/free-market/rescuing-the-housing-market-with-manufactured-housing-2/) - Melissa Graft, a single mother of five children and a resident in Utah’s Wasatch Front, was forced to make a difficult decision and move back in with her parents after she became effectively priced out of the housing market. - [Geofence “Warrants”: An Unconstitutional Abuse of Technology](https://libertas.institute/privacy/geofence-warrants-an-unconstitutional-abuse-of-technology/) - General warrants give law enforcement agents broad authority “to search and seize unspecified places or persons.” Prior to the American Revolution, this type of search—known as a writ of assistance—was widely used by British officials to search colonists’ imported goods to ensure compliance with the tax code. James Otis, a young lawyer from Boston, gave - [Deregulating Telehealth and other Small Government Solutions to Improve our Medical System](https://libertas.institute/free-market/deregulating-telehealth-and-other-small-government-solutions-to-improve-our-medical-system/) - Despite having a large medical infrastructure, Utah is struggling to meet the health care needs of its residents. Much of this inability can be attributed to a lack of healthcare workers able to provide patient care within the state. - [Can’t Find a Therapist? Step One for Utah Is Expanding Telehealth Access](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/cant-find-a-therapist-step-one-for-utah-is-expanding-telehealth-access/) - The Beehive State has a longstanding problem with mental health. In 2019, Utah ranked sixth highest in the nation for its age-adjusted suicide rate, and it is currently the leading cause of death for Utah teenagers. - [An Innovator's Perspective on Utah's Regulatory Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/free-market/an-innovators-perspective-on-utahs-regulatory-sandbox/) - Running a business is hard. But running a business in an uncertain regulatory environment can be near impossible. For better or worse, some of the laws and regulations at the state and federal levels can be hindrances to innovation and consumer welfare. - [A State Sponsored Monopoly You Might Not Be Aware Of](https://libertas.institute/free-market/a-state-sponsored-monopoly-you-might-not-be-aware-of/) - There is a type of monopoly out there that is escaping the attention of lawmakers, and no, it's not tech monopolies that frequently swirl into public discourse. Instead, as Reason writes, it is an “antagonistic, state-empowered monopol[y].” Specifically, the type of state-sponsored monopoly Reason highlights takes the form of an occupational licensing board. - [Parents Want Non-Traditional School Options](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/parents-want-non-traditional-school-options/) - Education changed in 2020. The COVID shutdowns gave parents the opportunity to teach their children from home. Although some families were excited to return to their local school, many found that they liked the flexibility they had during the initial school shutdowns. - [What the Government Really Thinks Is Despicable About the Minions](https://libertas.institute/free-market/what-the-government-really-thinks-is-despicable-about-the-minions/) - After multiple films, nearly everybody is familiar with the tic tac-shaped, clumsy, yellow sidekicks of the fictional villain Gru. With their own film drawing record attention, the minions are at the forefront of pop culture. So, what can we learn from these lovable characters that relates to public policy? - [The Dynamizing Power of the Gig Economy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-dynamizing-power-of-the-gig-economy/) - Technological innovation presents unique challenges to everyday workers as industries are being transformed. Technological advancements will ultimately create millions of jobs and enable further growth. But such progress will also displace millions of workers. - [Are Airbnb and VRBO To Blame for Utah's Housing Crisis?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/are-airbnb-and-vrbo-to-blame-for-utahs-housing-crisis/) - Short-term housing such as Airbnb and VRBO rentals make up some twenty thousand houses in Utah. What if those were available for residents to buy? Could this solve the affordable housing shortage? - [Utah Should Adopt Arizona's Education Savings Account](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utah-should-adopt-arizonas-education-savings-account/) - A few weeks ago, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law the most expansive education choice legislation in the country. - [How Occupational Licensing Reform Can Help Refugees Acclimate](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-occupational-licensing-reform-can-help-refugees-acclimate/) - As a global leader, the United States has championed helping those fleeing war, violence, persecution, extreme poverty, and political upheaval. - [Second Chance Hiring](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/second-chance-hiring/) - When it comes to the justice system, one area that is frequently overlooked by the media is ex-offenders' lives after incarceration. After having served time—whether truly guilty or wrongfully convicted—those who have been convicted of a crime face new challenges as they begin reintegration back into their communities. - [How Side Hustles Are Hampered by Occupational Licensing](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-side-hustles-are-hampered-by-occupational-licensing/) - At a time when many Americans are struggling with rising inflation, opportunities to earn extra income in the gig economy are more important than ever. But occupational licensing poses a problem. - [U.S. Congress Follows States' Lead on Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/free-market/u-s-congress-follows-states-lead-on-sandboxes/) - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Promoting Innovation and Offering the Needed Escape from Exhaustive Regulations (PIONEER) Act. - [Why Legislate Privacy?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/why-legislate/) - State legislation designed to curb privacy abuses are gaining traction. Utah has passed statutes designed to undercut privacy abuses; one such reform prevents law enforcement from obtaining someone’s electronic data without a warrant. - [How Occupational Licensing Is Hurting Ex-Offenders](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-occupational-licensing-is-hurting-ex-offenders/) - Most of us are familiar with the traditional punishments we levy upon criminals: imprisonment, fines, or even community service. However, what often goes unnoticed are the less apparent punishments that follow. Ex-offenders sometimes struggle to find jobs as a result of their criminal record, potentially banishing them to a life of unemployment or one of limited social mobility. - [Are School Resource Officers Improving Safety?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/are-school-resource-officers-improving-safety/) - At the beginning of 2022, an eleven-year-old boy with autism was faced with two counts of assault for pushing a classmate during PE class. His PE teacher claimed it was not assault, but the school resource officer (SRO) got involved and charged the student. This may not be a norm in school policing, but reports like this have brought national attention to the relatively new, and likewise newly controversial, practice of hiring SROs. - [Why Your Local Pool Is Having a Hard Time Staying Afloat—No Pun Intended](https://libertas.institute/free-market/why-your-local-pool-is-having-a-hard-time-staying-afloat-no-pun-intended/) - With Utah's scorching hot summer in full effect, many families eagerly search out ways to escape the heat. One of the most popular ways to achieve this is to flock to the neighborhood pool. Unfortunately, when many of these families arrive at such pools, they are being turned away. - [Judge Removes Hope for West Virginia Students](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/judge-removes-hope-for-west-virginia-students/) - Three thousand one hundred students were about to take their first step towards an individualized education that was right for them. Three thousand one hundred students were excited for the new school year, maybe for the first time since kindergarten. But Judge Tabit, with her decision involving West Virginia’s new education choice program, squashed their hope. - [The Impact of Impact Fees](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/the-impact-of-impact-fees/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. As cities and counties grow, taxpayers have to pay costs related to new or upgraded infrastructure—roads, storm drains, water and sewer lines, and so forth. Depending on how your city or county chooses to operate, it's possible to place the burden of the growth too heavily - [Citizens Need the Ability to Challenge Occupational Licensing Requirements](https://libertas.institute/free-market/citizens-need-the-ability-to-challenge-occupational-licensing-requirements/) - Daltonio Elaire, a barber in Lafayette, Louisiana, had the innovative idea to launch a mobile barbershop in 2020. This mobile barbershop operated in a similar fashion to a food truck and allowed people to get a haircut during the pandemic. Excited about the idea, he poured hours of hard work and his life savings into this dream. This entrepreneurial mindset was initially rewarded with positive customer feedback regarding its operation. - [Utah Advocates for Religion, but the State’s Constitution Has an Inconsistency](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-advocates-for-religion-but-the-states-constitution-has-an-inconsistency/) - Utah is a state that prides itself on freedom of religion. But you may be surprised to learn that Utah’s Constitution has had anti religious elements for over one hundred years. - [Geofences Aren't the Only Reverse Warrants](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/geofences-arent-the-only-reverse-warrants/) - Reverse search warrants are requests made by law enforcement to a technology company seeking caches of data that could be relevant to a criminal investigation. - [Funding All Parents' Education Choices](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/funding-all-parents-education-choices/) - Our compulsory public education system has never been neutral or tolerant. - [Why the Officers in Uvalde May Escape Accountability](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/why-the-officers-in-uvalde-may-escape-accountability/) - Why did police hold their position for over an hour while waiting for backup as the nightmarish incident unfolded at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary? This is particularly concerning because there are numerous questions surrounding the actions of the police officers who responded to the incident. - [How Should Local Government Deal With Food Trucks?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/how-should-local-government-deal-with-food-trucks/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. Food trucks—an increasingly popular type of mobile food vendor—benefit the community you represent in a number of ways: Provide a variety of food options in more locations to residents Enable operators to make a living for themselves and those they employ Provide revenue for the state, - [Big Brother is Watching You](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/big-brother-is-watching-you/) - The House committee investigating the events of January 6, 2021, began releasing its findings to the public in a multi-week event on Thursday, June 9, 2022. The committee plans to reveal their findings through witness testimony and previously undisclosed images and exhibits. - [What the Feds Are Doing to Find a Balance Between Individual Rights and Police Power](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/what-the-feds-are-doing-to-find-a-balance-between-individual-rights-and-police-power/) - Over two years ago, the nation and Utah faced the aftermath of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. These murders exposed the general public to what minority populations have long experienced. - [Teacher Licensure and Shortages](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/teacher-licensure-and-shortages/) - Today, it is not uncommon for classrooms to be missing their teachers. Schools across the state are facing the repercussions of large-scale teacher vacancies. - [Deadlines and Licensing Are a Recipe for Disaster](https://libertas.institute/free-market/deadlines-and-licensing-are-a-recipe-for-disaster/) - Most people face arbitrary deadlines in their daily lives. Whether you had a school assignment due on an odd date or had to complete a chore in a certain time frame, these deadlines can become cumbersome. - [Daytime Curfews for Minors?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/daytime-curfews-for-minors/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. There are at least ten local governments in Utah that make school-aged children who are outside during school hours suspects of a crime. These laws—typically called “Daytime Curfews” in local ordinances—are increasingly rare for the following reasons: More and more minors are participating in educational programs - [What did John Oliver get right about police officers in schools?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/what-did-john-oliver-get-right-about-police-officers-in-schools/) - The topic of placing student resource officers in schools has been receiving increasing attention as it is often pointed to as a solution after school shootings. This topic was even featured on a recent episode of John Oliver's hit show, Last Week Tonight, in which the comic correctly berated the practice. - [Trusting Parents with Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/trusting-parents-with-education/) - Imagine living in Maine which allows families to use government money to choose a school. You’re excited because you and your spouse want to send your children to the school where you both attended. But when you apply for the funding, you find out that every school in town is available, except for the one you selected. Why is it excluded? Because it is a religious school. - [Should Local Governments Have Lawn Mandates?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/should-local-governments-have-lawn-mandates/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. Utahns across the state have various preferences for their lawn and landscaping choices. Some residents may want to help preserve water by experimenting with xeriscaping or "localscaping", others may want to use a portion of their lawn to grow food for their family, and some may - [How Many People Can Live in a House?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/how-many-people-can-live-in-a-house/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. You are not required to determine a specific number of occupants for residences in the city or county you represent. Nevertheless, some local governments have ordinances that limit occupancy—for all residences—to as low as three or four. These laws not only remove the judgment of property - [What to Do About ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/what-to-do-about-adus-accessory-dwelling-units/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. An "Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU) is the technical term used in state and local codes to describe what is commonly called a mother-in-law apartment, basement apartment, accessory apartment, backyard cottage, etc. They are increasingly popular and can benefit your community in the following ways: Enable older - [What Should Local Regulations on Home-Based Businesses Look Like?](https://libertas.institute/toolkit-topic/what-should-local-regulations-on-home-based-businesses-look-like/) - This is an item in our Local Government Toolkit. One of the primary ways you can help protect the health and safety of residents is to ensure your city or county does not prevent residents from earning a living for themselves and, therefore, feeding, clothing, and paying for the housing and healthcare of their families. - [Blaine Amendments and Unintended Consequences](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/blaine-amendments-and-unintended-consequences/) - Representative James G. Blaine was just four votes away from passing his constitutional amendment. An amendment that was likely to be ratified by the states. - [Should your veterinarian take a diversity class?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/should-your-veterinarian-take-a-diversity-class/) - Continuing education is important for business vitality, but laws requiring certain classes are counterproductive. - [A conversation about occupational licensing with Governor Cox](https://libertas.institute/free-market/a-conversation-about-occupational-licensing-with-governor-cox/) - “Occupational licensing creep is a real thing” - Governor Spencer Cox. - [Why Utah leads the U.S. in economic growth](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-utah-leads-the-u-s-in-economic-growth/) - Utah led the U.S. in job creation in the last economic expansion (2009-2020), an unrecognized achievement that should generate a discussion amongst policymakers. - [What Do Elon Musk and the City of North Las Vegas Have in Common? Micro Schools](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/what-do-elon-musk-and-the-city-of-north-las-vegas-have-in-common-micro-schools/) - Elon Musk is at it again. Well, he has actually been at it for almost eight years. No, this isn’t another social media acquisition. No, it isn’t another Tesla model or a Cybertruck. No, this isn’t even a SpaceX launch. Elon Musk started a school. - [Occupational Licensing State of Affairs May 2022](https://libertas.institute/free-market/occupational-licensing-state-of-affairs-may-2022/) - Occupational licensing is becoming a hot topic in state governments across the United States. To see where Utah can make progress in this field, it is important to understand what is being done elsewhere. Below, the most recent happenings in the realm of occupational licensing for May 2022 are detailed. - [A Case Against the Death Penalty](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/a-case-against-the-death-penalty/) - On October 22, 2001, Richard Moore received a death penalty sentence. He had been previously convicted in Spartanburg, South Carolina for the murder of James Mahoney. The execution was scheduled for April 29, 2022, over twenty years after the murder. - [Could Your Medical History Disqualify You From Work?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/could-your-medical-history-disqualify-you-from-work/) - this information to those outside of their immediate family, so would you feel comfortable sharing your private medical history with a room full of strangers? Probably not. This discomfort only grows when those individuals can judge you based on that history in ways that impact your life. - [With Talk of Canceling Student Loan Debt, Could Occupational Licensing Reform Provide a Better Solution?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/with-talk-of-canceling-student-loan-debt-could-occupational-licensing-reform-provide-a-better-solution/) - In recent weeks, the call to cancel student loan debt has grown from Democrats. Even President Biden has expressed support for this idea. - [Biden Cancels Consumer Consent](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/biden-cancels-consumer-consent/) - President Joe Biden’s infrastructure legislation, passed in November, 2021, undercuts consumer privacy. - [A Little Competition Is Good for Us and the Market](https://libertas.institute/free-market/a-little-competition-is-good-for-us-and-the-market/) - Many of us have heard the saying that “a little competition is good for you.” This saying holds true for the country's labor market according to a 68-page report recently released by The Department of the Treasury titled "The State of Labor Market Competition.” - [Is Your Political Yard Sign Illegal?](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/is-your-political-yard-sign-illegal/) - As the June 28 primary elections in Utah draw closer, candidates hold town halls and run advertisements, political conversations ramp up online and in-person, and campaign yard signs inevitably start to populate the neighborhood. - [The Diversity We Need in Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-diversity-we-need-in-education/) - Coach Kennedy knelt at midfield to offer a quick prayer after a win. The prayer lasted just a few seconds, but it changed the direction of his career. - [Utah should be the next state to allow psychologists to prescribe medication](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-should-be-the-next-state-to-allow-psychologists-to-prescribe-medication/) - Utah needs help with high rates of mental illness and a shortage of practitioners. In middle school, I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The severity of this disorder prompted me and my parents to seek treatment from a mental health professional. - [Reduce Licensing, Reduce Inflation](https://libertas.institute/free-market/reduce-licensing-reduce-inflation/) - When shopping in their communities, families are feeling a strain on their wallets. From buying everyday goods, like paper towels and gasoline, to getting your car fixed, inflation has run rampant in recent months. - [‘Smile, you’re on camera!’ The constitutional dangers of PhotoCop](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/smile-youre-on-camera-the-constitutional-dangers-of-photocop/) - Photo policing raises a tangle of ethical questions. Is it fair to ticket the owner of the car regardless of who was driving? Is it legal to use facial recognition for ticketing? - [Standardized Tests Are Failing Students. What Can We Do About It?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/standardized-tests-are-failing-students-what-can-we-do-about-it/) - End of level testing is wrapping up around the state. The tests are supposed to provide accountability and incentive for schools to improve. But do they? - [Families Are Leaving the Public Schools in Droves](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/families-are-leaving-the-public-schools-in-droves/) - A recent report from the Associated Press (AP) stated that the Houston Independent School District lost 22,000 students in 2020, with only half of those students returning in 2021. - [PhotoCop? Warning: Constitution Questions May Be Larger Than They Appear](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/photocop-warning-constitution-questions-may-be-larger-than-they-appear/) - The Deseret News recently published an opinion piece advocating for the legalization of PhotoCop devices in Utah—cameras to automatically record and punish violators of the law. - [How Patrick Mahomes's Haircut Demonstrates the Ridiculousness of Occupational Licensing](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-a-patrick-mahomes-haircut-demonstrates-the-ridiculousness-of-occupational-licensing/) - This story is an obvious illustration of how arbitrary and silly occupational licenses are since Mahomes's barber, Mr. Bonds, is clearly a qualified barber. - [Utah's Top Public Schools Are Charters. Why?](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/utahs-top-public-schools-are-charters-why/) - The top standard public school spends the same per pupil as the top charter school, but the charter school sees better performance in nearly everything. What's the difference? - [Arizona Continues to Invite Innovation with Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/free-market/arizona-continues-to-invite-innovation-with-sandboxes/) - Arizona has joined Utah in passing a universal regulatory sandbox to extend targeted regulatory relief to all private industries instead of a few select ones. - [The public needs protection from public safety agencies](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-public-needs-protection-from-public-safety-agencies/) - Two very public examples just in Utah demonstrate just how important it is for legislative solutions to be a part of the equation in protecting individuals' private data from government misuse. - [What Does Occupational Licensure Have to Do with Mental Health? A Lot.](https://libertas.institute/free-market/what-does-occupational-licensure-have-to-do-with-mental-health-a-lot/) - Barriers to entry such as relicensing requirements are standing in the way of adequate access to mental health services. Thankfully, Utah is joining other states in "licensing compacts". - [Utah lawmakers just made it easier to earn a living](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-lawmakers-just-made-it-easier-to-earn-a-living/) - The labor shortage has large-scale consequences as it harms both the economy and individual consumers who simply want their needs to be taken care of promptly. - [Relocation Shouldn't Mean Losing Your License](https://libertas.institute/free-market/relocation-shouldnt-mean-losing-your-license/) - Moving out of state is stressful enough without also having to worry about needing to relicense for your profession. Occupational licensure compacts can solve this. - [Public Comments for Proposed National Charter School Guidelines](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/public-comments-for-proposed-national-charter-school-guidelines/) - The following was submitted to the US Department of Education during its public comment window for the proposed update to the national charter school guidelines. - [Utah's Medical Cannabis Program Has Doubled Early Estimates](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/utahs-medical-cannabis-program-has-doubled-early-estimates/) - How many Utahns would use medical cannabis? That was a question we were often posed during the campaign to legalize its use for sick patients in our state, but we couldn't reliably answer it; we didn't have the data to give a reliable answer. After we and our coalition partners secured passage of the new - [Not Every Bill Passes in Utah, And That's Good](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/not-every-bill-passes-in-utah-and-thats-good/) - Libertas Institute's work is about more than just laws that pass the Legislature. Often, the less-visible work of opposing bad bills is just as important to Utahn's individual liberty. - [The Year of the (Modest) Tax Cut](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/the-year-of-the-modest-tax-cut/) - Utah's 2022 legislative session saw a number of modest tax reforms and reductions, but they didn't go quite as far as they could have. - [Education Innovation: Good for Students, Good for Teachers](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/education-innovation-good-for-students-good-for-teachers/) - Schools learned a lot in 2020. One lesson I hope we learned is how competition improves education for students and teachers. - [Latest CIA revelations show clear need for privacy protections](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/latest-cia-revelations-show-clear-need-for-privacy-protections/) - It's clear that Americans cannot rely on the federal government to protect their right to privacy. Fortunately, many states, including Utah, are stepping up to do just that. - [Best of Utah's 2022 Legislative Session](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/best-of-utahs-2022-legislative-session/) - With each passing year, Utah is proving that it is on the cutting edge of state-focused policies. Here are the ones that receive top marks for promoting individual liberty and free enterprise this year. - [Can Police Force You to Open Your Phone?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/can-police-force-you-to-open-your-phone/) - The Utah Supreme Court has taken up a case regarding this privacy issue that has split other courts. Is compelling a smartphone's passcode a violation of the 5th Amendment? - [Fixing Food Truck Freedom](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/fixing-food-truck-freedom/) - Last year's Food Truck Freedom bill was great, but some Utah localities found some technicalities to exploit. This year's modifications fix those problems. - [Real Progress Made for Occupational Licensure Reform](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/real-progress-made-for-occupational-licensure-reform/) - Six different bills in 2022 dealt with reforming occupational licensure laws. These will make it easier for qualified professionals to work in Utah while improving the lives of consumers. - [Coming Soon: Data-Driven Criminal Justice Policy](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/coming-soon-data-driven-criminal-justice-policy/) - It's hard to make good decisions without good data, especially about justice policy. Thankfully, Utah is creating the kind of database that will help facilitate those kinds of decisions. - [Legislature Calls Local Governments Not to Take Revenue Spikes for Granted](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/legislature-calls-local-governments-not-to-take-revenue-spikes-for-granted/) - Utah's city and county governments are flush with extra cash from tax receipts and federal relief funds. The Legislature is strongly urging them to be responsible with their surpluses and budgets. - [Task Force to Examine Psychotherapy Treatments Passes in Utah](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/task-force-to-examine-psychotherapy-treatments-passes-in-utah/) - The newly passed Psychotherapy Mental Health Task Force could pave the way for more mental health treatment options in a state that desperately needs them. - [Utah Prepares for a Fintech Future](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/utah-prepares-for-a-fintech-future/) - Utah made two major moves by passing laws recognizing digital assets and creating a task force to learn more about blockchain technology. - [No More Lying to Kids During Interrogation](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/no-more-lying-to-kids-during-interrogation/) - In a big win for justice, law enforcement will no longer be allowed to use deception against minors during custodial interrogations here in Utah. - [Utah Takes Steps to Protect Patient Privacy](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/utah-takes-steps-to-protect-patient-privacy/) - This bill clarifies information needed to process a birth certificate request with additional, research-relevant questions. - [Occupational Licensure Will Now Be Regularly Reviewed](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/occupational-licensure-will-now-be-regularly-reviewed/) - Utah's occupational licensure laws, though not as bad as they once were, could be much less burdensome. Now, all such laws, existing or proposed, will be reviewed at regular intervals. - [Decreasing Recidivism by Rewarding Employment](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/decreasing-recidivism-by-rewarding-employment/) - Recidivism — reoffending after an initial criminal offense — is harmful to everyone. But a new program is looking to incentivize helping previous offenders get and keep jobs during probation or parole. - [Education Gets the Sandbox Treatment in Utah](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/education-gets-the-sandbox-treatment-in-utah/) - Two newly passed bills work to allow innovative solutions to the immediate problems teachers are facing in Utah classrooms and puts that ability in the hands of those closest to the students. - [Utah Takes Steps to Protect Home Ownership for Seniors](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/utah-takes-steps-to-protect-home-ownership-for-seniors/) - A newly passed program will allow qualifying seniors to defer their property tax payments until they sell the home or it otherwise transfers ownership. - [New Restrictions on Home Invasions by Police](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/new-restrictions-on-home-invasions-by-police/) - Utah is leading the way when it comes to transparency regarding forcible entry warrants. While there's still work to be done in this area, this new bill is a big step in the right direction. - [Utah Consolidates Its Regulatory Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/utah-consolidates-its-regulatory-sandboxes/) - This year, the Legislature approved a bill to combine Utah's regulatory sandboxes. This will streamline regulatory relief and welcome more innovation. - [Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Expanded in Utah](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/special-needs-opportunity-scholarship-program-expanded-in-utah/) - The educational scholarship program for children with special needs has been a success. This year, the Legislature has expanded eligibility to include siblings of special needs children. - [Darker Vehicle Window Tint Legalized in Utah](https://libertas.institute/2022-bills/darker-vehicle-window-tint-legalized-in-utah/) - This year, the Legislature approved a bill to allow stronger vehicle window tints that are more in line with surrounding states. It's a step in the right direction. - [Elderly people shouldn’t become homeless because of property taxes](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/elderly-people-shouldnt-become-homeless-because-of-property-taxes/) - At the heart of this issue is a dramatic increase in Utah property taxes during the past few years. - [Support the Hope Scholarship bill](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/i-taught-public-school-its-not-for-everyone/) - This is a solution for all parents in Utah from every economic level. And it does it better than I could as a public school employee. - [Universal occupational licensing is the way for the future in Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/universal-occupational-licensing-is-the-way-for-the-future-in-utah/) - States should recognize one another’s professional licenses. - [Utah's Universal Sandbox Is Open for Business](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utahs-universal-sandbox-is-open-for-business/) - Utah's first-in-the-nation universal regulatory sandbox program is officially up and running. But what's the big deal, and how do businesses apply to join it? - [Occupational licensing can make the labor shortage worse](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/occupational-licensing-can-make-the-labor-shortage-worse/) - Utah lawmakers should pass a bill that makes it easier to decide which licenses are needed and which ones clearly are not. - [Progressives have a point about Amazon’s special tax treatment](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/progressives-have-a-point-about-amazons-special-tax-treatment/) - The answer to special treatment for big business is not antitrust, but an end to tax breaks. - [The Ultimate Guide to Utah’s 2022 Legislative Session](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/the-ultimate-guide-to-utahs-2022-legislative-session/) - Everything you need to know to keep track of what's happening and when during 2022's legislative session so you never miss a thing. - [A decade of reform since Matthew David Stewart’s death](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-decade-of-reform-since-matthew-david-stewarts-death/) - Utah Legislature has taken steps to make sure that such carnage does not happen again. - [If Santa Were Real, He'd Be Facing Arrest](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/if-santa-were-real-hed-be-facing-arrest/) - Sorry, kids, but Santa's looking at hard time in a federal penitentiary. - [Lying to Kids Does Not Achieve Justice](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/lying-to-kids-does-not-achieve-justice/) - Two states have rightly banned the practice of police lying to juveniles during interrogations. It's time for Utah to follow suit. - [Utah Still Faces Challenges Mitigating Police Use of Force](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-still-faces-challenges-mitigating-police-use-of-force/) - A new documentary sheds light on a problem that Libertas has been working on for years and demonstrates why police training reforms are necessary. - [No, dog trainers and boarders do not need strict licensing](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/no-dog-trainers-and-boarders-do-not-need-strict-licensing/) - While the death of a dog is tragic, it is emphatically not the role of occupational licensing to guarantee quality or prevent problems from ever occurring. - [Conservatives should support sentencing reform for crack cocaine](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/conservatives-should-support-sentencing-reform-for-crack-cocaine/) - The Equal Act would ensure that people caught with cocaine face the same treatment under the law, regardless of the form in which the drug was found. - [Utah’s medical cannabis program is a success](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-medical-cannabis-program-is-a-success/) - Address the issues associated with medical cannabis by keeping the needs of the patient first. - [Utah’s Department of Health survey shows institutional failures](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-department-of-health-survey-shows-institutional-failures/) - DOH pressured new mothers into answering a long list of personal questions. - [Utah will soon allow some lower-level crimes to be cleared from the record](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-will-soon-allow-some-lower-level-crimes-to-be-cleared-from-the-record/) - But that doesn’t help much if people who would benefit don’t know about it. - [Market-Based Tuition Could Be a Game-Changer](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/market-based-tuition-could-be-a-game-changer/) - A simple change in college tuition based on market demand for that major could reinvigorate both the workforce and the funding for commonly-overlook departments. - [Finally Food Truck Freedom](https://libertas.institute/free-market/finally-food-truck-freedom/) - Some jurisdictions in Utah are still causing permit problems for food truck owners, despite recent laws designed to stop it. A new proposal would end it for good. - [Utah Set to End Outrageous Permission Slip Requirements](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-set-to-boot-outrageous-permission-slip-requirements/) - The Legislature is set to consider a bill during the interim session that establishes a robust review process for both established and new occupational licenses. - [California's Gig Work Saga Is a Cautionary Tale, Not a Guidebook](https://libertas.institute/free-market/californias-gig-work-saga-is-a-cautionary-tale-not-a-guidebook/) - If Utah wants to grow and strengthen its economy, our elected officials need to steer clear of California's clear folly, not support the federal version. - [Utah Affirms Privacy Rights in Banking Data](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/utah-affirms-privacy-rights-in-banking-data/) - During the special session, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution denouncing the Biden administration's proposed new reporting requirements for banks to the IRS. - [Utah Businesses Shouldn't Comply with Biden's OSHA Vaccine Mandate](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-businesses-shouldnt-comply-with-bidens-osha-vaccine-mandate/) - Compliance would only lend credibility to a legally weak justification for a gross governmental overreach and violation of individual autonomy. - [I'm pro-life, so I'm anti-capital punishment](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/im-pro-life-so-im-anti-capital-punishment/) - I now understand that the government’s ability to execute a person is as horrifying a case of “big government” as one can imagine. - [North Carolina Jumps in the Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/free-market/north-carolina-jumps-in-the-sandbox/) - A newly-signed North Carolina law creates an opportunity sandbox for the insurance and fintech industries. - [Tuttle Twins Didn't Take Your Tax Dollars](https://libertas.institute/free-market/tuttle-twins-didnt-take-your-tax-dollars/) - The Tuttle Twins animated show premiers Tuesday, without the help of any tax credits, subsidies, grants, and cash awards. Imagine that! - [So You Say There Ought to Be a Law](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/so-you-say-there-ought-to-be-a-law/) - Laws are not inherently bad things. Far from it. But they do come with consequences, such as the potential for deadly violence. - [New Effort to "Repeal and Replace" the Death Penalty in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/new-effort-to-repeal-and-replace-the-death-penalty-in-utah/) - A new "Utah way" of eliminating capital punishment is now on the table for legislators and replaces it with another option for aggravated murder. - [SLC Mayor's K-12 Mask Mandate Is On Shaky Legal Ground](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/slc-mayors-k-12-mask-mandate-is-on-shaky-legal-ground/) - The legal justifications for SLC's new mask mandate are weak, at best. It comes down to one question: is a mayor allowed to control behavior by executive order? - [Apple's Privacy Blunder Highlights the Need for Legal Protections](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/apples-privacy-blunder-highlights-the-need-for-legal-protections/) - Apple's decision to start snooping through the personal files and messages of its customers is bad business. Thankfully, Utah has chosen to protect individuals' privacy. - [Cedar City's First Step Toward Affordable Housing](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/cedar-citys-first-step-toward-affordable-housing/) - Utah's Cedar City is allowing more diversity in its lot and housing sizes. With housing costs skyrocketing, this is a great step toward more affordable housing. - [Blow Dry Bars: Another Successful Example for Licensure Reform](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/blow-dry-bars-another-successful-example-for-licensure-reform/) - If all you offer is washing, drying, and styling hair, do you really need a full cosmetology license? Utah's Legislature says no, and they're correct. - [Occupational Licensure Streamlined in Utah for Thousands](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/occupational-licensure-streamlined-in-utah-for-thousands/) - Not everything that's licensed needs to be. The Utah Legislature is working to make sure unnecessary burdens are reduced or eliminated, as it should. - [Facial Recognition Is Terrifying, Even (Especially) When It Works](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/facial-recognition-is-terrifying-even-especially-when-it-works/) - As the surveillance state’s reach grows, only firm vigilance by policymakers and private citizens will keep our liberties safe, and Utah is leading the nation. - [A New Model for Building Permits Shows a Bright Future](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/a-new-model-for-building-permits-shows-a-bright-future/) - Phoenix, Arizona is demonstrating that making it fast and easy to get a building permit is possible, even in the COVID Era. Utah could learn from it. - [This Is the Real Reason We Don’t Have Flying Cars](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/this-is-the-real-reason-we-dont-have-flying-cars/) - Regulations need to catch up to the technology of passenger drones. Utah can make it happen. - [Utah's Opportunity Sandbox Could Be This Year's Biggest Win for Freedom](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utahs-opportunity-sandbox-could-be-this-years-biggest-win-for-freedom/) - The all-inclusive sandbox that passed this year — the first of its kind in the US — is a big deal for business owners. And we're not the only ones who think so. - [The Revolution Continues](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/the-revolution-continues/) - The signing of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution was not the conclusion of the struggle for individual liberty, but the beginning. - [Fireworks Bans: A Case of Municipal Overreach](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/fireworks-bans-a-case-of-municipal-overreach/) - Utah's drought conditions raise very real concerns about the safety of fireworks displays right now. But that doesn't mean the rule of law no longer matters. - [Student Free Speech Protected by Supreme Court](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/student-free-speech-protected-by-supreme-court/) - The Mahanoy v. Levy ruling definitely upholds free speech. But once again, the ruling could have gone further to protect the free expression rights of students. - [The Police Should Not Be Able to Lie to Children](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/the-police-should-not-be-able-to-lie-to-children/) - Deceptive interrogation tactics are immoral and ineffective at achieving justice, especially for minors. Utah should join the other states who have banned the practice. - [Utah's K-9 Units Must Get More Training, But It Won't Completely Solve the Problem](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utahs-k-9-units-must-get-more-training-but-will-it-help/) - Thanks to Sen. Thatcher's SB 38, more training and annual recertification are required for Utah K-9 units. But it remains to be seen if it actually helps. - [Solicitors in the Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/solicitors-in-the-sandbox/) - Utah's legal services sandbox was created to narrow the access-to-justice gap. It's just one way that sandboxes can improve lives both now and in the future. - [A Small Supreme Court Win for the Fourth Amendment](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/a-small-supreme-court-win-for-the-fourth-amendment/) - The June 23rd ruling from the US Supreme Court reinforces only some protections from police entering a home without a warrant, but it does reinforce them. - [Property Tax Deferrals: A Solution for Seniors](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/property-tax-deferrals-a-solution-for-seniors/) - Rising property taxes can be a huge problem for Utah seniors on a fixed income. Thankfully, there's a solution that doesn't raise taxes for everyone else. - [Utah's Recidivism Rate Is Too High to Be Ignored](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utahs-recidivism-rate-is-too-high-to-be-ignored/) - Utah County's Jail Industries program is one way to help the formerly incarcerated get back to their lives and avoid re-offending. - [Utah Leads on Protecting Individual Privacy Rights](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/utah-leads-on-protecting-individual-privacy-rights/) - Utah further reinforces its position as one of the more forward-thinking states regarding the protection of individual rights in an increasingly digital world. - [Asset Forfeiture Reform Is Great. More Is Better.](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/asset-forfeiture-reform-is-great-more-is-better/) - Utah can avoid Indiana's expensive lawsuits regarding inappropriately taken property by continuing to reform its civil asset forfeiture laws. - [Supreme Court Ruling Delegitimizes Red Flag Laws](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/supreme-court-ruling-delegitimizes-red-flag-laws/) - The ruling is a validation of both 2nd and 4th Amendment rights, reaffirming the importance of due process, property rights, and the presumption of innocence. - [Utah Airports Should Support, Not Stifle, Innovation](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-airports-should-support-not-stifle-innovation/) - Utah's airports have a history of making like harder for innovative transportation businesses. This makes life harder for everyone who uses them. - [Autonomous Trucks Can Overhaul the Logistics Industry](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/autonomous-trucks-can-overhaul-the-logistics-industry/) - Electrified, automated trucking would pack the double punch of reduced operating costs and increased delivery speed. But regulators need to get out of the way. - [New Restrictions on Civil Asset Forfeiture in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/new-restrictions-on-civil-asset-forfeiture-in-utah/) - Utah's new law works to clarify what is and is not allowed during civil asset forfeiture, as well as strengthening due process and private property protections. - [New Restraints on Emergency Powers Aren't Perfect, But They Are Better](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/new-restraints-on-emergency-powers-arent-perfect-but-they-are-better/) - Senator Vickers sponsored what became Utah SB 195, to limit restrictions on public health orders and emergency declarations and limit executive authority. - [If CVS Can Have a Drive-thru, So Can Curaleaf](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/if-cvs-can-have-a-drive-thru-so-can-curaleaf/) - We commend Lehi, UT, for making a change that reflects a conservative and responsible interpretation of their role. - [Utah Ends Debt-Based Driver's License Suspensions](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-ends-debt-based-drivers-license-suspensions/) - Suspending someone's driver's license for unpaid court debt for non-moving violations never made any sense. The good news is, Utah is no longer doing it. - [Apparently, USPS Is a Spy Agency](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/apparently-usps-is-a-spy-agency/) - With certain agencies perfectly happy to creatively interpret the limits of their powers and the Constitution, it's vital that states follow Utah's lead in protecting privacy. - [Utah Stops Releasing Pre-Conviction Mugshots](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-stops-releasing-pre-conviction-mugshots/) - With a few exceptions, individuals' mugshots will no longer be made public before an actual conviction, upholding the principle of innocent until proven guilty. - [Governments Officials Aren’t Design Professionals](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/governments-officials-arent-design-professionals/) - The Utah Legislature just passed a bill that stops government entities from controlling design elements of homes that have nothing to do with health and safety. - [Montana Brings Privacy Into the 21st Century](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/montana-brings-privacy-into-the-21st-century/) - Montana is on the cusp of being the first state to have robust third-party data protection in both its constitution and legal code. - [A Mix of Tax Cuts for Utahns in 2021](https://libertas.institute/2021-bills/a-mix-of-tax-cuts-for-utahns-in-2021/) - The 2021 legislative session saw a few different tax cuts for Utahns. - [West Virginia: Innovating in the Insurance Industry](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/west-virginia-innovating-in-the-insurance-industry/) - West Virginia has just signed into law the creation of an industry-specific regulatory sandbox for insurance, a sector ready for disruption. - [The PRO Act would hurt independent contractors in Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-pro-act-would-hurt-independent-contractors-in-utah/) - The dramatic proposed limitations on who can be considered an independent contractor would destroy industries and individuals' livelihoods. - [Utah Blazing a Trail for Welcoming Innovation](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-blazing-a-trail-for-welcoming-innovation/) - Utah's new all-inclusive sandbox shows that the state is, indeed, open for business and welcoming of new ideas and ways of doing things. - [Libertas Institute Welcomes New Executive VP and More](https://libertas.institute/press-release/libertas-institute-welcomes-new-executive-vp-and-more/) - There's so much work to be done and a ton of opportunity! We're glad these new colleagues are part of the team and excited to continue working with an all-star cast of characters who share my passion for changing the world. - [How a Sandbox Could Spur Economic Recovery](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-a-sandbox-could-spur-economic-recovery/) - Several states have explored how regulatory sandboxes could help FinTech and other industries. - [First Non-Lawyer Owned Law Firm Opens in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/first-non-lawyer-owned-law-firm-opens-in-utah/) - The first law firm in the country owned entirely by non-lawyers opened its doors to practice law in the state of Utah, thanks to the legal services sandbox. - [Changes coming to probation and parole](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/violating-curfew-no-longer-an-automatic-jail-sentence/) - Thanks to HB 290, technical violations of probation or parole, like being late to a check-in or violating curfew, no longer mean automatic jail time. - [Honey, I Think an MRAP Just Went By Our House](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/honey-i-think-an-mrap-just-went-by-our-house/) - Do Utah police really need militarized vehicles? - [Permission Slips No Longer Required to Conceal Carry in Utah](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/permission-slips-no-longer-required-to-conceal-carry-in-utah/) - With the passage and signing of HB60, adults over 21 are not required to obtain a permit from the state in order to conceal carry their firearm in Utah. - [School Attendance Reforms Put Parents Back in the Driver's Seat](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/school-attendance-reforms-put-parents-back-in-the-drivers-seat/) - 2020 taught us many lessons, not least of which is the importance of flexibility when it comes to school attendance. - [A Win for Free Speech at Utah Universities](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/a-win-for-free-speech-at-utah-universities/) - Utah's Legislature has made the move to protect the First Amendment rights of students at public colleges and universities. - [New Audit of Banjo Highlights Privacy Issues in Utah](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/new-audit-of-banjo-highlights-privacy-issues-in-utah/) - The auditor recently released his review of the company Banjo and its technology. We offer our insights on the report and the importance of transparency. - [Utah Will Not Require COVID-19 Vaccine Passports](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/utah-will-not-require-covid-19-vaccine-passports/) - Utah is opting out of any "vaccine passport" programs. - [How Utah Aims to Help Businesses Flourish After Pandemic](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-utah-aims-to-help-businesses-flourish-after-pandemic/) - Utah utilizes regulatory sandboxes to assist companies with their adjustments to the post-pandemic economy. - [Utah should not restrict or mandate online speech](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-should-not-prohibit-or-mandate-online-speech/) - We urge Gov. Cox to veto SB228 because it leverages the power of the government to violate the First Amendment rights of private companies. - [New law allows owner-occupied rentals statewide](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/new-law-allows-owner-occupied-rentals-statewide/) - With the passage and signing of HB 82, owner-occupied ADUs are now legal throughout Utah. This should help relieve some pressure in the housing market. - [Utah Takes Steps to Protect Civil Liberties](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/protecting-utahns-civil-liberties/) - House Bill 243, by Representative Francis Gibson, aims to strike a balance between public safety and civil liberties, and it has broad, bipartisan support. - [Utah Adopts Regulatory Reform to Encourage Innovation](https://libertas.institute/free-market/encouraging-innovation-with-regulatory-reform/) - House Bill 217, from Representative Cory Maloy, ensures that Utah is the most business-friendly state in the nation through the creation of the nations first, all-inclusive regulatory sandbox. - [COVID has changed education forever. Let’s embrace the new direction.](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/covid-has-changed-education-forever-lets-embrace-the-new-direction/) - Schools should prepare students for the new ways of doing things. - [South Dakota: Innovating in the Insurance Industry](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/south-dakota-innovating-in-the-insurance-industry/) - South Dakota now joins a handful of other states that have created industry-specific sandboxes, helping innovative businesses avoid problematic or outdated regulations. - [Improving Access to Mental Health Services in Utah](https://libertas.institute/free-market/improving-access-to-mental-health-services-in-utah/) - Telehealth services played a major role in helping Utahns get access to medical services. A bill passed in Utah empowers telehealth services to be used for mental health. - [These Utah bills will expand health care and lower costs](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/these-utah-bills-will-expand-health-care-and-lower-costs/) - Three bills have been proposed this legislative session that attempt to expand scope of practice laws. - [Utah needs to streamline its permitting processes](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-needs-to-streamline-its-permitting-processes/) - A bill before the Legislature would help people navigate the maze of government regulation. - [Utah can strike a better balance to protect privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-can-strike-a-better-balance-to-protect-privacy/) - State Rep. Francis Gibson has introduced a new bill to tackle this issue head-on. Privacy Protection Amendments, House Bill 243, requires a public, transparent review regarding law enforcement wanting to use new surveillance technology. This enables the Legislature to ensure that the appropriate guardrails and oversight exist to protect civil liberties while still achieving public safety. - [These two Utah bills would give property tax relief to seniors](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/these-two-utah-bills-would-give-property-tax-relief-to-seniors/) - Senate Bills 26 and 52 are being considered by the Utah Legislature, and both could go far to help Utah seniors. - [Even in a pandemic, Utah’s executive branch needs a check](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/even-in-a-pandemic-utahs-executive-branch-needs-a-check/) - We can protect the public and navigate difficult circumstances without having unchecked executive power. - [Stop suspending driver licenses for unpaid court debt](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/stop-suspending-driver-licenses-for-unpaid-court-debt/) - Taking away access to reliable transportation is not an effective way to ensure Utahns are able to pay off their court debts, especially those with low incomes. - [Let's prepare for Utah's future economy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/lets-prepare-for-utahs-future-economy/) - Utah should continue its experiments that relax business regulations. - [Governor Cox's First Item of Business: Reform Occupational Licensure](https://libertas.institute/free-market/governor-coxs-first-item-of-business-reform-occupational-licensure/) - The first executive order by the new administration was to review occupational licensure. Here's why that's a good thing. - [Kane Co. Is Out of Bounds with Golf Course Proposal](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/kane-co-is-out-of-bounds-with-golf-course-proposal/) - Even if the golf course plans went off without a hitch, financially speaking, the question remains: is this an appropriate use of taxpayer money? No. - [Next for Utah criminal justice reform? The court system](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/next-for-utah-criminal-justice-reform-the-court-system/) - The justice court system would benefit from a thorough review. Utahns deserve consideration of circumstances and to have corruption stopped before it starts. - [Data privacy: Is the law keeping up to tech?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/data-privacy-is-the-law-keeping-up-to-tech/) - Modern technology improves our lives, but is the law keeping up with it to ensure our right to privacy? The practice of "reverse warrants" suggests it's not. - [Utah's legal sandbox is gaining steam](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utahs-legal-sandbox-is-gaining-steam/) - The regulatory "sandbox" for legal services in Utah is the first of its kind in the nation — and it's already making positive changes. - [A routine traffic stop should be nothing more](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-routine-traffic-stop-should-be-nothing-more/) - There's a simple way to let police do their jobs without violating the rights of individuals during traffic stops. Here's how. - [Increasing Justice By Reforming Justice Courts](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/increasing-justice-by-reforming-justice-courts/) - Some important changes are needed to Utah's justice courts. - [Problematic Permitting Is More Than Just Annoying](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/problematic-permitting-is-more-than-just-annoying/) - When the permitting process is too complicated, too expensive, or takes too long to accomplish, it's more than just a headache—it can be downright dangerous. - [It's time to scale back licensing requirements](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/its-time-to-scale-back-licensing-requirements/) - It's critical that Utah lawmakers remove barriers to entry for workers. Here's why… - [Poll: Utahns Overwhelmingly Support Police Reform](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/poll-utahns-overwhelmingly-support-police-reform/) - Across a wide range of questions, Utah voters clearly feel strongly about police reform in the beehive state. - [Republicans Should Use the Market, Not Government, to Tackle Bias](https://libertas.institute/free-market/republicans-should-use-the-market-not-government-to-tackle-bias/) - Rather than use the force of government to compel companies, Republicans should use their market force and leave the “biased” platforms they decry. - [Improving Government Data Transparency in Utah](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/improving-government-data-transparency-in-utah/) - Increasing transparency between the government and its citizens is a critical step in repairing their strained relationship. - [Are K9 units a necessity for police?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/are-k9-units-a-necessity-for-police/) - K9 reform is needed in utah police departments. - [Utah Will Reap the Benefits of Embracing the Gig Economy](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-will-reap-the-benefits-of-embracing-the-gig-economy/) - The future of work across the country is rapidly changing. The gig economy is playing a major role. Utah needs to reevaluate its labor laws and adjust to the market. - [Google embodies, not exploits, America’s competitive spirit](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/google-embodies-not-exploits-americas-competitive-spirit/) - Let’s be clear: Google has not conducted its business in violation of historic antitrust standards. On the contrary, it has embraced America’s legacy of business competition. - [Michigan Brings Digital Privacy Into the 21st Century](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/michigan-brings-digital-privacy-into-the-21st-century/) - Michigan is the latest state to join the effort to bring digital privacy protections in the 21st Century. - [Should Home Invasions for Drugs Continue?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/should-home-invasions-for-drugs-continue/) - Breonna Taylor died needlessly, as did Matthew Stewart. It's past time to stop invading homes over drug enforcement. - [Legal Services Sandbox in Utah Takes Off](https://libertas.institute/free-market/legal-services-sandbox-in-utah-takes-off/) - Utah's Supreme Court recently established a first-in-the-nation legal services sandbox. We discuss what that means for Utah and the future of sandboxes in the state. - ['Sandbox' Everything](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/sandbox-everything/) - An expansive thicket of complicated, overly burdensome laws and regulations has greatly inhibited our ability to quickly and effectively respond to the coronavirus outbreak. - [Justice for Breonna Taylor looks a lot like policy change](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/justice-for-breonna-taylor-looks-a-lot-like-policy-change/) - The next policy steps require proper judicial review for warrants and banning most forcible entries. - [Procrastination as rejection in the permitting process](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/procrastination-as-rejection-in-the-permitting-process/) - With no deadline by which a permit decision has to be made, issuing entities can indefinitely postpone consideration of an application, effectively denying it. - [Davis County program helps police and the mentally ill](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/davis-county-program-helps-police-and-the-mentally-ill/) - Davis county has implemented a new approach toward helping those with mental health and drug addiction problems. - [Government use — and misuse — of tech requires heightened scrutiny](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/government-use-and-misuse-of-tech-requires-heightened-scrutiny/) - With the recent discovery of law enforcement using predictive policing to harass families in Florida, it further highlights the need for guardrails to be put in place. - [Antitrust Law: Politicizing Not the Answer](https://libertas.institute/free-market/antitrust-law-politicizing-not-the-answer/) - Tomorrow, Senator Mike Lee will host a hearing of the U.S. Senate surrounding antitrust. Antitrust laws are being weaponized for political reasons, and Senator Lee recognizes the dangers of this. - [Additional Fees on Your Utility Bill Rob You Blind](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/additional-fees-on-your-utility-bill-rob-you-blind/) - Many cities in Utah tack on additional fees on top of your bill for electricity, water, and sewer services rather than implementing more transparent taxes. - [Is justice served with overwhelming fines?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/is-justice-served-with-overwhelming-fines/) - Fines and fees can be overwhelming, but there's a way to help minimize the negative impact they pose on a person's life. - [How code enforcement became a pawn in neighborhood disputes](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-code-enforcement-became-a-pawn-in-neighborhood-disputes/) - Anonymous complaints hinder an objective and just code enforcement process. - [Utah’s New Wine Delivery Bill Already Gone Bad](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utahs-new-wine-delivery-bill-already-gone-bad/) - This year the Utah Legislature passed a bill dealing with wine delivery, but the original intentions were lost in the process, producing a mediocre result. - [Utah Courts are Expanding Access to Legal Services](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-courts-are-expanding-access-to-legal-services/) - The Utah Supreme Court just approved a regulatory sandbox for legal services. - [How Utah just expanded access to justice](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-utah-just-expanded-access-to-justice/) - Last week, the court unanimously approved a first-in-the-nation pilot program to expand access to legal help by allowing Utahns to begin offering non-traditional legal services. - [Regulatory Relief Key for Utah’s Recovery from COVID-19](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/regulatory-relief-key-for-utahs-recovery-from-covid-19/) - It’s time to build on this momentum to expand regulatory relief to entrepreneurs and innovators in any industry, rather than a select few. - [Utah Should Embrace the Innovation that Springs from Economic Disruption](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-should-embrace-the-innovation-that-springs-from-economic-disruption/) - It is impossible to tell where the next great idea is going to come from, but a friendly and limited regulatory environment will be best suited to allow and enable such innovation to occur. - [Smart statewide police reform will benefit Utah citizens and officers alike](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/smart-statewide-police-reform-will-benefit-utah-citizens-and-officers-alike/) - The policies outlined above, and the strong public opinion behind them, suggest how Utah can proceed to address these problems while keeping our communities safe, ensuring good officers aren’t put at risk unnecessarily, and making sure bad actors are held accountable for their actions. - [How the gig economy will be key to Utah’s COVID-19 recovery](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-the-gig-economy-will-be-key-to-utahs-covid-19-recovery/) - Supporting innovative gig companies will provide more Utahns with easier access to jobs which is extremely important during this pandemic. - [Contact Tracing Apps: Do People Trust Their Government?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/contact-tracing-apps-do-people-trust-their-government/) - Contact Tracing effectiveness relies on high compliance from citizens. However, do they trust their government with such sensitive data? - [Rush to Fight Virus Shows Utah has a Privacy Problem](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/rush-to-fight-virus-shows-utah-has-a-privacy-problem/) - As public officials across Utah work to fight off the pandemic, they must be careful with how they allow government and private companies to use Utahns data. - [Utah parents, it may be time to consider home schooling](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-parents-it-may-be-time-to-consider-home-schooling/) - Despite the challenges of homeschooling, nearly every family who uses this alternative (or, one might say, traditional) education format will sing its praises. - [Proposal: The Privacy Protection Act](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/proposal-the-privacy-protection-act/) - This proposal establishes oversight to ensure government agencies can't just use whatever surveillance technologies they want, without broader input/engagement first. - [The Unintended Consequences of Price Gouging Laws on Online Markets](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-unintended-consequences-of-price-gouging-laws-on-online-markets/) - Price gouging laws are preventing more people from having goods they need most, when they are most needed. - [Eminent Domain Abuse in the Name of Parks and Recreation](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/eminent-domain-abuse-in-the-name-of-parks-and-recreation/) - Should the government be able to take your property to build a public park? It's quite likely, there's nothing standing in their way. - [Unfair Competition: Government in the Marketplace](https://libertas.institute/free-market/unfair-competition-government-in-the-free-market/) - What happens when the government competes with the free market to provide non essential services? This practice sabotages both the government and the people. - [New Tech to Invade Your Privacy](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/new-tech-to-invade-your-privacy/) - Government agencies are getting new tech to invade your privacy. What does this mean for Utah? - [Some needed police reforms for Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/some-needed-police-reforms-for-utah/) - Ending qualified immunity, requiring liability insurance for police, mandatory body cameras and mandates to report misconduct are just a few of the many policy changes needed. - [Police Reform? Here are Past and Future Ideas](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/police-reform-here-are-past-and-future-ideas/) - Riots erupted over the weekend in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis—a clearly problematic use of force by several police officers. Part of the frustration no doubt stems from the feeling many share that this is a trend that is not reversing, and that excessive use of force by law enforcement, especially - [What COVID-19 has taught us about short-term rental regulations](https://libertas.institute/blog/what-covid-19-has-taught-us-about-short-term-rental-regulations/) - Should people be able to rent out a portion of their home on a short term basis? There's no reason to prohibit it and Coming out of COVID-19, people may need to. - [Stick to the traffic ticket](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/stick-to-the-traffic-ticket/) - When police pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation, they shouldn't seek out minor, unrelated crimes with K9 searches. - [Reducing Compliance Burdens of the Tangible Personal Property Tax](https://libertas.institute/free-market/reducing-compliance-burdens-of-the-tangible-personal-property-tax/) - The Utah Legislature made some substantial improvements to reduce the compliance burdens of the tangible personal property tax on small businesses. - [A New Special Needs Scholarship Program](https://libertas.institute/2020-bills/a-new-special-needs-scholarship-program/) - This year, the Utah Legislature created a new tax credit scholarship program to help special needs families. - [The Future of Education](https://libertas.institute/education-empowerment/the-future-of-education/) - As Utah and other states begin to re-open, we have an opportunity to reflect on the potentially positive outcomes of the massive disruption on education. - [A Privacy Reform Proposal for Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-privacy-reform-proposal-for-utah/) - The government keeps getting ahead of public awareness when it comes to tools and technologies that can undermine privacy if not appropriately limited. - [But Were There Any Bad Bills Run in 2020?](https://libertas.institute/2020-bills/but-were-there-any-bad-bills-run-in-2020/) - There are quite a few bills that you might not have heard about, simply because they failed to pass or because the worst parts were amended out of the bill. - [How Utah Is Increasing Transparency for Prosecutors](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/how-utah-is-increasing-transparency-for-prosecutors/) - House Bill 288 requires data collection and reporting from Utah prosecutors and jails. - [New Occupational Licensing Reforms Come to Utah](https://libertas.institute/free-market/new-occupational-licensing-reforms-come-to-utah/) - During the session, Utah passed several laws addressing occupational licensing reform in several key areas. - [Stopping Misdemeanors for Local Code Violations](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/stopping-misdemeanors-for-local-code-violations/) - The Utah legislature unanimously passed house bill 202 to stop local government's from over criminalizing ordinances. - [A Step Forward for Presumed Innocence in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/a-step-forward-for-presumed-innocence-in-utah/) - House Bill 206 will create a fairer bail system for all Utahns, regardless of wealth. - [COVID-19 shows that drone reform is needed in Utah](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/covid-19-shows-that-drone-reform-is-needed-in-utah/) - As perhaps one of the most disruptive issues of our time, the coronavirus has had an impact on numerous industries around the world. - [Utah Fights COVID-19 with New Opt-in App](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/utah-looks-to-private-sector-for-help-against-covid-19/) - Governor Herbert announced a partnership between Utah and a local company to develop a track-and-trace app to inform citizens if they have been exposed to COVID-19. - [Innovating in the Insurance Industry](https://libertas.institute/free-market/innovating-in-the-insurance-industry/) - Utah became just the third state in the country to pass a law creating an insurance sandbox. - [HB 3009: Restricting Local Governments in Issuing Shutdown Orders](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/hb-3009-restricting-local-governments-in-issuing-shutdown-orders/) - This new bill restricts and regulates how the governor and mayors can impose emergency orders. - [Big Brother Comes to Utah over COVID-19](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/big-brother-comes-to-utah-over-covid-19/) - Technology has played a vital role in our response effort to the coronavirus. However government can leverage that technology to abuse our rights. - [Governor Herbert's Veto Hurts Special Needs Children](https://libertas.institute/blog/governor-herberts-veto-hurts-special-needs-children/) - Governor Herbert vetoed a bill that would have benefitted many families of special needs students. - [Governor Herbert Signs Market-Friendly Executive Order](https://libertas.institute/free-market/governor-herbert-signs-market-friendly-executive-order/) - Governor Herbert signed an executive order deregulating telehealth industry in an effort to control the spread of coronavirus. - [Consensual Polygamy Decriminalized in Utah](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/consensual-polygamy-decriminalized-in-utah/) - Here's why the Utah Legislature decriminalized polygamy - [Coronavirus price gouging shouldn’t be criminal](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/coronavirus-price-gouging-shouldnt-be-criminal/) - Utah's price gouging laws are ineffective at solving the issues of pandemics. Repealing the law could offer solutions that help more people instead of hoarders. - [COVID-19's Prompt for Deregulation and Innovation](https://libertas.institute/free-market/covid-19s-prompt-for-deregulation-and-innovation/) - As people around the world are hunkered down waiting for the Coronavirus to blow over, there are pockets of hope and silver linings to be found. From the spontaneous acts of community service to the neighbors rallying together to support each other through a time of crisis, there are many praiseworthy things that could be - [2020 Improvements to Utah's Medical Cannabis Law](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/2020-improvements-to-utahs-medical-cannabis-law/) - Here are the main improvements made to Utah's medical cannabis program in 2020. - [Judge Rules Pleasant Grove Imposed an Illegal Tax](https://libertas.institute/blog/judge-rules-pleasant-grove-tax-unconstitutional/) - In late 2018, Libertas Institute organized a lawsuit against Pleasant Grove over its adoption of a transportation utility fee that was really a tax. Yesterday, Judge Jared Eldridge of the 4th District Court ruled against Pleasant Grove regarding the key issue in the lawsuit. Despite recognizing that cities have "broad authority to pass ordinances which - [Let’s protect the right to keep your phone locked](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/lets-protect-the-right-to-keep-your-phone-locked/) - Do you unlock your phone with your finger or face? Many people do. However, should law enforcement be allowed to compel you to unlock your phone using these features? - [Herriman Trains Staff After Violation of State Law](https://libertas.institute/free-market/herriman-trains-staff-after-violation-of-state-law/) - Herriman staff violated the law, and have now been told they were wrong. - [Protecting sensitive information among changing technology](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/protecting-sensitive-information-among-changing-technology/) - States that wish to protect privacy rights need to change this by passing clear legal standards for law enforcement to follow that apply to modern technology. - [How Utah can welcome better innovation](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-utah-can-welcome-better-innovation/) - As 2019 closes and Utah kicks off a new decade, policy makers should look to position the state as an innovation leader in regulatory sandboxes. - [Where has Utah's Tax Reform Landed?](https://libertas.institute/blog/2019-tax-reform/) - What is in the latest tax reform proposal that the Utah Legislature will likely consider in a special session this week? - [Yang’s Tech Policy Has Unseen Costs to the American Consumer](https://libertas.institute/free-market/yangs-tech-policy-has-unseen-costs-to-the-american-consumer/) - While Yang’s intention with his consumer data privacy policy are noble, if implemented, it would hurt the very people he aims to help. - [Stop suspending driver’s licenses for inability to pay fines and fees](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/stop-suspending-drivers-licenses-for-inability-to-pay-fines-and-fees/) - Utah has the ability to help change people’s lives for the better by stopping the ban on one’s driver’s license for unpaid court debt. - [Facial recognition needs some handcuffs](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/facial-recognition-needs-some-handcuffs/) - Your photo is being scanned by law enforcement over and over again every single day—without your knowledge and consent. - [When Gun Owners Become Felons in Utah](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/when-gun-owners-become-felons-in-utah/) - In Utah, you're an automatic felon if you are a lawful gun owner who decides to use an illegal drug. That needs to change. - [One Man’s Livestock is Another Man’s Pet](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/one-mans-livestock-is-another-mans-pet/) - If a pig doesn't cause more potential inconvenience to neighbors than a dog, why shouldn't someone be able to keep one? - [Let’s make Utah the ‘Sandbox State’](https://libertas.institute/blog/lets-make-utah-the-sandbox-state/) - As the home of “Silicon Slopes”, Utah is poised to leverage regulatory sandboxes as a key to unlocking innovation industries that have become old and stale. - [Is THC vaping the new Typhoid Mary?](https://libertas.institute/blog/is-thc-vaping-the-new-typhoid-mary/) - Public health is critical, and good information is imperative. But making broad recommendations against THC use is speculative at best, fearmongering at worst. - [Private DNA should stay out of the government’s hands](https://libertas.institute/blog/dna-privacy/) - Should police officers be able to go on fishing expeditions in DNA databases to solve crimes? - [This is Why Medical Cannabis Legalization is Important](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/this-is-why-medical-cannabis-legalization-is-important/) - Let's not forget the reason why changing Utah's marijuana laws is so important. - [Salt Lake County Reduces Drug Penalties for Thousands](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/salt-lake-county-reduces-drug-penalties-for-thousands/) - Salt Lake County is reducing penalties for thousands of drug conviction cases. - [Updated Medical Cannabis Law a Win for Patients](https://libertas.institute/blog/updated-medical-cannabis-law-a-win-for-patients/) - The Utah Legislature made further changes to the medical cannabis law that promote patient access and grants further protections from prosecution. - [Utah Judge Not Following New Medical Cannabis Law](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-judge-not-following-new-medical-cannabis-law/) - A Utah mother is being targeted by a judge for having THC in her system, despite being legally allowed to. - [How can we improve economic mobility for everyone in Utah?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/how-can-we-improve-economic-mobility-for-everyone-in-utah/) - How do we maintain an economy that has many ladders for people to climb up and achieve their economic goals? - [Transparency Report Shows Force Used in 2018](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/transparency-report-shows-force-used-in-2018/) - The reason that a judge issued a forcible entry warrant pertained to drugs 78 percent of the time. - [Local governments should rethink criminal ordinances](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/local-governments-should-rethink-criminal-ordinances/) - Local governments across Utah often rely on a Class B misdemeanor for nuisance penaltys—even when no actual harm is done. - [A Modest Proposal to Help Seniors with Property Taxes](https://libertas.institute/blog/a-modest-proposal-to-help-seniors-with-property-taxes/) - Property tax deferrals for seniors could help homeowners enjoy their property in the twilight of their lives. - [Are City Permits Up to Code?](https://libertas.institute/blog/are-city-permits-up-to-code/) - Permits were intended to be straightforward and a means to protect the safety and rights of others. But over time they have been used to restrict opportunity and freedom. - [Utah is finally eliminating debtors’ prisons — when will the rest of the country?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-is-finally-eliminating-debtors-prisons-when-will-the-rest-of-the-country/) - Utah is capping the amount of late fees government agencies can charge on unpaid debt—other states should follow. - [A New Path for Prosecutors in Utah's Two Largest Counties](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-new-path-for-prosecutors-in-utahs-two-largest-counties/) - Utah's two largest counties might not prosecute low-level criminals anymore… and that's a good thing. - [Utah cash bail rules hurt low-income people](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-cash-bail-rules-hurt-low-income-people/) - Utah courts are doing great things with the bail system—but new laws are getting in the way. - [It’s time to eliminate civil asset forfeiture](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/its-time-to-eliminate-civil-asset-forfeiture/) - For years, prosecutors and police have unfortunately pushed back against reforming civil asset forfeiture. But it’s time to resolve things in a way where all sides can accomplish their goal and be satisfied. - [What's Next For Data Privacy?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/whats-next-for-data-privacy/) - With DNA testing services on the rise, it's important to protect that sensitive information from invasive searches. - [Get The Government Off My Lawn](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/get-the-government-off-my-lawn/) - In many Utah cities, an unkempt lawn is a criminal offense—should it be? - [But How Business Friendly is Utah Really?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/but-how-business-friendly-is-utah-really/) - It’s time Utah lived up to the accolades for being the best for business and see what great ideas entrepreneurs will dream up next to improve our society. - [Is the Warrant System Working Well?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/is-the-warrant-system-working-well/) - If warrants are being issued in mere seconds, is the justice system working? - [Eminent Domain: A Fancy Name for Property Theft](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/eminent-domain-a-fancy-name-for-property-theft/) - Property rights sound great in theory, but the law still needs to be improved to make sure the government can't take your property when it thinks it needs it. - [Past and future of expungement reform](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/past-and-future-of-expungement-reform/) - The Utah Legislature passed excellent expungement reforms this past sessions, but more change lies ahead. - [A Few Good Laws Going Into Effect Today](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/a-few-good-laws-going-into-effect-today/) - Here are a few positive new laws that go into effect today in Utah. - [Colorado Follows Utah in Freeing the Market for Minors](https://libertas.institute/free-market/colorado-follows-utah-in-freeing-the-market-for-minors/) - The following op-ed was published by Fox Business last week. The Colorado governor signed a bill into law this month that will allow children to operate a lemonade stand. without a permit. You didn’t know they needed a permit? Yes, before this law they did in the Centennial State; and in most states they still do. This legislative - [How did Gun Control Fare in the 2019 Session?](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/how-did-gun-control-fare-in-the-2019-session/) - As you may recall, in the spring of last year, quite a few pieces of gun control legislation were proposed to be run in the 2019 legislative session. How did these bills fare? - [What is Going On with State Taxes?](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/what-is-going-on-with-state-taxes/) - We will leave discussions about your withholdings to your tax accountant, but we can try to help you understand what has been going on with state taxes in Utah. - [But Were There Any Bad Bills Run in 2019?](https://libertas.institute/2019-bills/but-were-there-any-bad-bills-run-in-2019/) - There are quite a few bills that you might not have heard about, simply because they failed to pass or because the worst parts were amended out of the bill. - [The Legislature Talked About..... Sex?](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/the-legislature-talked-about-sex/) - Three different unconstitutional statutes dealing with private sexual conduct were repealed this year by the Utah Legislature. - [Momentum for Budget Reform in Utah](https://libertas.institute/limited-and-open-government/momentum-for-budget-reform-in-utah/) - Real budget reform is finally starting to come to Utah. Instead of constantly raising taxes, its times to take a hard look at what taxpayers fund every year. - [Improvements to the Utah Medical Cannabis Act](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/improvements-to-the-utah-medical-cannabis-act/) - Last November, Utah voters passed Prop 2. A month later, Governor Herbert called the Legislature into a special session to pass an amended version of what voters had passed — a proposal that had some additional limitations but still broadly legalizes the medical use of cannabis for a wide range of patients. In agreeing to - [Several Successful Licensure Reforms in Utah](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/several-successful-licensure-reforms-in-utah/) - The Legislature passed a number of great bills to help more Utahns access occupational licenses. - [Reforming the Annual Tax on Business Supplies](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/reforming-the-annual-tax-on-business-supplies/) - Meaningful reform to the tangible personal property tax was achieved via HB 231. - [Improving Government Accountability](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/improving-government-accountability/) - Utahns win with the new government accountability bill passed just this year. - [Utah steps forward to protect digital privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-steps-forward-to-protect-digital-privacy/) - The “third party doctrine” might have made some sense before the digital era, but our inherent reliance on numerous third parties to facilitate any digital interaction makes it clear that the case law needs a major overhaul. - [Local Utah government should respect property rights](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/local-utah-government-should-respect-property-rights/) - Utahns aren't able to fully utilize there property due to local government regulations—SB 107 seeks to change that. - [Car sharing shouldn’t be criminalized at the airport](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/car-sharing-shouldnt-be-criminalized-at-the-airport/) - Salt Lake City and the Airport are criminalizing Utahns who share their vehicle using Turo. - [Didn't We Leave Prohibition Behind?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/didnt-we-leave-prohibition-behind/) - In summary, more taxes and more regulation are being peddled as a solution to the issue. So much for the free market! - [Utah Sales Tax Reform: Better Now Than Later](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-sales-tax-reform-better-now-than-later/) - As the economy continues to become more service-oriented rather than goods-oriented, Utah needs to adapt by taxing services and reducing overall tax rates. - [Clearing an Obstacle to Expungement](https://libertas.institute/blog/clearing-an-obstacle-to-expungement/) - Providing automatic expungements for people with low level criminal history will affect thousands of Utahn’s lives for generations to come. - [Medical Cannabis FAQ](https://libertas.institute/blog/medical-cannabis-faq/) - You have questions about the Utah Medical Cannabis Act. Here, we have some answers. - [The case for health care price transparency and beyond](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/the-case-for-health-care-price-transparency-and-beyond/) - Everything we buy has a price tag on it, except one of the most important things: health care services. Here's why—and how—that needs to change. - [The Front License Plate: Just Drill Some Holes in Your Bumper!](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/the-front-license-plate-just-drill-some-holes-in-your-bumper/) - If you don't have a spot for a front license plate, watch out! You might just get ticketed. - [Roadside traffic stop or fishing expedition?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/roadside-traffic-stop-or-fishing-expedition/) - The standard for conducting a roadside stop should be raised to prevent unintended biases in policing. - [Mercy for First Time .05 BAC Offenders](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/mercy-for-first-time-05-bac-offenders/) - First-time DUI offenders guilty of the new .05 BAC law should be given a lighter punishment as a second chance. - [Don't forget tax reform for small businesses](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/dont-forget-tax-reform-for-small-businesses/) - A pioneer-era tax that's still on the books requires business owners to count up their property each year and pay a tax on it. It's time to repeal it. - [Bolstering Utah's Public Defenders](https://libertas.institute/blog/bolstering-utahs-public-defenders/) - Besides over-criminalization and a massive increase in the number of people who enter the criminal justice system, funding for public defenders has been a major problem. - [Ensuring the Proper Use of Eminent Domain](https://libertas.institute/blog/ensuring-the-proper-use-of-eminent-domain/) - Local governments have tremendous power over residents property, and it need not go unchecked. - [You could go to jail for what?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/you-could-go-to-jail-for-what/) - Utah legislature has began to sift through unnecessary laws in order to address overcrowding jails. - [Improvements in the Medical Cannabis "Compromise"](https://libertas.institute/blog/improvements-in-the-medical-cannabis-compromise/) - While we don't love all the compromised parts, here are ten ways in which the proposed agreement is an improvement from Prop 2. - [Shine Some Light on Utah's Jails and Justice System](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/shining-light-on-our-jails-and-justice-system-will-reveal-what-change-is-needed/) - When it comes to data, little is known about pre-trial trends in Utah—but when people are being incarcerated without being convicted, we need transparency to see what's happening. - [Here are the Changes to Prop 2 for the New "Agreement"](https://libertas.institute/blog/here-are-the-changes-to-prop-2-for-the-new-agreement/) - Confused by what's happening in the so-called "compromise"? Here are the details, broken down simply for you to understand. - [Why are local governments competing with private business?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-are-local-governments-competing-with-private-business/) - If true demand for any of these recreation or entertainment activities actually exists, then private providers most often will respond if given the opportunity. - [Why you shouldn't fear the peer-to-peer economy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-you-shouldnt-fear-the-peer-to-peer-economy/) - Utah’s Constitution requires a free market, yet every year it seems that incumbent companies use antiquated laws to try to shut down their upstart competitors. - [Elections Have Consequences - What's Next for Utah?](https://libertas.institute/blog/elections-have-consequences-whats-next-for-utah/) - What happened here in Utah other than sending Mitt Romney to Washington and that Ben McAdams may have beat Mia Love? - [Is Just One More Tax Increase Going to Hurt?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/is-just-one-more-tax-increase-going-to-hurt/) - Another year, another proposal to increase taxes — and this time, it’s a group called Our Schools Now asking Utahns to raise their gas taxes in the form of Question 1 on your voting ballot. - [Haunting on the Hill](https://libertas.institute/blog/haunting-on-the-hill/) - Here lie the five pieces of legislation that, sadly, never made it out of the House and Senate alive. - [More Obamacare on Your Ballot](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/more-obamacare-on-your-ballot/) - Runaway healthcare costs are the gift that the federal government wants to keep on giving. The gift this year for consideration? Medicaid expansion, which is on your ballot in the form of Prop 3. - [Civil forfeiture is worse than its proponents proclaim](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/civil-forfeiture-is-worse-than-its-proponents-proclaim/) - A federal prosecutor basically claimed that civil asset forfeiture is no big deal. Here, we respond. - [An Alternative to Raising Taxes to Fund K-12 Education](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/an-alternative-to-raising-taxes-to-fund-k-12-education/) - With steady tax increases in Utah, it's clear that the state doesn't have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem. Here's something that can help. - [Transparency Report Shows Force Used in 2017](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/transparency-report-shows-force-used-in-2017/) - Utah is the only state with a law requiring police transparency regarding "forcible entry" (no-knock or knock-and-announce) warrants and the use of SWAT teams. This year's report marks the fourth since the law was enacted. Here is a summary of the data that was provided: There were 486 total "reportable incidents" in 2017—an increase of - [Stop Banning All Private Property For Commercial Use](https://libertas.institute/free-market/stop-banning-all-private-property-for-commercial-use/) - Rockville, Utah has banned commercial activity within their town's borders. This unfair policy hurts the economy by limiting growth and encouraging tourists and residents to spend their money outside of the town. - [Utah’s Question 1 is just kicking the can down the road](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-question-1-is-just-kicking-the-can-down-the-road/) - If more money is truly the goal, then let’s stop kicking the K-12 education gas can down the road. Question 1 merely perpetuates a problem—and it certainly isn’t a solution. - [Utah Supreme Court Rules Unanimously on Civil Asset Forfeiture Case](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/utah-supreme-court-rules-unanimously-on-civil-asset-forfeiture-case/) - Libertas filed an amicus brief in this case, which is a victory for holding the government accountable. - [Animal Ownership Causing Some Pet Peeves](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/animal-ownership-causing-some-pet-peeves/) - By focusing on nuisance and safety, those with their own private property can be afforded the chance to enjoy their animals, so long as proper guidelines regarding placement and fencing are followed. - [Common Sense Healthcare Solutions Need More Than Band-Aids](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/common-sense-healthcare-solutions-need-more-than-band-aids/) - Most everyone agrees that our healthcare system is broken. Prices continue to skyrocket and affordability seems to be a pipe dream for many people. So what, if anything, can be done to help fix it? - [The Need for a New Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/free-market/the-need-for-a-new-special-needs-opportunity-scholarship/) - We've been working with a coalition of different Utah organizations to develop a corporate tax credit that could be used to fund a new scholarship program for special needs students. - [A Constitution Day reminder: Don’t let government take your stuff](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/a-constitution-day-reminder-dont-let-government-take-your-stuff/) - Let's honor the Constitution by stopping the government from taking property from innocent people. - [A Rebuttal to the LDS Church, Utah Medical Association, and Drug Safe Utah](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/a-rebuttal-to-the-lds-church-utah-medical-association-and-drug-safe-utah/) - The Beehive, a newly launched online newsletter, recently sent questions to various parties interested in Prop 2, including Libertas. The following rebuttal addresses answers provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Utah Medical Association, and Drug Safe Utah, all three of which have opposed Proposition 2. As you can see, many of - [What's Happening with Plea Deals?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/whats-happening-with-plea-deals/) - The following op-ed was published by the Salt Lake Tribune this week. “We the jury find the defendant guilty!” It’s a line you may have heard before as a dramatic case closing in a TV show or movie — but you probably haven’t heard it in real life, even if you or someone close to - [Can the Blockchain Benefit the Beehive State?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/can-the-blockchain-benefit-the-beehive-state/) - Other state governments are moving forward with blockchain technology. Why not Utah? - [South Jordan Double Bogeys on Public Golf Courses](https://libertas.institute/free-market/south-jordan-double-bogeys-on-public-golf-courses/) - The South Jordan City Council hit into a massive hazard Tuesday night and voted to purchase Glenmoor golf course. South Jordan will now own not one, but two golf courses. Should local governments be involved in the business of golf? - [Occupational Licensure: a Pain in the Neck for Bowenwork](https://libertas.institute/free-market/occupational-licensure-a-pain-in-the-neck-for-bowenwork/) - Want to practice bowenwork in Utah? It will cost you thousands of dollars and hundreds of unnecessary hours—all because the government thinks you need to learn massage therapy. - [Meet Our New Director of Development: Catherine Hess](https://libertas.institute/blog/meet-our-new-director-of-development-catherine-hess/) - Help us welcome our newest member of Team Libertas! - [Are Local Tax Exemptions for Businesses a Blessing or a Curse?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/localtaxexmptions/) - Tax exemptions in local development areas or agencies hurt communities more than elected officials often realize. - [A Rebuttal of Utah Eagle Forum’s Criticisms of the Utah Medical Cannabis Act (Prop 2)](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/a-rebuttal-of-utah-eagle-forums-criticisms-of-the-utah-medical-cannabis-act-prop-2/) - Another unfounded attack on the proposed ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis gets a point-by-point response. - [New Data on Civil Asset Forfeiture in 2017](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/new-data-on-civil-asset-forfeiture-in-2017/) - A new report reveals how often, and why, police and prosecutors are taking property from people not convicted of a crime. - [Will Utah Protect Your Right to Privacy When the Supreme Court Won’t?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/will-utah-protect-your-right-to-privacy-when-the-supreme-court-wont/) - Your right to privacy has been further eroded thanks to the Supreme Court's recent Strieff decision — but that could change here in Utah, where the case originated. - [Know When You Can Say No](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/know-when-you-can-say-no/) - Can you legally refuse a police officer's request to search your vehicle? - [Libertas Institute Announces Lawsuit Against Pleasant Grove](https://libertas.institute/press-release/libertas-institute-announces-lawsuit-against-pleasant-grove/) - Restraining Order Sought Against Illegal and Unconstitutional Transportation Utility Fee Imposed on Residents - [How can former criminals move on from their past?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/how-can-former-criminals-move-on-from-their-past/) - Expungements are expensive to obtain and may take up to six months to be approved. But without them, former criminals have a difficult time moving on from their past. - [Can government be held accountable for harming you?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/can-government-be-held-accountable-for-harming-you/) - If you're harmed by the government, they can play the "immunity" card and avoid any accountability in making you whole. - [Pioneer Day's Polygamous Connection Continues](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/pioneer-days-polygamous-connection-continues/) - Utah's second celebration of independence is due in part to polygamy, which remains a felony to this day. - [Throwing Shade on Government Regulation of Window Tinting](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/throwing-shade-on-government-regulation-of-window-tinting/) - Utah law currently has overly burdensome regulations regarding the amount of tint you can get for your vehicle. Libertas Institute has been working to change that in the future. - [More Disruption, More Fear and Protectionism](https://libertas.institute/free-market/more-disruption-more-fear-and-protectionism/) - Another startup in Utah is being looked at with a skeptical eye from regulators and entrenched industry competitors. - [Free Speech is Winning on College Campuses](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/free-speech-is-winning-on-college-campuses/) - Utah is helping lead the way in reforming how free speech is treated on taxpayer-funded college campuses. - [A Surplus Year of Taxes and Utah Still Wants More](https://libertas.institute/blog/a-surplus-year-of-taxes-and-utah-still-wants-more/) - Utah had half a billion tax dollars in surplus. But the money was quickly spent, and then followed by a tax increase. Why? - [How Autonomous Vehicles Will Change Law Enforcement](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/how-autonomous-vehicles-will-change-law-enforcement/) - Self-driving cars stand to undermine and make irrelevant many current law enforcement practices and efforts. - [New Protections for Your Digital Privacy](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/new-protections-for-your-digital-privacy/) - A new opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court brings a much-needed update to a huge problem with digital privacy. - [A Rebuttal of Kirton McConkie's Analysis of the Utah Medical Cannabis Act](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/a-rebuttal-of-kirton-mcconkies-analysis-of-the-utah-medical-cannabis-act/) - The LDS Church released a one-sided political attack piece against the Utah Medical Cannabis Act. Here is our detailed response to each concern. - [Riverton City Eliminates Licensing Fees for All Businesses](https://libertas.institute/free-market/riverton-city-eliminates-licensing-fees-for-all-businesses/) - The Riverton City Council and mayor have decided to eliminate license fees for all businesses. - [Crisis Everywhere, But Who’s Been Successful in Helping Solve the Problem?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/crisis-everywhere-but-whos-been-successful-in-helping-solve-the-problem/) - Yes, there are crises and epidemics that need to be addressed, but there are real solutions in our own communities that are working and putting a real dent in the problem. - [Statement on New U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Digital Privacy](https://libertas.institute/press-release/statement-on-new-u-s-supreme-court-ruling-on-digital-privacy/) - Salt Lake City, UT (June 22, 2018) — In a major court case dealing with privacy and cell phone surveillance, the U.S. Supreme Court today overturned the government's collection of these records without a warrant, holding that "the fact that the information is held by a third party does not by itself overcome the user’s - [Utah's Constitution Should Protect Your Right to Work](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-constitution-should-protect-your-right-to-work/) - Without a constitutional guideline to provide guard rails, occupational licensure has grown out of control. - [Our Statement on Certification of the Utah Medical Cannabis Act](https://libertas.institute/press-release/our-statement-on-certification-of-the-utah-medical-cannabis-act/) - Today, the Lt. Governor certified the Utah Medical Cannabis Act for the November ballot. Here's our statement. - [Letter to Farmington Officials Over Eminent Domain Proposal](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/letter-to-farmington-officials-over-eminent-domain-proposal/) - The desire of some families to play soccer does not override the right of the Bangerter family to own and control their property. - [Second chances for first time offenders](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/second-chances-for-first-time-offenders/) - Here's an alternative solution for over-criminalization. - [Did the Legislature stick up for the little guy this year?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/did-the-legislature-stick-up-for-the-little-guy-this-year/) - Several bills we proposed have helped low-income Utahns get access to more justice. - [Tax Day is a good time to reflect on tax reform to come](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/tax-day-is-a-good-time-to-reflect-on-tax-reform-to-come/) - Tax Day is here — but we need a broader discussion about tax reform in Utah. - [Raw Milk Now Less Prohibited in Utah](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/raw-milk-now-less-prohibited-in-utah/) - A new bill makes it easier for Utahns to buy and sell raw milk. Crazy, right? - [Libertas Adds New Board Members: Jonathan Johnson and Jeffrey Harmon](https://libertas.institute/press-release/libertas-adds-new-board-members-jonathan-johnson-and-jeffrey-harmon/) - Jonathan Johnson and Jeffrey Harmon both join the Libertas team as members of the board of trustees! - [Parents Can Excuse a Child from School for Mental Illness](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/clarifying-mental-illness-for-excusal-from-school/) - A new law clarifies that parents can excuse their child from government schools not only for physical illnesses, but mental ones also. - [Why Utahns Can Now Sell Homemade Food](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-utahns-can-now-sell-homemade-food/) - The following op-ed was published this week in St. George News. Last year, Governor Herbert issued an executive order to mandate that regulations from the state “shall not impose unnecessary burdens” on the economy or on individuals. Despite this welcome direction, small farmers and food producers throughout the state have been restricted by unnecessary and - [A Common Sense Change for Expungements](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/a-common-sense-change-for-expungements/) - A new law makes it easier for low-income Utahns in debt to the state to expunge their past crimes. - [An Option for Struggling Utahns: Performing Community Service to Pay Off a Fine](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/an-option-for-all-utahns-avoid-fines-by-performing-community-service/) - A new law, which passed nearly unanimously, gives defendants of low-level offenses the opportunity to do community service instead of paying a fine to the government. - [Want My Blood? Get a Warrant.](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/want-my-blood-get-a-warrant/) - The controversial arrest of a University of Utah nurse led to important warrant reform regarding the seizure of an individual's blood. - [Homemade Food Finally Legalized for Sale in Utah](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/homemade-food-finally-legalized-for-sale-in-utah/) - A new law in Utah (finally!) allows food producers to sell directly to consenting customers without being crushed by regulatory burdens along the way. - [Turning the Tide on Overcriminalization](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/turning-the-tide-on-overcriminalization/) - Over-criminalization is a plague that has spread across the country, including Utah. With over 10,000 laws and new ones being passed every year, there comes a point when the criminal code needs to be reexamined. - [Get a Warrant!](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/get-a-warrant/) - Policymakers need to have a frank discussion as to whether the judicial review process is truly sufficient to protect our rights. - [Opening the Door to Price Transparency in Health Care Costs](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/opening-the-door-to-price-transparency-in-healthcare/) - Reforming healthcare will take revolutionary changes in the industry. "Right to Shop" is one of those revolutionary ideas that passed the Utah Legislature this session. - [Why the Utah Legislature Banned Police Quotas](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/why-the-utah-legislature-banned-police-quotas/) - A new law, proposed by Libertas Institute, prohibits police agencies from using quotas. Here's why we did it. - [Fixing the Food Truck Fiasco](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/fixing-the-food-truck-fiasco/) - If at first you don't succeed, try again — so that's what the legislature did when it comes to food truck regulations. - [Stopping the Runaway Train of Fees and Interest](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/stopping-the-runaway-train-of-fees-and-interest/) - Government will now face limits on how much fees and interest they can charge on fines. - [Driver Licenses to No Longer Be Suspended for Drug Users](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/driver-licenses-to-no-longer-be-suspended-for-drug-users/) - A new law stands to benefit over 8,000 Utahns each year, whose driver licenses will no longer be suspended for violating a drug law that has nothing to do with operating a vehicle. - [Utah is First in the Nation to Protect "Free Range" Parenting](https://libertas.institute/2018-bills/utah-is-first-in-the-nation-to-protect-free-range-parenting/) - Legislation we proposed has now become the first of its kind in the country, protecting parental rights from overeager bureaucrats and police officers. - [Libertas Institute Announces New Development Team](https://libertas.institute/blog/libertas-institute-announces-new-development-team/) - Zach Jacob, Director of Development Zach's first foray into public service was running for student body secretary in sixth grade. Since then, he has served on his kids' school community council, his city's planning commission, and has served on the West Jordan City Council since 2016. Zach has also been a state and county delegate, - [New Poll Shows Our Schools Now Support is Very Soft and Easily Eroded](https://libertas.institute/press-release/new-poll-shows-our-schools-now-support-is-very-soft-and-easily-eroded/) - New polling indicates that the more Utah voters learn about the double tax increase proposal, the less likely they are to support it. - [92% of Utah Voters Support Proposed Bail Reform](https://libertas.institute/press-release/92-of-utah-voters-support-proposed-bail-reform/) - A supermajority of Utah voters believe judges need more information before making key decisions about defendants. - [Prosecutors need to be held accountable for wrongdoing](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/prosecutors-need-to-be-held-accountable-for-wrongdoing/) - Prosecutors who possess a tremendous amount of authority should be subjected to accountability for wrongdoing. - [Who's watching the inmate watchers?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/whos-watching-the-inmate-watchers/) - Are Utah jails proactively trying to prevent inmate deaths? No one truly knows. - [Freedom of beekeeping not allowed in the Beehive State](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/freedom-of-beekeeping-not-allowed-in-the-beehive-state/) - We live in the Beehive State, yet beekeeping is illegal unless you first register with the government. - [Public Utah Employee Compensation Out of Whack with the Private Market](https://libertas.institute/free-market/public-utah-employee-compensation-out-of-whack-with-the-private-market/) - A new report released today by the Utah State Auditor shows that while government employees receive salaries lower than market rates, they are given compensation packages, including a pension, that are higher than what private citizens enjoy on average. - [Peace officers should not be revenue generators](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/peace-officers-should-not-be-revenue-generators/) - Peace officers should have the discretion to do their jobs without being compelled to arrest or ticket a certain number of Utahns daily. - [Illegal CBD Oil is Saturating Utah](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/illegal-cbd-oil-is-saturating-utah/) - Stores around the Beehive State are selling CBD oil, telling customers that the products are legal. They're not. - [Welcome to Utah: Life Regulated](https://libertas.institute/blog/welcome-to-utah-life-regulated/) - While Utah strives to maintain an image of “best for business” and “best managed,” its 88,150 restrictive regulations reveal a much different picture. - ['Twas the Night Before a No-Knock Raid](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/twas-the-night-before-a-no-knock-raid/) - Like Santa, SWAT's making a list… and, hopefully, checking it twice before they invade someone's home. - [Ogden chicken restrictions become less cooped up](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/ogden-chicken-restrictions-become-less-cooped-up/) - After years of effort, Ogden has finally relaxed its ban on backyard chickens—albeit with significant restrictions and burdens. - [Utah Requires Licensure for Bedding and Upholstered Furniture](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-requires-licensure-for-bedding-and-upholstered-furniture/) - Why are bureaucrats being required to micromanage upholsterers and clothiers? - [Utah should protect the right to work](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-should-protect-the-right-to-work/) - Utah's Constitution needs to protect what judges no longer do—the right to pursue a peaceful occupation of one's choosing. - [The State of Economic Freedom in Utah](https://libertas.institute/blog/the-state-of-economic-freedom-in-utah/) - Utah has become very good at winning what could be called, “best of the worst” awards: “Best Managed State”, “Best State for Business”, “Best Economic Outlook." But as a deeper reading of the recently published Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America 2017 report shows, Utah has large room for improvement. - [Public Good vs. Individual Nightmare](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/public-good-vs-individual-nightmare/) - Will the government come after your house next in the name of the "public good?" - [Jail is not for the presumed innocent](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/jail-is-not-for-the-presumed-innocent/) - If only the wealthy can afford to get out of jail as they await their trial, then the system is in need of reform. Here's one way that can happen. - [SCOTUS Hearing Cell Phone Surveillance Case](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/scotus-hearing-cell-phone-surveillance-case/) - The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case where the government accessed the past location information of a person without a warrant. - [#GivingTuesday](https://libertas.institute/blog/givingtuesday/) - As we enter the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let's remember that today is Giving Tuesday. We’ve had our fun with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but may we remember the reason for the season. - [Weber County Bans So-Called "Light Trespassing"](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/weber-county-bans-so-called-light-trespassing/) - Residents in one county in Utah are now expected to buy lights that don't cause "light trespassing." - [Why are CBD permit holders not renewing?](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/why-are-cbd-permit-holders-not-renewing/) - Dozens of families hoping to stop their child's seizures with CBD have decide not to continue participating in the program. But why? - [Government-owned businesses shouldn’t be above the law](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/government-owned-businesses-shouldnt-be-above-the-law/) - If private businesses are held legally accountable to the public, why isn't government? - [The Graveyard of Bad Policy Ideas](https://libertas.institute/blog/the-graveyard-of-bad-policy-ideas/) - Beware the graveyard of bad policy ideas. Just when they seem to be defeated once and for all, they rise up from the grave again. We affectionately call these policy ideas “zombies.” - [Excusing Absences: Do Parents Need a Reason?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/excusing-absences-do-parents-need-a-reason/) - The Alpine School District offers a great example for how public schools can respect the right of parents to excuse their child's absences. - [Getting a ticket shouldn’t land you in jail](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/getting-a-ticket-shouldnt-land-you-in-jail/) - Something as small as a parking ticket could eventually land you in jail. But what if there was a legal alternative to paying a fine? - [Occupational Licensure: Public Safety, or Something More?](https://libertas.institute/free-market/occupational-licensure-public-safety-or-something-more/) - The state's interest in protecting public safety is too often used as justification for regulations that exceed that limited scope. - [Utah needs more affordable housing, less zoning](https://libertas.institute/property-rights/utah-needs-more-affordable-housing-less-zoning/) - As Utah economy continues to grow, the housing market remains stagnant. The reason why is not what you might expect. - [Could you sue the government if its employees hurt you?](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/could-you-sue-the-government-if-its-employees-hurt-you/) - Utah law gives police immunity from being sued if they negligently injure a suspect being pursued in a high speed chase—even in cases where they may not have followed the law. - [You might be surprised what can land you in jail in Utah…](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/you-might-be-surprised-what-can-land-you-in-jail-in-utah/) - Holding a raccoon or allowing a swine to run at large can land you in jail in Utah… but with new legislation on the way, hopefully for not much longer. - [Want to save money on your water bill? Not so fast!](https://libertas.institute/free-market/want-to-save-money-on-your-water-bill-not-so-fast/) - For as long as anyone can remember, Utah has either had a shortage of water or has been in danger of having one. This comes as no surprise considering Utah’s arid climate. Periodically a public conservation campaign, funded by your tax dollars, will run in a variety of media outlets. And sometimes individuals try to - [Enter to Learn, But Leave Your Rights at the Door](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/enter-to-learn-but-leave-your-rights-at-the-door/) - Because police officers are increasingly being used in school settings, parents—and the broader public—should be informed as to how and when they are questioning or disciplining young students. - [What are your rights on government property that you helped pay for?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/what-are-your-rights-on-government-property-that-you-helped-pay-for/) - Your right to exercise speech, especially on property you help pay for, is too important to leave to the uninformed discretion of local government officials. - [Hate civil asset forfeiture? Here's a court case in Utah to follow…](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/hate-civil-asset-forfeiture-heres-a-court-case-in-utah-to-follow/) - The Utah Highway Patrol seized money from a person not suspected of a crime, and then gave it to the federal government—circumventing state law that prohibited them from doing so. - [Another Education Ranking Shows Money Isn’t Everything](https://libertas.institute/free-market/another-education-ranking-shows-money-isnt-everything/) - A new ranking for Utah teachers suggests that things are going pretty well, providing another reason why the Our Schools Now tax increase is unnecessary. - [Utah Cities Flout State Law to Collect Money from Home-Based Business Owners](https://libertas.institute/free-market/utah-cities-flout-state-law-to-collect-money-from-home-based-business-owners/) - For four years, we worked with Representative-now-Senator Anderegg on legislation that would exempt home-based business owners from having to pay money to their city or county for legal permission to work in their own home. Finally, earlier this year, the legislature agreed to compromise language that achieved our goal. That language says that if the impact - [Presumption of Innocence? Not for these poor Utahns…](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/presumption-of-innocence-not-for-these-poor-utahns/) - Being presumed innocent sounds great in theory, but in practice, people are held in jail for weeks or months before trial if they're unable to pay the government money. - [Tax Increases… Tax Increases Everywhere!](https://libertas.institute/free-market/taxes-increases-tax-increases-everywhere/) - Elected officials like to tout Utah as the best managed state, but this is a hard idea to stomach when you look at the many taxes that have been increased in recent years. - [Meet Our New Policy Analyst: Molly Davis](https://libertas.institute/blog/meet-our-new-policy-analyst-molly-davis/) - The Libertas team is growing with the latest addition—Molly Davis, a recent college graduate double majoring in political science and communication studies, who has been very active in liberty-oriented causes. - [Utah needs a constitutional amendment to protect electronic data](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utah-needs-a-constitutional-amendment-to-protect-electronic-data/) - The following op-ed, written by our research intern Molly Davis, was published today in the Salt Lake Tribune. In the digital era, our private lives are often stored within our mobile devices. In a surveillance state, law enforcement can access these devices like an open book. While technology continues to change how people behave and - [New Data on Asset Forfeiture for 2016](https://libertas.institute/justice-and-due-process/new-data-on-asset-forfeiture-for-2016/) - The government continues to seize and take ownership of property from innocent people. This year's data shines light on the practice in Utah. - [In Education, Small Amounts of Funding Can Go a Long Way](https://libertas.institute/blog/in-education-small-amounts-of-funding-can-go-a-long-way/) - Ever heard of the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship? It's an important education program providing a few lucky families the flexibility they need to help their child. - [Here’s five free-market victories from the legislature](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/heres-five-free-market-victories-from-the-legislature/) - "No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session," Judge Tucker one declared. And while this year brought a lot of bad bills, there were some good one's we should also praise. - [Tax increase would offer little change, only more confusion](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/tax-increase-would-offer-little-change-only-more-confusion/) - The following op-ed, written by our director of policy Michael Melendez, was published this week by The Deseret News. Another year, another proposal to increase taxes — and this time, it’s a group called Our Schools Now asking Utahns to raise their taxes to the tune of $700 million. The initiative proposal seems simple enough: - [Transparency Report Shows Force Used in 2016](https://libertas.institute/personal-freedom/transparency-report-shows-force-used-in-2016/) - Utah remains the only state in the nation that tracks high-risk warrants and SWAT team deployments. See what the latest data shows is happening in our state. - [Is Utah ready for tiny homes?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/is-utah-ready-for-tiny-homes/) - The following op-ed, written by our policy director Michael Melendez, was published last week in the Deseret News. The American dream of homeownership has had a rough time over the past 10 years — a housing bubble, economic recession, changing preferences among millennials and now a housing shortage here in Utah. The number of people who - [Statement Opposing "Our Schools Now" Tax Increase](https://libertas.institute/press-release/statement-opposing-our-schools-now-tax-increase/) - Salt Lake City, UT (June 6, 2017) — Today, a group calling themselves "Our Schools Now" announced the filing of a ballot initiative that, if successful, would increase the income and sales tax rates of hard-working and already over-taxed Utahns. In response, Libertas Institute's Director of Policy Michael Melendez issued the following statement: The corporate - [Can the free market help solve homelessness in Utah?](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/can-the-free-market-help-solve-homelessness-in-utah/) - The following op-ed, written by our policy director Michael Melendez, was published this weekend in the Salt Lake Tribune. Remember that time a couple years ago when the whole country thought that Utah solved chronic homelessness? In light of the intense debate that has recently occurred regarding new homeless shelters, that appears to have been “fake - [Quasi-Government Entities Need Increased Oversight](https://libertas.institute/blog/quasi-government-entities-need-increased-oversight/) - Interlocal agencies, independent entities, special service districts, Associations of Governments (AOG), and conservancy districts—each of these is a type of government-sponsored or -created organization given control of some aspect of administration, localized policy making, or government service. In short, they have control over a portion of your tax dollars and/or your life. Who are these - [Sheriffs' Misguided Policy on Medical Cannabis](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/sheriffs-misguided-policy-on-medical-cannabis/) - The following op-ed, written by our president Connor Boyack, was published today in the Standard-Examiner. Weber County Sheriff Terry Thompson continues to advocate for a costly, destructive and failed “war on drugs.” He claims, in a written policy, that legalizing cannabis for medicinal use would “create thousands of victims.” Has he not paid attention to the - [Combating Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs with "Right to Shop"](https://libertas.institute/blog/combating-skyrocketing-healthcare-costs-with-right-to-shop/) - With healthcare on the front of everyone's minds as Congress continues to formulate a replacement to ObamaCare, here is an idea that could revolutionize the industry and drive costs down tremendously. One of the largest factors driving up health care costs today is the lack of transparency of the true costs of health care services - [Utah’s selective application of religious freedom](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/utahs-selective-application-of-religious-freedom/) - The following op-ed, written by our vice president DJ Schanz, was published today in the Salt Lake Tribune. The sounding call of religious freedom and the importance of protecting it have been fervently preached and advocated here in Utah — both in churches on Sunday and in the Capitol during recent legislative sessions. This important subset - [Changes Needed to Utah's Domestic Violence Law as Part of Larger Mens Rea Reform](https://libertas.institute/blog/changes-needed-to-utahs-domestic-violence-law-as-part-of-larger-mens-rea-reform/) - Earlier this week, we released a short video about the need to alter the current state statute on domestic violence. As it stands, the statute is a prime example of how too often the law does not judge a person's intent, but instead only looks to see if the person violated the strict letter of the law. - [Government intervention erodes community](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/government-intervention-erodes-community/) - The following op-ed, written by our president Connor Boyack, was published today in the Deseret News. I once had a neighbor who called the police on the family living next to her. This family was not accused of a heinous crime; no children were at risk, no abuse was happening, and nobody was blasting Taylor Swift - [Libertas Institute successfully obtains secret tax agreement between Tax Commission and Amazon](https://libertas.institute/press-release/libertas-institute-successfully-obtains-secret-tax-agreement-between-tax-commission-and-amazon/) - Salt Lake City, UT (April 14, 2017) — In a hearing last month, the Utah State Records Committee unanimously agreed with our appeal seeking the release of the secret agreement between the Utah State Tax Commission and Amazon, following two denials by the Commission of our request. The document was released today and can be ## Pages - [Home](https://libertas.institute/) - Changing hearts, minds, and laws to create a freer future - [Libertas Leadership Academy](https://libertas.institute/academy/) - Ready to make an impact on the world as you launch your career? We have created a course to educate, train, motivate, and mobilize young adults who want to learn the tactics of influence and changing public policy—to not just know what to do, but how to do it and gain experience working with lawmakers - [Make an Impact in Your State](https://libertas.institute/outreach/) - Libertas Institute is a public policy think tank that innovates reforms in its home state of Utah, then works with partners to scale them across the country. This page shares several of our first-in-the-nation policy reforms we’d love to help you achieve in your state. Regulatory Sandboxes Innovative businesses shouldn’t be punished for thinking outside - [Employment Opportunities](https://libertas.institute/about/employment-opportunities/) - Check here for our current job openings. - [Data Privacy in Your State](https://libertas.institute/outreach/privacy/state/) - Home » Outreach » Data Privacy » State Info Why is Data Privacy Needed? As new innovative technologies are developed, our constitutionally protected right to privacy is often increasingly eroded. Americans have moved their lives into the digital realm and old policies to protect our physical possessions are insufficient to do the job. This isn’t - [Data Privacy](https://libertas.institute/outreach/privacy/) - Privacy Needs Protection As new innovative technologies are developed, our constitutionally protected right to privacy is often increasingly eroded. Americans have moved their lives into the digital realm and old policies to protect our physical possessions are insufficient to do the job. This isn’t just about your email, cell phone location data, or the contents - [Regulatory Sandboxes in Your State](https://libertas.institute/outreach/sandbox/state/) - Home » Outreach » Regulatory Sandboxes » State Info What is a Regulatory Sandbox? In short, a regulatory sandbox is a set of rules that allow businesses, usually within a specific industry, to test themselves in the market for a set period of time — generally two to three years — without being subject to - [Regulatory Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/outreach/sandbox/) - Your State Needs a Sandbox Innovators across the country are often punished. Uber and Lyft drivers were issued tickets. Food trucks have been subjected to a maze of regulations. Tesla’s direct-sale approach meant they couldn’t even sell their cars in many places. But big companies can often strong-arm their way through the political process. It’s - [How to Build an ADU in Utah: Permits, Costs, and What the Law Allows](https://libertas.institute/how-to-build-an-adu-in-utah-permits-costs-and-what-the-law-allows/) - A complete guide to building an accessory dwelling unit in Utah—what's allowed, permit steps, costs by type, and what cities can and can't restrict. - [Accessory Dwelling Units in Utah: What Homeowners Need to Know](https://libertas.institute/accessory-dwelling-units-in-utah-what-homeowners-need-to-know/) - Utah law allows most to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Learn what qualifies your property, what cities can and can't restrict, and how to get started. - [Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/education-report-card/) - This report card gives parents a clear, honest picture of the education options in their state. - [Illinois Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/illinois-education-report-card/) - Illinois pairs light homeschool regulation with no school choice at all. It was the first state to roll back a voucher program - [Mississippi Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/mississippi-education-report-card/) - Mississippi protects homeschool families about as well as any state, and opening a microschool requires zero state approval - [Arizona Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/arizona-education-report-card/) - Arizona is the national pioneer of school choice. It was first to make Education Spending Accounts (ESA) truly universal. - [Utah Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/utah-education-report-card/) - Utah is one of the strongest states in the country for education freedom. The state runs a universal education spending account (ESA) program. - [Texas Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/texas-education-report-card/) - Texas made a massive move in 2025. The state launched the largest day-one ESA in American history and codified homeschool protections into law. - [New York Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/new-york-education-report-card/) - New York is one of the most restrictive states for educational freedom. No education savings accounts, no vouchers, no tax-credit scholarships. - [Florida Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/florida-education-report-card/) - The Sunshine State: Overall A- Florida is the national leader in school choice. Over 500,000 students use state scholarship programs, 53% of families attend a school they chose, and no other state matches the scale or ambition. The zoning reforms for microschools are the most aggressive in the country. One fix remains, let small schools - [California Education Report Card](https://libertas.institute/california-education-report-card/) - California spends $27,000 per student with zero programs that let families direct any of it. The private school affidavit system is a bright spot. - [5 Principles for Better State Technology Policy](https://libertas.institute/5-principles-for-better-state-technology-policy/) - From AI to broadband, these five principles help state lawmakers set fair, durable state technology policy without picking winners or stifling innovation. - [How to Homeschool in Utah (2026) — Complete Parent Guide](https://libertas.institute/how-to-homeschool-in-utah/) - Homeschooling in Utah requires one form, filed once. No testing, no credentials, no annual renewals, and up to $6,000/year in state funding. Here's how to start. - [School Choice Options In Utah](https://libertas.institute/utah-school-choice/) - Every school choice and education option available to Utah families in 2026, with costs, state funding, and how to get started. - [Utah Fits All Scholarship: Complete Parent Guide](https://libertas.institute/utah-fits-all-scholarship-complete-parent-guide/) - Complete parent guide to the Utah Fits All Scholarship: eligibility, award amounts, approved expenses, deadlines, and how Utah families apply. - [Internships and Fellowships](https://libertas.institute/about/internships/) - Scroll down to learn about our Fellowship program. Internships Libertas Institute offers research internships for college students or recent graduates during fall, winter, and summer terms. Join our successful organization to help advance the cause of liberty in Utah! Job responsibilities Research assigned policies spanning a broad spectrum of subjects Compile, sort, and analyze data Prepare - [Contact Libertas Institute](https://libertas.institute/contact/) - Sign Up For Our Newsletter Δ EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Email Address* Contact Us For media inquiries, please contact Mark Cunningham, Vice President of Communications. Visit Our Open Positions to see current job or internship openings. Δ Your Name First Last Your email*Subject*Your message (optional) - [Ending Degree-Based Licensing, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/ending-degree-based-licensing-end-notes/) - Johnson, Holly, and Ward Williams. n.d. “How Long Does It Take to Pay Off Student Loan Debt?” Investopedia. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://www.investopedia.com/how-long-pay-off-student-loan-debt-8549844. Gracia Santillana Linares, Maria. 2024. “Nearly 50% Of Employees Want To Quit, Plus Do You “BYOAI”?” Forbes, May 15, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariagraciasantillanalinares/2024/05/15/nearly-50-of-employees-want-to-quit-plus-do-you-byoai/. “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary – 2024 M07 Results.” 2024. - [Legislator Indexes](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/) - Libertas Institute has compiled legislator indexes since 2014 to rank Representatives and Senators based on how well they voted in accordance with individual liberty, private property, and free enterprise. Click here to see the overall rankings for each legislator, or click on any year’s index below to see details. For specific legislator profiles, click here. - [Utah](https://libertas.institute/utah/) - More Freedom in the Beehive State With over a decade of experience and dozens of major reforms passed, we provide Utah lawmakers with ideas and opportunities to better secure our inalienable rights. Support our work in Utah Recent Articles POLICIES Our Policy Briefs Thoughtful Policy Papers Driving Change for a More Free and Prosperous Future - [The 2026 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2026-index/) - [Libertas Institute Staff](https://libertas.institute/about/staff/) - [UT-Fits Scholarship Empowers Parents, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/ut-fits/) - Michael Melendez, “Flexible Education Spending Accounts: Choice Meets Innovation,” Libertas Institute, accessed September 27, 2022, https://libertas.institute/policy-papers/FESA.pdf?__hstc=57132597.fc6fb6f1e7de35049ca56895a4f8ffd5.1672770952046.1672770952046.1672770952046.1&__hssc=57132597.3.1672770952046&__hsfp=1382996919 Sumner Park, “Microschools Gain Popularity as Omicron Keep Schools Closed,” FOXBusiness, January 7, 2022, https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/omicron-public-schools-chicago-closures-microschools-covid-parents-students “School Choice and School Vouchers: An OECD Perspective,” OECD, 2017, https://www.oecd.org/education/School-choice-and-school-vouchers-an-OECD-perspective.pdf Michael Q. McShane, Patrick J. Wolf, and Collin Hitt, “Do Impacts on Test - [Unleashing Education, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/unleashingeducation/) - “New Survey: America’s Families are Rethinking K-12 Education,” National School Choice Week, June 14, 2023, https://schoolchoiceweek.com/americas-families-are-rethinking-k-12-education-2023/. “The State of the Global Education Crisis,” UNICEF, December 2021, https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-global-education-crisis. Kerry McDonald, “Education Entrepreneurship and Innovation Across the US: A Case Study,” Foundation for Economic Education, May 26, 2023, https://fee.org/articles/education-entrepreneurship-and-innovation-across-the-us-a-case-study/. Jacob Fischler, “Understanding Charter Schools vs. Public Schools,” - [Transforming Treatment, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/transformingtreatment/) - S Nassir Ghaemi, “Symptomatic Versus Disease-modifying Effects of Psychiatric Drugs,” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 146, no.3 (June 2, 2022): 251-57, https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13459. Giorgio Samorini, “The Oldest Representations of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms in the world (Sahara Desert, 9000-7000 B.P.),” Integration Journal of Mind-moving Plants and Culture, no.2/3 (1992). Stephen Berlant, The entheomycological origin of Egyptian crowns and the esoteric - [Securing States and Individuals from Surveillance, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/pb-surveillance/) - Matthew Brooks, “Utah Company Banjo Could Solve Crimes in Seconds,” KSLNewsRadio, April 3, 2019, https://kslnewsradio.com/1903497/banjo-artificial-intelligence-police/ Ibid. Ibid. Art Raymond, “Utah A.G. Halts $21 Million Banjo Contract as Founder’s Past Ties with KKK Unveiled,” Deseret News, April 28, 2020, https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/4/28/21171279/banjo-event-detection-aclu-libertas-surveillance-personal-privacy-kkk-ties-damien-patton-big-brother Brooks, “Utah Company Banjo” Emily Feng, “‘Surveillance State’ Explores China’s Tech and Social Media Control Systems,” - [Psychotherapy Drugs for Mental Health, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/psychotherapy/) - “2019-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Model-Based Prevalence Estimates,” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, accessed August 24, 2022, samhsa.gov/data/report/2019-2020-nsduh-state-prevalence-estimates. “Complete Health Indicator Report of Suicide,” Utah Department of Health, accessed August 24, 2022, https://ibis.health.utah.gov/ibisph-view/indicator/complete_profile/SuicDth.html “H.C.R. 16 Concurrent Resolution Declaring Mental Health Issues to Be a Public Health Crisis at Utah Higher - [Portable Benefits to Improve the Gig Worker Economy, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/pb-gigworker/) - Nick Hanauer and David Rolf, “Shared Security, Shared Growth,” Democracy Journal No. 37 (Summer 2015), https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/37/shared-security-shared-growth/; Jeff Wallenfeldt, “The Second New Deal,” Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed Dec. 13, 2022, https://www.britannica.com/event/New-Deal/FDRs-Fireside-Chats-the-role-of-Eleanor-Roosevelt-and-crucial-New-Dealers#ref348058 Natalie Foster, Greg Nelson, and Libby Reder, Portable Benefits Resource Guide, Aspen Institute, July 13, 2016, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/portable-benefits-resource-guide/ Daniel Kurt, Laws That Protect Employees, Investopedia, May 27, - [Innovation & Evolution in the Regulation of Legal Services , End Notes](https://libertas.institute/legal-services/) - Between 2007 and 2012, money spent on legal services by clients in the PeopleLaw sector declined by almost $7 billion while money spent on legal services by business clients increased by $21 billion. Bill Henderson, The Decline of the PeopleLaw Sector (037), Legal Evolution (Nov. 19, 2017), https://www.legalevolution.org/2017/11/decline-peoplelaw-sector-037/. These prohibitions are enshrined in the American - [How to Turn Laid-Off Talent into Entrepreneurs, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/laid-off-into-entrepreneurs/) - Jobs.utah.gov FAQ [link]. Howard Baetjer, The Welfare Cliff and Why Many Low-Income Workers Will Never Overcome Poverty, Learn Liberty (Aug 14, 2016) [Link]. Weigensberg Elizabeth, et al. A Study of the Self-Employment Assistance Program: Helping Unemployed Workers Pursue Self-Employment, at xv, Jan. 11, 2017, [Link]. Ibid. Ibid. The Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) Program, Congressional Research Service, - [Eliminating Barriers to Work for Utah’s Ex-Offenders, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/pb-exoffenders/) - Tracy Jan, “After Prison, a Lifetime of Economic Punishment,” The Washington Post, September 3, 2019, https://www. washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/business/jobs-after-prison-rhode-island-recently-occupational-licensing/ Wanda Bertram, “New Report Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2022 Provides the Most Comprehensive Look at U.S. Incarceration since the Start of the Pandemic,” Prison Policy Initiative, March 14, 2022, https://www.prisonpolicy.org/ blog/2022/03/14/whole_pie_2022/ Alexi Jones and Wendy Sawyer, “Arrest, - [Disrupting Higher Education, End Notes](https://libertas.institute/disrupting-higher-ed-notes/) - Johnson, Holly, and Ward Williams. n.d. “How Long Does It Take to Pay Off Student Loan Debt?” Investopedia. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://www.investopedia.com/how-long-pay-off-student-loan-debt-8549844. Gracia Santillana Linares, Maria. 2024. “Nearly 50% Of Employees Want To Quit, Plus Do You “BYOAI”?” Forbes, May 15, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariagraciasantillanalinares/2024/05/15/nearly-50-of-employees-want-to-quit-plus-do-you-byoai/. “Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary – 2024 M07 Results.” 2024. - [About Libertas](https://libertas.institute/about/) - About Libertas Institute We’re a state-based think tank that pioneers innovative reforms in our home state, Utah, which we then help other states implement. Empowering Individuals Through Liberty-Driven Solutions At the Libertas Institute, we are dedicated to advancing personal freedom and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. By advocating for policy reforms and educational initiatives, - [Exploring Alternative Education in Utah](https://libertas.institute/exploring-alternative-education-in-utah/) - [Space Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/space-sandbox/) - Government red tape getting in the way of space innovation? Please share your experiences with us in a brief survey. - [Policy Paper](https://libertas.institute/utah/policy-paper/) - Home Utah Help us Nail and Scale Policies to Reduce Government Control Your tax-deductible contributions to Libertas Institute increase freedom across the country. Donate To Libertas Institute - [Sign up for our Utah Newsletter](https://libertas.institute/utah/utah-newsletter-signup/) - Get the latest updates on how we’re advancing freedom in Utah — from education choice and privacy protections to housing reform and medical innovation. Join thousands of engaged citizens who want to make a difference. Δ CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Email Address* - [In The News](https://libertas.institute/resources/in-the-news/) - 2025 What’s next for Utah’s school voucher program after judge declared it unconstitutional? Here’s what we know so far. (Salt Lake Tribune, April 21, 2025) 2024 Dismantling the Department of Education (The Auron MacIntyre Show, December 11, 2024) Coalition Urges Texas Lawmakers Against Heavy-Handed Regulation of AI (RStreet, December 9, 2024) Moving from campaigns to - [The Libertas Mission](https://libertas.institute/about/mission/) - Founded in 2011, Libertas Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit “think tank” and educational organization. Our mission is to change hearts, minds, and laws to build a freer society by creating and implementing innovative policy reforms and exceptional educational resources. Our Vision A future where individuals are unleashed from restrictions that prevent them from peacefully building - [National](https://libertas.institute/national/) - Empowering Freedom Across America Through innovative policy reforms and exceptional educational resources, we’re shaping a freer future. Join us as we transform ideas into action, improving lives in every state. Support our National Work Recent Articles POLICIES Our Policy Briefs Comprehensive Policy Briefs for Practical, Liberty-Driven Solutions Explore concise, expertly crafted policy briefs tackling today’s - [Policy Paper](https://libertas.institute/national/policy-paper/) - Home National Help us Nail and Scale Policies to Reduce Government Control Your tax-deductible contributions to Libertas Institute increase freedom across the country. Donate To Libertas Institute - [Partners](https://libertas.institute/partners/) - Libertas Institute Partners Libertas Institute collaborates with organizations and lawmakers nationwide to drive meaningful policy changes that enhance freedom and prosperity. Select your state: AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict Of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming Help us Nail and Scale Policies to Reduce Government Control Your tax-deductible contributions to Libertas Institute increase freedom - [The 2025 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2025-index/) - [Privacy Scholar Network](https://libertas.institute/privacy-scholars/) - Welcome to our Scholar Network! Our goal is to build a partnership with relevant experts to make an impact in protecting our foundational right to privacy. If you’re interested in learning more about our network, I invite you to read the info on this page or reach out directly to me to begin a conversation! - [Op-Eds](https://libertas.institute/op-eds/) - Home Help us Nail and Scale Policies to Reduce Government Control Your tax-deductible contributions to Libertas Institute increase freedom across the country. Donate To Libertas Institute - [All-Inclusive Regulatory Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/resources/all-inclusive-regulatory-sandbox/) - House Bill 217 proposes to establish an all-inclusive regulatory “sandbox” here in Utah. If you’re here, you probably have some questions about this bill and regulatory sandboxes, in general. We’ve compiled some resources to help you out. What Is a Regulatory Sandbox? In short, a regulatory sandbox is a set of rules that allow businesses, - [Repeal and Replace the Death Penalty](https://libertas.institute/dp/) - The death penalty doesn’t work. It’s a public policy that creates more problems than it solves. Capital punishment leads to innocent people being killed. It forces taxpayers to pay for significant costs that don’t actually lead to executions because of lengthy appeals required for due process. And those ongoing appeals re-victimize the traumatized family members - [Our Model](https://libertas.institute/our-model/) - Nail It We use our HQ state, Utah, as a policy incubator where we develop innovative reforms in a receptive legal environment. This increases the likelihood other states will adopt our reforms once someone else has taken the first step See Our Utah Work Scale It We then partner with think tanks, grassroots organizations, and - [Good Samaritan Society](https://libertas.institute/gss/) - Thank you for your willingness to invest in building a freer society. Over the last few years, we’ve developed a highly strategic and successful approach to changing laws that protect free markets, property rights, personal freedom, and more—in addition to making a huge impact on the rising generation with our educational efforts such as the - [Legislative Bootcamp Hub](https://libertas.institute/legislative-bootcamp/) - Learn How to be an Effective Citizen Advocate Are you ready to make a real impact in your community and become an effective citizen advocate? Whether you're just starting out or have experience in political advocacy, the Legislative Bootcamp is your go-to resource for mastering the legislative process. Here, you'll find everything you need to - [The Liberty Cap Award](https://libertas.institute/about/the-liberty-cap-award/) - The liberty cap, sometimes called a Phrygian cap, signified freedom and the pursuit of liberty in ancient Rome. It was commonly worn by emancipated slaves as a symbol of their freedom. Since that time, the symbol of the cap has been adopted by the pre-revolutionary Sons of Liberty, soldiers during the American Revolution, and is found - [Donate to Libertas Institute](https://libertas.institute/donate/) - Today’s state of affairs makes clear how urgent the need is to push back with ideas, materials, and legal efforts to change hearts, minds, and laws. Be a part of the change today by investing in Libertas Institute: Donate Libertas Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contributions to us are tax deductible. Other Donation - [Local Government Toolkit](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/) - When it comes to government, we all have areas of both understanding and ignorance. This is especially true of local government, the realm of city councils, county commissions, and local ordinances. It is simply impossible for one person to have researched everything. Furthermore, topics related to local government can be the trickiest to navigate and - [Privacy Policy](https://libertas.institute/privacy-policy/) - This Privacy Policy is applicable to your use of the website(s) owned and operated by Libertas Institute (collectively “we”, “us” or “our”). - [Our Products](https://libertas.institute/products/) - Books The Tuttle Twins Our popular children’s books that teach the ideas of a free society to children can be accessed at the Tuttle Twins website. [product id=”33733″][product id=”32992″][product id=”32240″][product id=”6389″][product id=”3155″][product id=”4866″][product id=”8319″][product id=”11196″][product id=”2864″][product id=”2866″][product id=”2788″][product id=”4057″][product id=”2803″]Apparel[product id=”8461″][product id=”2851″][product id=”2858″][product id=”3174″][product id=”2923″] - [The 2024 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2024-index/) - [Who to Blame for Utah's Housing Crisis?](https://libertas.institute/who-to-blame-for-utahs-housing-crisis/) - Authored by John Yelland, Director of Communications Utah’s housing crisis has reached critical levels, leaving thousands struggling to find affordable homes. But who’s to blame? Home developers, Californian transplants, or perhaps capitalism itself? Surprisingly, none of these scapegoats hold up under scrutiny. So, who (or what) is the real culprit? This free ebook explores the housing - [Thank You!](https://libertas.institute/thank-you-tt/) - Thank you for donating to the Libertas Institute and supporting our efforts with the Tuttle Twins! You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution in your inbox shortly. (Libertas is a 501(c)3 non-profit.) Those words may not feel like much—they may feel normal or passive or expected. But seriously: thank you. The Libertas Institute - [Thank You!](https://libertas.institute/thank-you/) - Thank you for donating to the Libertas Institute! You will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution in your inbox shortly. (Libertas Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit.) Those words may not feel like much—they may feel normal or passive or expected. But seriously: thank you. The Libertas Institute relies on donors like you to make - [Policy Principles](https://libertas.institute/policy-priorities/) - Each year Libertas Institute works on dozens of significant policy issues spanning a wide range of topics. While our short-term efforts result in an unprecedented 85% success rate for being enacted into law, we keep our eyes fixed on long-term goals that will profoundly improve the lives and livelihoods of Utahns. As we propose and - [Annual Reports](https://libertas.institute/resources/annual-reports/) - Libertas Institute is an innovative, effective, and extremely active policy and educational organization trying to move the needle in favor of freedom. Our annual reports provide a quick snapshot about some of our successes. You can also learn more about our impact here. Click any of the image covers below to access the PDF version - [Libertas 2023 Prospectus](https://libertas.institute/prospectus/) - We appreciate your interest in our work, and we’re excited to share how unique and impactful it is. Scroll down to view the embedded PDF, or click here to download it for easier viewing. prospectus-singles - [The 2023 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2023-index/) - [Libertas Legislation Tracker](https://libertas.institute/tracker/) - Our tracker is published during the legislative session, from January to March of each year. Check back then to see what bills are on our radar, or in the mean time, see the most recent legislative index to learn how your legislators voted. - [Gig Economy Resources](https://libertas.institute/outreach/gig-economy/resources/) - Policy Brief Portable Benefits to Improve the Gig Worker Economy Welcome to the Gig EconomyThe benefits provided by a portable benefit plan can include anything, not just health coverage and unlike traditional coverage, a portable benefit plan doesn’t require a worker to stay with one app or another to maintain their coverage. Read moreLibertas Institute - [Gig Economy](https://libertas.institute/outreach/gig-economy/) - The Future of Work Starts Here Unlike the labor force of the last century, the gig economy is driven by people of all stripes seeking a flexible way to earn a living. But despite the upside to working in the gig economy, a few nagging problems persist. Instead of clinging to the inflexible solutions of - [All privacy scholar posts](https://libertas.institute/privacy-scholars/all-privacy-scholar-posts/) - [Libertas Guide to Public Infrastructure](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/infrastructure/) - Governments should think responsibly about what essential services they offer and how they are funded. It’s important to carefully consider what services your local government should provide and what services should be left to the private market. Before committing to provide and fund any services, think critically about whether or not it is a responsible - [Libertas Guide to Transparency](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/trasnparency/) - As an elected official, you represent and work for the people. Government entities should facilitate public participation as efficiently as possible, being open and transparent throughout the process. This can strengthen your effectiveness as a public servant, encourage collabo­ration between the government and individuals, and help you more accurately meet the needs of those you - [Libertas Guide to Taxes](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/taxes/) - When collecting money from your constituents, if that bill is not a user fee based on measurable use, it is general taxation. General taxation raises revenue for community costs, which cannot be attributed to a single user or ben­eficiary. The majority of government revenue will likely come from general taxation. General taxation primarily comes through - [Libertas Guide to Law Enforcement](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/law-enforcement/) - Law enforcement exists to keep the peace. It’s no secret they have a tough job to prioritize public safety while also upholding individuals’ constitutional rights. They must be fair and objective to all people without favoring or unfairly targeting specific individuals. Their efforts should be focused on a clear and narrow purpose, without regard for - [Libertas Guide to Government Services and the Private Market](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/government-services-and-the-private-market/) - We’ve already discussed the basic infrastructure services that local governments facilitate (roads, water, power, sewer). However, many local governments go far beyond that in the services they offer. Some local governments own and run golf courses, water parks, gyms, and other non-essential services. This goes a step beyond the proper role of government. Put simply, - [Libertas Guide to Individual Responsibility](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/individual-responsibility/) - “Local control” has long been treated as the catchphrase of local government. It’s not a bad motto to live by, gener­ally, but consider that local control can be even more local than the municipal or county government. The individual and the family are the most local enti­ties that exist. Individuals are empowered with control over - [Libertas Guide to Property Rights](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/property-rights/) - The Utah Constitution states that everyone has the inher­ent and inalienable right to acquire, possess, and protect property. You should work to respect those rights and their substantive protection by defending an individual’s ability to peacefully use their property however they see fit. Property rights can be difficult to protect. Different properties are increasingly linked. - [Libertas Guide to Fees](https://libertas.institute/toolkit/fees/) - The content below is an excerpt from our Guide to Local Government. Fees are a user-based approach to payment for services that cover a specific service, or the related costs of that service, which is utilized by the individual being charged the fee. When charging a fee, the use of the service must be measurable - [NextAfter-email test](https://libertas.institute/nextafter-email-test/) - lock.Click edit button to change this html - [The 2022 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2022-index/) - [The Impact of Libertas Institute](https://libertas.institute/impact/) - Here's a summary of some of our group's recent successes. - [Policy Calls](https://libertas.institute/outreach/calls/) - We’re excited to partner with you to make an impact in your state. Please register below for our upcoming call to be in the loop and get expert information on how you can be effective in promoting these important policies. Privacy Reforms - [The Down Low](https://libertas.institute/down-low/) - The Down Low is a monthly newsletter from the team at Libertas Institute where we share insider information, behind-the-scenes updates, and progress on our major projects. Check out our editions below! April 2021 May 2021 - [May 2021](https://libertas.institute/down-low/may-2021/) - The Down Low is a monthly newsletter from the team at Libertas Institute where we share insider information, behind-the-scenes updates, and progress on our major projects. Libertas Institute has been growing! So much so, we’ve created a new position within the organization — Executive Vice President — and we’re pleased to announce that we’ve hired - [April 2021](https://libertas.institute/down-low/april-2021/) - The Down Low is a monthly newsletter from the team at Libertas Institute where we share insider information, behind-the-scenes updates, and progress on our major projects. It may not be the legislative session anymore, but the staff at Libertas are still hard at work to change hearts, minds, and laws here in Utah, and The - [The 2021 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2021-index/) - [Resources](https://libertas.institute/resources/) - Libertas Institute exists to empower every Utahn in helping advance the cause of liberty. Our legislator indexes, educational initiatives, and media outreach are some of the ways by which we achieve this goal. Here are some of the resources we offer. Have any idea for something else we can include? Let us know! Legislative Tracker - [Support the Cause](https://libertas.institute/donate-old/) - Become a Monthly Member! Supporter $15 /mo Email updates Annual report Policy previews Torch sticker Sign Up Most popular Friend $50 /mo Lower level items plus… Libertas T-shirt Signed copy of Feardom Insider updates Sign Up Partner $100 /mo Lower level items plus… Libertas polo shirt Calls from the president Policy involvement Sign Up Make - [Legacy Society](https://libertas.institute/legacy/) - It’s fitting that the symbol for liberty is a burning torch whose flame must be carefully maintained and protected so it may be there for future generations. Keeping the torch of liberty alight is a key part of who we are at Libertas Institute. We, along with our supporters, work tirelessly to clear the path - [The 2020 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2020-index/) - See how your Representative and Senator voted in the 2020 legislative session. - [Old Tracker](https://libertas.institute/old-tracker/) - [The 2019 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2019-index/) - [The 2018 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2018-index/) - [Thank You](https://libertas.institute/thank-you-member/) - Those words may not feel like much—they may feel normal or passive or expected. But seriously: thank you. Our small non-profit relies on donors like you to make our work possible. We deeply appreciate your support of our work. - [The Libertas Library](https://libertas.institute/the-libertas-library/) - Individuals looking to learn more about liberty often ask for a suggested reading list from which they can begin their studies. The following books are recommended as a great place to begin one's study of liberty. The Law by Frédéric Bastiat (free PDF version, free mp3) This is by far the most concise and compelling - [Libertas Legislator Profiles](https://libertas.institute/legislator/) - [The Libertas Legislator Master Scorecard](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/the-libertas-legislator-master-scorecard/) - [The 2010 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2010-index/) - [The 2011 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2011-index/) - [The 2012 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2012-index/) - [The 2013 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2013-index/) - [The 2014 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2014-index/) - [The 2015 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2015-index/) - [The 2016 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/2016-index/) - [The 2017 Libertas Legislator Index](https://libertas.institute/resources/legislator-indexes/the-2017-libertas-legislator-index/) - [Our History](https://libertas.institute/about/history/) - Utah was historically known as a state where self-reliance, industry, and freedom were commonplace. The past century has tempered those ideals and in many cases replaced them outright with dependence and nanny statism. With the rise of an oppressive, out-of-control federal government, Utah and its citizens have steadily surrendered their independence and individual liberty. Along - [Press Releases](https://libertas.institute/resources/press-releases/) - 2016 August 16: New Report Gives Low Grade for Utah Utah ranked 20th in protecting freedom compared to other states August 11: Statement on Federal Government's Unwillingness to Reschedule Marijuana Legislative deference to the DEA shows a failure to act in support of Utah patients July 13: Free Association Lawsuit Settlement Filed This Morning The lawsuit alleged that - [Transaction Failed](https://libertas.institute/transaction-failed/) - We're sorry, your transaction failed to process. Please try again or contact site support. - [Donation History](https://libertas.institute/donation-history/) - [donation_history] - [Donation Confirmation](https://libertas.institute/donation-confirmation/) - [give_receipt] - [The Right and Wrong of Compulsion by the State](https://libertas.institute/rightwrong/) - [Fourth Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest](https://libertas.institute/fourth-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/) - Due to a re-prioritization of organizational focus and budget allocation, we regret that the essay contest program is no longer active. Thanks for your interest! - [Submissions](https://libertas.institute/submissions/) - Libertas Institute welcomes article submissions from academics and activists alike which help advance its mission and relate to once of its Centers. Submissions must adhere to the following standards: Articles must be a minimum of 500 words. There is no maximum length. Please let us know whether or not your submissions has been previously published - [Marriage Petition](https://libertas.institute/protect-marriage-petition/) - [Success](https://libertas.institute/protect-marriage-petition/success/) - Thanks for signing the petition. Please share the petition with friends on Facebook, Twitter, and via email. With your help, the legislature will recognize the importance of protecting marriage by removing the government from this important relationship. Alternatively, you can use the buttons below to quickly share the petition: - [Help us Legalize Medical Cannabis in Utah](https://libertas.institute/cannabis/) - [Register now for the 2nd Annual Utah Student Liberty Forum ](https://libertas.institute/student-forum/) - We invite you to the Utah Student Liberty Forum—an exciting opportunity to receive training on how to be an effective and active liberty activist on your college campus. We will also have the privilege to hear from several great speakers regarding current events affecting our liberty. The forum will be held on Saturday, November 15, - [Register for the Utah Student Leadership Forum](https://libertas.institute/register-for-the-utah-student-leadership-forum/) - If you are a leader in a student organization, please sign up for the Student Leadership Forum that will take place from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. prior to the Student Liberty Forum, using the form below. - [Third Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest Winners](https://libertas.institute/third-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/winners/) - The following essays received awards as part of the Third Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest. Grand Prize ($1,500) Loyalty to Liberty by Dustin Phelps Dustin writes about honored and widely popular instances of civil disobedience in the past, suggesting that liberty has only been realized by defying unjust government actions. People's Choice Prize ($500) Less - [Third Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest](https://libertas.institute/third-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/) - Update: Click here to see the winning essays. To view the list of all essay submissions, click here. Libertas Institute is excited to announce its third annual essay contest: "Civil Disobedience: Theory, Examples, and Concerns" The winner of this year's contest will receive $1,500 and the "people's choice" winner will receive $500! Submit your essay using the form - [Share the Common Core Petition with Others!](https://libertas.institute/share-the-common-core-petition-with-others/) - [Fight Common Core in Utah](https://libertas.institute/fight-common-core-in-utah/) - [Third Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest Submissions](https://libertas.institute/third-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/submissions/) - [Shop](https://libertas.institute/shop/) - [Civil Disobedience](https://libertas.institute/civildisobedience/) - [Thanks for your support!](https://libertas.institute/thanks/) - We very much appreciate your financial support of Libertas Institute! Our important mission depends on generous donors such as yourself—thanks for joining us in the cause of liberty! - [Recordings of Committee Testimony](https://libertas.institute/resources/recordings-of-committee-testimony/) - From time to time, Libertas Institute staff offer testimony in legislative committee meetings in support of or against a specific bill. Below are the recordings of these testimonies. 2014 - General Session HB161 (to deny support to the NSA). March 7, 2014. Full discussion. [audio:https://libertasutah.wpengine.com/audio/testimony/2014_hb161.mp3] HB70 (to reform how forcible entry warrants are authorized). March - [Get Your Free Book About Liberty!](https://libertas.institute/free-book/) - [First Annual Libertas Essay Contest](https://libertas.institute/first-annual-libertas-essay-contest/) - Update: Click here to see the winning essays. To view the list of all essay submissions, click here. Libertas Institute is proud to announce its first annual essay contest: "Living Free in an Unfree World" The winner of this year's contest will receive $1,500 and the "people's choice" winner will receive $500! Submit your essay using the - [Second Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest](https://libertas.institute/second-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/) - Update: Click here to see the winning essays. To view the list of all essay submissions, click here. Libertas Institute is proud to announce its second annual essay contest: "The Proper Role of Local Government" The winner of this year's contest will receive $1,500 and the "people's choice" winner will receive $500! Submit your essay using - [Become a Citizen Sponsor](https://libertas.institute/sponsor/) - [Forum Confirmation](https://libertas.institute/forum-confirmation/) - Thank you for signing up! We're excited about the upcoming forum and look forward to offering training and networking for you and other student activists. - [Second Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest Winners](https://libertas.institute/second-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/winners/) - The following essays received awards as part of the Second Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest. Grand Prize ($1,500) Giving Liberty a Try by Chris Jones Chris suggests that individual liberty should be the basic benchmark of local government's activities, rather than central planning and expediency. People's Choice Prize ($500) How to Not Be a Tool - [If You See Something, Say Something](https://libertas.institute/if-you-see-something-say-something/) - [Making Law Enforcement Officers into Officers of the Peace](https://libertas.institute/making-law-enforcement-officers-into-officers-of-the-peace/) - Police officers nationwide are being heavily militarized. Read about our proposal to stop that trend in Utah. - [How to Stop Common Core in Utah](https://libertas.institute/commoncore/) - Utah parents are wanting to fight back against Common Core. Here, we explain how to win. - [The Libertas Library Starter Kit](https://libertas.institute/the-libertas-library-starter-kit/) - Obtaining a sound understanding of individual liberty can be a difficult task, and often requires first unlearning what one was taught in school. To help you on your educational journey, we recommend the following "starter kit" as a basic primer of must-read material to begin. Please note that each of these are free PDF downloads. - [Thanks for Buying The Law!](https://libertas.institute/thelaw-success/) - The Law - [Purchase Your Copy of The Law](https://libertas.institute/thelaw/) - The Law - [Second Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest Submissions](https://libertas.institute/second-annual-libertas-institute-essay-contest/submissions/) - [Annual Membership](https://libertas.institute/annual-membership/) - Student $60/year Your benefit for this level: Libertas Institute bumper sticker Contributor $120/year Benefits from lower level and: A copy of the Libertas Institute Annual Report Associate $240/year Benefits from lower level and: Libertas Institute T-shirt Activist $420/year Benefits from lower level and: Signed copy of Latter-day Liberty by Connor Boyack Innovator $600/year Benefits from - [Media](https://libertas.institute/media/) - Here are some media resources relating to and about Libertas Institute: In the News Press Releases Op-Eds Recordings of Committee Testimony Media Kit - [Success! Now Share with Others...](https://libertas.institute/success-now-share-with-others/) - Thanks for signing the petition. Please share the petition with friends on Facebook, Twitter, and via email. With your help, the legislature will recognize the importance of protecting our right to keep and bear arms. Alternatively, you can use the buttons below to quickly share the petition: - [Support Gun Rights!](https://libertas.institute/support-gun-rights/) - [Social Media Accounts for Utah Legislators](https://libertas.institute/socialmedia/) - [First Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest Winners](https://libertas.institute/first-annual-libertas-essay-contest/winners/) - The following essays received awards as part of the First Annual Libertas Institute Essay Contest. Grand Prize ($1,500) Taking My Humanity Back by Robert Hunt Robert inspires Utahns to radicalism by recognizing that the State illegitimately interjects itself between individuals wishing to engage in voluntary, consensual interactions. People's Choice Prize ($500) A last minute decision - [Centers](https://libertas.institute/centers/) - Libertas Institute's activities fall into four categories, each of which finds its focus in a Center organized to specialize in and advocate for a specific set of policies. Three of our Centers each deal with an aspect of our three-fold mission to support and defend individual liberty, private property, and free enterprise. These focus on - [Cartoons](https://libertas.institute/cartoons/) - [Submit an Idea](https://libertas.institute/submit-an-idea/) - We welcome your input on what we should investigate and report on. Know of a law, bill, policy, or current event that you think we should be aware of? 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Research Analyst Those volunteering in this position will use their research experience to investigate issues of relevance to the Institute's mission, in preparation - [Center for Free Enterprise](https://libertas.institute/centers/center-for-free-enterprise/) - The Center for Free Enterprise, as part of the Libertas Institute in Utah, advocates getting the government out of the market to result in more freedom and prosperity. - [Center for Private Property](https://libertas.institute/centers/center-for-private-property/) - The Center for Private Property, as part of the Libertas Institute in Utah, advocates that consenting adults should be free to engage in commerce as they please. - [Center for Tenth Amendment Studies](https://libertas.institute/centers/center-for-tenth-amendment-studies/) - The Center for Tenth Amendment Studies, as part of the Libertas Institute in Utah, advocates pushing back against unconstitutional federal mandates through nullification. - [Center for Individual Liberty](https://libertas.institute/centers/center-for-individual-liberty/) - The Center for Individual Liberty, as part of the Libertas Institute in Utah, advocates policies which respect and protect each person's unalienable rights. - [Media Kit](https://libertas.institute/resources/media-kit/) - The following assets are provided to reporters, bloggers, and other interested parties, and can be freely used so long as attribution is given to Libertas Institute. - [First Annual Libertas Essay Contest Submissions](https://libertas.institute/first-annual-libertas-essay-contest/submissions/) - [Publications](https://libertas.institute/publications/) - email archive? policy papers? draft legislation? - [Sample Page](https://libertas.institute/sample-page/) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger ## My Templates - [Template - Inner pages Default](https://libertas.institute/?elementor_library=elementor-single-page-72164) - [Blog - Sidebar](https://libertas.institute/?elementor_library=blog-sidebar) - Fighting for a Future Where Individuals Are Fully Liberated to Pursue Their Dreams, Free from Coercion and Control. 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Learn more » Connect with Libertas Tweets by Libertas Institute Contact Us P: 801.901.0310E: info@libertas.org Libertas Institute2183 W Main StSuite A102Lehi, UT 84043 - [Utah](https://libertas.institute/?elementor_library=utah) - Libertas Utah Aenean Maecenas Auctor Curabitur Lorem ipsum odor amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Justo feugiat scelerisque rhoncus aliquet tristique, sit erat lacinia amet lacinia nec nulla. Support Libertas Utah Recent Articles POLICIES Our Policy Briefs Thoughtful Policy Papers Driving Change for a More Free and Prosperous Future Gain valuable insights from policy papers that provide ## Cartoons - [Healthy Utah in a Nutshell](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/healthy-utah-in-a-nutshell/) - Governor Herbert's Medicaid expansion proposal, nicknamed "Healthy Utah," perpetuates an ever-increasing cycle of debt and borrowing to finance expanding welfare programs. This is neither conservative nor fiscally prudent. Libertas Institute has made an effort to debunk a few popular myths that have percolated during the debate, and continues to oppose growing government and requiring taxpayers - [Government Shutdown Hypocrisy](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/government-shutdown-hypocrisy/) - The recent "shutdown"—more appropriately called a "slimdown"—has allowed the Obama administration to put pressure on the public as part of what's called Washington Monument Syndrome. Rather than prioritizing government operations in a fair and rational manner, politicians close down much-loved things like parks and monuments so as to enrage the citizenry and induce pressure upon - [Zion Wall: Barrier to Free Enterprise](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/zion-wall-barrier-to-free-enterprise/) - The "Zion Wall" is the nickname for a barrier in certain restaurants, required by Utah law, behind which bartenders must keep open bottles of liquor, beer taps, and their drink-mixing displays. A recent survey conducted by Libertas Institute found that 63% of voters in Utah reject one of the basic premises upon which the law - [Compulsory Education Violates Freedom](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/compulsory-education-violates-freedom/) - The law in Utah notes that parents have a "fundamental liberty interest" regarding the care of their children—including their children. And yet, Utah also enforces compulsory education laws that violate that liberty. To be consistent in its recognition of parental stewardship, the law in Utah must be amended to have education be a voluntary, freely - [The War on Drugs, Explained Visually](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/the-war-on-drugs-explained-visually/) - Over 50 police officers descended upon Matthew David Stewart's home to serve a drug warrant. They invaded his home, guns drawn, and a shootout ensued in which Matthew was wounded, several officers were as well, and one officer ended up dying because of his wounds. None of this was necessary. His story is not unique. - [A Government Permission Slip to Braid Hair?](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/a-government-permission-slip-to-braid-hair/) - When Jestina Clayton sued the state of Utah (and won), it brought to the public's attention an absurd and alarming detail: the government prohibits people from braiding hair, for pay, without a license. This license, in the government's interpretation of the law, requires an application, a fee, and 2,000 hours of mandated schooling that is - [Mayor Bloomberg-esque Nanny State Alive and Well in Utah](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/mayor-bloomberg-esque-nanny-state-alive-and-well-in-utah/) - Conservatives across the country erupted in outrage late last year when Mayor Bloomberg banned sugary drinks over 16 ounces in New York City. But Utah has a similar law in place, where purchasing alcohol in a container larger than two liters is illegal. From the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's website: Note that under - [The State of the State: A More Accurate Depiction](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/the-state-of-the-state-a-more-accurate-depiction/) - Governor Herbert claimed in his 2013 State of the State address that Utah is "strong." He has previously and similarly stated that Utah is "on solid footing." To make such a claim is to ignore, intentionally or otherwise, a number of profound problems created by the government. Libertas Institute's report, "The 2013 Real State of the - [The Tyranny of the Local Majority](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/the-tyranny-of-the-local-majority/) - Residents in Highland, Utah wish to force property owners in that city to close their businesses on Sunday and are gathering signatures on a petition to put the issue on November's ballot. Put differently, residents in that city are seeking to obtain a majority by which to impose their tyrannical preferences on the minority. As - [Business Licensure: A Protectionist's Dream](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/business-licensure-a-protectionists-dream/) - Should businesses be required to obtain a permission slip from the government before offering their goods and services to other consenting adults? Should a hair braider, for example, be required to attend a cosmetology school for 2,000 hours (at her own expense) in order to legally braid the hair of people who want her to? - [To Oppose the Mandate, States Must Nullify Obamacare](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/to-oppose-the-mandate-states-must-nullify-obamacare/) - With the Supreme Court affirming the alleged constitutionality of the individual mandate, conservatives and constitutionalists alike are looking for alternative solutions to rejecting the latest version of federal health care regulations known as "Obamacare". The solution with the most historical precedent, principled foundation, and potential for success is what Thomas Jefferson called the "rightful remedy"—nullification. - [Government: Limited or Unlimited?](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/government-limited-or-unlimited/) - The laws and regulations in Utah total roughly 10 million words in length—that's 490 times longer than the Utah Constitution, and over two thousand times longer than the United States Constitution. Is this limited government? - [Proper Role of Government for Thee, But Not for Me](https://libertas.institute/cartoon/proper-role-of-government-for-thee-but-not-for-me/) - It is quite common to hear objections from government officials in Utah to the overreach and interventions of the federal government—and rightly so. Far too often, however, these same officials sponsor or support policies within our own state that are based on the same interventionist ideas, regulating various aspects of human behavior and infringing upon ## Infographics - [Liberty and the Legislature: An analysis of the 2013 general session in Utah](https://libertas.institute/infographic/liberty-and-the-legislature-an-analysis-of-the-2013-general-session-in-utah/) ## Surveys - [Public Opinion Poll: Do Utahns Support Legalizing Medical Cannabis?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-do-utahns-support-legalizing-medical-cannabis/) - New poll results show that a strong majority of Utahns support legalizing medical cannabis. Click to see details! - [Public Opinion Poll: How do Utahns Really Feel about Anti-Discrimination Laws?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-how-do-utahns-really-feel-about-anti-discrimination-laws/) - In an effort to bolster support for its proposed legislation, Equality Utah—a “gay rights” organization—points to a poll it conducted as evidence that the majority of Utahns agree with its proposal. The key claim in the poll is that "73% somewhat or strongly favor a statewide nondiscrimination law in employment.” The organization’s executive director commented, regarding this poll, - [Few Utahns are Engaged in the Legislative Process](https://libertas.institute/survey/few-utahns-are-engaged-in-the-legislative-process/) - During legislative meetings at the Utah Capitol it is not uncommon to regularly see the same people in attendance—staff, government employees, and lobbyists. Citizens are in the minority. In a desire to better understand the degree to which citizens have engaged in the legislative process, Libertas Institute conducted a brief survey earlier this week. We - [Public Opinion Poll: Utahns' Views on National Park Closures](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-utahns-views-on-national-park-closures/) - As part of the federal government's partial "shutdown," national parks and monuments have been closed. These actions have produced various acts of civil disobedience nationwide. Nine counties in Utah dependent on tourism dollars are seeking a declaration of emergency because of the problem. To assess the opinion of Utahns on these circumstances, Libertas Institute conducted - [Public Opinion Poll: Do Utahns Trust Police Officers?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-do-utahns-trust-police-officers/) - Stories of police abuse and corruption pepper the national media on a constant basis. Utah is not exempt from this trend. In order to determine how Utahns felt about police, their use of force, and the standards to which they are held, Libertas Institute conducted the following public opinion poll. We surveyed 500 random Utah - [Public Opinion Poll: Do Utah Republicans Lean Libertarian?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-do-utah-republicans-lean-libertarian/) - Last week, FreedomWorks released the results of a new survey highlighting the libertarian trends with the Republican Party nationwide. In an effort to determine what these results look like within Utah, we performed an opinion poll using many of the same questions. We surveyed 500 random registered Republicans in Utah on September 16, 2013 via - [Public Opinion Poll: How do Utahns Feel About Legalizing Marijuana?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-how-do-utahns-feel-about-legalizing-marijuana/) - Earlier this week, we published an interview with a Utah mother—a self-described conservative Mormon—whose son suffers from Dravet syndrome and would, as a result, benefit from cannabis as a medical treatment. To assess how Utah voters feel about medical marijuana (and other issues dealing with the drug) Libertas Institute conducted the following opinion poll. We - [Why Do So Few Voters Show Up for the Primaries?](https://libertas.institute/survey/why-do-so-few-voters-show-up-for-the-primaries/) - Leading up to yesterday's municipal primary election, it was readily assumed that voter turnout would be low. Libertas Institute contacted county clerks around the state to determine which municipalities were holding primary elections. The total count is 81. 1,112,052 registered Utah voters live within these 81 municipalities. We surveyed 500 random voters from this narrowed - [Public Opinion Poll: Utah Voters Opine on the NSA, Alcohol Policy, and Polygamy](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-utah-voters-opine-on-the-nsa-alcohol-policy-and-polygamy/) - Libertas Institute surveyed 475 random Utah voters on August 7, 2013 via an automated phone call system. Sampled voters were contacted and administered a questionnaire. Half of respondents were contacted on their mobile phone, half on a landline. The margin of sampling error is ±4.5%. NSA 1. The NSA is constructing a large facility in Utah - [Public Opinion Poll: Would Caucus Changes Increase Voter Participation?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-would-caucus-changes-increase-voter-participation/) - Media reports for months have contained claims by those wishing to change Utah's caucus/convention system that have largely gone uncontested. These claims suggest that reforms to the current system, in whatever form they may ultimately take, will increase voter participation. Here are a few recent claims, with emphasis added: Former Senator Bob Bennett: "The open - [Public Opinion Poll: Where Do Utah Voters Stand on the Issues?](https://libertas.institute/survey/public-opinion-poll-where-do-utah-voters-stand-on-the-issues/) - Libertas Institute surveyed 425 random Utah voters on May 22-23, 2013. Potential survey participants were screened to ensure that they were currently a registered voter in the state of Utah. Sampled voters were contacted and administered a questionnaire over the telephone. The margin of sampling error is ±4.75%. 1. Generally speaking, would you say things in ## Policy Papers - [Ending Degree-Based Licensing](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/ending-degree-based-licensing/) - Utah is well-positioned to lead national licensing reform by shifting toward market-driven competency evaluations and alternative credentials. - [Government Accountability for Causing Individuals Harm](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/government-accountability-for-causing-individuals-harm/) - Utahns should be able to hold their government accountable when its actions cause them harm. - [Overreaching EPA Water Rule: Utah Property Rights In Peril](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/overreaching-epa-water-rule-utah-property-rights-in-peril/) - A new EPA rule could let federal regulators control puddles, ponds, and ditches on Utahns’ private land—threatening property rights and the state’s economy. - [Income Tax Credit for Home-schooling Families](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/income-tax-credit-for-home-schooling-families/) - Why are Utah families who homeschool forced to fund the public education system before they can afford their own children’s education? - [Law Enforcement Transparency](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/law-enforcement-transparency/) - If taxpayers have a right to know how every dollar is spent, shouldn’t they also know how police are using the powerful tools the law gives them? - [Strengthening Judicial Oversight of Forcible Entry Warrants](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/strengthening-judicial-oversight-of-forcible-entry-warrants/) - With over 100 SWAT raids happening daily in America, how do we know judges are truly protecting your rights before signing off on a violent home invasion? - [Utah Legislature Unanimously and Unknowingly Gutted a 2000 Citizen Initiative](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/utah-legislature-unanimously-and-unknowingly-gutted-a-2000-citizen-initiative/) - In 2013, Utah lawmakers unanimously voted to gut key protections against civil asset forfeiture—without realizing they’d just overturned the will of 69% of voters. - [Private Attorneys General: Incentivizing the Protection of Liberty](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/private-attorneys-general-incentivizing-the-protection-of-liberty/) - Taxpayers pay the Attorney General to defend the law, but when a law violates our rights, they should reimburse private citizens who successfully overturn it. - [The High Price of Retribution: A Case for Repealing the Death Penalty](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/the-high-price-of-retribution-a-case-for-repealing-the-death-penalty/) - As with other government programs, freedom-minded individuals have strong reason to be skeptical of the government’s power and practice of executing people. - [Ensuring Justice through Juror Discretion](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/ensuring-justice-through-juror-discretion/) - Like police and prosecutors, juries should be made aware of their power to use discretion in determining whether a criminal case should proceed. - [Food Truck Freedom: Removing Barriers for Mobile Businesses](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/food-truck-freedom-removing-barriers-for-mobile-businesses/) - Mobile food vendors should not be subjected to an arbitrary maze of inconsistent municipal regulations that do not protect Utah consumers. - [Vehicle Safety Inspections: Another Wasteful Government Program](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/vehicle-safety-inspections-another-wasteful-government-program/) - With no evidence to indicate that mandated vehicle safety inspections lead to fewer car accidents, this burden on Utah drivers should be eliminated. - [Medical Cannabis: Decriminalizing Sick Utahns](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/medical-cannabis-decriminalizing-sick-utahns/) - No Utahn should be threatened with fines, jail, and losing their children merely for trying to be healthy. - [Civil Asset Forfeiture: The Legalization of Theft](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/civil-asset-forfeiture-the-legalization-of-theft/) - Property should not be taken from Utahns who haven’t been charged with—let alone convicted of—a crime. - [Flexible Education Spending Accounts: Choice Meets Innovation](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/flexible-education-spending-accounts-choice-meets-innovation/) - All Utah parents should be able to be directly involved in how their child is educated with public funds. - [The Right to Work: Taming Occupational Licensure](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/the-right-to-work-taming-occupational-licensure/) - Utah's Constitution should recognize and protect each person's right to work, helping ensure that occupational licensure laws be narrowly tailored and reasonable. - [The Cost of Raising State Income Taxes to Fund Education](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/the-cost-of-raising-state-income-taxes-to-fund-education/) - Proposals to raise Utah’s income tax rate punish those who fuel the local economy while putting a mere bandaid on the problem of public education funding. - [Utah Innovates: Regulatory Frameworks for the Future](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/utah-innovates-regulatory-frameworks-for-the-future/) - Innovative companies should not be artificially held back by regulations that do not fit their business models. - [Protecting Your Digital Data from Warrantless Searches](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/protecting-your-digital-data-from-warrantless-searches/) - Our privacy interest in digital data stored with or created by a third party must be protected from warrantless searches. - [Phasing Out the Annual Tax on Business Supplies](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/phasing-out-the-annual-tax-on-business-supplies/) - Business owners in Utah need to be freed from the double taxation and burdensome compliance costs of the Tangible Personal Property Tax. - [Keeping the Peace Between Neighbors Without Restricting Rights](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/keeping-the-peace-between-neighbors-without-restricting-rights/) - Authored by Molly Davis, Criminal Justice Policy Analyst The term “big government” typically invokes images of Congress or the Legislature, but it is likewise applicable, in many ways, to laws that affect our lives in a far more direct manner, at a local level. Hitting close to home, the rules and regulations imposed by city - [Pretrial Release: Restoring Due Process and Reforming Bail](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/pretrial-release-restoring-due-process-and-reforming-bail/) - Utahns accused of a crime have the right to presumed innocence prior to trial, regardless of personal wealth. - [Protecting Your DNA From Government Fishing Expeditions](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/protecting-your-dna-from-government-fishing-expeditions/) - Innocent people should be protected against mass searches by law enforcement in DNA databases. - [Protecting the Right to Privacy in a Digital Era](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/protecting-the-right-to-privacy-in-a-digital-era/) - The desire to use new technologies in the name of protecting the community cannot come at the expense of an individual’s fundamental rights. - [Permit Freedom: Reducing Regulation in Everyday Life](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/permit-freedom-reducing-regulation-in-everyday-life/) - Utahns have the right to reasonable, consistent, and clear rules governing how, when, and to whom permits will be granted. - [Disrupting Higher Education](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/disrupting-higher-education/) - Higher education should generally be shorter, cheaper, and transparent. Alternatives should be promoted as viable options. - [Legalize Backyard Cottages: What to Do About ADUs](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/what-to-do-about-adus/) - Local officials can provide relief to aspiring homeowners by passing an ordinance that legalizes attached and detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). - [Psychotherapy Drugs for Mental Health](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/psychotherapy-drugs-for-mental-health/) - Mental health patients should be able to legally access and use psychotherapeutics under medical supervision, for medicinal purposes. - [Portable Benefits to Improve the Gig Worker Economy](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/portable-benefits-to-improve-the-gig-worker-economy/) - To empower gig workers, companies need legal certainty to make contributions to portable benefits plans. - [UT-Fits Scholarship Empowers Parents](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/ut-fits-scholarship-empowers-parents/) - The UT-Fits Scholarship empowers parents, who know the needs of their children best. - [Securing States and Individuals from Surveillance](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/securing-states-and-individuals-from-surveillance/) - As technology continues to advance, states must place limits on collaborative relationships between corporate entities and government agents. - [Eliminating Barriers to Work for Utah's Ex-Offenders](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/eliminating-barriers-to-work-for-utahs-ex-offenders/) - Utah’s communities are safer and more prosperous when ex-offenders can find gainful employment. - [Innovation & Evolution in the Regulation of Legal Services](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/innovation-evolution-in-the-regulation-of-legal-services/) - The Utah legal services sandbox is the path to better legal services that benefit more people. - [Legalize Starter Homes: Dreaming Big with Small Lot Reforms](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/legalize-starter-homes/) - Local officials can provide relief to aspiring homeowners by passing ordinances that legalize a greater variety of affordable, attractive single-family homes. - [Unleashing Education: Innovation for Tomorrow's Children](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/unleashing-education-innovation-for-tomorrows-children/) - Cities and states should eliminate outdated regulations that make starting new education models difficult. - [Transforming Treatment: Psilocybin’s Role in Mental Health](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/transforming-treatment-psilocybins-role-in-mental-health/) - Utah needs to move forward with a medicinal psilocybin therapy program instead of waiting for FDA approval - [How to Turn Laid-Off Talent into Entrepreneurs](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/how-to-turn-laid-off-talent-into-entrepreneurs/) - Leverage the talent of laid off workers by swapping unemployment checks for business licenses. - [Findings and Recommendations of the Utah Flexible Benefits Working Group](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/findings-and-recommendations-of-the-utah-flexible-benefits-working-group/) - This report was produced as part of the Flexible Benefits Working Group, co-chaired by Senator John Johnson and Representative Ryan Wilcox, which was formed to study Utah’s SB 233, Portable Benefit Plan, and recommend opportunities for improvement. - [Make Zoning Make Sense: Three Tools for Clarity & Prosperity](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/make-zoning-make-sense/) - Simpler, user-friendly zoning regulations can reduce uncertainty, giving residents more clarity and the ability to better participate in local land-use decisions - [Policy Solutions to Future-proof Workforces Against AI Displacement](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/policy-solutions-to-future-proof-workforces-against-ai-displacement/) - Policymakers can safeguard workers by investing in innovation—reskilling, flexible work models, and AI collaboration—to turn disruption into opportunity. - [Farms, Food, and Freedom: Informed Consumerism in Utah](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/farms-food-and-freedom-informed-consumerism-in-utah/) - While regulation can protect the health of consumers not connected to their food, it is not needed—and should not be required—in direct-sales situations. - [The Fundamental Right to Use One’s Own Property](https://libertas.institute/policy-paper/the-fundamental-right-to-use-ones-own-property/) - An oversight in constitutional protection has allowed the government to routinely violate the right of individuals to peacefully use their property as they see fit. ## Legislation - [SB 275: Modernizing Utah’s Identity Rights in the Digital Age](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-275-modernizing-utahs-identity-rights-in-the-digital-age/) - Senate Bill 275 establishes a "digital identity bill of rights," which guarantees individuals the right to manage and control their digital identity as a way to protect their privacy. - [SB 301: Protects People from Unnecessary Arrests](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-301-protects-people-from-unnecessary-arrest/) - Senate Bill 301 protects people from the disruption and harm of unnecessary arrest, prioritizing less coercive options first. - [HB 467: Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-467-utah-fits-all-scholarship-program-modifications/) - The 4th substitute of House Bill 467 clarifies parts of the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, preserving education alternative opportunities. - [SB 262: Restrict Unmarked Police Car Traffic Stops](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-262-restrict-unmarked-police-car-traffic-stops/) - Senate Bill 262 will place new limits on how law enforcement officers can use unmarked vehicles during traffic enforcement. - [SB 60: State Income Tax Reduction](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-60-state-income-tax-reduction/) - SB 60 proposes lowering the income tax rate from 4.5% to 4.45%, continuing the trend of easing the tax burden on Utahns. - [SB 327: Repeals Licensing for 4 Occupations](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-327-repeals-licensing-for-4-occupations/) - Senate Bill 327 repeals occupational licensing requirements for commercial interior designers, court recorders, deception detection practitioners, and music therapists. - [SB 322: AI Education Regulatory Sandbox Program](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-322-ai-education-regulatory-sandbox-program/) - Senate Bill 322 creates a regulatory pathway for public schools to pilot artificial intelligence tools in the classroom. - [SB 284: Legalizing Backyard Cottages](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-284-legalizing-backyard-cottages/) - Local control means the freedom for individual property owners to make reasonable use of their land, subject to basic safety and parking standards. - [SB 286: Expands Interior Designer Scope & Practice](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-286-expands-interior-designer-scope-practice/) - Senate Bill 286 reduces regulations on commercial interior designers and expands the scope of work they can do. - [HB 286: Government Overreach in AI Development](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-286-government-overreach-in-ai-development/) - Utah should oppose HB 286 because it abandons the state’s best playbook. - [HB 438: Imposing Heavy-Handed AI Chatbot Regulation](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-438-imposing-heavy-handed-ai-chatbot-regulation/) - House Bill 438 regulates AI systems that simulate relationships or express “emotions, feelings, memories, or personal opinions” - [SB 217: Expanding Food Freedom](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-217-expanding-food-freedom/) - Senate Bill 217 by Sen. Kirk Cullimore modernizes and expands Utah’s legal framework for locally produced food. - [HB 495: Capital Felony Case Process Reform](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-495-capital-felony-case-process-reform/) - House Bill 495 increases the risk that the state will carry out executions of people whom the Constitution protects. - [HB 188: Replacing Rehabilitation With Prosecution for School Offenses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-188-replacing-rehabilitation-with-prosecution-for-school-offenses/) - HB 188 removes discretion in low-risk cases without evidence that doing so will improve public safety. - [HB 450: Truth In Surveillance](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-450-truth-in-surveillance/) - This bill requires government entities to obtain legislative authorization before implementing high-risk surveillance activities. - [SB 116: Returning Surplus Revenue to Taxpayers](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-116-returning-surplus-revenue-to-taxpayers/) - The bill proposes an automatic tax rate adjustment when the state receives a windfall. - [SB 222: Strengthen Utah’s Right to Try](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-222-strengthen-utahs-right-to-try/) - This proposal expands Utah’s “Right to Try” law to give seriously ill patients broader access to investigational medicines and devices that have completed initial safety testing. - [HB 170: Expanding Public Oversight of Local School Board Actions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-170-expanding-public-oversight-of-local-school-board-actions/) - HB 170 gives the public a broader say on decisions made by local school boards. - [HB 126: Making It Easier to Start a Microschool in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-126-making-it-easier-to-start-a-microschool-in-utah/) - This bill clarifies where microschools can open and clarifies that school founders can convert a home into a microschool. - [HB 327: Limits License Plate Reader Use](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-327-limits-license-plate-reader-use/) - This bill puts clear guardrails on how license plate reader data is collected, stored, and shared. - [HB 261: Strengthening 3rd Party Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-261-strengthening-3rd-party-privacy/) - House Bill 261 modernizes and strengthens Utah’s Electronic Information Privacy Act to better protect individuals’ private digital data. - [SB 90: A path to work for veterans](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-90-a-path-to-work-for-veterans/) - Utah has nearly 130,000 veterans, but many can’t work in the fields they’re already trained for. This bill would fix that. - [SB 330: Reducing Cosemetology Requirements](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-330-cosmetology-amendments/) - This bill reduces barriers to entry in the cosmetology and beauty industry while maintaining consumer choice. - [SB 248: Strengthening Utah’s Psychotherapeutic Therapy Pilot Program](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-248-strengthening-utahs-psychotherapeutic-therapy-pilot-program/) - This bill ensures that Utah’s medicinal psilocybin and MDMA pilot program can move forward by allowing qualified healthcare providers to participate after the initial healthcare systems declined to do so. - [HB 468: Strengthening Oversight and Privacy Protections for ALPR Technology](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-468-automatic-license-plate-reader-amendments/) - This bill provides for improved guardrails and oversight of automatic license plate readers used and accessed by law enforcement and transportation management. - [SB 260: Updating IDs in the Digital Age](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-260-updating-ids-in-the-digital-age/) - This bill is a first step toward identification that is anonymous, privacy protective, and fully voluntary. - [SB 270: Young Entrepreneurs Tax Relief Act](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-270-young-entrepreneurs-tax-relief-act/) - This bill provides a nonrefundable state income tax credit for self-employed individuals 19 years old or younger, covering their state income tax liability up to a $3,000 maximum. - [SB 157: Nonjudicial Adjustments Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-157-nonjudicial-adjustments-amendments/) - This bill ensures that minors are properly informed of their right to legal counsel during juvenile proceedings, including nonjudicial adjustments, and mandates the provision of legal advice when a minor considers waiving non-judicial adjustment. It also strengthens indigent defense services. - [HB 452: Integrating AI for Better Mental Health Outcomes](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-452-integrating-ai-for-better-mental-health-outcomes/) - This bill would provide guidance and certainty for mental health practitioners who use AI chatbots in their practice. - [SB 252: Digital Information Seizure Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-252-digital-information-seizure-amendments/) - This bill ensures that law enforcement promptly returns seized computer devices used for evidence that are not considered contraband and prohibits agencies from requiring owners to unlock or consent to searches as a condition for return. - [SB 243: Law Enforcement Quota Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-243-law-enforcement-quota-amendments/) - This bill prohibits law enforcement agencies from imposing quotas on stops, citations, arrests, or warnings and prevents officers from being evaluated or disciplined based on such quotas. - [SB 248: Controlled Substances Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-248-controlled-substances-amendments/) - This bill reduces regulation on microschools allowing microschools in churches, museums, libraries and similar buildings. - [SB 138: License Plate Reader Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-138-license-plate-reader-amendments/) - This bill establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for app store providers and developers to protect minors using mobile apps. - [HB 392: Unlicensed Driver Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-392-unlicensed-driver-amendments/) - This bill allows law enforcement to seize a person’s vehicle without a warrant and force them to submit to fingerprinting if they fail to provide a physical driver’s license, even if they pose no public safety risk. - [HB 399 Sub 1: Non-Criminal Absenteeism Solutions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-399-sub-1-non-criminal-absenteeism-solutions/) - This bill and substitute changes the bill from criminalizing truancy to studying why students are absent from school. - [HB 418: Social Media User Data Swapping](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-418-social-media-user-data-swapping/) - This bill would force social media companies to re-engineer their platforms so that it’s easier to track users across different services. - [SB 272: Reducing Microschool Regulations](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-272-reducing-microschool-regulations/) - This bill reduces regulation on microschools allowing microschools in churches, museums, libraries and similar buildings. - [HB 474: Limiting Onerous Licensing and Regulation Costs](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-474-limiting-onerous-licensing-and-regulation-costs/) - This bill limits state agencies' compliance costs, lets citizens challenge burdensome occupational rules through the Office of Professional Licensure Review, and mandates agency justification or repeal within 90 days. - [HB 112: Secondary Offense for Window Tinting](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-112-secondary-offense-for-window-tinting/) - This bill prohibits law enforcement from requesting license or registration suspension for window tint violations, even if repeated. - [SB 185: Compensatory Service in Lieu of Fine Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-185-compensatory-service-in-lieu-of-fine-amendments/) - This bill allows individuals convicted of certain offenses, including traffic violations, to perform community service instead of paying fines. - [HB 455: Utah Fits All Clarifications](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-455-utah-fits-all-clarifications/) - This bill clarifies permitted scholarship purchases and creates an ability for unspent funds to rollover for later purchases. - [HB 363: Protecting Baby Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-363-protecting-baby-privacy/) - This bill ensures parents have the right to opt out of newborn medical testing, and if they do consent, they must have an understanding of how the data will be used, stored, and eventually destroyed - [HB 221: A Redundant and Unnecessary Expansion of Criminal Law](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-221-a-redundant-and-unnecessary-expansion-of-criminal-law/) - This bill seeks to create an additional criminal offense for an act that is already illegal under existing law. - [SB 142: Turning App Stores into Age Gates](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-142-turning-app-stores-into-age-gates/) - This bill establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for app store providers and developers to protect minors using mobile apps. - [HB 255: Expanding Property Rights for Rural Landowners](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-255-expanding-property-rights-for-rural-landowners/) - This bill enables property owners of at least 50 acres of agricultural land in a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class to create a "minor subdivision" which enables them to carve out lots as small as one-acre from the larger parcel. - [SB 116: State Income Tax Reduction](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-116-state-income-tax-reduction/) - This bill reduces the individual and corporate income tax rate from 4.55 percent to 4.5 percent. - [HB 240: Help for Urban Farmers - Simpler Property Tax Assesment](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-240-help-for-urban-farmers-simpler-property-tax-assesment/) - This bill clarifies that land dedicated to urban farming qualifies for agricultural tax treatment if it generates at least $1,000 in annual gross sales per quarter-acre. - [HB 209: Making it Easier to Homeschool](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-209-making-it-easier-to-homeschool/) - This bill eliminates the homeschool affidavit, allowing parents to start with a letter of intent and removes the need to reaffirm homeschooling after moving. - [SB 179: Zoning for New and Innovative Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-179-zoning-for-new-and-innovative-businesses/) - This bill ensures that cities and counties establish a clear, transparent process for entrepreneurs seeking to have new or innovative business types added to local zoning ordinances. It also sets a firm 60-day deadline for local governments to approve or deny such applications. - [SB 137: Splitting Public and Private Programs in SOEP](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-137-splitting-public-and-private-programs-in-soep/) - This bill separates the public and private statewide online education program in two programs. - [HB 267: Limiting Public Unions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-267-limiting-public-unions/) - This bill This bill ends collective bargaining for public employees, bans taxpayer support for unions, and requires union financial disclosures. - [HB 265: Eliminating Higher Ed Inefficiencies](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-265-eliminating-higher-ed-inefficiencies/) - This bill requires public colleges and universities to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of each of their academic programs. - [HB 175: Lower Priced Triplexes and Quadplexes](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-175-lower-priced-triplexes-and-quadplexes/) - This bill would allow triplexes and quadplexes to be regulated under the International Residential Code (IRC) rather than the more stringent International Building Code (IBC). - [SB 85: Automatic Income Tax Reductions for Revenue Windfalls](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-85-automatic-income-tax-reductions-for-revenue-windfalls/) - This bill proposes an automatic state income tax reduction when the state receives a windfall. - [HB 160: Removing Accreditation Requirements](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-160-removing-accreditation-requirements/) - This bill removes the requirement for bachelor's degrees to be accredited for non-medical licenses that include a licensure exam as part of the process. - [HB 37: Zoning for More Homes](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-37-zoning-for-more-homes/) - With local government approval, this bill enables home builders that are willing to construct smaller or lower priced homes (in some circumstances) the ability to construct more homes than the current zoning allows. - [HB 230: Digital Asset Investment and Mining Protection](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-230-digital-asset-investment-and-mining-protection/) - This bill empowers the state treasurer to invest in qualifying digital assets, protects digital asset mining, and establishes requirements for investing in digital assets. - [SB 44: Combining Carson Smith and Opportunity Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-44-combining-carson-smith-and-opportunity-scholarship/) - This bill combines the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship and the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship into one program. - [SB 26: Behavioral Health Licensing Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-26-behavioral-health-licensing-amendments/) - This bill opens up the mental health professional licensing scheme to allow for more professionals to practice, as well as provide additional services. - [SB 143: Improving Veterans Licensure Opportunities](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-143-improving-veterans-licensure-opportunities/) - This bill would give additional time to active duty service members to renew their occupational licenses when returning from deployment. - [SB 231: Enhancing Privacy Against Government Surveillance](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-231-enhancing-privacy-against-government-surveillance/) - This bill sets clear definitions and restrictions on government agencies' use of surveillance. It also provides sensible exemptions and technical adjustments to ensure that the law keeps pace with technological advancements. - [SB 106: Legalize Cold Plunges](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-106-legalize-cold-plunges/) - This bill would undo a clear regulatory overstep by clarifying that cold plunge tubs are not public pools. - [SB 104: Restricting Utah's Use of Smartphones and Tablets](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-104-restricting-utahs-use-of-smartphones-and-tablets/) - This bill would limit the ability of Utahns to use their smartphones and tablets without verifying their age using an ID. - [SB 88: Improving the Juvenile Justice System](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-88-improving-the-juvenile-justice-system/) - Senate Bill 88, sponsored by Sen. Pitcher, corrects how juveniles are treated when in custody. - [SB 57: Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-57-utah-constitutional-sovereignty-act/) - This bill would codify the process for the legislature to assert the state's 10 Amendment rights. - [SB 47: Encouraging High School Entrepreneurs](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-47-encouraging-high-school-entrepreneurs/) - This bill ensures that 18-year-olds engaged in entrepreneurship aren’t faced with permitting and licensing requirements while finishing their last year of high school. - [SB 13: Removing Barriers for Microschools](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-13-removing-barriers-for-microschools/) - This bill permits microschools in all zones and clarifies building occupancy laws and health codes for these schools. - [HB 239: Training State Employees to Avoid Cyber Attacks](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-239-training-state-employees-to-avoid-cyber-attacks/) - This bill would prepare state employees to handle the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks that target critical infrastructure and citizen’s personal information. - [HB 164: Protecting Digital Currencies from Government Expansion](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-164-protecting-digital-currencies-from-government-expansion/) - Excludes Central Bank Digital Currencies from the definition of money recognized by the state. This bill would exclude CBDC from the recognized definition of money, preventing CBDC from disrupting financial institutions and creating a workaround for financial privacy. - [HB 91: Streamlining Utah’s Regulatory Sandbox](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-91-streamlining-utahs-regulatory-sandbox/) - This bill improves Utah’s regulatory sandbox by streamlining applications, restructuring the sandbox advisory committee, and requiring agencies to suggest regulatory reform. - [HB 68: Mandatory Prison for Drug Distribution with a Firearm](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-68-mandatory-prison-for-drug-distribution-with-a-firearm/) - This bill makes prison mandatory for people who share drugs (including cannabis, psilocybin, etc.) while possessing a firearm. - [HB 31: Help for Farmers and Agritourism](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-31-help-for-farmers-and-agritourism/) - This bill helps farmers who want to engage in agritourism (corn mazes, educational tours etc.) by clarifying they are not liable for injuries or illnesses related to inherent risks of being on a farm. - [HB 547: Restrictions on Traffic Ticket Quotas](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-547-restrictions-on-traffic-ticket-quotas/) - This bill would abolish the use of quotas as a tool for peace officer evaluation and would prohibit police stations from mandating arrest, stop, citation, or other quotas. - [SB 53: More Regulation for Ride-Sharing Drivers](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-53-more-regulation-for-ride-sharing-drivers/) - This bill requires ride-share drivers to get their vehicle inspected, even if it doesn't need it according to current law. - [HB 491: Raising the Privacy Bar for Government Entities](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-491-raising-the-privacy-bar-for-government-entities/) - HB 491 creates a Privacy Ombudsman, elevates the Personal Privacy Oversight Committee (renaming it the Utah Privacy Commission), brings teeth with a Utah Privacy Governing Board that includes important elected officials, and moves government entities to not only comply with the laws that already exist, but raise the standards by 2027. - [HB 553: Prohibiting Reverse Keyword Surveillance by Law Enforcement](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-553-prohibiting-reverse-keyword-surveillance-by-law-enforcement/) - HB 553 proposes to restrict reverse-keyword searches, thus backing the liberties of Utah's citizens while still empowering law enforcement to fulfill their responsibilities by codifying a keyword search that has the backing of probable cause, including particularized suspicion of an individual or device. - [HB 510: Removing Income Tax for Minors](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-510-removing-income-tax-for-minors/) - This bill would remove Utah's 4.65% income tax for minors who earn money via W-2 work. - [SB 238: Better Benefits for Independent Contractors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-238-better-benefits-for-independent-contractors/) - This bill creates a limited tax credit for contractors who buy portable benefits or other basic insurance. - [HB 529: Utah Fits All Scholarship Clarification](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-529-utah-fits-all-scholarship-clarification/) - This bill clarifies various provisions of the Utah Fits All Scholarship and expands eligibility to military families and foster families that have initiated the adoption process. - [SB 218: Better Guardrails on Law Enforcement Use of DNA](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-218-better-guardrails-on-law-enforcement-use-of-dna/) - This bill establishes guardrails around the use by law enforcement of large DNA databases with private user information. - [HB 93: Requiring DCFS to Obtain a Warrant](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-93-requiring-dcfs-to-obtain-a-warrant/) - This bill requires child welfare workers to obtain a permit before searching a family's home in hopes of removing a child. - [HB 180: More Regulations For Short-term Rental Operators](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-180-more-regulations-for-short-term-rental-operators/) - This bill would add additional regulations and permitting requirements for short-term rental operators — even for jurisdictions who may not want to impose them. - [HB 285: Reasonable Limits on Public Labor Unions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-285-reasonable-limits-on-public-labor-unions/) - This bill requires public labor unions to recertify every 3 years and prevents salary deductions of public employees directly to labor unions. - [HB 188: Building Permit Stability Act (No Building Permit Takesies Backsies)](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-188-building-permit-stability-act/) - This bill codifies that cities and counties cannot change building permit requirements after a permit has been issued. - [SB 29: More "Truth" in Truth in Taxation](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-29-more-truth-in-truth-in-taxation/) - This bill requires local governments to provide more information to residents when property tax increases are being proposed. - [HB 391: Honoring Homeschool High School Learning](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-391-honoring-homeschool-high-school-learning/) - This bill provides a method for homeschool families to easily transfer back into a public school if they choose. - [SB 233: Pathway to Better Coverage Options for Gig Workers](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-233-pathway-to-better-coverage-options-for-gig-workers/) - This bill would offer a pathway for independent contractors and gig workers to access affordable coverage options by clarifying that voluntary contributions from hiring parties will not create an employment relationship. - [SB 255: Making it Easier for Your Pocketbook to get ZAPped](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-255-making-it-easier-for-your-pocketbook-to-get-zapped/) - This bill would amend the renewal process to bypass the voter approval provision. - [HB 181: Connecting Ex-Offenders to Job Opportunities](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-181-connecting-ex-offenders-to-job-opportunities/) - The bill job attempts to improve job prospects for individuals who have formerly been incarcerated. - [HB 173: Increasing Government Accountability](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-173-increasing-government-accountability/) - The bill permits a private individual or organization that successfully pursues a legal claim against a government entity, to recover the costs of their legal representation and expert fees. - [HB 166: Addressing the Shortage of Mental Health Professionals](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-166-addressing-the-shortage-of-mental-health-professionals/) - This bill presents an opportunity to increase the number of mental health professionals in Utah and to improve access to care for those in need. - [HB 152: Accessible, Convenient Tele-Healthcare](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-152-accessible-convenient-tele-healthcare/) - This bill would allow for the growth and advancement of the online prescribing and dispensing industry, increase access to healthcare for those in underserved areas, and provide greater flexibility and convenience in the provision of telehealth services. - [SB 58: Expunging Criminal Records Quickly](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-58-expunging-criminal-records-quickly/) - This bill aims to bring further commonsense improvements to the expungement process. SB 58 shortens the expungement period to ninety days, allowing deserving individuals to reap the benefits of expungement in a timely manner. - [SB 36: Dismantling Occupational Licensing Barriers for Ex-Offenders](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-36-dismantling-occupational-licensing-barriers-for-ex-offenders/) - This bill cleans up and removes lingering language about “good moral character” or “moral turpitude.” This bill aims to reduce the recidivism rate, increase economic opportunity for ex-offenders, and strengthen the labor market. - [SB 35: Further Expanding Occupational Licensing Portability](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-35-further-expanding-occupational-licensing-portability/) - This bill would reduce barriers to obtain an occupational license. Specifically, this legislation will allow for the issuance of an occupational license to a person who has come to Utah internationally or from a different state. - [HB 131: Ban on "Vaccine Passports" for Private Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-131-ban-on-vaccine-passports-for-private-businesses/) - This bill would prohibit private business owners from requiring their employees or customers to be vaccinated. - [HB 57: Restrictions on Geofence Surveillance by Law Enforcement](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-57-restrictions-on-geofence-surveillance-by-law-enforcement/) - This bill places restrictions on how law enforcement uses geofence surveillance and protects the rights of accused defendants. - [HB 42: Lowering the Barrier of Entry to Massage Therapy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-42-lowering-the-barrier-of-entry-to-massage-therapy/) - This bill deregulates occupational licensing for massage therapy, making it easier for Utahns to enter the field and gain practical experience. - [HB 159: Greater Telehealth Access for Utahns](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-159-greater-telehealth-access-for-utahns/) - This bill expands access for telehealth services to Utahns have more options. - [HB 215: Utah Fits All Scholarship](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-215-utah-fits-all-scholarship/) - The UT-Fits Scholarship provides money to the people who have the biggest impact on education for the children of Utah: parents and teachers. - [HB 60: Juvenile Justice Modifications](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-60-juvenile-justice-modifications/) - This bill automates expungement for minor crimes that were handled non judicially or in which there was an arrest or investigation but no adjudication. - [HB 147: Criminalizing the Recording of a Crime](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-147-criminalizing-the-recording-of-a-crime/) - This bill creates a new crime: distributing a recording of a crime. If enacted, it would be a Class B misdemeanor to record a crime and share that recording if the person making the recording knows the victim of the crime needs help and fails to summon law enforcement. - [HB 204: Changing a Child Welfare Drug Test](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-204-child-welfare-proceedings-testing-requirements/) - This bill aims to ensure that only the most accurate drug tests are used when a parent is party to an abuse, neglect, or dependency proceeding. - [HB 203: Higher Education Opportunities for Inmates](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-203-higher-education-opportunities-for-inmates/) - This bill provides opportunities for higher education to inmates in county jails. - [HB 250: Streamlined Social Worker Licensing](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-250-streamlined-social-worker-licensing/) - This bill removes examination requirements for licensure as a certified social worker or social service worker. It also authorizes, if chosen, the re-creation of a pathway to licensure that includes examination but could provide an opportunity to alter the means of examination. - [SB 116: Prohibiting Public Health Quarantines](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-116-prohibiting-public-health-quarantines/) - This bill prohibits health departments from ordering a person to quarantine, instead moving them to an advisory role only. - [HB 260: Increased Property Tax Relief](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-260-increased-tax-relief/) - This bill increases the income thresholds necessary to qualify for two of Utah’s Property Tax Relief programs. - [HB 223: Increased Drug Enforcement by Police](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-223-increased-drug-enforcement-by-police/) - This bill would increase the amount of funding allocated to alcohol-related law enforcement officers and require ten officers to focus primarily on drug enforcement. - [SB 124: Increasing Law Enforcement Accountability](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-124-increasing-law-enforcement-accountability/) - This bill requires any law enforcement agency to confirm whether a prospective hire has previously worked in law enforcement. - [HB 266: Restricting Amber Alert Abuse](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-266-restricting-amber-alert-abuse/) - This bill restricts Amber Alerts so they are not used in custody disputes. - [SB 81: Property Tax Relief for Seniors Program Update](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-81-property-tax-relief-for-seniors-program-update/) - This bill implements some technical fixes that will enable counties to accelerate the launch of their tax deferral programs for seniors. - [HB 158: Warrantless Access to Private Digital Data](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-158-warrantless-access-to-private-digital-data/) - This bill seeks to roll back protections that require law enforcement to get a warrant before accessing electronic information held by third parties, in addition to removing other protections. - [HB 295: Relaxing Educator License Requirements](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-295-relaxing-educator-license-requirements/) - This bill allows individuals who complete certain educator training programs, without receiving a bachelor's degree, to obtain an educator license from the State Board of Education. - [SB 152: Restrictions on Social Media Use by Minors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-152-restrictions-on-social-media-use-by-minors/) - This bill requires social media companies to identify Utah children on the platform by collecting and storing each child’s birthdate and their parent’s address - [SB 121: Legalizing Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-121-legalizing-peer-to-peer-car-sharing/) - This bill makes clear that vehicle owners using peer-to-peer car sharing platforms are not the same as rental car companies. - [HB 216: Improving Business Courts in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-216-improving-business-courts-in-utah/) - This bill would create a specialized court in Utah for business litigation where the plaintiff seeks solely equitable relief or damages of over $300,0000. - [HB 336: Punishment for Manipulating a Phone While Driving](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-336-punishment-for-manipulating-a-phone-while-driving/) - This bill punishes drivers who "manipulate" (use) or even hold their cell phone while operating a vehicle. - [SB 166: Legalize Microschools](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-166-legalize-microschools/) - This bill removes the unfair barriers to open these schools and helps cities know how to say yes to these new and exciting education models. - [SB 254: Criminalizing Drug Dealing as Murder](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-254-criminalizing-drug-dealing-as-murder/) - This bill would create the new crime of drug-induced homicide. - [HB 311: Restrictions on Social Media Use by Minors](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-311-restrictions-on-social-media-use-by-minors/) - This bill would create a division within the government to place restrictions and requirements on social media, forcing the company to act as a parental agent for the state of Utah. - [SB 18: Limiting Lawsuits Against Lawful Speech](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-18-limiting-lawsuits-against-lawful-speech/) - This bill addresses the serious issue of SLAPP suits, (strategic lawsuits against public participation). These suits are often brought by parties with flimsy cases who aim to wear down their opponent’s resources rather than actually win. - [HB 408: Mobile Business Freedom](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-408-mobile-business-freedom/) - This bill takes the successes we’ve had with food truck legislation and expands it to include other types of mobile businesses that function similarly, but sell a good or service instead of food. - [HB 326: Addressing Utah's Physician Shortage](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-326-addressing-utahs-physician-shortage/) - This bill allows an individual to receive a provisional license to practice medicine in the state if the applicant meets certain requirements and holds an equivalent medical license. - [HB 254: Punitive Penalty Enhancement for False Statements](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-254-punitive-penalty-enhancement-for-false-statements/) - This bill would punish lying about ingesting drugs by enhancing the underlying offense by one degree. - [HB 330: Improvements to Competency Proceedings](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-330-improvements-to-competency-proceedings/) - Currently, someone can only be found incompetent if they have an underlying mental illness or intellectual disability. If passed, the bill would also allow someone to be found incompetent based on a brain injury. - [HB 368: Identification Documents for Former Offenders](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-368-identification-documents-for-former-offenders/) - This bill requires the Department of Corrections to help inmates obtain copies of their birth certificate, social security card, and either a driver license or identification card before they are released. - [HB 385: Improvements to Guilty but Mentally Ill Plea](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-385-improvements-to-guilty-but-mentally-ill-plea/) - This bill aims to improve how Utah sentences people who committed crimes while suffering from a serious mental illness. - [SB 200: Medicinal Psilocybin Program for Utahns](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-200-medicinal-psilocybin-program-for-utahns/) - This bill offers Utahns a way to safely access psilocybin for medical use. - [SB 105: Increased Surveillance of Your Vehicle](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-105-increased-surveillance-of-your-vehicle/) - This bill seeks to expand the use of photo radar for enforcement of traffic control violations. - [SB 156: Warrantless DNA Searches](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-156-warrantless-dna-searches/) - This bill enables unconstitutional searches by allowing law enforcement to compel private companies to turn over DNA data. - [SB 174: Streamlining Subdivisions and ADU Clarifications](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-174-streamlining-subdivisions-and-adu-clarifications/) - This bill addresses the housing shortage in a serious and market-friendly way. For example, SB 174 streamlines the process for property owners who wish to subdivide their land and build homes. - [HB 343: Government Records Modifictions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-343-government-records-modifications/) - This bill requires executive agencies to establish and implement best practices to ensure personally identifiable information is handled with care by government agents. - [SB 197: Reduced Regulations for Ketamine](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-197-reduced-regulations-for-ketamine/) - This bill requires a provider to remain on-site and available, but not in the room with a patient when ketamine is administered for nonanesthetic indications. - [SB 226: Protecting Privacy for Vehicle Location Data](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-226-protecting-privacy-for-vehicle-location-data/) - This bill solidifies privacy in electronic data by removing automobiles from the exception to warrant requirement. - [SB 250: Prohibition on Police Surveillance Systems](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-250-prohibition-on-police-surveillance-systems/) - This bill prohibits a governmental entity from implementing technologies to create a public network of surveillance footage. - [HB 504: Requiring a Warrant for Child Welfare Workers to Enter a Home](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb0-504-requiring-a-warrant-for-child-welfare-workers-to-enter-a-home/) - This bill recognizes that the protections of the Fourth Amendment apply not only when police officers investigate a crime, but anytime a government agent searches or seizes property. - [HB 557: Better Oversight for Special Tax Breaks](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-557-better-oversight-on-tifs/) - This bill codifies some of the reform recommendations resulting from a recently conducted audit of TIF by the Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General. - [HB 18: Exempting Bowenwork from Massage Therapy Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-18-exempting-bowenwork-from-massage-therapy-licensure/) - This bill corrects a technical error in Utah's massage therapy licensing law by exempting bowenwork practitioners. - [HB 457: Protecting Personal Information Collected by State Agencies](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-457-protecting-personal-information-collected-by-state-agencies/) - This bill protects the personal information of Utahns collected by state agencies. - [HB 386 & SB 191: Enabling Innovation in Education](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-386-sb-191-enabling-innovation-in-education/) - These bills create an educational environment that is more friendly to innovation by the people who are closest to the programs and students affected by regulatory restrictions. - [HB 372 & HB 407: Weakening Free Speech and Property Rights for Short-term Rentals](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-372-hb-407-weakening-free-speech-and-property-rights-for-short-term-rentals/) - These bills weaken free speech protections and property rights for short-term rentals. - [SB 46: Protecting Employment for Medical Cannabis Cardholders](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-46-protecting-employment-for-medical-cannabis-cardholders/) - This bill will explicitly protect employees who are medical cannabis cardholders in the same way the state protects those with a controlled substance prescription. - [SB 25: Property Tax Relief for Seniors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-25-property-tax-relief-for-seniors/) - This bill would create a property tax deferment program for seniors that would provide needed relief from rising property taxes. - [SB 16: More Oversight for Occupational Licensure Laws](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-16-more-oversight-for-occupational-licensure-laws/) - This bill will create a review board for current and proposed occupational licensure regulations. - [SB 43: Reducing Barriers to Obtaining an Occupational License](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-43-reducing-barriers-to-obtaining-an-occupational-license/) - This bill would reduce barriers to obtaining an occupational license for those coming to Utah internationally or from other states. - [SB 35: Modifications to Clearing Criminal Records](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-35-modifications-to-clearing-criminal-records/) - This technical bill clarifies intent of current expungement law and makes the process less arduous for expungement petitioners. - [HB 147: Repeal and Replace the Death Penalty](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-147-repeal-and-replace-the-death-penalty/) - This bill repeals the death penalty and replaces it with an alternative sentencing option to help prosecutors better achieve justice. - [HB 146: Streamlined Business Licensing for Food Trucks](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-146-streamlined-business-licensing-for-food-trucks/) - This bill streamlines the business licensing process for food trucks to reduce the regulations, costs, and bureaucratic burdens imposed on these micro-entrepreneurs. - [HB 140: Attorney Fees for Successfully Suing the Government](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-140-attorney-fees-for-successfully-suing-the-government/) - This bill allows an individual to be awarded attorney fees if they sue the government and win. - [HB 123: Police Use of Force Accountability](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-123-police-use-of-force-accountability/) - This bill would require police to complete internal use of force investigations within 180 days of the incident, and post findings online. - [HB 124: Creating a Safer Warrant Process](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-124-creating-a-safer-warrant-process/) - This bill takes steps to ensure no-knock and knock and announce warrants are being safely carried out by law enforcement. - [HB 139: Traffic Ticket Forgiveness for Good Behavior](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-139-traffic-ticket-forgiveness-for-good-behavior/) - This bill would allow an individual to defer their traffic citation for remaining traffic ticket-free for one year. - [SB 75: Capping Traffic Ticket Revenue](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-75-capping-traffic-ticket-revenue/) - This bill would cap the amount of traffic revenue a local government can collect to 25% of their base budget. - [HB 167: Psychotherapy Mental Health Task Force](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-167-psychotherapy-mental-health-task-force/) - This bill creates a task force to study the potential use of psychotherapy drugs for mental health. - [HB 171: Prohibiting Law Enforcement from Lying to Kids](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-171-prohibiting-law-enforcement-from-lying-to-kids/) - This bill prevents law enforcement from lying to children during custodial investigations. - [SB 115: Override Local Gun Control Laws](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-115-override-local-gun-control-laws/) - This bill denies local governments the ability to negatively impact people's right to keep and bear arms. - [HB 170: New Taxes for K-12 School Police Officers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-170-new-taxes-for-k-12-school-police-officers/) - This bill would create a new tax to hire more police officers to patrol K-12 schools. - [SB 87: Waiving Court Fees for the Indigent](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-87-waiving-court-fees-for-the-indigent/) - This bill would define indigency with clear guidelines, and ensure it isn't a barrier to access justice in the courts. - [SCR 7: Do Not Assume Spikes in Revenue Continue Forever](https://libertas.institute/bill/scr-7-do-not-assume-spikes-in-revenue-continue-forever/) - This resolution supports the state and local governments treating sudden spikes in revenue as one-time income. - [HB 19: Processing DNA Before Charges Are Filed](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-19-processing-dna-before-charges-are-filed/) - This bill would allow DNA samples collected from suspects after a felony arrest to be processed into a database before a charging decision is made. - [HB 60: Ban on "Immunity Passports" for Private Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-60-ban-on-immunity-passports-for-private-businesses/) - This bill would prohibit private business owners from requiring their employees or customers to be vaccinated for Covid-19. - [SB 120: Eliminating Juvenile Offense Fines and Fees](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-120-eliminating-juvenile-offense-fines-and-fees/) - This bill will remedy the consequences created from juvenile fines and fees by eliminating these fines and fees across the state. - [HB 243: Consolidating and Streamlining Utah's Regulatory Sandboxes](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-243-consolidating-and-streamlining-utahs-regulatory-sandboxes/) - This bill consolidates Utah's insurance and fintech sandboxes into the universal sandbox created last year. - [SJR 4: Blocking Legal Accountability for Government Officials](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr-4-blocking-legal-accountability-for-government-officials/) - This resolution would declare the Legislature’s support for the practice of qualified immunity in Utah. - [HB 125: Making Permanent a Temporary Tax Increase](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-125-making-permanent-a-temporary-tax-increase/) - This bill makes permanent a tax that was supposed to expire this year. - [SB 102: Increased Restrictions on Using Devices While Driving](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-102-increased-restrictions-on-using-devices-while-driving/) - This bill criminalizes people for sending a text or dialing a phone number while in a stopped car. - [SB 135: A Responsible Way to Handle Income Tax Revenue](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-135-a-responsible-way-to-handle-income-tax-revenue/) - This bill addresses Utah's budget surpluses by placing excess income tax funds into a restricted account, rather than just treating it as regular revenue. - [HB 95: Removing Requirements for Green Lawns](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-95-removing-requirements-for-green-lawns/) - This bill prohibits counties, cities, and HOAs from requiring a resident to only plant lawn or turf. - [SB 59: Income Tax Cuts](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-59-income-tax-cuts/) - This bill will amend the corporate franchise and income tax rates, amend the individual income tax rate, and exempt certain pieces of personal property from sales and use tax. - [SB 149: Allowing Stronger Window Tint for Vehicles](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-149-allowing-stronger-window-tint-for-vehicles/) - This bill lowers the allowed vehicle tint for the front two windows from 43% to 25%, letting Utahns use darker tint. - [HB 331: Hope Scholarship Program](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-331-hope-scholarship-program/) - This bill creates a scholarship fund for parents to use for their children's unique educational needs. - [SB 180: Limited Licensure for Some Massage Therapists](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-180-limited-licensure-for-some-massage-therapists/) - This bill lowers the occupational licensure burden for massage therapists who want to perform simple, light-touch massages. - [HB 300: Paving the Way for Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-300-paving-the-way-for-peer-to-peer-car-sharing/) - This bill creates a classification for peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms and prevents double-taxation on participating individuals who have already paid sales taxes on their shared vehicles. - [SB 182: Clearer Rules for Cryptocurrency Custodians and Digital Asset Holders](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-182-clearer-rules-for-cryptocurrency-custodians-and-digital-asset-holders/) - This bill allows financial institutions to act as custodians for digital assets and virtual currencies. It also provides a clear mechanism for establishing property ownership in digital assets and virtual currencies. - [HB 335: Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-335-blockchain-and-digital-innovation-task-force/) - This bill creates an innovation task force to study and develop expertise in blockchain and digital innovations to better inform future regulations. - [HB 340: Legitimizing Law Enforcement's Access to DNA](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-340-legitimizing-law-enforcement-access-to-dna/) - This bill creates a process for law enforcement to request DNA search information from private companies and secretly collect familial DNA. - [SB 198: Government Control of Online Speech](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-198-government-control-of-online-speech/) - This bill changes the way private companies are required to communicate their terms of service and moderate online content. - [SB 199: Clarifying Worker Classification in the Gig Economy](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-199-clarifying-worker-classification-in-the-gig-economy/) - This bill defines the scope of the relationship between gig workers and gig platforms. - [SB 62: Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Expansion](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-62-special-needs-opportunity-scholarship-expansion/) - This bill expands eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship to siblings of qualifying students. - [HB 412: Rewarding Those Who Prevent Recidivism](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-412-rewarding-those-who-prevent-recidivism/) - This bill creates the Adult Probation and Parole Employment Incentive Program. - [HB 341: Clarifying Requirements for Birth Certificate Applications](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-341-clarifying-requirements-for-birth-certificate-applications/) - This bill clarifies what the Department of Health may require of parents to obtain a birth certificate. - [SB 227: Complicating the Patchwork of State Privacy Laws](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-227-complicating-the-patchwork-of-state-privacy-laws/) - This bill creates a barrier to innovation by adding to the patchwork of contradictory state data privacy laws that will take effect in 2023. - [SB 27: Expanding Scope of Practice for Physician Assistants](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-27-expanding-scope-of-practice-for-physician-assistants/) - This bill expands the scope of practice for physician assistants, therefore providing greater and more affordable access to health care for Utahns. - [HB 287: Expanding Prescription Authority for Nurse Practitioners](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-287-expanding-prescription-authority-for-nurse-practitioners/) - This bill would allow nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances without the supervision of a physician. - [SB 28: Increasing Access to Mental Health Care Providers](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-28-increasing-access-to-mental-health-care-providers/) - This bill expands the scope of practice for physician assistants who specialize in mental health, providing greater and more affordable access to mental health care for Utahns. - [SB 138: Over-Criminalizing Riot Offenses](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-138-over-criminalizing-riot-offenses/) - This bill creates additional criminal penalties for rioters. - [HB 439: Protecting Peer-to-Peer Networks](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-439-protecting-peer-to-peer-networks/) - This bill would prohibit regulators from attempting to regulate peer-to-peer car-sharing or rental companies in a similar fashion to a traditional car rental company. - [HCR 23: Committing to a Restorative Criminal Justice System](https://libertas.institute/bill/hcr-23-committing-to-a-restorative-criminal-justice-system/) - This bill supports positive, cost-cutting change to create a restorative criminal justice system. - [HB 401: Improving Fee Transparency](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-401-improving-fee-transparency/) - This bill creates a system for municipal fees to be tracked and reported. - [HB 411: Government Transparency in Sharing of Information](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-411-government-transparency-in-sharing-of-information/) - This bill attempts to increase transparency regarding government's collection of individuals' personal data. - [SB 215: Reforming Sex Offender Registry Requirements](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-215-reforming-sex-offender-registry-requirements/) - This bill allows for certain individuals to be removed from the sex offender registry list. - [HB 243: A Transparent Approach to Protecting Personal Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-243-a-transparent-approach-to-protecting-personal-privacy/) - This bill requires law enforcement to proactively seek public input on surveillance technologies they wish to use. - [SB 228: Government Intervention in Online Speech](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-228-government-intervention-in-online-speech/) - This bill seeks to regulate tech platforms' content moderation policies through a variety of means as well as remove liability protections for digital platforms. - [SB 234: Expanding Course Choice to Middle Schools](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-234-expanding-course-choice-to-middle-schools/) - This bill expands the existing Statewide Online Education Program to the 7th and 8th grades. - [HB 342: Guidelines for Recreational Government Enterprises](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-342-guidelines-for-recreational-government-enterprises/) - This bill establishes certain guidelines for local governments if they wish to compete with private entities in the recreation and entertainment market. - [SB 204: Reducing Regulation in Everyday Life](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-204-reducing-regulation-in-everyday-life/) - This bill establishes consistent standards for the permit application process. - [HB 251: Upholding Fourth Amendment Warrant Requirements](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-251-upholding-fourth-amendment-warrant-requirements/) - This bill requires law enforcement to have a particular suspect before proceeding with a reverse location or keyword search warrant. - [SB 221: Protecting Short-term Rentals](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-221-protecting-short-term-rentals/) - This bill allows all homeowners in Utah the option to rent out a portion of their property to short-term renters so long as the property is owner-occupied. - [SB 206: A Responsible Income Tax Cut](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-206-a-responsible-income-tax-cut/) - This bill would provide for a one-time $256 million income tax cut that would be made permanent if income tax receipts continue to grow at a steady pace. - [SB 219: One-Year Moratorium on Truancy Laws](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-219-one-year-moratorium-on-truancy-laws/) - This bill establishes a one-year moratorium on truancy laws in public education. - [SB 196: Law Enforcement Vetting in Hiring](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-196-law-enforcement-vetting-in-hiring/) - This bill would protect law enforcement agencies from being sued for providing information about former employees to future employers. - [SB 195: Restrictions on Emergency Powers](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-195-restrictions-on-emergency-powers/) - This bill imposes a number of new restrictions on emergency orders, limiting executive authority by empowering legislative bodies to override health orders that restrict people's rights. - [HB 392: Restoring the Failed Vehicle Safety Inspection Program](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-392-restoring-the-failed-vehicle-safety-inspection-program/) - This bill restores Utah's failed mandatory vehicle safety inspection program. - [HB 373: Reducing Criminal Offenses After Conviction](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-373-reducing-criminal-offenses-after-conviction/) - This bill would allow the courts to lower a criminal penalty upon successful completion of parole. - [SB 26 & SB 52: Property Tax Relief for Seniors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-26-sb-52-property-tax-relief-for-seniors/) - With or without the effects of COVID-19, Utah seniors need targeted relief from the increasing burden of property taxes. - [SB 209: Helping Utah Embrace the Future of Work](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-209-helping-utah-embrace-the-future-of-work/) - This bill clarifies existing worker laws to ensure that companies merely serving as a platform to provide work opportunities to Utahns are not mislabeled as that worker's employer. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The gig economy is one of the most promising sectors for Utah over the coming decade. The gig economy will play a vital role in ensuring that people looking for work always have an opportunity to find it. It is important that Utah embraces the future of work, and embodies the principles of a person's right to work by empowering a work-friendly environment that is aware of the future. This clarification in the law is critical for Utah to continue on the path to being a state that generates countless opportunities for its workforce to earn a living. - [SB 98: Changes to Civil Asset Forfeiture](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-98-changes-to-civil-asset-forfeiture/) - This bill makes several changes to civil asset forfeiture law following months of negotiation with law enforcement agencies. - [HB 169: Legislative Control Over Executive Emergency Powers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-169-legislative-control-over-executive-emergency-powers/) - This bill exerts greater control over emergency declarations by the executive branch in state and local government. - [SB 159: Better Criminal Justice Data](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-159-better-criminal-justice-data/) - This bill would task Utah's Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice with creating a plan for criminal justice data collection and communication. - [HB 311: Driving Sentencing Provisions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-311-driving-sentencing-provisions/) - This bill lowers criminal penalties to create consistency between driving with measurable substances and DUI penalties. - [HB 329: Clearing Civil Records](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-329-clearing-arrest-records/) - This bill allows for individuals to delink their names with civil records when the case was dismissed. - [HB 217: Creating a Legal Structure to Encourage Innovation](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-217-creating-a-legal-structure-to-encourage-innovation/) - This bill creates an all-inclusive regulatory sandbox so innovative companies and business models can be shielded temporarily from punishment for coming into conflict with outdated laws or regulations. - [HB 139: Government Employees Can Skip College](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-139-government-employees-can-skip-college/) - This bill would require government agencies to no longer require a college degree as a condition of employment. - [HB 269: Accountability for Jail Deaths](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-269-accountability-for-jail-deaths/) - This bill would waive governmental immunity for jail and prison workers, in some instances, when involved in an inmate death. - [HB 228: Privatizing Booking Photos Until Conviction](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-228-privatizing-booking-photos-until-conviction/) - This bill would prevent an individual's mugshot from being released to the public before any criminal conviction. - [SB 156: Felonizing Package Theft](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-156-felonizing-package-theft/) - This bill would make package theft a felony. - [HB 317: Heightened Standards for Eminent Domain](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-317-heightened-standards-for-eminent-domain/) - This bill requires a local government to provide clear and convincing evidence that taking a property through eminent domain for recreational purposes is truly necessary. - [HB 308: No Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-308-no-mandatory-covid-19-vaccinations/) - This bill ensures that state and local governments may not directly or indirectly require people to take a COVID-19 vaccine. - [HB 143: Preventing Unnecessary Driver's License Suspension](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-143-preventing-unnecessary-drivers-license-suspension/) - This bill stops the state from suspending individuals' driver's licenses for failure to pay court debt and for low-level failure to appear offenses. - [SB 87: Licensure Exemption for Blow Dry Bars](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-87-licensure-exemption-for-blow-dry-bars/) - This bill creates an exemption from occupational licensure for "blow dry bars" or similar services that only wash, dry, and style hair. - [HB 245: Restricting No-Knock Warrants](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-245-restricting-no-knock-warrants/) - This bill restricts no-knock and knock-and-announce warrants. - [SB 170: Reducing Barriers for Medical Cannabis Patients](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-170-reducing-barriers-for-medical-cannabis-patients/) - This bill creates a process whereby doctors can recommend cannabis without having to jump through regulatory hoops. - [HB 290: Reducing Incarceration for Technical Violations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-290-reducing-incarceration-for-technical-violations/) - HB 290 stops the use of incarceration for technical violations on probation and parole. - [HB 183: Occupational Licenses for Experienced Workers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-183-occupational-licenses-for-experienced-workers/) - This bill makes sure workers can get an occupational license in Utah if moving from a state that did not require a license. - [HB 154: Reasonable Reforms for Police Use of Force](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-154-reasonable-reforms-for-police-use-of-force/) - This bill would institute a number of policing reforms regarding the use of force and investigation into officer misconduct. - [SB 126: Informed Plea Deal Decisions](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-126-informed-plea-deal-decisions/) - This bill requires the Sentencing Commission to compile a guide of collateral consequences for criminal offenses. - [HB 229: Accountability in Internal Investigations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-229-accountability-in-internal-investigations/) - This bill requires internal criminal investigations of law enforcement employees to be conducted by an outside agency. - [HB 158: Protecting Kids in Police Investigations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-158-protecting-kids-in-police-investigations/) - This bill protects children's Miranda rights during a law enforcement investigation. - [HB 160: Punishment for Manipulating a Phone While Driving](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-160-punishment-for-manipulating-a-phone-while-driving/) - This bill punishes drivers for manipulating their cell phone while driving. - [HB 159: Free Speech on Campus Does Not Equal Harassment](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-159-free-speech-on-campus-does-not-equal-harassment/) - This bill would restrict a university's ability to adopt overly broad or vague harassment codes that could be used to punish constitutionally protected speech. - [HB 20: DUI Penalty Enhancements](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-20-dui-penalty-enhancements/) - This bill increases penalties for a number of DUI offenses. - [SB 86: Reforms to Utah's "Price-Gouging" Law](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-86-reforms-to-utahs-price-gouging-law/) - This bill reforms the existing price-gouging laws in the state to focus on individuals who are clearly and significantly taking advantage of Utahns during states of emergency. - [HB 116: Excused Absence Without a Doctor's Note](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-116-excused-absence-without-a-doctors-note/) - This bill allows parents to excuse their children from government schools due to an illness without requiring a doctor's note. - [HB 82: Simplifying Accessory Apartments](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-82-simplifying-accessory-apartments/) - Homeowners in Utah should be allowed to convert a portion of their home into an accessory apartment. - [SB 38: Police K-9 Reform](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-38-police-k-9-reform/) - This bill is a workable step toward a more responsible deployment of police dogs, ensuring that both canines and their handlers are properly trained on a yearly basis. - [HB 81: Mental Health as an Excused School Absence](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-81-mental-health-as-an-excused-school-absence/) - This bill allows parents to excuse their children from government schools for issues pertaining to mental health. - [HB 86: Reducing the Double Taxation of Social Security Benefits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-86-reducing-the-double-taxation-of-social-security-benefits/) - Under this bill, certain retirees would receive a non-refundable income tax credit for up to $450 on their social security benefits. - [HB 60: Conceal Carry Without a Permit](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-60-conceal-carry-without-a-permit/) - This bill ensures that Utahns 21 and up do not need a permit to exercise their right to conceal carry a firearm. - [SB 218: Restrictions on Government Use of Facial Recognition](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-218-restrictions-on-government-use-of-facial-recognition/) - This bill restricts the ability of government to use facial recognition technology for law enforcement purposes. - [HB 430: Property Tax Deferrals for Home Owning Seniors](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-430-property-tax-deferrals-for-home-owning-seniors/) - This bill would require counties to make property tax deferrals available to anyone over the age of 65 who owns a home valued below $500,000. - [HB 353: Internal Investigation Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-353-internal-investigation-amendments/) - This bill prevents criminally accused agencies from investigating themselves for those criminal claims. - [HB 265: Transparency for Personal Information](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-265-transparency-for-personal-information/) - This bill would require government agencies to annually report to the state auditor what personally identifying information they collect. - [SB 23: Improving Occupational Licensure Portability](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-23-improving-occupational-licensure-portability/) - This bill loosens licensure portability requirements, making it easier for people newly residing in Utah to get a license to work in their profession. - [SB 107: Lowering Income Taxes Using Revenue Triggers](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-107-lowering-income-taxes-using-revenue-triggers/) - This bill provides for small income tax cuts over time through a revenue trigger tied to Utah's GDP growth and income tax growth. - [HB 290: Improving a Variety of Occupational Licenses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-290-improving-a-variety-of-occupational-licenses/) - This bill reduces licensure requirements for court reporters, hunting guides, and those who manufacture or repair bedding, upholstered furniture, quilted clothing, or filling material. - [SJR 9: A Supermajority Vote to Raise Taxes](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr-9-a-supermajority-vote-to-raise-taxes/) - This bill amends Utah's Constitution to require a 2/3 vote by Utah legislators if they wish to raise taxes. - [HB 229: "Red Flag" Gun Control Law Violating Due Process](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-229-red-flag-gun-control-law-violating-due-process/) - This bill creates a process in which a court may order the forcible removal of a person's firearms based on an ex parte order in which the firearm owner may not defend themselves against the allegations. - [HB 231: Protecting Your DNA Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-231-protecting-your-dna-privacy/) - This bill restricts the government's ability to go on fishing expeditions in databases containing your DNA information. - [SB 41: Exempting Business Inputs from Sales Tax for Oil & Gas Industries](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-41-exempting-business-inputs-from-sales-tax-for-oil-gas-industries/) - This bill would eliminate one form of double taxation in the production of oil and gas by creating a sales tax exemption. - [HB 178: Allowing for a Limited Driver's License](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-178-allowing-for-a-limited-drivers-license/) - This bill allows an individual to appeal the suspension of their license for a first-time DUI, in limited cases. - [HB 164: Improved Property Tax Notice](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-164-improved-property-tax-notice/) - Under this bill, taxpayers would see additional helpful information on their property tax notice. - [SB 35: Property Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-35-property-tax-relief-for-low-income-seniors/) - Under this bill, eligible low-income seniors would qualify for a larger amount of property tax credits. - [HB 181: Reducing Double Taxation of Social Security Benefits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-181-reducing-double-taxation-of-social-security-benefits/) - Under this bill, certain retirees would receive a non-refundable income tax credit for up to $450 on their social security benefits. - [HB 139: Criminalizing the Right to Refuse a DUI Test](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-139-criminalizing-the-right-to-refuse-a-dui-test/) - This bill would make all DUIs strict liability offenses and criminalize a person's right to refuse a chemical drug or alcohol test. - [SB 81: More Cash Rebates and Tax Credits for the Film Industry](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-81-more-cash-rebates-and-tax-credits-for-the-film-industry/) - This bill increases the cash rebates and tax incentives that can be given to film companies. - [SB 85: No Front License Plate? Now You'll Be Pulled Over](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-85-no-front-license-plate-now-youll-be-pulled-over/) - This bill makes the failure to have a front license plate a primary offense, allowing law enforcement to pull you over and give you a ticket. - [HB 198: Exempting Family Farms from Eminent Domain](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-198-exempting-family-farms-from-eminent-domain/) - This bill protects Utahn's family farms from trivial eminent domain takings. - [HB 170: Allowing Stronger Window Tint for Vehicles](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-170-stronger-window-tint-for-vehicles/) - This bill lowers the allowed vehicle tint for the front two windows from 43% to 25%, letting Utahns use darker tint. - [HB 176: Cash for Clunkers for Cleaner Air](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-176-cash-for-clunkers-for-cleaner-air/) - This bill creates a "Cash for Clunkers" program in Utah, giving out taxpayer-funded checks of up to $5,500 to purchase a new vehicle. - [HB 117: Changing Access to Prescription Drug Records](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-117-letting-police-access-medical-records-without-a-warrant/) - This bill removes a requirement for police officers to obtain a warrant before accessing a person's prescription drug history. - [SB 39: Making Taxpayers Subsidize Others' Housing Costs](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-39-making-taxpayers-subsidize-others-housing-costs/) - This bill allocates 30 million taxpayer dollars, and 10 million dollars every year in the future, to be spent on subsidizing "affordable housing" for individuals who qualify. - [HB 146: Preventing Unnecessary Driver License Suspension](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-146-preventing-unnecessary-driver-license-suspension/) - This bill prohibits driver license suspensions for failure to pay court debt, and failure to appear in many non-driving related offenses. - [HB 136: Criminalizing a Minor's Access to Firearms](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-136-criminalizing-a-minors-access-to-firearms/) - This bill would create a criminal penalty for gun owners who do not securely store their firearms in the home so minors may not access them. - [HB 131: Letting Local Government Enact Rent Control](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-131-letting-local-government-enact-rent-control/) - This bill would allow local governments to create "rent control" laws that arbitrarily impose price restrictions on the cost of renting property. - [HB 14: Changes to Utah's Truancy Law](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-14-changes-to-utahs-truancy-law/) - This bill improves parental rights in education by ensuring that truancy punishments do not apply to younger children, and that parents of older children are not criminalized for their truancy. - [SB 31: Restoring Some Mandatory Vehicle Safety Inspections](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-31-restoring-some-mandatory-vehicle-safety-inspections/) - This bill would re-introduce mandatory vehicle safety inspections for vehicles sold by a used car dealer. - [HB 101: Punishment for Manipulating a Phone While Driving](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-101-punishment-for-manipulating-a-phone-while-driving/) - This bill punishes drivers for manipulating their cell phone while driving. - [HB 183: More Privacy for Your Personal Information](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-183-more-privacy-for-your-personal-information/) - This bill passed the house with a vote of 56-16, and passed the senate with a vote of 23-1. Under current law, the personal information about an individual who obtains a driver license is shared with others, including private investigators, insurance agencies, banks, and the tax commission. Your information is also shared with the University - [HB 202: Decriminalizing Local Ordinances](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-202-decriminalizing-local-ordinances/) - This bill stops the criminalization of ordinance violations that aren't harming anyone. - [HB 206: Bail Reform](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-206-bail-reform/) - The bill reinforces Utahn's presumption of innocence by reforming pretrial release practices. - [HB 241: Compulsory Kindergarten in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-241-compulsory-kindergarten-in-utah/) - This bill makes Kindergarten mandatory for 5-year-olds and intervenes into homeschooling families who avoid the government school system for these young children. - [SB 102: Addressing Utah's Unique Human Rights Crisis](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-102-addressing-utahs-unique-human-rights-crisis/) - This bill reduces the level of penalty for polygamy, in order to reduce abuse within communities that live in fear of reporting to law enforcement and integrating into society. - [HB 402: Creating an Insurance Sandbox in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-402-creating-an-insurance-sandbox-in-utah/) - This bill would allow for the creation of an insurance sandbox in the state of Utah. - [SB 171: Protecting Personal Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-171-protecting-personal-privacy/) - This bill prohibits the government from demanding or disclosing a list of donors to a non-profit organization. - [HB 324: Conviction Integrity Units](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-324-conviction-integrity-units/) - This bill establishes guidelines for how prosecutors can set up conviction integrity units to review case that may have been unfairly handled. - [HB 332: Expanding Special Needs Scholarships](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-332-expanding-special-needs-scholarships/) - This bill creates a scholarship program so families of special needs children can provide them the best education possible. - [SB121: More Medical Cannabis Program Tweaks](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb121-more-medical-cannabis-program-tweaks/) - This bill makes a number of improvements to Utah's medical cannabis program, including removing blister packs, allowing for past medical cannabis charges to be expunged, and changing Utah's metabolite law. - [SB 95 & SB 96: More Funding for Economic and Workforce Development](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-95-sb-96-more-funding-for-economic-and-workforce-development/) - These bills remove USTAR from code and move $15 million of funding to economic and workforce development programs. - [HB 288: Prosecutorial Transparency](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-288-prosecutorial-transparency/) - This bill requires criminal justice agencies to collect and report data about the cases they process. - [HB 262: Keeping Children Out of State Detention](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-262-keeping-children-out-of-state-detention/) - This bill prevents most children who are 12 or younger from being kept in state detention for crimes. - [HB 261: Limiting Eminent Domain](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-261-limiting-eminent-domain/) - This bill further limits the government's ability to take land and property for uses that are not absolutely necessary for the public need. - [HB 57: Protecting Your Digital Data with a Warrant](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-57-protecting-your-digital-data-with-a-warrant/) - This bill ensures that information you send through a 3rd party (e.g. Dropbox or your cell phone company's servers) is considered your private data and is only accessible by law enforcement with a warrant. - [HB 13: Criminalizing the Holding of a Cell Phone While Driving](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-13-criminalizing-the-holding-of-a-cell-phone-while-driving/) - This bill criminalizing the holding of a cell phone while driving a vehicle. Utahns may only use voice-enabled phones while driving under this proposal. - [SB 42: Partial Elimination of the Annual Tax on Business Supplies](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-42-partial-elimination-of-the-annual-tax-on-business-supplies/) - Instead of counting up tables and chairs, businesses should be allowed to focus on delivering the best product or service for their customers. Utah needs to remove these hurdles for small businesses and help them thrive. - [SB 45: Classifying Animal Abuse as Domestic Violence](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-45-classifying-animal-abuse-as-domestic-violence/) - This bill attempts to expand the current domestic violence law by adding another offense: "aggravated cruelty to an animal." - [HB 52: Bringing Notaries into the 21st Century](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-52-bringing-notaries-into-the-21st-century/) - This bill would allow you to get a document notarized electronically while interacting with a notary through a video chat, rather than in person. - [HB 87: Criminalizing a Minor's Access to Firearms](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-87-criminalizing-a-minors-access-to-firearms/) - This bill died in committee. There are many instances in which minors have used a firearm in self-defense. Unfortunately, these examples would be subject to criminal prosecution in the future under new legislation that has been introduced. House Bill 87, sponsored by Representative Elizabeth Weight, would make it a class B misdemeanor to store a - [HB 94: Protecting the Right to Carry Firearms](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-94-protecting-the-right-to-carry-firearms/) - This bill protects the right of an intoxicated person to carry firearms under certain circumstances. - [HB 90: Occupational Licensure Clarity for Prior Criminals](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-90-occupational-licensure-clarity-for-criminals/) - This bill gives individuals with a criminal record an opportunity to determine whether they qualify for an occupational license. - [HB 114: A Stand Your Ground Law in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-114-a-stand-your-ground-law-in-utah/) - This bill protects a person's right to defend themselves using force even if safety could be achieved by retreating. - [HB 121: Medical Autonomy for Terminal Patients](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-121-medical-autonomy-for-terminal-patients/) - This bill allows a terminal patient to legally access a life-ending drug in limited circumstances. - [HB 101: Legalizing the Use of Autonomous Vehicles](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-101-legalizing-the-use-of-autonomous-vehicles/) - This bill sets up the legal infrastructure for autonomous vehicles to be able to operate on Utah's roadways. - [HB 104: Decreased Regulatory Barriers for Therapy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-104-decreased-regulatory-barriers-for-therapy/) - This bill reduces regulatory barriers that stand in the way between licensed therapists and those who need their services. - [HB 59: Barriers to Government Competing with Private Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-59-barriers-to-government-competing-with-private-businesses/) - Government should maintain a level playing field for private industry—not compete with it. This bill is a step in that direction. - [HB 69: Streamlined Legal Notices](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-69-streamlined-legal-notices/) - Legal notices shouldn't have to be publicly advertised if the entity doing the noticing knows precisely where to find and communicate with the person to be noticed. - [SB 71: Repealing Redundant Business Licenses for Food Trucks](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-71-repealing-redundant-business-licenses-for-food-trucks/) - This bill eliminates redundant, duplicative business licenses that food truck owners are currently required to obtain. - [HB 170: Criminalizing the Failure to Call 911](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-170-criminalizing-the-failure-to-call-911/) - This bill criminalizes the failure to call 911 during a crime or emergency in which somebody is suffering serious bodily injury. - [HB 34: Doubling Down on Violating Free Association](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-34-doubling-down-on-violating-free-association/) - This bill compels a private organization engaging in limited political spending to publish its donors' information on a public, government list. - [HB 40: Reducing and Repealing Some Criminal Penalties](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-40-reducing-and-repealing-some-criminal-penalties/) - This bill decriminalizes sodomy and adultery and modifies penalties related to a number of crimes. - [HB 180: Agricultural and Property Protections](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-180-agricultural-and-property-protections/) - This bill creates property rights protections to avoid eminent domain abuse and ensure that legal protections are intact for certain property owners. - [HB 182: Butter and Cream from Raw Milk](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-182-butter-and-cream-from-raw-milk/) - This bill allows butter and cream made from raw milk to be sold in Utah. - [SB 103: Increased Criminal Penalties for Discriminating Against Victims](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-103-increased-criminal-penalties-for-discriminating-against-victims/) - This bill would automatically increase penalties for a crime merely because the offender had a "belief" or "perception" about the victim. - [SJR 3: Constitutional Amendment to Reduce a Burdensome Tax](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr-3-constitutional-amendment-to-reduce-a-burdensome-tax/) - This bill passed the Senate 21-8 and was not heard in the House. Senate Bill 42, sponsored by Senator Dan McCay, aims to enact important policy changes for the Tangible Personal Property tax that imposes heavy compliance burdens on business owners. Those changes cannot take place without an amendment to Utah's Constitution. So Senator McCay - [HB 190: Creating Liability for Somebody Else's Use of a Firearm](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-190-creating-liability-for-somebody-elses-use-of-a-firearm/) - This bill makes a firearm owner liable for damage caused by their firearm if they share it with another person whose conduct is a felony. - [HB 156: Limiting Body Cavity Searches](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-156-limiting-body-cavity-searches/) - This bill creates safety standards for body cavity searches. - [SB 96: Guardrails Around Medicaid Expansion](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-96-guardrails-around-medicaid-expansion/) - This bill places some restraints on the state's implementation of Medicaid expansion in order to seek a federal waiver and implement caps to ensure the state budget is not unexpectedly affected. - [SB 107: Keeping the Peace Without Restricting Rights](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-107-keeping-the-peace-without-restricting-rights/) - This bill restricts government from charging individuals for onerous property violations that don't actually bother neighbors. - [HB 120: Overreaction in the Name of School Safety](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-120-overreaction-in-the-name-of-school-safety/) - This bill proposes to spend $100 million on school safety efforts (which aren't defined in law), and sets up a central database with students' information that law enforcement can access. - [HB 209: Removal of Firearms for Alleged Risk to Self or Others](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-209-removal-of-firearms-for-alleged-risk-to-self-or-others/) - This bill creates a process in which a court may order the forcible removal of a person's firearms based on an ex parte order in which the firearm owner may not defend themselves against the allegations. - [SB 109: Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-109-civil-asset-forfeiture-reform/) - This bill enacts several restrictions on civil asset forfeiture in order to minimize government abuse. - [HB 207: Remove the Front License Plate Requirement](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-207-remove-the-front-license-plate-requirement/) - This bill would remove the front license plate requirement. - [HB 222: Reducing Double-Taxation of Social Security Benefits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-222-reducing-double-taxation-of-social-security-benefits/) - Under this bill, certain retirees would be provided a non-refundable tax credit equal to 4.95% of the social security benefit. - [HB 226: Competency-Based Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-226-competency-based-licensure/) - This bill creates an alternative pathway to licensure by allowing a person to demonstrate their competency in their chosen occupation instead of sitting through a required number of hours of school. - [HB 243: Self-Defense for Domestic Violence Victims](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-243-self-defense-for-domestic-violence-victims/) - This bill would allow a person who is issued a protective order to conceal carry a firearm for up to 120 days after the order was issued, without needing a concealed firearm permit. - [HB 252: Electronic Cigarette Taxes and Regulations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-252-electronic-cigarette-taxes-and-regulations/) - This bill passed the House 54-20 and did not receive a vote in the Senate. For several years, Representative Paul Ray has sponsored legislation to enact a heavy tax on electronic cigarettes and their supplies. This year, the bill is House Bill 252. HB 252 would assess an 86% tax on electronic cigarettes, the liquid - [HJR 18: Zero-Based Budgeting Use in Legislative Subcommittees](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr-18-zero-based-budgeting-use-in-legislative-subcommittees/) - Instead of starting the budgeting process with last year's budget and simply adding (and very rarely subtracting) to it, legislative committees should start fresh—from zero. - [HB 244: One Day Misdemeanor Reduction](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-244-one-day-misdemeanor-reduction/) - This bill lowers Utah's sentence length for a class A misdemeanor penalty by one day in order to prevent the deportation of legal immigrants. - [SB 132: Allowing Regular Beer in Grocery and Convenience Stores](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-132-allowing-regular-beer-in-grocery-and-convenience-stores/) - Current protectionist policies allow government-owned liquor stores to sell beer above a certain alcohol limit, but not grocery and convenience stores. As of this April, Utah will be one of only two states that restrict grocery stores to selling 3.2% alcohol. - [SB 43: First-Degree Felony for Distributing Deathly Drugs](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-43-first-degree-felony-for-distributing-deathly-drugs/) - This bill makes several changes to criminal law, including making it a first degree felony to cause the death of another person as a result of distributed drugs. - [HB 278: Removing State Licensure for Court Reporters](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-278-removing-state-licensure-for-court-reporters/) - This bill replaces a state licensing requirement with a certification process for court reporters. - [HB 84: Using Taxpayer Money to Fund Rural Development](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-84-using-taxpayer-money-to-fund-rural-development/) - This bill expands existing grant programs for rural economic development. - [HB 289: Stronger Tint for Vehicle Windows](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-289-stronger-tint-for-vehicle-windows/) - This bill lowers the window tint limit to 25%—meaning that drivers could legally operate with darker tint on their front side windows. - [HB 293: Undermining Plea in Abeyance](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-293-undermining-plea-in-abeyance/) - Plea in abeyances would be treated as convictions under HB 293 for the purpose of imposing harsher sentences for future crimes. - [HB 287: Criminalizing Consensual Sexual Activity](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-287-criminalizing-consensual-sexual-activity/) - This bill would criminalize professors, teaching assistants and those in positions of power at higher education institutions if they engage in sexual activity with a student. - [HB 295: Cash for Clunkers for Cleaner Air](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-295-cash-for-clunkers-for-cleaner-air/) - This bill creates a "Cash for Clunkers" program in Utah, giving out taxpayer-funded checks of up to $5,500 to purchase a new vehicle. - [SB 111: Taxpayer-Funded Grants for Electric Battery Storage](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-111-taxpayer-funded-grants-for-electric-battery-storage/) - This bill provides taxpayer-funded grants to purchase electric battery storage in the home or office. - [SB 161: Medical Cannabis Minor Fixes](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-161-medical-cannabis-minor-fixes/) - This bill makes several technical and minor revisions to Utah's medical cannabis law. - [SB 160: Body Camera Transparency](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-160-body-camera-transparency/) - This bill requires police officers to keep body cameras on when consulting with other officers or supervisors. - [HB 311: Government Accountability](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-311-government-accountability/) - This bill aims to fix numerous issues with the current immunity law in order to keep government accountable. - [HB 336: Lifting Some Restrictions on Nurse Practitioners](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-336-lifting-some-restrictions-on-nurse-practitioners/) - This bill allows nurse practitioners to prescribe schedule II drugs. - [HB 354: A Freer Market for Peer-to-Peer Apps](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-354-a-freer-market-for-peer-to-peer-apps/) - This bill creates a new regulatory approach for peer-to-peer companies and exempts incidental commercial activity at an airport from regulation. - [SB 177: Expanding Special Needs Scholarships](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-177-expanding-special-needs-scholarships/) - This bill creates a scholarship program so families of special needs children can provide them the best education possible. - [HB 324: Criminalizing Adult Tobacco Use](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-324-criminalizing-adult-tobacco-use/) - This bill would criminalize 19 and 20-year-olds for possessing and using tobacco products. - [SB 171: More Cash Rebates and Tax Credits for the Film Industry](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-171-more-cash-rebates-and-tax-credits-for-the-film-industry/) - This bill would increase tax incentives for film production while expanding the program to include post-production work. - [HB 362: Protecting Medical Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-362-protecting-medical-privacy/) - This bill would require the state to purge identifying information about an individual in the drug database after 24 months. - [SB 188: Prohibiting Pelvic Examinations on Sedated or Unconscious Women](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-188-prohibiting-pelvic-examinations-on-sedated-or-unconscious-women/) - This bill prohibits pelvic examinations of unconscious or sedated women by a physician or medical student without the woman's consent. - [HB 376: Restrictions on Suspension of Driver Licenses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-376-restrictions-on-suspension-of-driver-licenses/) - This bill would limit the circumstances when the state could suspend an individual's driver license. - [SB 179: Improving the Truth in Taxation Process](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-179-improving-the-truth-in-taxation-process/) - This bill alters the Truth in Taxation process for property tax increases to ensure there is transparency and accountability. - [SB 154: Nearly Tripling the Tax on Phones](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-154-nearly-tripling-the-tax-on-phones/) - The state currently charges a "fee" on all phones that is used to fund 911 systems. Senate Bill 154 being run by Senator Wayne Harper increases this "fee" from 9 cents to 25 cents, nearly tripling the tax. - [SB 186: Proof of Vehicle Insurance Modifications](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-186-proof-of-vehicle-insurance-modifications/) - This bill loosens the restrictions on providing proof of vehicle insurance to law enforcement. - [HB 357: Shifting Personal Responsibility on Taxpayers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-357-shifting-personal-responsibility-on-taxpayers/) - This bill appropriates $14 million in taxpayer dollars to pay individuals to replace wood-burning heaters in their homes. - [HB 378: Regulatory Sandbox for Market Innovation](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-378-regulatory-sandbox-for-market-innovation/) - This bill sets up a pathway for financial and peer-to-peer technologies to petition for relief from onerous regulations that poorly apply to their models. - [HB 392: Telemedicine in Medicaid](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-392-telemedicine-in-medicaid/) - This bill codifies what Medicaid often does already, in providing reimbursement for the use of telehealth services along with normal services. - [SB 213: Blockchain Technology Task Force](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-213-blockchain-technology-task-force/) - This bill clarifies that the exchange of blockchain tokens does not constitute money transmission and therefore require a license. It also creates a task force of relevant stakeholders to discuss blockchain applications to government processes. - [SB 56: Transparency in Local Economic Development](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-56-transparency-in-local-economic-development/) - This bill requires cities counties to produce a transparency website showing tax exemptions they provide to favored businesses. - [SB 102: A Better Way to Fund Higher Education Building Projects](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-102-a-better-way-to-fund-higher-education-building-projects/) - This bill requires a new funding model for higher education institutions to minimize incentives to create expansive and expensive new buildings. - [SB 214: Property Tax Relief and Modernizing Water Funding](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-214-property-tax-relief-and-modernizing-water-funding/) - This bill curtails property tax subsidies in many of Utah's water districts, while exempting smaller water districts that face a more complex water reality. - [SB 52: How Much Water Does Utah Use?](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-52-how-much-water-does-utah-use/) - This bill gradually requires the use of secondary water metering to eventually help consumers understand their water usage better, allowing them to better conserve if they want. - [HB 438: Prohibiting Self-Incrimination with Biometric Phone Access](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-438-prohibiting-self-incrimination-with-biometric-phone-access/) - This bill prohibits law enforcement from using a person's biometric information, such as a fingerprint of facial scan, to access the person's electronic device. - [HB 431: Automatic Expungement for Certain Cases](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-431-automatic-expungement-for-certain-cases/) - This bill would help thousands of people by automatically expunging records of those with a past low-level criminal history. - [SB 231: Judicial Sentencing Discretion](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-231-judicial-sentencing-discretion/) - This bill would allow judges to lower a minimum sentence by up to 50% of what the law dictates, on a case by case basis. - [HB 158: Free Speech on Campus Does Not Equal Harassment](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-158-free-speech-on-campus-does-not-equal-harassment/) - This bill would restrict a university's ability to adopt overly broad or vague harassment codes that could be used to punish constitutionally protected speech. - [HB 323: Exempting Bowenwork from Massage Therapy Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-323-exempting-bowenwork-from-massage-therapy-licensure/) - This bill exempts bowenwork practitioners from Utah's massage therapy licensure laws. - [HB 129: A Stand Your Ground Gun Law in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-129-a-stand-your-ground-gun-law-in-utah/) - This bill clarifies that a person is not required to retreat to safety if confronted with a threat they choose to defend themselves against. - [HB 64: Unreasonable Restrictions on Cell Phone Use](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-64-unreasonable-restrictions-on-cell-phone-use/) - This bill would prohibit you from making or receiving phone calls while driving unless you only used hands-free technology to do so. - [HB 88: An 86% Tax on E-Cigarettes and Supplies](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-88-an-86-tax-on-e-cigarettes-and-supplies/) - This bill would impose a crushing 86% tax on e-cigarettes and supplies. - [HB 82: Protecting the Rights of College Students](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-82-protecting-the-rights-of-college-students/) - This bill establishes requirements for public universities to add protections for students involved in policy violation procedures. - [HB 116: Protection of Student Civil Liberties](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-116-protection-of-student-civil-liberties/) - This bill targets policies of state colleges to protect students civil liberties - [HB 144: Stop Suspending Driver Licenses Due to Non-Driving Drug Offenses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-144-stop-suspending-driver-licenses-due-to-drugs/) - This law would put an end to the practice where those guilty of a drug offense have their driver license suspended, even if they weren't driving at the time of the offense. - [SB 65: Protect "Free-Range" Parenting](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-65-protect-free-range-parenting/) - This bill passed the House and the Senate with unanimous votes. Two years ago, Senator Mike Lee successfully passed an amendment ensuring that the federal government may not “expose parents to civil or criminal charges for allowing their child to responsibly and safely travel to and from school by a means the parents believe is age appropriate.” - [HB 62: Helping Ensure Just Compensation for Eminent Domain Takings](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-62-helping-ensure-just-compensation-for-eminent-domain-takings/) - This bill aims to protect landowners affected by eminent domain by ensuring they receive just compensation. - [SB 28: Requiring Government Entity Transparency](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-28-requiring-government-entity-transparency/) - This bill will require further transparency for taxpayer funded entities which often operate without oversight and public awareness. - [HB 19: Right to Shop for Health Care Services](https://libertas.institute/bill/right-to-shop/) - This bill requires Utah's public employee insurance program to create savings reward programs to allow government employees to shop for low cost health care service options. - [HB 79: Private Attorneys](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-79-private-attorneys-general-incentivizing-the-protection-of-liberty/) - This bill would allow the courts to consider a request for compensation in limited cases where private citizens have successfully defended the important rights of the public. - [HB 36: Free Speech Trumps Government Interests](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-36-free-speech-trumps-government-interests/) - Just because a local government disagrees with you doesn't give it the power to impede your free speech rights. This bill makes this abundantly clear and reinforces the constitutional rights of any U.S. citizen. - [SB 63: Exempting Common Fundraising from Bureaucratic Oversight](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-63-exempting-common-fundraising-from-bureaucratic-oversight/) - This bill legalizes common fundraising for friends and family, where under currently law you often have to register and report to the bureaucrats. - [HB 161: Removing a Punishment for Failure to Display Vehicle Registration](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-161-removing-a-punishment-for-failure-to-display-vehicle-registration/) - This bill eliminates the potential for being fined if you don't have your vehicle registration with you when pulled over by a police officer. - [HB 181: Legalizing Micro-Entrepreneurship Using Homemade Food](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-181-legalizing-micro-entrepreneurship-using-homemade-food/) - Homemade food shared with others would no longer be subject to heavy regulation provided the consumer knows it isn't inspected by the government. - [SB 86: Increased Criminal Penalties for Discriminating Against Victims](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-86-increased-criminal-penalties-for-perception-of-victims/) - This bill would automatically increase penalties for a crime merely because the offender had a "belief" or "perception" about the victim. - [SB 20: Ending the Flood of Class B Misdemeanors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-20-ending-the-flood-of-class-b-misdemeanors/) - This bill not only addresses the plague of over-criminalization, but also addresses one of the chief causes of a bloated amount of misdemeanor offenses. - [HB 83: Restrictions on Forcible Entry Warrants](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-83-restrictions-on-forcible-entry-warrants/) - By adding increased safety measures to high-risk searches, this bill aims to protect both police and individuals from unnecessary violence. - [SB 33: Allowing for Post-Conviction DNA Testing](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-33-allowing-for-post-conviction-dna-testing/) - This bill would nix an unnecessary and restrictive rule pertaining to DNA evidence testing that could exonerate a wrongfully accused individual. - [HB 102: Felonies and Use of Force](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-102-felonies-and-use-of-force/) - This bill ensures that even alleged felons can defend themselves against aggression that is unrelated to their criminal activity. - [SB 54: Increasing the Marriage License Fee](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-54-increasing-the-marriage-license-fee/) - This bill increases the marriage license fee by $20, and returns the money if the couple takes several hours of premarital counseling or education. - [HB 196: Mandate to Allow Breastfeeding in Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-196-mandate-to-allow-breastfeeding-in-businesses/) - This bill forces businesses in Utah to allow women to breastfeed on their property. - [HB 210: Allowing Terminally Ill Patients Access to End-of-Life Options](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-210-allowing-terminally-ill-patients-access-to-end-of-life-options/) - This bill provides a legal framework whereby physicians can provide terminal patients with life-ending drugs without facing punishment. - [SB 108: Lowering the Barrier to Raw Milk](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-108-lowering-the-barrier-to-raw-milk/) - This bill lowers the regulations and burdens placed upon cow owners in Utah who wish to sell their raw milk to others. - [HB 195: Medical Cannabis on One's Death Bed](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-195-medical-cannabis-on-ones-death-bed/) - This bill purports to give Utahns who face imminent death some state-grown cannabis for medical use. - [SB 102: Stronger Tint for Vehicle Windows](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-102-stronger-tint-for-vehicle-windows/) - This bill would allow drivers to install stronger tint on their front side vehicle windows. - [HB 197: State Monopoly of Marijuana Production](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-197-state-monopoly-of-marijuana-production/) - This bill would set up a single monopoly to grow cannabis in the state for academic or medical research. It's five years too late. - [SB 99: Classifying Animal Abuse as Domestic Violence](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-99-classifying-animal-abuse-as-domestic-violence/) - This bill unnecessarily expands domestic violence law to include acts of animal abuse. - [SB 91: Expanding Animal Abuse Definitions](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-91-expanding-animal-abuse-definitions/) - This bill attempts to add arbitrarily and oddly specific rules to animal abuse law. - [SB 71: Paving the Way for More Toll Roads](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-71-paving-the-way-for-more-toll-roads/) - This bill pushes forward an alternative transportation funding source via toll roads to align funding needs with a user fee. - [HB 234: Clarifying Illnesses for Excusal from School](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-234-clarifying-illnesses-for-excusal-from-school/) - This bill would clarify in state law that parents may excuse their children from school not only for physical illness, but mental illness as well. - [HB 242: Removing Arbitrary Limits on Pets](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-242-removing-arbitrary-limits-on-pets/) - This bill protects property rights while allowing a person to have any number of animals so long as they do not create a nuisance for neighbors. - [SB 16: Subsidizing Government by Increasing Fees](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-16-subsidizing-government-by-increasing-fees/) - This bill unfairly increases the fees for concealed firearm permits and other background check services even though these people already are subsidizing government activity with the current fee amount. - [HB 173: Occupational Licensure Portability](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-173-occupational-licensure-reciprocity/) - This bill allows people licensed in a profession by another state to more easily obtain a license in that same profession in Utah. - [HB 217: Legalizing Personal Delivery Devices](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-217-legalizing-personal-delivery-devices/) - This bill legalizes the operation of low-speed autonomous delivery vehicles that navigate along sidewalks and crosswalks. - [HB 84: Making Felony Fleeing a Predicate Offense to Murder](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-84-making-felony-fleeing-a-predicate-offense-to-murder/) - This bill expands the definition of what acts can be classified as first-degree murder. - [HB 248: Compensatory Service in Lieu of a Fine](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-248-compensatory-service-in-lieu-of-a-fine/) - Providing Utahns with an alternative option to paying a fine, this bill especially benefits low-income people. - [HB 170: Removing Occupational Cost Barriers to Entry](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-170-removing-occupational-cost-barriers-to-entry/) - This bill waives occupational license fees for those on government assistance, reducing the barrier to entry for those who want to work. - [SB 58: Lowering Penalties for Failure to Appear](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-58-lowering-penalties-for-failure-to-appear/) - This bill would repeal a crime that makes it a class B misdemeanor for failure to appear in court. - [SB 104: Removing More Money From K-12 Education](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-104-removing-more-money-from-k-12-education/) - Last year $815 million flowed out of the education fund into bloated college and university budgets. This bill takes another $2.5 million and appropriates it for a Higher Education program. - [HJR 9: A Constitutional Amendment to Protect Digital Privacy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr-9-a-constitutional-amendment-to-protect-digital-privacy/) - This bill amends Utah's Constitution to make clear that electronic data is afforded the same presumption of privacy as paper-based data. - [SB 57: Increasing Penalties for Killing Police Service Animals](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-57-increasing-penalties-for-killing-police-service-animals/) - This bill would increase legal penalties for those who kill a police service animal. - [SB 129: Lowering the Barrier to Entry for Private Investigators](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-129-lowering-the-barrier-to-entry-for-private-investigators/) - This bill cuts in half the amount of time one must have in experience to start their own private investigator business. - [HB 265: Body Camera Retention](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-265-body-camera-retention/) - This bill makes clear that private companies may not retain body camera footage if they assert an ownership interest in the video. - [HB 280: Occupational Licensure Review](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-280-occupational-licensure-review/) - This bill requires state agencies to review licensure laws and identify areas where the regulatory burden can be decreased. - [HB 276: Reducing Double-Taxation of Social Security Benefits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-276-reducing-double-taxation-of-social-security-benefits/) - This bill reduces the tax burden on retirees relying on social security benefits. - [HB 184: Driver License Form Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-184-driver-license-form-amendments/) - Obtaining a driver license will be a simpler process for numerous individuals if HB 184 is passed. - [HB 309: First-Degree Felony for Drug Distributors that Lead to Death](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-309-first-degree-felony-for-drug-distributors-that-lead-to-death/) - This bill would impose a first degree felony on a drug dealer if they sell to a person who fatally overdoses on the drug. - [HB 283: Imposing Anti-Discrimination Law on Small Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-283-imposing-anti-discrimination-law-on-small-businesses/) - This bill eliminates an exemption from anti-discrimination law for small businesses. - [SB 122: Preventing School Boards from Bonding Beyond Voter Approval](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-122-preventing-school-boards-from-bonding-beyond-voter-approval/) - This bill says that if the school district needs a certain amount for buildings, they must ask for that amount, rather than using the bond market to produce extra money for the school district. - [HB 284: Informing Juries to Ensure Justice](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-284-informing-juries-to-ensure-justice/) - The bill would establish that a defendant in a criminal case can ask the judge to provide the jury with an instruction about the jury's power to find a defendant not guilty when a guilty verdict would be manifestly unjust. - [HB 271: Barriers to Government Competing with Private Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-271-barriers-to-government-competing-with-private-businesses/) - This bill requires municipalities to jump through some hoops, such as commissioning a market impact study, prior to approving a new government enterprise that competes with a private market alternative. - [SB 56: Autonomous Platooning Truck Technology](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-56-autonomous-platooning-truck-technology/) - This bill allows the trucking industry an exemption from current laws that would prevent truckers from using this automated platooning technology to the fullest. - [HB 296: Raising the Tobacco Age Restrictions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-296-raising-the-tobacco-age-restrictions/) - This bill would raise the age of tobacco use and possession. - [HB 302: Allowing Hemp Research](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-302-allowing-hemp-research/) - This bill sets up a pilot program whereby Utahs can grow, process, and market industrial hemp. - [HJR 11: Zero-Based Budgeting Use in Legislative Subcommittees](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr-11-zero-based-budgeting-use-in-legislative-subcommittees/) - Instead of starting the budgeting process with last year's budget and simply adding (and very rarely subtracting) to it, legislative committees should start fresh—from zero. - [HB 301: Legal Notice Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-301-legal-notice-amendments/) - This bill allows for more options in delivering legal notices. - [HB 260: Giving Easier Access to Law Enforcement for Private Medical Records](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-260-giving-easier-access-to-law-enforcement-for-private-medical-records/) - This bill allows law enforcement officers to circumvent a requirement to obtain a warrant to access a person's private medical information. - [SB 146: Taxpayer Subsidy for a Tech Summit](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-146-taxpayer-subsidy-for-a-tech-summit/) - This bill gives $1 million in tax revenue to Silicon Slopes to market its conference. - [HB 125: Criminal Punishment for Not Calling 911](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-125-criminal-punishment-for-not-calling-911/) - This bill criminalizes the failure to call 911 during a crime or emergency in which somebody is suffering serious bodily injury. - [SB 30: Applying the Death Penalty to More Cases](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-30-applying-the-death-penalty-to-more-cases/) - This bill passed the Senate with a vote of 22-3 and the House with a vote of 39-29. The death penalty is a costly and convoluted punishment that does not deter crime and is often unjustly applied to innocent people. We have previously encouraged Utahns to rethink our approach to capital punishment. Senate Bill 30, - [HB 330: Criminalizing Recording Private Conversations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-330-criminalizing-recording-private-conversations/) - This bill would make it a third degree felony to record a private conversation you have with others, unless you meet a few limited exemptions. - [SB 154: Prohibiting Police Quotas in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-154-prohibiting-police-quotas-in-utah/) - This bill abolishes police quotas in Utah. - [HB 328: Firearms and Intoxication](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-328-firearms-and-intoxication/) - This bill protects the right to keep and bear arms under select circumstances while intoxicated. - [HB 336: Limiting Fees on Fines](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-336-limiting-fees-on-fines/) - This bill limits the amount of late fees that can be charged on infraction and misdemeanor fines. - [HB 327: Tax Dollars to Help Rural Utahns Find Online Work](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-327-tax-dollars-to-help-rural-utahns-find-online-work/) - This bill would use tax dollars to fund a pilot program for rural Utahns to find online employment. - [HB 335: More Access to Apprentices for an Occupational License](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-335-more-access-to-apprentices-for-an-occupational-license/) - This bill reduces burdensome licensure requirements for apprentices looking to get involved in the hair care industry. - [SB 136: The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Strikes Back](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-136-the-utah-transit-authority-uta-strikes-back/) - In addition to other tax and fee increases, this bill forces a huge tax increase on Utahns who already voted against it by overturning Prop 1. - [SB 158: Enforcing the Exemption for Home-Based Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-158-enforcing-the-exemption-for-home-based-businesses/) - This bill enacts stricter protections for home-based business owners to receive an exemption from paying a fee, since so many cities have refused to follow last year's law. - [SB 167: Food Truck Freedom, Take Two](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-167-food-truck-freedom-take-two/) - This bill adds further restrictions on cities looking to regulate food trucks, following numerous violations of last year's law. - [SB 62: Easing Eligibility on Expungements](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-62-easing-eligibilty-on-expungements/) - This bill relaxes current statute to make it somewhat easier to become eligible for expungement, not only for prior offenses, but for a prior arrest that does not result in prosecution. - [HB 369: The Tesla Carve-Out](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-369-the-tesla-carve-out/) - This bill exempts Tesla from the current protectionist laws that prohibit vehicle manufacturers from selling their cars directly to Utahns. - [SB 172: Greater Flexibility in Administering Medicaid](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-172-greater-flexibility-in-administering-medicaid/) - This bill instructs the Utah Department of Health to seek waivers designed to allow for more flexibility in how this welfare program is administered. - [HB 293: A $125 Million Property Tax Increase](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-293-a-125-million-property-tax-increase/) - This bill would create a massive property tax increase by freezing the basic rate. By 2022, it would balloon to over $125 million in added taxes per year. - [HB 379: Repeal of the Death Penalty](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-379-repeal-of-the-death-penalty/) - This bill would repeal the death penalty. - [HB 375: Reducing the Annual Tax on Business Supplies](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-375-reducing-the-annual-tax-on-business-supplies/) - This bill provides a tax decrease to small businesses and removes much of the onerous paperwork and reporting that is currently required when reporting business supplies. - [HB 371: A Glimpse into the Future with Driverless Cars](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-371-a-glimpse-into-the-future-with-driverless-cars/) - This bill authorizes the use of autonomous vehicles on Utah roads. - [HB 374: Attracting Exporting Companies to Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-374-attracting-exporting-companies-to-utah/) - This bill allows the use of an elective single sales factor for corporate income taxes in order to create a more business friendly climate in Utah. - [HB 392: Correcting a Bad Supreme Court Ruling](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-392-correcting-a-bad-supreme-court-ruling/) - This bill directly confronts a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling, based on an incident occurring in Utah, that allows police officers to illegally stop people and see them prosecuted for any contraband they might find. - [HB 391: Limiting Lobbying by Government Employees](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-391-limiting-lobbying-by-government-employees/) - This bill prohibits certain government employees from lobbying legislators or taking a position on legislation. - [HB 397: Allowing for a Limited Driver License](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-397-allowing-for-a-limited-driver-license/) - This bill allows an individual to appeal the suspension of their license for a first-time DUI, in limited cases. - [HB 386: Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Business Loans](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-386-forcing-taxpayers-to-fund-business-loans/) - This bill carves out 1.3% of sales tax revenue to fund loans for businesses who wish to apply. - [SB 198: Transparency Reporting for In-School Police Enforcement](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-198-transparency-reporting-for-in-school-police-enforcement/) - This bill requires an annual report on how in-school police officers are being used. - [HB 390: Rural Economic Development Incentives](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-390-rural-economic-development-incentives/) - This bill passed the House with a vote of 70-1 and passed the Senate unanimously. House Bill 390 creates a rural employment expansion grant for the purpose of creating new jobs in rural Utah. Sponsored by Representative Carl Albrecht, the bill tasks the Governor's Office of Economic Development with overseeing this program. In order to qualify for a - [HB 355: At Last, A State Income Tax Cut](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-355-at-last-a-state-income-tax-cut/) - This bill lowers the state individual and corporate income tax rates down from 5% to 4.925%, resulting in an $80 million tax cut for Utahns. - [HB 385: Holding Utahns Affected Negatively By Tax Cuts Harmless](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-385-holding-utahns-affected-negatively-by-tax-cuts-harmless/) - This bill sets up a mechanism by which Utahns who are going to be paying additional state income tax can instead receive those funds back by way of a credit. - [HB 387: Lifting the Curtain Off of Higher Education](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-387-lifting-the-curtain-off-of-higher-education/) - This bill requires that each higher education institution's "full budget, including a comprehensive chart of accounts" be reported to legislators in a public meeting. - [SB 205: Reporting on Inmate Deaths](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-205-incarceration-reports/) - This bill requires transparency of jail policies surrounding opioid addiction and inmate deaths. - [SB 211: Equine Dentistry Amendments](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-211-equine-dentistry-amendments/) - This bill defines teeth floating while allowing non-veterinary individuals to practice it professionally. - [SB 185: More Cash Rebates and Tax Credits for the Film Industry](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-185-more-cash-rebates-and-tax-credits-for-the-film-industry/) - This bill nearly doubles the amount of money that can be given out in tax credits, eliminates a cap for the amount of cash rebates that can be given, and allows post-production projects to be able to qualify for this easy money. - [SB 192: Plastic Bag Tax](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-192-plastic-bag-tax/) - A new tax of 10 cents per bag would be imposed on consumers under this bill. - [HB 416: A Common Sense Carve-Out for Red Traffic Lights](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-416-a-common-sense-carve-out-for-red-traffic-lights/) - In limited circumstances, this bill would allow individuals to treat stoplights as stop signs. - [HJR 17: A Constitutional Amendment to Protect the Right to Work](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr-17-a-constitutional-amendment-to-protect-the-right-to-work/) - This constitutional amendment would protect each individual's right to work, helping ensure that occupational licensure laws are narrowly tailored and tied only to public health and safety. - [HB 250: Impact Fees and Property Rights](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-250-impact-fees-and-property-rights/) - This bill provides individuals and companies with clearer standing and procedure to challenge local impact fees. It also provides additional funding for education and training to the Property Rights Ombudsman's office. - [HB 377: Land Use Regulation Fixes](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-377-land-use-regulation-fixes/) - This bill deals with a number of land use issues, including conditional use and changes in zoning after a building project has started. - [SB 203: Due Process in Termination of Parental Rights](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-203-due-process-in-termination-of-parental-rights/) - This bill ensures that a poor Utahn facing termination of their parental rights is provided legal representation and clarifies that a judge cannot compel the state to pursue termination if DCFS believes that is not the appropriate course of action. - [HB 429: Rental Car Protectionism](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-429-rental-car-protectionism/) - This bill adds numerous costly regulations for companies empowering Utahns to share/rent their own vehicles. - [HB 432: A Government Council to Promote Beef](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-432-a-government-council-to-promote-beef/) - The Utah Beef Council would be converted into a quasi-government agency under this bill, legalizing a tax imposed on every sale of cattle which is currently in legal dispute in Utah's courts. - [HB 43: Want My Blood? Get a Warrant](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-43-want-my-blood-get-a-warrant/) - This bill makes clear in law that a police officer must obtain a warrant before obtaining a person's blood without consent. - [HB 253: Preventing Cities from Prohibiting Short-Term Rentals](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-253-preventing-cities-from-prohibiting-short-term-rentals/) - This Bill passed the House 71-1 and the Senate 28-0. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Our Freest Cities Index revealed that many cities have ordinances that heavily restrict or completely ban short-term rentals—sharing your home for fewer than 30 days with a person for pay. This action violates property rights in a very unreasonable fashion; - [HB19: Reforming Civil Asset Forfeiture](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb19-reforming-civil-asset-forfeiture/) - This Bill passed the House 58-10, but did not reach the Senate floor for a vote. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Several years ago, the Attorney General's office, Statewide Association of Prosecutors, and the Utah Chiefs of Police Association conspired to deceive the legislature into passing a bill that reformed civil asset forfeiture. The sponsors - [HB 92: Use of Physical Restraint In Schools](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb92-use-of-physical-restraint-in-schools/) - This Bill passed the House 68-5 and the Senate 27-0. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Over the past few years, nationwide concern has developed with regards to the amount of physical restraint being used on special needs students in public schools. Incidents range from incidents ending in large financial settlements to altercations resulting in the - [HB 99: Re-Criminalizing Consensual Cohabitation](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-99-re-criminalizing-consensual-cohabitation/) - This Bill passed the House 48-25 and the Senate 15-14. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Following the opening of an investigation of Kody Brown and his multiple wives for violating Utah's long-standing anti-polygamy law, litigation resulted in a court victory for Brown. The case was appealed and a panel of judges at the Tenth Circuit - [HB 79: Private Attorneys General: Incentivizing the Protection of Liberty](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb79-private-attorneys-general-incentivizing-the-protection-of-liberty/) - This Bill passed the House 66-0, but did not reach the floor of the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Several years ago, the Utah legislature enacted a law that prohibits the awarding of attorney's fees under the private attorney general doctrine—a process by which a private citizen is compensated for performing duties normally expected - [SB 29: Increasing the Cost of a Government Marriage License](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb29-increasing-the-cost-of-a-government-marriage-license/) - This Bill failed in the Senate 14-14. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Last year, Representative Ed Redd sponsored legislation that would have given a $20 rebate to individuals who, in participating counties, obtained pre-marital education/counseling. The bill narrowly passed the House but did not receive a vote in the Senate. Senator Allen Christensen, who was - [HB 76: Allowing Terminally Ill Patients Access to End-of-Life Options](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb76-allowing-terminally-ill-patients-access-to-end-of-life-options/) - This Bill did not reach the House floor for a vote. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck is sponsoring House Bill 76 to allow terminally ill patients the option of using life-ending drugs to avoid prolonged suffering. Suicide is not a good idea. There are many resources available for those who are struggling personally with - [HB 54: Protecting Free Speech on Publicly Funded Universities](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb54-protecting-free-speech-on-publicly-funded-universities/) - This Bill passed the House 71-0 and the Senate 28-1. Libertas Institute supports this bill. "Free speech zones" on college campuses have restricted the free speech rights of students and other peaceful protesters whose ability to speak out to an assembled audience is arbitrarily restricted. Despite recognition from the Supreme Court that a government entity - [HB 94: Alternative Pathways to Heavy-Handed Occupational Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-94-alternative-pathways-to-heavy-handed-occupational-licensure/) - This Bill passed the House 67-5 and the Senate 24-1. Libertas supports this bill. In a past study, Utah was cited as the 12th most onerously licensed state in the nation. This is a metric that harms free enterprise in our state. We believe that Utahns should have the right to work and engage in - [HB 100: Higher Education Transparency](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-100-higher-education-transparency/) - This Bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. As the cost of tuition and higher education overall continues to rise, it's time for colleges and universities to be more forthcoming about the viability of certain degree programs and careers. Taxpayers deserve greater transparency as they fund higher education not only - [SB 12: Easing Eligibility for Expungement](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-12-easing-eligibility-for-expungement/) - This Bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Criminal justice reform includes more than just fixing the process before prosecution, in court, or during a prison sentence. Often people forget what happens to ex-convicts once they leave prison and how hard it can be to fully integrate back into society, - [SB 70: Shining More Light on Civil Asset Forfeiture](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb70-shining-more-light-on-civil-asset-forfeiture/) - This Bill passed the House and Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Two years ago, Libertas Institute proposed legislation designed to help the public understand how often, and under what circumstances, agents of their government take property from people through asset forfeiture law. The bill, sponsored by Senator Howard Stephenson, passed unanimously and was - [SB 72: Increasing Criminal Penalties for Prejudicial Motives](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-72-increasing-criminal-penalties-for-prejudicial-motives/) - This Bill did not reach the Senate floor for a vote. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. After a failed attempt by Senator Urquhart last year to increase the criminal penalties for so-called "hate crimes," Senator Daniel Thatcher is sponsoring Senate Bill 72 this session to implement a similar approach. This legislation, if enacted, would increase - [HB 112: Common Sense Carry](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-112-common-sense-carry/) - This Bill did not reach reach the House floor for a vote. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah law prohibits a person from having a concealed firearm, imposing a class B misdemeanor as the penalty. Anybody who obtains a concealed firearm permit is exempted from this provision. Four years ago, a bill passed the legislature - [SB 81: Exempting Home-Based Businesses from Fees and Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-81-exempting-home-based-businesses-from-fees-and-licensure/) - This Bill passed the Senate 28-1 and the House 63-8. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Senator Jake Anderegg has attempted for several years (2014, 2015, and 2016) to repeal the requirement for home-based businesses to have to obtain licenses and pay fees, which is especially problematic since the fees do not provide any services other - [SB 76: Making Post-Conviction DNA Testing Easier](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-76-making-post-conviction-dna-testing-easier/) - This Bill passed the Senate 26-0 and House 74-0. Libertas Institute supports this bill. DNA testing has become vital to the criminal justice system as a means for those falsely accused to be proven innocent. Post-conviction DNA testing has exonerated many who have been placed behind bars in error. Senator Lyle Hillyard's Senate bill 76 - [SB 83: Establishing Sales Tax Tattle-Tales](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-83-establishing-sales-tax-tattle-tales/) - This Bill passed the Senate 24-1, but did not reach the House floor for a vote. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Recently, the Utah Tax Commission entered into an agreement with the online retailer, Amazon, to give a percentage of Utah sales tax to Amazon if they would collect and remit the sales tax on - [SB 84: Giving More Time to Read Bills](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-84-giving-more-time-to-read-bills/) - This Bill did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. It may come as a shock to some, but Utah legislators don't read quite a few of the bills that they vote on in committee and on the floor of the House and Senate. This can be because of a - [HB 178: Making Cities Respect Property Rights in Good Landlord Programs](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-178-making-cities-respect-property-rights-in-good-landlord-programs/) - This Bill passed the House 62-9 and the Senate 25-0. Libertas Institute supports this bill. We have previously written of the problems with the Good Landlord Program many cities operate that violate property rights. Cities effectively extort landlords into compliance with their conditions (such as disallowing property owners to rent to people with a criminal - [HB 164: Denying Cities a Fee-Based Slush Fund](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-164-denying-cities-a-fee-based-slush-fund/) - This Bill passed the House 61-11 and the Senate 20-0. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Raising taxes is a complicated process, and a politically unpopular one in many Utah cities. So when government employees and elected officials want more money without the hassle, they sometimes will raise fees rather than raise taxes—and then use the - [SB 115: Minimizing the Truancy Trap](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-115-minimizing-the-truancy-trap/) - This Bill failed the Senate 13-16. Libertas Institute supports this bill. For the past few years, we have been pointing out through op-eds and interviews the problems with criminalizing parents for their children’s non-attendance at government schools and how many parents are charged with crimes from the truancy of their children in Utah. Last year, - [HB 198: Allowing Adults Under 21 to Conceal Carry a Firearm](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-198-allowing-adults-under-21-to-conceal-carry-a-firearm/) - This Bill passed the House 63-12 and the Senate 23-6. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah law allows adults age 21 and over to obtain a concealed carry firearm permit. This means that legal adults between the age of 18 and 21 may not enjoy these legal benefits of firearm ownership and use. House Bill - [HB 155: Lowering the Legal BAC Level](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-155-lowering-the-legal-bac-level/) - This Bill passed the House 48-26 and the Senate 17-12. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Under current law, a person operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or above is guilty of driving under the influence and is subject to license suspension and incarceration. House Bill 155, sponsored by Representative Norm - [HB 239: Juvenile Justice Reform](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-239-juvenile-justice-reform/) - This Bill passed the Senate 24-0 and the House 67-4. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Last month the Utah Juvenile Justice Working Group released its recommendations on how to better promote the public safety and accountability of juvenile offenders, control costs, and improve recidivism. These recommendations have been incorporated into Representative Lowry Snow's House Bill - [SB 131: Exempting The Other Side Academy from Regulation](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-131-exempting-the-other-side-academy-from-regulation/) - This Bill did not reach the Senate floor for a vote. Libertas Institute supports this bill. In the video above, we highlighted the innovative approach being taken by The Other Side Academy, a new non-profit in Salt Lake City helping rehabilitate drug addicts and criminal offenders. Based on a long-validated approach taken by a similar - [SB 110: Deputizing Out-of-State Companies as Tax Collectors](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-110-deputizing-out-of-state-companies-as-tax-collectors/) - This Bill passed the Senate 25-1, but did not reach a floor vote in the House. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Utah law requires individuals to pay sales and use tax on purchases made from out-of-state companies that do not collect and remit that tax on their behalf. This is rarely done, so many elected - [HB 259: A Stand Your Ground Gun Law in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-259-a-stand-your-ground-gun-law-in-utah/) - This Bill passed the House 53-15, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Under current law, a person does not have a duty to retreat from an encounter in which defensive force is justified to repeal a threat. However, prosecutors can argue that the use of force was - [HB 265: Repealing the Vehicle Safety Inspection Program](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-265-repealing-the-vehicle-safety-inspection-program/) - This Bill passed the House 45-29 and the Senate 19-6. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah is the only western state to require mandatory safety inspections as a condition of vehicle ownership and use. See the following graphic for which states still retain this program: Accidents from mechanical safety failures (the reason for the program - [SB 151: Property Tax Relief and Modernizing Water Funding](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-151-property-tax-relief-and-modernizing-water-funding/) - This Bill did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah is one of the only states in the west that continues to allow water subsidies using property taxes. This has resulted in Utah not only having the "cheapest" water rates in the country, but the highest per-person municipal water - [HB 49: Reducing Double-Taxation of Social Security Benefits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-49-reducing-double-taxation-of-social-security-benefits/) - This Bill passed the House 51-21, but did not reach a floor vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah is one of only 13 states that taxes social security payments as income. Social security, unlike welfare, is an earned benefit by those who work and contribute to the program, and not given - [HB 277: Direct-to-Consumer Food Sales](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-277-direct-to-consumer-food-sales/) - This Bill did not reach a floor vote in the House. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated, as its official opinion, that "There is no absolute right to consume… any particular food." This statement, contained in a reply to a lawsuit filed against it by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal - [HB 224: Letting the State of Utah Hold Gold](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-224-letting-the-state-of-utah-hold-gold/) - This Bill did not reach a floor vote in the House. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Several years ago, the Utah legislature passed a law that authorized gold and silver as legal tender in the state. Despite this movement, Utah law prohibits public treasurers from holding gold or silver. Representative Ken Ivory is sponsoring House - [HB 298: Free Speech Trumps Government Interests](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-298-free-speech-trumps-government-interests/) - This Bill passed the House 75-0, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Last year, residents in Provo were circulating a petition in order to stop an expensive transportation project from moving forward. Multiple incidents were reported by volunteer signature gatherers at various government buildings that government employees - [HB 332: Informing Jurors to Ensure Justice](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-332-informing-jurors-to-ensure-justice/) - This Bill failed the House 29-45. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Jurors have rights of which they are not made aware—and this is detrimental to the cause of justice. Specifically, jurors can determine a person not guilty of a crime they may ahve actually committed, if the particular circumstances of the case create a manifest - [SB 98: Ending Government Immunity](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-98-ending-government-immunity/) - This Bill passed the Senate 26-1 and the House 71-1. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Historically under the monarchies of England, the Crown could not be held fully liable when the government caused catastrophic injury or death. Unfortunately today in some states, including Utah, these types of government immunity laws have still not been repealed. When - [HB 189: Increasing Consumer Choice at Compounding Pharmacies](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-189-increasing-consumer-choice-at-compounding-pharmacies/) - This Bill passed the House 46-21, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. As healthcare costs continue to skyrocket, cheaper alternatives for consumers are needed for many traditional services. Compounding pharmacies are one important example. These pharmacies prepare personalized medications for patients by using a practitioners' prescription to - [SJR 7: Addressing Prosecutors Withholding Evidence](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr-7-addressing-prosecutors-withholding-evidence/) - This Bill did not reach a floor vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Currently, if an individual or police officer intentionally conceals or withholds important evidence in an attempt to cause someone to be charged with a crime, they are in violation of the law. But what if a prosecuting attorney does - [HB 331: Occupational Licensure Reciprocity](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-331-occupational-licensure-reciprocity/) - This Bill passed the House 67-0, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. We believe that Utahns have the right to work and engage in their occupation free from government mandates to obtain a permission slip from bureaucrats. Too often, industries seek to create barriers to entry for - [HB 127: Right to Shop for Health Care Services](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-127-right-to-shop-for-health-care-services/) - This Bill passed the House 67-0, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. One of the largest factors driving up health care costs today is the lack of transparency of the true costs of health care services and the lack of incentives for consumers to pursue high quality, - [SB 210: Compelling Companies to Establish "Equal Pay" Processes](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-210-compelling-companies-to-establish-equal-pay-processes/) - This Bill did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Senate Bill 210, sponsored by Senator Jake Anderegg, forces companies to adopt and disclose to employees a written policy that is used by the employer to determine how employees are compensated, or which benefits are provided, based on the employee's - [SB 275: Free Speech and Association](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-275-free-speech-and-association/) - This Bill passed the Senate 23-5 and the House 62-7. Libertas Institute supports this bill. In 2015, along with the Utah Taxpayers Association, we sued the state seeking to overturn a clearly unconstitutional law requiring disclosure of information about our donors. With the help of the great attorneys at the Center for Competitive Politics, who - [HB 367: The Return of Prop 1: Sales Tax Increase Part II](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-367-the-return-of-prop-1-sales-tax-increase-part-ii/) - This Bill did not reach a vote in the House. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. In 2015, the Utah Legislature passed HB 362 which not only raised the gas tax by 5 cents a gallon, but also authorized counties to place a .25% sales and use tax increase on the November 2015 ballot in order - [SB 250: Food Truck Freedom](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-250-food-truck-freedom/) - This Bill passed the Senate 23-1 and the House 73-0. Libertas Institute supports this bill. In a public policy brief late last year, we outlined the many regulatory burdens faced by food truck owners throughout Utah as a result of duplicative and redundant ordinances and fees required of them by city governments. To respond to this - [HB 442: Zion Curtains and Moats for Every Restaurant](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-442-zion-curtains-and-moats-for-every-restaurant/) - This Bill passed the Senate 58-10 and the House 53-17. The governor signed this Bill into law. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Utah's "Zion Curtain" law compels restaurants to create an opaque barrier between where patrons sit and where alcoholic drinks are mixed. Proponents argue this is beneficial and necessary in order to keep children - [HB 377: Attracting Exporting Companies to Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-377-attracting-exporting-companies-to-utah/) - This bill passed the House 55-14, but did not reach a vote in the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. At a time when it seems like everyone is talking about raising every tax you can think of (income, food, internet sales, tourism, gas, property, etc.), very few are looking for ways to improve Utah's - [SB 255: A $20 Million Property Tax Increase](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-255-a-20-million-property-tax-increase/) - This bill passed the Senate 25-2 but did not get a vote in the House. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. When Senate Bill 255 was originally published, it contained a long overdue process to put a freeze on the flow of dedicated public K-12 education funding to higher education institutions. Unfortunately the powerful higher education - [HB115: Deregulating Beekeeping in the Beehive State](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb115-deregulating-beekeeping-in-the-beehive-state/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Currently, Utah law prohibits beekeeping unless the individual first registers with, and pays, the state government. This mandate has led many beekeepers to “go underground” by defying the requirement and doing it without the government’s permission or knowledge. House Bill 115, sponsored - [HB22: Reforming Civil Asset Forfeiture, Protecting Property Owners](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb22-reforming-civil-asset-forfeiture-protecting-property-owners/) - This bill passed the House 56-17 but was tabled in a Senate committee. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah recently received a "D-" from the Institute for Justice for its forfeiture laws, and the potential for abuse that they enable, whereby police officers and prosecutors can collude to legally steal an innocent person's property. House - [HB44: Establishing Alternative Pathways to Heavy- Handed Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb44-establishing-alternative-pathways-to-heavy-handed-licensure/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. A recent nationwide study found Utah to be the 12th most onerously licensed state in the nation. This is a metric that harms free enterprise in our state. Utahns should have the right to work and engage in their occupation free from government mandates to - [HB67: Weapons on Public Transportation](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb67-weapons-on-public-transportation/) - This bill passed the House 59-12 and passed the Senate 24-2. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Under current law, a person who boards a bus with a firearm—except for law enforcement officials and concealed weapon permit holders—is guilty of a third degree felony. House Bill 67, sponsored by Representative Norm Thurston, would eliminate this penalty - [HB65: Ending Daylight Saving Time in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb65-ending-daylight-saving-time-in-utah/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Government mandates attempt to regulate every part of daily life, from the food you eat to the doctor you see. With Daylight Saving Time it attempts to regulate the very time of day in an effort to control behavior. Unfortunately, like most - [SB45: Decriminalizing Truancy for Parents](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb45-decriminalizing-truancy-for-parents/) - This bill passed the Senate 22-5 and passed the House 39-35 after being modified, but the Senate and House could not agree to the final changes, so the bill died. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Recently, we pointed out the problems with criminalizing parents for their children's non-attendance at government schools and how many parents - [HB85: Private Attorneys General: Incentivizing the Protection of Liberty](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb85-private-attorneys-general-incentivizing-the-protection-of-liberty/) - This bill passed the House unanimously but was not considered by the Senate. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Several years ago, the Utah legislature enacted a law that prohibits the awarding of attorney's fees under the private attorney general doctrine—a process by which a private citizen is compensated for performing duties normally expected of the - [HB76: Removing the Zion Curtain](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb76-removing-the-zion-curtain/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. One of Utah's infamously odd liquor laws is the so-called "Zion Curtain"—a requirement that restaurants serving alcohol may only dispense, mix, or pour alcoholic drinks outside of public view by at least constructing an opaque partition obstructing the view of the dispensing - [HB80: Limiting Unnecessary Vehicle Impound](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb80-limiting-unneccessary-vehicle-impound/) - This bill failed in the House on a 29-40 vote. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Under current Utah law, police are ordered by statute to seize vehicles that are being oeprated without insurance. Because this is already a crime, those who are caught without insurance are now also left without a car and will incur - [HCR1: Resisting Federal Takeover of Water in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hcr1-resisting-federal-takeover-of-water-in-utah/) - This bill passed the House 64-9 and passed the Senate 22-4. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Recently the EPA finalized a new administrative rule to redefine "Waters of the United States" under its regulatory jurisdiction in a broad and expansive way. This attempted federal takeover of waters in the various states violates federalism and would vastly - [SB73: The Utah Medical Cannabis Act](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb73-the-utah-medical-cannabis-act/) - This bill passed the Senate on a 17-12 vote but failed in a House committee on a 4-8 vote. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Senator Mark Madsen has sponsored legislation that would allow patients suffering from a few conditions to possess and use cannabis, with a doctor's approval and recommendation. Senate Bill 73 would prohibit - [HB157: Prohibiting Adults from Buying and Using Cigarettes](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb157-prohibiting-adults-from-buying-and-using-cigarettes/) - This bill failed in committee on a 4-8 vote. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. In Utah, legal adults who are age 18 are prohibited from purchasing or possessing tobacco, e-cigarettes, or tobacco paraphernalia; you must be at least 19 years old to purchase them. Offenders of this law are punished with a class C misdemeanor. - [SB58: Removing Arbitrary Limits on Nurse Practitioners](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb58-removing-arbitrary-limits-on-nurse-practitioners/) - This bill was modified from its original version, and then passed both chambers of the legislature unanimously. Government mandates often unreasonably drive up the cost of health care, as regulations place direct burdens on health care providers or function to reduce their number operating in the marketplace. These regulations violate the principles of a free - [HB132: Freedom from Licensure for Small Businesses](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb132-freedom-from-licensure-for-small-businesses/) - This bill passed the House 57-17 but was not considered in the Senate for lack of time. Libertas Institute supports this bill. UPDATE: SEE THE BOTTOM FOR NEW INFORMATION Utah law currently allows municipalities to license businesses “for the purpose of regulation and revenue.” In other words, merely for raising additional funds for its own - [SB59: Imposing an Employer Mandate for Birth and Breastfeeding Accommodations](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb59-imposing-an-employer-mandate-for-birth-and-breastfeeding-accommodations/) - This bill passed the Senate 18-9 and passed the House 59-15. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Last year, the Utah legislature violated property rights by imposing a mandate on business owners in regards to employing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. A new bill this year seeks to add an additional mandate in regards to - [SJR 2: Supporting the Repeal of the 17th Amendment](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr-2-supporting-the-repeal-of-the-17th-amendment/) - This bill passed the Senate 20-6 and passed the House 39-34. Libertas Institute supports this bill. America's bicameral legislature was designed by its creators to be divided and different—the House would represent the people, based on population, and the Senate would represent the states with legislatures deciding who should fill the position. The 17th Amendment - [HB113: Exempting Health Sharing from Insurance Regulations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb113-exempting-health-sharing-from-insurance-regulations/) - This bill was tabled in committee. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The (not so) Affordable Care Act is a federal law that, among many other things, mandates the purchase of insurance. Not many are aware that members of recognized health care sharing ministries are exempt from the mandate. These ministries are faith-based organizations where members - [HJR2: A Constitutional Protection of the Right to Food](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr2-a-constitutional-protection-of-the-right-to-food/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated, as its official opinion, that "There is no absolute right to consume… any particular food." This statement, contained in a reply to a lawsuit filed against it by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, lays - [HB144: The Utah Food Freedom Act](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb144-the-utah-food-freedom-act/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated, as its official opinion, that "There is no absolute right to consume… any particular food." This statement, contained in a reply to a lawsuit filed against it by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, lays - [HB176: Repealing the Vehicle Sales Sunday Blue Law](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb176-repealing-the-vehicle-sales-sunday-blue-law/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah law prohibits car dealers from selling vehicles "on consecutive days of Saturday and Sunday," and because all of them sell on Saturday when consumers are busy spending money, they all close on Sunday. In 2000, Larry H. Miller heavily lobbied for - [HB292: Violating the Right of Contract for "Payday Lenders"](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb292-violating-the-right-of-contract-for-payday-lenders/) - This bill was modified from its original version to remove the offending provisions, and passed successfully in both chambers of the legislature. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, 45,655 Utahns struggled to pay back their high-interest payday loans last year. These lenders, required to report the data to the state, disclosed that the average loan - [HB 300: Setting Minimum Standards for Police Body Camera Use](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-300-setting-minimum-standards-for-police-body-camera-use/) - This bill passed the House 64-5 and passed the Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Last year, we worked on and supported legislation to create minimum standards for police body camera usage in 2015 along with ACLU Utah and the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. That bill ran out of time and this - [HB 244: Allowing Utahns to Contract for Solar Electricity](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-244-allowing-utahns-to-contract-for-solar-electricity/) - This bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. House Bill 244, sponsored by Representative Francis Gibson seeks to exempt residential rooftop solar companies who sell electricity service from regulation by the Public Service Commission because they are not considered a "public utility." Many Utahns are interested in utilizing technologies that - [SB107: Adding a Penalty for the “Hate” in Crimes](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb107-adding-a-penalty-for-the-hate-in-crimes/) - This bill failed in the Senate, 11-17. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Senator Stephen Urquhart, would create a "penalty enhancement" for any crime that involves "hate." Specifically, the bill stipulates that the added penalty would be triggered in cases of a criminal offense where the actor intentionally targeted the victim - [HB221: Imposing Hurdles for Parental Choice in Vaccinating Children](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb221-imposing-hurdles-for-parental-choice-in-vaccinating-children/) - This bill passed the House 38-37, was substituted in the Senate to be a much different bill, passed 22-1, but was not considered by the House after being changed. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Current law in Utah allows a parent of a child in a public or private school to abstain from (or delay) - [SB108: Protecting Birthing Centers from Protectionist Prohibitions](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb108-protecting-birthing-centers-from-protectionist-prohibitions/) - This bill passed the Senate 24-2 and passed the House 62-4. Libertas Institute supports this bill. At present hospitals are able to shield themselves from competition by birthing centers, operated by midwives, by denying them the ability to expand their business and provide more rules. This administrative barrier requires midwives to have a transfer agreement - [SB97: Constitutional Carry and the Right to Bear Arms](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb97-constitutional-carry-and-the-right-to-bear-arms/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah law prohibits a person from having a concealed firearm, imposing a class B misdemeanor as the penalty. Anybody who obtains a concealed firearm permit is exempted from this provision. Three years ago, the legislature passed a bill that would have also - [SB82: Monitoring the Use of Psychotropic Medication by Children in Foster Care](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb82-monitoring-the-use-of-psychotropic-medication-by-children-in-foster-care/) - This bill passed both the Senate and House unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. In a 2008 study of children in Utah's foster care system, 31% of children (833 out of 2,651) had been prescribed one or more psychotropic medications. A 2001 to 2004 study of such children found that 18% were given such drugs - [HB197: Prohibiting State Employees from Lobbying](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb197-prohibiting-state-employees-from-lobbying/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. State employees hired to administer the laws established by the legislature often lobby Senators and Representatives to give them more tax revenue, increase their power, or expand the scope of their authority. This practice would begin to end under House Bill 197, - [SB79: Denying Juvenile Courts Jurisdiction over Adults](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb79-denying-juvenile-courts-jurisdiction-over-adults/) - This bill passed the Senate unanimously and passed the House 54-18. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Under current law in Utah, the state may treat legal adults as minors if the adult is between 18 and 21 years of age, and if a juvenile court has ordered the state to maintain custody. What this means - [SB 77: Expanding Medicaid Under Obamacare](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-77-expanding-medicaid-under-obamacare/) - This bill passed out of its Senate committee but was not voted on by the full Senate. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. We have written extensively (here, here, and here) about the problems associated with expanding the Medicaid program in Utah under the Affordable Care Act. Last year there was a lot of political attention on - [HB 358: Protecting the Privacy of Public School Students](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-358-protecting-the-privacy-of-public-school-students/) - This bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Throughout Utah, public schools are using computer services that collect and store information about or input by a student. This practice is loosely governed, if at all, by outdated protections and lack of oversight for the student's privacy and restrictions on the - [HB 164: Undermining Parental Rights in Education](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-164-undermining-parental-rights-in-education/) - This bill was held in committee, not receiving a full vote by the legislature. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Under current law, a student's computer adaptive tests results—used to measure performance throughout the school year—may not be used in determining the student's grade. House Bill 164, sponsored by Representative Kraig Powell, would change that. The bill - [HB 333: Growing Government through an 86% E-Cigarette Tax](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-333-growing-government-through-an-86-e-cigarette-tax/) - This bill was defeated in committee on a 5-7 vote. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Last year, Representative Paul Ray introduced legislation, which passed the legislature and was signed into law, that imposes restrictions on the manufacture, distribution, and sales of e-cigarettes. This year, he has has proposed House Bill 333, which would add an 86% - [HB 155: Prosecuting Technicians for Not Reporting Child Pornography](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-155-prosecuting-technicians-for-not-reporting-child-pornography/) - This bill passed the House 60-13 and passed the Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. The production of child pornography is perhaps one of the most detestable of activities, and should be vehemently condemned. Those who traffic in this trade should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We should be - [SB 153: Encouraging Self Reliance As A Gateway Out Of Poverty](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-153-encouraging-self-reliance-as-a-gateway-out-of-poverty/) - This bill passed the Senate 20-5 and passed the House 45-28. Libertas Institute supports this bill. People in poverty need more than a handout—they need a hand up. Moreover, the best way to fight poverty is as a community of neighbors voluntarily helping those in need with more than mere social welfare payments. Those caught in - [HB 319: Repealing Vehicle Safety Inspections](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-319-repealing-vehicle-safety-inspections/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Over the past few decades, several states have repealed the requirement for drivers to have their vehicles annually tested for safety; at present, just 16 states mandate it. According to a study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, there is no evidence to - [HB 264: Allowing Terminally Ill Patients Access to End-of-Life Options](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-264-allowing-terminally-ill-patients-access-to-end-of-life-options/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck is sponsoring House Bill 264 to allow terminally ill patients the option of using life-ending drugs to avoid prolonged suffering. Suicide is not a good idea. There are many resources available for those who are struggling personally with thoughts of suicide. However, - [HB 315: Protectionism for Commercial Beekeepers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-315-protectionism-for-commercial-beekeepers/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Representative Kay McIff is sponsoring House Bill 315, written by a commercial beekeeper, which would impose barriers to entry by making it difficult for anybody else to manage bees in the state in competition with established "commercial" beekeepers. Those who violate the provisions - [SB 141: Tearing Down the Zion Curtain](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-141-tearing-down-the-zion-curtian/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. One of Utah's infamously odd liquor laws is the so-called "Zion Curtain"—a requirement that restaurants serving alcohol may only dispense, mix, or pour alcoholic drinks outside of public view by at least constructing an opaque partition obstructing the view of the dispensing of - [HB 302: Expanding Medicaid in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-302-expanding-medicaid-in-utah/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. We have written extensively (here, here, and here) about the problems associated with expanding the Medicaid program in Utah under the Affordable Care Act. Last year there was a lot of political attention on Governor Gary Herbert's "Healthy Utah" proposal to expand Medicaid - [HB 160: Ensuring Justice Court Judges Are Trained In The Law](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-160-ensuring-justice-court-judges-are-trained-in-the-law/) - This bill passed the House 44-28 and passed the Senate 24-4. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Most people who interact with the legal system do so through one of the state's many justice courts. However, justice courts are not considered “courts of record” and are controlled and operated by municipalities. Interestingly, the judges for these courts - [HB 365: Protecting Free Speech on Publicly Funded Universities](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-365-protecting-free-speech-on-publicly-funded-universities/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. "Free speech zones" on college campuses have restricted the free speech rights of students and other peaceful protesters whose ability to speak out to an assembled audience is arbitrarily restricted. Despite recognition from the Supreme Court that a government entity may only establish - [HB360: Requiring Public Notice For Local Land Use Regulations](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb360-requiring-public-notice-for-local-land-use-regulations/) - This bill passed the House unanimously but was not considered in the Senate for lack of time. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Under Utah law, the legislature has granted political subdivisions (cities and counties) authority to regulate local land use. This comes in the form of a fairly comprehensive section of code known as the Land Use, - [HB 384: Legalizing Direct Sales for Tesla, Vanderhall, and Other Manufacturers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-384-legalizing-direct-sales-for-tesla-vanderhall-and-other-manufacturers/) - This bill was referred by a House committee to interim study. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Last year, Representative Kim Coleman sponsored legislation designed to legalize the direct sales of vehicles from manufacturer to consumer. The so-called "Tesla" bill failed in the House on a 32-41 vote, despite Rep. Coleman reading to her colleagues the provision - [SB 189: Repealing The Death Penalty In Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb-189-repealing-the-death-penalty-in-utah/) - This bill passed the Senate 15-12 but was not considered by the House. Libertas Institute supports this bill. We have written extensively about the problems associated with the death penalty in our policy brief and recent op-ed. It is too costly, it is inefficient, and it does not promote good public safety. Instead, it siphons money - [HB 409: Putting a Pause on Short-Term Rental Restrictions](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-409-putting-a-pause-on-short-term-rental-restrictions/) - This bill was not considered by the legislature. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Our first-of-a-kind Freest Cities Index analyzed municipalities throughout Utah on a number of important issues. One metric upon which cities were judged was whether they allowed, regulated, or prohibited short-term rentals of one's residential property. Many residents use services like Airbnb or VRBO - [HB 390: Augmenting Utah's Unique Law Enforcement Transparency](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-390-augmenting-utahs-unique-law-enforcement-transparency/) - This bill passed the House unanimously but was not considered in the Senate for lack of time. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Legislation proposed by our organization two years ago resulted in the nation's only law enforcement transparency law being enacted into law. The first report, containing data from forcible entry warrants served in 2014, resulted - [HB 405: A Potential Second Chance for Juvenile Offenders](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb-405-a-potential-second-chance-for-juvenile-offenders/) - This bill passed the House 64-3 and passed the Senate unanimously. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Adult brains function differently than those of children; the latter group processes information through a portion of the brain that performs less rational analysis on the information being processed. As a result, children are more prone to acting without weighing - [HJR1: Requiring Justice Court Judges to Be Trained in the Law](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr1-requiring-justice-court-judges-to-be-trained-in-the-law/) - This bill has been abandoned by its sponsor and is no longer under consideration. Justice courts are not considered "courts of record" and are controlled and operated by municipalities. The legislature has previously attempted to reform these courts in a common sense way, but leadership defunded the bill late in the session and the reform - [SB52: Reporting Requirements for Forfeiture of Property](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb52-reporting-requirements-for-forfeiture-of-property/) - Model legislation we've provided will require the government to provide a detailed report every time it seizes a citizen's property. - [HB126: Licensure for Interior Designers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb126-licensure-for-interior-designers/) - A new bill would create a new licensure regime for interior designers. We oppose, as we prefer market alternatives to more bureaucracy. - [HB141: Legalizing Zenefits in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb141-legalizing-zenefits-in-utah/) - New legislation in Utah would explicitly legalize Zenefits, following the Insurance Department's crackdown on the company. - [SB82: Restricting Police Officers Using Forcible Entry into Homes](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb82-restricting-police-officers-using-forcible-entry-into-homes/) - New legislation proposed by our organization would increasingly restrict the authority of police officers to forcibly enter your home. - [HB150: Prohibiting Support for the NSA in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb150-prohibiting-support-for-the-nsa-in-utah/) - Rep. Roberts has once again introduced legislation that would prohibit government bodies in Utah from materially supporting the NSA. - [HB167: Asset Forfeiture Only When There's a Criminal Charge](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb167-asset-forfeiture-only-when-theres-a-criminal-charge/) - Newly proposed legislation we support would allow civil asset forfeiture in Utah only in cases where there is a related criminal conviction. - [SB104: Partisan State and Local School Boards](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb104-partisan-state-and-local-school-boards/) - This bill would abolish the Governor's power to eliminate school board candidates, and subject them to the partisan election process. - [SJR5: Constitutional Amendment to Change School Board from Election to Appointment](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr5-constitutional-amendment-to-change-school-board-from-election-to-appointment/) - One Senator has proposed changing positions on the state school board from election to appointment by the Governor. - [SB119: Requiring a Warrant to Access Drug Use Information](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb119-requiring-a-warrant-to-access-drug-use-information/) - New legislation would require police officers to obtain a warrant prior to accessing a database containing a list of drugs that person uses. - [HB202: Cracking Down on Unlicensed Midwives](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb202-cracking-down-on-unlicensed-midwives/) - New legislation, which we oppose, would require unlicensed midwifes to proactively notify potential clients of their unlicensed status. - [HB224: Deregulating Beekeeping in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb224-deregulating-beekeeping-in-utah/) - This new bill would largely deregulate beekeeping in Utah, whereas right now it is prohibited without first registering with the government. - [HB94: The Right to Try Life-Saving Treatments](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb94-the-right-to-try-life-saving-treatments/) - New legislation we support would allow terminal patients to use experimental devices and drugs not yet approved by the FDA. - [HB235: Reducing the Burden of Occupational Licensure](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb235-reducing-the-burden-of-occupational-licensure/) - This bill would allow a person to "test out" of licensure requirements that would otherwise compel him or her to wait a certain period of time before being able to work. - [HB260: Constitutional Carry in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb260-constitutional-carry-in-utah/) - In 2013, the Utah legislature passed legislation for "constitutional carry" for concealed weapons, which the Governor vetoed. The bill is back. - [SB204: Making More Explicit a Parent's Right to Opt a Child out of Testing](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb204-making-more-explicit-a-parents-right-to-opt-a-child-out-of-testing/) - This bill passed the Senate 18-6 and passed the House 54-19. It was subsequently signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas Institute supports this bill. As revealed in our recent interview with a Utah mother, schools throughout Utah are forcing children to take assessments which their parents had legally opted them out of. They were - [HB348: Widespread Criminal Justice Reform in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb348-widespread-criminal-justice-reform-in-utah/) - Significant criminal justice reforms are coming to Utah, aimed at reducing the number of people being sent to prison. - [SB226: Requiring a Warrant for Police to See Through Our Walls](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb226-requiring-a-warrant-for-police-to-see-through-our-walls/) - New legislation provided by Libertas Institute would restrict the use of police officers to use radar technology to see inside a person's home. - [HB356: Protecting Innocent Parents from DCFS Taking their Children](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb356-protecting-innocent-parents-from-dcfs-taking-their-children/) - New legislation aims to protect innocent parents from having their children wrongfully taken by the state, with other protections included. - [HB386: Creating Statewide Guidelines for Police Body Cameras](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb386-creating-statewide-guidelines-for-police-body-cameras/) - New legislation, developed by Libertas Institute and other groups, would set reasonable and comprehensive guidelines for police body cameras. - [SB259: Legalizing Medical Cannabis in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb259-legalizing-medical-cannabis-in-utah/) - A conservative lawmaker has introduced legislation to create a medical cannabis program in Utah. Click through to read the details! - [SB296: Anti-Discrimination and Religious Liberty, Violating Property Rights](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb296-anti-discrimination-and-religious-liberty-violating-property-rights/) - A new compromise bill aims to support both religious liberty and LGBT anti-discrimination but violates property rights in the process. - [HB104: Property Rights for Raw Milk Drinkers](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb104-property-rights-for-raw-milk-drinkers/) - To track the status of this bill, find it on our Legislation Tracker.Click here to contact the sponsor of the bill to share your thoughts, or click here to email your Senator and Representative about it. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The legislature, in 2007, enacted a law that changed how unpasteurized milk may be - [HB77: Allowing "Double Dipping" by Government Employees](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb77-allowing-double-dipping-by-government-employees/) - Newly proposed legislation would allow government employees to more easily retire, collect a pension, and then return to government employment—"double dipping." - [HB63: Reversing Course on Cell Phones While Driving](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb63-reversing-course-on-cell-phones-while-driving/) - We support this bill, which seeks to repeal the recently passed law that bans the manual use of mobile devices while driving. - [HB54: Increasing the Income Tax Rate in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb54-increasing-the-income-tax-rate-in-utah/) - We oppose this bill which would increase the income tax rate in Utah, siphoning an estimated $585 million from Utahns to be spent on the government education system. - [HB48: Banning Adults from Possessing Powdered Alcohol](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb48-banning-adults-from-possessing-powdered-alcohol/) - We oppose this legislation which would completely ban adults from using, or even simply possessing, powdered alcohol. - [HB61: Freedom from Licensure for Small Businesses and Nonprofits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb61-freedom-from-licensure-for-small-businesses-and-nonprofits/) - We support this bill, which would prevent cities from raising revenue by imposing licensure requirements and fees on home-based businesses. - [SB43: Closed Primaries, Attacking the "Count My Vote" Compromise](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb43-closed-primaries-attacking-the-count-my-vote-compromise/) - We support this bill, which would repeal a violation of the freedom of association by allowing political parties to have closed primaries in Utah. - [SB33: Incentivizing Students to Graduate High School Early](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb33-incentivizing-students-to-graduate-high-school-early/) - We support this bill, which seeks to incentivize ambitious students to graduate early from high school. - [SB256: Rolling Back Asset Forfeiture Changes](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb256-rolling-back-asset-forfeiture-changes/) - This bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. In December we released a policy analysis highlighting several key changes made to forfeiture law in Utah last year. The changes were made through a bill - [HB161: Prohibiting Support for the NSA](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb161-prohibiting-support-for-the-nsa/) - This bill was referred by the committee to interim study. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. When the NSA facility was proposed in Utah, Governor Herbert was promised that its activities would be in line with the provisions of the U.S. - [HB356: Centrally Planning the Salt Lake City Economy](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb356-centrally-planning-the-salt-lake-city-economy/) - This bill passed the House 49-23 and passed the Senate 17-11. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Last year, the Senate narrowly supported a bill to incentivize the creation of a new hotel and convention center structure in Salt Lake City. - [HB128: Requiring a Search Warrant for Obtaining Cell Phone Data](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb128-requiring-a-search-warrant-for-obtaining-cell-phone-data/) - This bill passed the House 70-1 and passed the Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. While many Utahns are concerned with the NSA's surveillance activities, local law enforcement is currently able to engage in the same bulk data collection - [HJR7: Requiring Staff Attorneys to Highlight Federalism Implications of Legislation](https://libertas.institute/bill/hjr7-requiring-staff-attorneys-to-highlight-federalism-implications-of-legislation/) - This bill, as a substitute, passed the House 55-19 but was not considered in the Senate. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. When legislative general counsel (staff attorneys for legislators) believe that a proposed bill has constitutional issues, they attach a - [HB318: Jury Trial for Parents Facing Termination of Parental Rights](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb318-jury-trial-for-parents-facing-termination-of-parental-rights/) - This bill passed the House 46-27 but was not considered in the Senate. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Last fall we published an interview with a mother whose relationship with her four children was legally severed by the state. This - [HB105: Legalized Cannabis Extract for Medical Use in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb105-legalized-cannabis-extract-for-medical-use-in-utah/) - This bill, as a ninth substitute, passed the House 58-9 and passed the Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Nearly two dozen states throughout the nation have legalized marijuana to some degree. Public support has changed in recent years, - [SB46: Limiting Law Enforcement's Authority to Use Administrative Subpoenas](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb46-limiting-law-enforcements-authority-to-use-administrative-subpoenas/) - This bill, as a second substitute, passed the House and Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Over the past several years, law enforcement officials in Utah have been empowered to use "administrative subpoenas" to demand information from a business, - [SB167: Regulation of Drones for Law Enforcement in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb167-regulation-of-drones-for-law-enforcement-in-utah/) - This bill, as a second substitute, passed the House 67-5 and passed the Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Utah was one of two dozen states that recently applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for the opportunity to be - [HB285: Tearing Down the Zion Curtain, and Removing the "Intent to Dine" Requirement](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb285-tearing-down-the-zion-curtain-and-removing-the-intent-to-dine-requirement/) - After passing out of committee successfully, this bill was not heard by the House. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. A new bill by Representative Kraig Powell aims to repeal certain alcohol laws in Utah that have received a great deal - [HB65: Punishing "Revenge Porn" in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb65-punishing-revenge-porn-in-utah/) - This bill was merged with House Bill 71, which passed the House 66-6 and passed the Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute opposes this bill in its current form. At the outset, we should note that we strongly sympathize with people (primarily - [SJR5: Privatization as a Last Resort, If Ever](https://libertas.institute/bill/sjr5-privatization-as-a-last-resort-if-ever/) - This resolution was not considered. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute opposes this resolution. Over the past year we have attended each meeting of the Free Market Protection and Privatization Board—an entity created by the legislature to eliminate unfair competition by the state and - [SB39: Educational Freedom for Home School Families](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb39-educational-freedom-for-home-school-families/) - This bill passed the House 52-17 and passed the Senate unanimously. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. Under current law, Utah parents that home school their children are required to sign a yearly affidavit, legally promising to teach a required curriculum - [HB243: Restricting and Reporting for the Controversial Fund of Funds](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb243-restricting-and-reporting-for-the-controversial-fund-of-funds/) - This bill (as a third substitute) passed the House 72-2, and passed the Senate 24-0. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute supports this bill. The Fund of Funds is a taxpayer-guaranteed loan whereby state funds are committed as backing for a fund to be - [SB100: Punishing Property Owners for Not Employing or Renting to LGBT Utahns](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb100-punishing-property-owners-for-not-employing-or-renting-to-lgbt-utahns/) - This bill was not considered. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. Last year, Senator Urquhart ran a bill to prohibit employers and landlords from discriminating against people based on their "gender identity" or "sexual orientation." The bill narrowly passed a Senate - [SB12: Raising the Age Limit for Tobacco Products in Utah](https://libertas.institute/bill/sb12-raising-the-age-limit-for-tobacco-products-in-utah/) - This bill failed in the Senate, 12-16. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. Libertas Institute opposes this bill. SB12, sponsored by Senator Reid, prohibits the possession of tobacco, e-cigarettes, or paraphernalia by an individual less than 21 years of age. It also bans the sale of - [HB228: Changing the Election Process for the Utah State School Board](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb228-changing-the-election-process-for-the-utah-state-school-board/) - This bill failed in the House, 33-41. Visit our Legislative Index to see the final vote rankings for the 2014 general session. To track the status of this bill, find it on our Legislation Tracker. Click here to contact the sponsor of the bill to share your thoughts, or click here to email your Senator - [HB258: Freedom from Licensure for Small Businesses and Nonprofits](https://libertas.institute/bill/hb258-freedom-from-licensure-for-small-businesses-and-nonprofits/) - To track the status of this bill, find it on our Legislation Tracker.Click here to contact the sponsor of the bill to share your thoughts, or click here to email your Senator and Representative about it. Libertas Institute supports this bill. 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[government](https://libertas.institute/tag/government/) - [authority](https://libertas.institute/tag/authority/) - [vice](https://libertas.institute/tag/vice/) - [society](https://libertas.institute/tag/society/) - [sabbath day](https://libertas.institute/tag/sabbath-day/) - [highland](https://libertas.institute/tag/highland/) - [religion](https://libertas.institute/tag/religion/) - [blue law](https://libertas.institute/tag/blue-law/) - [force](https://libertas.institute/tag/force/) - [community](https://libertas.institute/tag/community/) - [accountability](https://libertas.institute/tag/accountability/) - [responsibility](https://libertas.institute/tag/responsibility/) - [individual liberty](https://libertas.institute/tag/individual-liberty/) - [collectivism](https://libertas.institute/tag/collectivism/) - [coercion](https://libertas.institute/tag/coercion/) - [profanity](https://libertas.institute/tag/profanity/) - [swearing](https://libertas.institute/tag/swearing/) - [ogden](https://libertas.institute/tag/ogden/) - [free speech](https://libertas.institute/tag/free-speech/) - [first amendment](https://libertas.institute/tag/first-amendment/) - [violence](https://libertas.institute/tag/violence/) - [crime](https://libertas.institute/tag/crime/) - [fight](https://libertas.institute/tag/fight/) - [influence](https://libertas.institute/tag/influence/) - [1798](https://libertas.institute/tag/1798/) - [utopia](https://libertas.institute/tag/utopia/) - [internet](https://libertas.institute/tag/internet/) - [market](https://libertas.institute/tag/market/) - [fiber](https://libertas.institute/tag/fiber/) - [infrastructure](https://libertas.institute/tag/infrastructure/) - [crony capitalism](https://libertas.institute/tag/crony-capitalism/) - [debt](https://libertas.institute/tag/debt/) - [public works](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-works/) - [budget](https://libertas.institute/tag/budget/) - [conservative](https://libertas.institute/tag/conservative/) - [liberal](https://libertas.institute/tag/liberal/) - [republican](https://libertas.institute/tag/republican/) - [democrat](https://libertas.institute/tag/democrat/) - [interventionism](https://libertas.institute/tag/interventionism/) - [political party](https://libertas.institute/tag/political-party/) - [TRT](https://libertas.institute/tag/trt/) - [tax](https://libertas.institute/tag/tax/) - [brigham city](https://libertas.institute/tag/brigham-city/) - [LDS church](https://libertas.institute/tag/lds-church/) - [temple](https://libertas.institute/tag/temple/) - [free speech zone](https://libertas.institute/tag/free-speech-zone/) - [permit](https://libertas.institute/tag/permit/) - [self-reliance](https://libertas.institute/tag/self-reliance/) - [dependence](https://libertas.institute/tag/dependence/) - [slavery](https://libertas.institute/tag/slavery/) - [rule of law](https://libertas.institute/tag/rule-of-law/) - [governor herbert](https://libertas.institute/tag/governor-herbert/) - [supremacy clause](https://libertas.institute/tag/supremacy-clause/) - [san juan county](https://libertas.institute/tag/san-juan-county/) - [economy](https://libertas.institute/tag/economy/) - [charity](https://libertas.institute/tag/charity/) - [hospital](https://libertas.institute/tag/hospital/) - [insurance](https://libertas.institute/tag/insurance/) - [liability](https://libertas.institute/tag/liability/) - [GOED](https://libertas.institute/tag/goed/) - [Sandy](https://libertas.institute/tag/sandy/) - [subsidy](https://libertas.institute/tag/subsidy/) - [fairness](https://libertas.institute/tag/fairness/) - [exchange](https://libertas.institute/tag/exchange/) - [spending](https://libertas.institute/tag/spending/) - [sunday](https://libertas.institute/tag/sunday/) - [business](https://libertas.institute/tag/business/) - [court](https://libertas.institute/tag/court/) - [transparency](https://libertas.institute/tag/transparency/) - [judicial branch](https://libertas.institute/tag/judicial-branch/) - [licensure](https://libertas.institute/tag/licensure/) - [regulation](https://libertas.institute/tag/regulation/) - [Jestina Clayton](https://libertas.institute/tag/jestina-clayton/) - [cosmetology](https://libertas.institute/tag/cosmetology/) - [marijuana](https://libertas.institute/tag/marijuana/) - [drugs](https://libertas.institute/tag/drugs/) - [human excellence](https://libertas.institute/tag/human-excellence/) - [democracy](https://libertas.institute/tag/democracy/) - [helmet](https://libertas.institute/tag/helmet/) - [nanny state](https://libertas.institute/tag/nanny-state/) - [intervention](https://libertas.institute/tag/intervention/) - [beehive](https://libertas.institute/tag/beehive/) - [license](https://libertas.institute/tag/license/) - [2nd amendment](https://libertas.institute/tag/2nd-amendment/) - [bill of rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/bill-of-rights/) - [right to bear arms](https://libertas.institute/tag/right-to-bear-arms/) - [guns](https://libertas.institute/tag/guns/) - [fiscal cliff](https://libertas.institute/tag/fiscal-cliff/) - [gun control](https://libertas.institute/tag/gun-control/) - [gary herbert](https://libertas.institute/tag/gary-herbert/) - [governor](https://libertas.institute/tag/governor/) - [ceremony](https://libertas.institute/tag/ceremony/) - [sb39](https://libertas.institute/tag/sb39/) - [sex education](https://libertas.institute/tag/sex-education/) - [alcohol](https://libertas.institute/tag/alcohol/) - [liquor](https://libertas.institute/tag/liquor/) - [gang](https://libertas.institute/tag/gang/) - [natural law](https://libertas.institute/tag/natural-law/) - [association](https://libertas.institute/tag/association/) - [contract](https://libertas.institute/tag/contract/) - [racism](https://libertas.institute/tag/racism/) - [japan](https://libertas.institute/tag/japan/) - [world war ii](https://libertas.institute/tag/world-war-ii/) - [history](https://libertas.institute/tag/history/) - [ndaa](https://libertas.institute/tag/ndaa/) - [due process](https://libertas.institute/tag/due-process/) - [law enforcement](https://libertas.institute/tag/law-enforcement/) - [second amendment](https://libertas.institute/tag/second-amendment/) - [brian greene](https://libertas.institute/tag/brian-greene/) - [recreation](https://libertas.institute/tag/recreation/) - [parks](https://libertas.institute/tag/parks/) - [outdoors](https://libertas.institute/tag/outdoors/) - [state of the state](https://libertas.institute/tag/state-of-the-state/) - [speech](https://libertas.institute/tag/speech/) - [constitutional carry](https://libertas.institute/tag/constitutional-carry/) - [cfp](https://libertas.institute/tag/cfp/) - [individual rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/individual-rights/) - [billboard](https://libertas.institute/tag/billboard/) - [legislature](https://libertas.institute/tag/legislature/) - [economics](https://libertas.institute/tag/economics/) - [central planning](https://libertas.institute/tag/central-planning/) - [commerce clause](https://libertas.institute/tag/commerce-clause/) - [saving](https://libertas.institute/tag/saving/) - [germany](https://libertas.institute/tag/germany/) - [nazi](https://libertas.institute/tag/nazi/) - [tyranny](https://libertas.institute/tag/tyranny/) - [civil disobedience](https://libertas.institute/tag/civil-disobedience/) - [anti-discrimination](https://libertas.institute/tag/anti-discrimination/) - [lgbt](https://libertas.institute/tag/lgbt/) - [children](https://libertas.institute/tag/children/) - [legislation](https://libertas.institute/tag/legislation/) - [repeal](https://libertas.institute/tag/repeal/) - [law](https://libertas.institute/tag/law/) - [firearms](https://libertas.institute/tag/firearms/) - [equality](https://libertas.institute/tag/equality/) - [police](https://libertas.institute/tag/police/) - [police state](https://libertas.institute/tag/police-state/) - [socialism](https://libertas.institute/tag/socialism/) - [healthcare](https://libertas.institute/tag/healthcare/) - [abortion](https://libertas.institute/tag/abortion/) - [life](https://libertas.institute/tag/life/) - [murder](https://libertas.institute/tag/murder/) - [culture](https://libertas.institute/tag/culture/) - [art](https://libertas.institute/tag/art/) - [theater](https://libertas.institute/tag/theater/) - [propaganda](https://libertas.institute/tag/propaganda/) - [california](https://libertas.institute/tag/california/) - [informed consumer](https://libertas.institute/tag/informed-consumer/) - [raw milk](https://libertas.institute/tag/raw-milk/) - [dui](https://libertas.institute/tag/dui/) - [praxeology](https://libertas.institute/tag/praxeology/) - [human action](https://libertas.institute/tag/human-action/) - [welfare](https://libertas.institute/tag/welfare/) - [school](https://libertas.institute/tag/school/) - [war on drugs](https://libertas.institute/tag/war-on-drugs/) - [nsa](https://libertas.institute/tag/nsa/) - [jason chaffetz](https://libertas.institute/tag/jason-chaffetz/) - [fourth amendment](https://libertas.institute/tag/fourth-amendment/) - [dhs](https://libertas.institute/tag/dhs/) - [whistleblower](https://libertas.institute/tag/whistleblower/) - [john swallow](https://libertas.institute/tag/john-swallow/) - [lobbying](https://libertas.institute/tag/lobbying/) - [corruption](https://libertas.institute/tag/corruption/) - [education](https://libertas.institute/tag/education/) - [family](https://libertas.institute/tag/family/) - [parenting](https://libertas.institute/tag/parenting/) - [stewardship](https://libertas.institute/tag/stewardship/) - [bastiat](https://libertas.institute/tag/bastiat/) - [planning commission](https://libertas.institute/tag/planning-commission/) - [dopl](https://libertas.institute/tag/dopl/) - [money](https://libertas.institute/tag/money/) - [psychology](https://libertas.institute/tag/psychology/) - [dyslexia](https://libertas.institute/tag/dyslexia/) - [public interest](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-interest/) - [polygamy](https://libertas.institute/tag/polygamy/) - [morality](https://libertas.institute/tag/morality/) - [immorality](https://libertas.institute/tag/immorality/) - [mandatory minimum](https://libertas.institute/tag/mandatory-minimum/) - [prison](https://libertas.institute/tag/prison/) - [judge](https://libertas.institute/tag/judge/) - [convention center](https://libertas.institute/tag/convention-center/) - [homosexuality](https://libertas.institute/tag/homosexuality/) - [discrimination](https://libertas.institute/tag/discrimination/) - [new mexico](https://libertas.institute/tag/new-mexico/) - [prohibition](https://libertas.institute/tag/prohibition/) - [state sovereignty](https://libertas.institute/tag/state-sovereignty/) - [warrant](https://libertas.institute/tag/warrant/) - [poll](https://libertas.institute/tag/poll/) - [republican party](https://libertas.institute/tag/republican-party/) - [privatization](https://libertas.institute/tag/privatization/) - [protectionism](https://libertas.institute/tag/protectionism/) - [competition](https://libertas.institute/tag/competition/) - [dcfs](https://libertas.institute/tag/dcfs/) - [juvenile court](https://libertas.institute/tag/juvenile-court/) - [jury trial](https://libertas.institute/tag/jury-trial/) - [judicial system](https://libertas.institute/tag/judicial-system/) - [parental rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/parental-rights/) - [smoking](https://libertas.institute/tag/smoking/) - [cigarette](https://libertas.institute/tag/cigarette/) - [tobacco](https://libertas.institute/tag/tobacco/) - [adult](https://libertas.institute/tag/adult/) - [uta](https://libertas.institute/tag/uta/) - [transmit](https://libertas.institute/tag/transmit/) - [bus](https://libertas.institute/tag/bus/) - [commuter rail](https://libertas.institute/tag/commuter-rail/) - [shutdown](https://libertas.institute/tag/shutdown/) - [provo](https://libertas.institute/tag/provo/) - [restaurant](https://libertas.institute/tag/restaurant/) - [economic development](https://libertas.institute/tag/economic-development/) - [kaysville](https://libertas.institute/tag/kaysville/) - [common core](https://libertas.institute/tag/common-core/) - [usoe](https://libertas.institute/tag/usoe/) - [school board](https://libertas.institute/tag/school-board/) - [election](https://libertas.institute/tag/election/) - [caucus](https://libertas.institute/tag/caucus/) - [primary](https://libertas.institute/tag/primary/) - [bob bennett](https://libertas.institute/tag/bob-bennett/) - [count my vote](https://libertas.institute/tag/count-my-vote/) - [swat](https://libertas.institute/tag/swat/) - [militarization](https://libertas.institute/tag/militarization/) - [home invasion](https://libertas.institute/tag/home-invasion/) - [forcible entry](https://libertas.institute/tag/forcible-entry/) - [hyde park](https://libertas.institute/tag/hyde-park/) - [cannabis](https://libertas.institute/tag/cannabis/) - [medicine](https://libertas.institute/tag/medicine/) - [colorado](https://libertas.institute/tag/colorado/) - [epilepsy](https://libertas.institute/tag/epilepsy/) - [environment](https://libertas.institute/tag/environment/) - [cooperation](https://libertas.institute/tag/cooperation/) - [oil](https://libertas.institute/tag/oil/) - [service](https://libertas.institute/tag/service/) - [bureaucracy](https://libertas.institute/tag/bureaucracy/) - [golf](https://libertas.institute/tag/golf/) - [thanksgiving](https://libertas.institute/tag/thanksgiving/) - [homeschool](https://libertas.institute/tag/homeschool/) - [compulsory education](https://libertas.institute/tag/compulsory-education/) - [federal government](https://libertas.institute/tag/federal-government/) - [ordinance](https://libertas.institute/tag/ordinance/) - [inspection](https://libertas.institute/tag/inspection/) - [permission](https://libertas.institute/tag/permission/) - [immigration](https://libertas.institute/tag/immigration/) - [job creation](https://libertas.institute/tag/job-creation/) - [bigamy](https://libertas.institute/tag/bigamy/) - [plural marriage](https://libertas.institute/tag/plural-marriage/) - [kody brown](https://libertas.institute/tag/kody-brown/) - [asset forfeiture](https://libertas.institute/tag/asset-forfeiture/) - [initiative](https://libertas.institute/tag/initiative/) - [ralph becker](https://libertas.institute/tag/ralph-becker/) - [salt lake city](https://libertas.institute/tag/salt-lake-city/) - [transit](https://libertas.institute/tag/transit/) - [streetcar](https://libertas.institute/tag/streetcar/) - [agriculture](https://libertas.institute/tag/agriculture/) - [chickens](https://libertas.institute/tag/chickens/) - [usda](https://libertas.institute/tag/usda/) - [byu](https://libertas.institute/tag/byu/) - [religious liberty](https://libertas.institute/tag/religious-liberty/) - [discipline](https://libertas.institute/tag/discipline/) - [adoption](https://libertas.institute/tag/adoption/) - [lawsuit](https://libertas.institute/tag/lawsuit/) - [tax credit](https://libertas.institute/tag/tax-credit/) - [recall](https://libertas.institute/tag/recall/) - [subpoena](https://libertas.institute/tag/subpoena/) - [search warrant](https://libertas.institute/tag/search-warrant/) - [hemp](https://libertas.institute/tag/hemp/) - [employment](https://libertas.institute/tag/employment/) - [USTAR](https://libertas.institute/tag/ustar/) - [parent](https://libertas.institute/tag/parent/) - [justice](https://libertas.institute/tag/justice/) - [surveillance](https://libertas.institute/tag/surveillance/) - [hotel](https://libertas.institute/tag/hotel/) - [progressive](https://libertas.institute/tag/progressive/) - [fiscal conservative](https://libertas.institute/tag/fiscal-conservative/) - [privacy](https://libertas.institute/tag/privacy/) - [black market](https://libertas.institute/tag/black-market/) - [drone](https://libertas.institute/tag/drone/) - [chicken](https://libertas.institute/tag/chicken/) - [springville](https://libertas.institute/tag/springville/) - [decentralization](https://libertas.institute/tag/decentralization/) - [kidnapping](https://libertas.institute/tag/kidnapping/) - [4th amendment](https://libertas.institute/tag/4th-amendment/) - [technology](https://libertas.institute/tag/technology/) - [military](https://libertas.institute/tag/military/) - [efficiency](https://libertas.institute/tag/efficiency/) - [land](https://libertas.institute/tag/land/) - [ccjj](https://libertas.institute/tag/ccjj/) - [cell phone](https://libertas.institute/tag/cell-phone/) - [arrest](https://libertas.institute/tag/arrest/) - [scotus](https://libertas.institute/tag/scotus/) - [department of education](https://libertas.institute/tag/department-of-education/) - [college](https://libertas.institute/tag/college/) - [weber county](https://libertas.institute/tag/weber-county/) - [medical marijuana](https://libertas.institute/tag/medical-marijuana/) - [justice court](https://libertas.institute/tag/justice-court/) - [mrap](https://libertas.institute/tag/mrap/) - [police militarization](https://libertas.institute/tag/police-militarization/) - [1033](https://libertas.institute/tag/1033/) - [transportation](https://libertas.institute/tag/transportation/) - [commerce](https://libertas.institute/tag/commerce/) - [capitalism](https://libertas.institute/tag/capitalism/) - [aclu](https://libertas.institute/tag/aclu/) - [declaration of independence](https://libertas.institute/tag/declaration-of-independence/) - [congress](https://libertas.institute/tag/congress/) - [hobby lobby](https://libertas.institute/tag/hobby-lobby/) - [sun](https://libertas.institute/tag/sun/) - [time](https://libertas.institute/tag/time/) - [sedition](https://libertas.institute/tag/sedition/) - [grama](https://libertas.institute/tag/grama/) - [abuse](https://libertas.institute/tag/abuse/) - [lyft](https://libertas.institute/tag/lyft/) - [taxi](https://libertas.institute/tag/taxi/) - [conflict of interest](https://libertas.institute/tag/conflict-of-interest/) - [breastfeeding](https://libertas.institute/tag/breastfeeding/) - [public land](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-land/) - [citizen](https://libertas.institute/tag/citizen/) - [representation](https://libertas.institute/tag/representation/) - [citizen journalism](https://libertas.institute/tag/citizen-journalism/) - [disorderly conduct](https://libertas.institute/tag/disorderly-conduct/) - [volunteer](https://libertas.institute/tag/volunteer/) - [social pressure](https://libertas.institute/tag/social-pressure/) - [union](https://libertas.institute/tag/union/) - [freedom of association](https://libertas.institute/tag/freedom-of-association/) - [uber](https://libertas.institute/tag/uber/) - [audit](https://libertas.institute/tag/audit/) - [overstock](https://libertas.institute/tag/overstock/) - [goldman sachs](https://libertas.institute/tag/goldman-sachs/) - [innocence](https://libertas.institute/tag/innocence/) - [geist](https://libertas.institute/tag/geist/) - [danielle willard](https://libertas.institute/tag/danielle-willard/) - [zenefits](https://libertas.institute/tag/zenefits/) - [divorce](https://libertas.institute/tag/divorce/) - [custody](https://libertas.institute/tag/custody/) - [fee](https://libertas.institute/tag/fee/) - [pension](https://libertas.institute/tag/pension/) - [retirement](https://libertas.institute/tag/retirement/) - [FDA](https://libertas.institute/tag/fda/) - [doctor](https://libertas.institute/tag/doctor/) - [interior design](https://libertas.institute/tag/interior-design/) - [body camera](https://libertas.institute/tag/body-camera/) - [bluffdale](https://libertas.institute/tag/bluffdale/) - [criminal justice](https://libertas.institute/tag/criminal-justice/) - [medicaid](https://libertas.institute/tag/medicaid/) - [midwife](https://libertas.institute/tag/midwife/) - [health](https://libertas.institute/tag/health/) - [birth](https://libertas.institute/tag/birth/) - [bees](https://libertas.institute/tag/bees/) - [vehicle](https://libertas.institute/tag/vehicle/) - [traffic](https://libertas.institute/tag/traffic/) - [infraction](https://libertas.institute/tag/infraction/) - [epa](https://libertas.institute/tag/epa/) - [water](https://libertas.institute/tag/water/) - [truancy](https://libertas.institute/tag/truancy/) - [capital punishment](https://libertas.institute/tag/capital-punishment/) - [media](https://libertas.institute/tag/media/) - [airbnb](https://libertas.institute/tag/airbnb/) - [zoning](https://libertas.institute/tag/zoning/) - [food](https://libertas.institute/tag/food/) - [marriage](https://libertas.institute/tag/marriage/) - [nea](https://libertas.institute/tag/nea/) - [uea](https://libertas.institute/tag/uea/) - [database](https://libertas.institute/tag/database/) - [DST](https://libertas.institute/tag/dst/) - [attorney](https://libertas.institute/tag/attorney/) - [attorney general](https://libertas.institute/tag/attorney-general/) - [dmv](https://libertas.institute/tag/dmv/) - [realid](https://libertas.institute/tag/realid/) - [senate](https://libertas.institute/tag/senate/) - [scope of practice](https://libertas.institute/tag/scope-of-practice/) - [nursing](https://libertas.institute/tag/nursing/) - [car](https://libertas.institute/tag/car/) - [medical cannabis](https://libertas.institute/tag/medical-cannabis/) - [minor](https://libertas.institute/tag/minor/) - [jobs](https://libertas.institute/tag/jobs/) - [vaccination](https://libertas.institute/tag/vaccination/) - [solar](https://libertas.institute/tag/solar/) - [electricity](https://libertas.institute/tag/electricity/) - [energy](https://libertas.institute/tag/energy/) - [rooftop](https://libertas.institute/tag/rooftop/) - [utility](https://libertas.institute/tag/utility/) - [body cameras](https://libertas.institute/tag/body-cameras/) - [loan](https://libertas.institute/tag/loan/) - [payday lender](https://libertas.institute/tag/payday-lender/) - [healthy utah](https://libertas.institute/tag/healthy-utah/) - [zion curtain](https://libertas.institute/tag/zion-curtain/) - [safety](https://libertas.institute/tag/safety/) - [driving](https://libertas.institute/tag/driving/) - [UHP](https://libertas.institute/tag/uhp/) - [DPS](https://libertas.institute/tag/dps/) - [poverty](https://libertas.institute/tag/poverty/) - [pornography](https://libertas.institute/tag/pornography/) - [death](https://libertas.institute/tag/death/) - [university](https://libertas.institute/tag/university/) - [protest](https://libertas.institute/tag/protest/) - [land use](https://libertas.institute/tag/land-use/) - [tesla](https://libertas.institute/tag/tesla/) - 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[fees](https://libertas.institute/tag/fees/) - [air quality](https://libertas.institute/tag/air-quality/) - [telemedicine](https://libertas.institute/tag/telemedicine/) - [conservation](https://libertas.institute/tag/conservation/) - [security](https://libertas.institute/tag/security/) - [fingerprint](https://libertas.institute/tag/fingerprint/) - [sentencing reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/sentencing-reform/) - [adultery](https://libertas.institute/tag/adultery/) - [lemonade stand](https://libertas.institute/tag/lemonade-stand/) - [data privacy](https://libertas.institute/tag/data-privacy/) - [kelo](https://libertas.institute/tag/kelo/) - [nuisance ordinance](https://libertas.institute/tag/nuisance-ordinance/) - [DNA Privacy](https://libertas.institute/tag/dna-privacy/) - [genetic testing](https://libertas.institute/tag/genetic-testing/) - [cash bail](https://libertas.institute/tag/cash-bail/) - [seniors](https://libertas.institute/tag/seniors/) - [prosecution](https://libertas.institute/tag/prosecution/) - 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[telehealth](https://libertas.institute/tag/telehealth/) - [reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/reform/) - [covid-19](https://libertas.institute/tag/covid-19/) - [Drones](https://libertas.institute/tag/drones/) - [Policy](https://libertas.institute/tag/policy/) - [parental choice](https://libertas.institute/tag/parental-choice/) - [contact tracing](https://libertas.institute/tag/contact-tracing/) - [trust](https://libertas.institute/tag/trust/) - [Tech](https://libertas.institute/tag/tech/) - [Gig Economy](https://libertas.institute/tag/gig-economy/) - [Anonymous complaints](https://libertas.institute/tag/anonymous-complaints/) - [Code enforcement](https://libertas.institute/tag/code-enforcement/) - [neighborhood disputes](https://libertas.institute/tag/neighborhood-disputes/) - [antitrust](https://libertas.institute/tag/antitrust/) - [permit freedom act](https://libertas.institute/tag/permit-freedom-act/) - [legal access](https://libertas.institute/tag/legal-access/) - [michigan](https://libertas.institute/tag/michigan/) - [police reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/police-reform/) - [Section 230](https://libertas.institute/tag/section-230/) - [k-9](https://libertas.institute/tag/k-9/) - [police canine](https://libertas.institute/tag/police-canine/) - [ADU](https://libertas.institute/tag/adu/) - [fifth amendment](https://libertas.institute/tag/fifth-amendment/) - [license suspension](https://libertas.institute/tag/license-suspension/) - [justice reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/justice-reform/) - [utah police](https://libertas.institute/tag/utah-police/) - [emergency order](https://libertas.institute/tag/emergency-order/) - [covid19](https://libertas.institute/tag/covid19/) - [miranda rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/miranda-rights/) - [booking photo](https://libertas.institute/tag/booking-photo/) - [executive power](https://libertas.institute/tag/executive-power/) - [checks and balances](https://libertas.institute/tag/checks-and-balances/) - [probation](https://libertas.institute/tag/probation/) - [penalty enhancement](https://libertas.institute/tag/penalty-enhancement/) - [package theft](https://libertas.institute/tag/package-theft/) - [qualified immunity](https://libertas.institute/tag/qualified-immunity/) - [utah state courts](https://libertas.institute/tag/utah-state-courts/) - [health department](https://libertas.institute/tag/health-department/) - [executive branch](https://libertas.institute/tag/executive-branch/) - [future of work](https://libertas.institute/tag/future-of-work/) - [affordability](https://libertas.institute/tag/affordability/) - [access](https://libertas.institute/tag/access/) - [sex offender registry](https://libertas.institute/tag/sex-offender-registry/) - [social media](https://libertas.institute/tag/social-media/) - [content moderation](https://libertas.institute/tag/content-moderation/) - [restorative justice](https://libertas.institute/tag/restorative-justice/) - [rioting](https://libertas.institute/tag/rioting/) - [South Dakota](https://libertas.institute/tag/south-dakota/) - [censorship](https://libertas.institute/tag/censorship/) - [travel](https://libertas.institute/tag/travel/) - [banjo](https://libertas.institute/tag/banjo/) - [excused absences](https://libertas.institute/tag/excused-absences/) - [economic growth](https://libertas.institute/tag/economic-growth/) - [Executive Vice President](https://libertas.institute/tag/executive-vice-president/) - [new hires](https://libertas.institute/tag/new-hires/) - [libertas institute](https://libertas.institute/tag/libertas-institute/) - [independent contractors](https://libertas.institute/tag/independent-contractors/) - [west virginia](https://libertas.institute/tag/west-virginia/) - [montana](https://libertas.institute/tag/montana/) - [housing](https://libertas.institute/tag/housing/) - [mugshot](https://libertas.institute/tag/mugshot/) - [USPS](https://libertas.institute/tag/usps/) - [good government](https://libertas.institute/tag/good-government/) - [red flag laws](https://libertas.institute/tag/red-flag-laws/) - [recidivism](https://libertas.institute/tag/recidivism/) - [tax deferrals](https://libertas.institute/tag/tax-deferrals/) - [legal services](https://libertas.institute/tag/legal-services/) - [interrogation](https://libertas.institute/tag/interrogation/) - [false convictions](https://libertas.institute/tag/false-convictions/) - [off-campus speech](https://libertas.institute/tag/off-campus-speech/) - [state law](https://libertas.institute/tag/state-law/) - [building permits](https://libertas.institute/tag/building-permits/) - [sentencing](https://libertas.institute/tag/sentencing/) - [Tuttle Twins](https://libertas.institute/tag/tuttle-twins/) - [North Carolina](https://libertas.institute/tag/north-carolina/) - [fintech](https://libertas.institute/tag/fintech/) - [individual autonomy](https://libertas.institute/tag/individual-autonomy/) - [banking](https://libertas.institute/tag/banking/) - [irs](https://libertas.institute/tag/irs/) - [tuition](https://libertas.institute/tag/tuition/) - [criminal record](https://libertas.institute/tag/criminal-record/) - [employee rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/employee-rights/) - [Christmas](https://libertas.institute/tag/christmas/) - [Santa](https://libertas.institute/tag/santa/) - [private attorney general](https://libertas.institute/tag/private-attorney-general/) - [use of force](https://libertas.institute/tag/use-of-force/) - [traffic law](https://libertas.institute/tag/traffic-law/) - [court fees](https://libertas.institute/tag/court-fees/) - [psychotherapy](https://libertas.institute/tag/psychotherapy/) - [psilocybin](https://libertas.institute/tag/psilocybin/) - [law enforcement reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/law-enforcement-reform/) - [school resource officer](https://libertas.institute/tag/school-resource-officer/) - [revenue](https://libertas.institute/tag/revenue/) - [vaccine](https://libertas.institute/tag/vaccine/) - [lawns](https://libertas.institute/tag/lawns/) - [universal licensing](https://libertas.institute/tag/universal-licensing/) - [education empowerment](https://libertas.institute/tag/education-empowerment/) - [esa](https://libertas.institute/tag/esa/) - [car-sharing](https://libertas.institute/tag/car-sharing/) - [cryptocurrency](https://libertas.institute/tag/cryptocurrency/) - [digital assets](https://libertas.institute/tag/digital-assets/) - [hope scholarship](https://libertas.institute/tag/hope-scholarship/) - [birth certificates](https://libertas.institute/tag/birth-certificates/) - [short term rentals](https://libertas.institute/tag/short-term-rentals/) - [opportunity scholarship](https://libertas.institute/tag/opportunity-scholarship/) - [charter schools](https://libertas.institute/tag/charter-schools/) - [arizona](https://libertas.institute/tag/arizona/) - [public schools](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-schools/) - [photocop](https://libertas.institute/tag/photocop/) - [homeschooling](https://libertas.institute/tag/homeschooling/) - [educational freedom](https://libertas.institute/tag/educational-freedom/) - [kindergarten enrollment](https://libertas.institute/tag/kindergarten-enrollment/) - [doxxing](https://libertas.institute/tag/doxxing/) - [journalism](https://libertas.institute/tag/journalism/) - [student loans](https://libertas.institute/tag/student-loans/) - [standardized tests](https://libertas.institute/tag/standardized-tests/) - [school accountability](https://libertas.institute/tag/school-accountability/) - [education choice](https://libertas.institute/tag/education-choice/) - [regulation sandbox](https://libertas.institute/tag/regulation-sandbox/) - [political signs](https://libertas.institute/tag/political-signs/) - [inflation](https://libertas.institute/tag/inflation/) - [licensing compacts](https://libertas.institute/tag/licensing-compacts/) - [licensure reciprocity](https://libertas.institute/tag/licensure-reciprocity/) - [psychiatrist](https://libertas.institute/tag/psychiatrist/) - [psychologist](https://libertas.institute/tag/psychologist/) - [ocd](https://libertas.institute/tag/ocd/) - [hipaa](https://libertas.institute/tag/hipaa/) - [toolkit-fees](https://libertas.institute/tag/toolkit-fees/) - [market competition](https://libertas.institute/tag/market-competition/) - [economic protectionism](https://libertas.institute/tag/economic-protectionism/) - [toolkit-propery-rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/toolkit-propery-rights/) - [toolkit-individual-responsibility](https://libertas.institute/tag/toolkit-individual-responsibility/) - [toolkit-government-services-and-the-private-market](https://libertas.institute/tag/toolkit-government-services-and-the-private-market/) - [micro schools](https://libertas.institute/tag/micro-schools/) - [regulatory reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/regulatory-reform/) - [citizen petition](https://libertas.institute/tag/citizen-petition/) - [teacher licensure](https://libertas.institute/tag/teacher-licensure/) - [education reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/education-reform/) - [toolkit-food-trucks](https://libertas.institute/tag/toolkit-food-trucks/) - [toolkit-model-ordinances](https://libertas.institute/tag/toolkit-model-ordinances/) - [personal freedom](https://libertas.institute/tag/personal-freedom/) - [civil rights](https://libertas.institute/tag/civil-rights/) - [gig workers](https://libertas.institute/tag/gig-workers/) - [labor shortage](https://libertas.institute/tag/labor-shortage/) - [geofence](https://libertas.institute/tag/geofence/) - [right to trial](https://libertas.institute/tag/right-to-trial/) - [teacher shortages](https://libertas.institute/tag/teacher-shortages/) - [monopolies](https://libertas.institute/tag/monopolies/) - [mental illness](https://libertas.institute/tag/mental-illness/) - [state action doctrine](https://libertas.institute/tag/state-action-doctrine/) - [digital privacy](https://libertas.institute/tag/digital-privacy/) - [citizenship](https://libertas.institute/tag/citizenship/) - [loan forgiveness](https://libertas.institute/tag/loan-forgiveness/) - [microschools](https://libertas.institute/tag/microschools/) - [consumers](https://libertas.institute/tag/consumers/) - [school zoning laws](https://libertas.institute/tag/school-zoning-laws/) - [automation](https://libertas.institute/tag/automation/) - [pizza](https://libertas.institute/tag/pizza/) - [psychotherapeutics](https://libertas.institute/tag/psychotherapeutics/) - [Governor Cox](https://libertas.institute/tag/governor-cox/) - [Cannibus](https://libertas.institute/tag/cannibus/) - [FAA](https://libertas.institute/tag/faa/) - [air traffic](https://libertas.institute/tag/air-traffic/) - [labor regulations](https://libertas.institute/tag/labor-regulations/) - [administrative overreach](https://libertas.institute/tag/administrative-overreach/) - [major questions doctrine](https://libertas.institute/tag/major-questions-doctrine/) - [legislative process](https://libertas.institute/tag/legislative-process/) - [self-governance](https://libertas.institute/tag/self-governance/) - [veterans](https://libertas.institute/tag/veterans/) - [vets](https://libertas.institute/tag/vets/) - [plea bargains](https://libertas.institute/tag/plea-bargains/) - [defendants](https://libertas.institute/tag/defendants/) - [separation](https://libertas.institute/tag/separation/) - [consumer privacy](https://libertas.institute/tag/consumer-privacy/) - [cookies](https://libertas.institute/tag/cookies/) - [public schooling](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-schooling/) - [receiving centers](https://libertas.institute/tag/receiving-centers/) - [criminal justice system](https://libertas.institute/tag/criminal-justice-system/) - [Gabby Petito](https://libertas.institute/tag/gabby-petito/) - [Brian Laundrie](https://libertas.institute/tag/brian-laundrie/) - [civil commitment](https://libertas.institute/tag/civil-commitment/) - [national assessment of educational progress](https://libertas.institute/tag/national-assessment-of-educational-progress/) - [naep](https://libertas.institute/tag/naep/) - [mdma](https://libertas.institute/tag/mdma/) - [tech companies](https://libertas.institute/tag/tech-companies/) - [big tech](https://libertas.institute/tag/big-tech/) - [c-48](https://libertas.institute/tag/c-48/) - [amendment c-48](https://libertas.institute/tag/amendment-c-48/) - [elon musk](https://libertas.institute/tag/elon-musk/) - [twitter](https://libertas.institute/tag/twitter/) - [colleges](https://libertas.institute/tag/colleges/) - [enrollment](https://libertas.institute/tag/enrollment/) - [fail](https://libertas.institute/tag/fail/) - [tax cuts](https://libertas.institute/tag/tax-cuts/) - [County elections](https://libertas.institute/tag/county-elections/) - [water conservation](https://libertas.institute/tag/water-conservation/) - [water study](https://libertas.institute/tag/water-study/) - [absenteeism](https://libertas.institute/tag/absenteeism/) - [full day kindergarten](https://libertas.institute/tag/full-day-kindergarten/) - [online privacy](https://libertas.institute/tag/online-privacy/) - [private data](https://libertas.institute/tag/private-data/) - [gig economy story](https://libertas.institute/tag/gig-economy-story/) - [gig economy article](https://libertas.institute/tag/gig-economy-article/) - [Department of Labor](https://libertas.institute/tag/department-of-labor/) - [2023 bills](https://libertas.institute/tag/2023-bills/) - [justice and due process](https://libertas.institute/tag/justice-and-due-process/) - [op-eds](https://libertas.institute/tag/op-eds/) - [policy analysis](https://libertas.institute/tag/policy-analysis/) - [Limited and Open Government](https://libertas.institute/tag/limited-and-open-government/) - [ex-offenders](https://libertas.institute/tag/ex-offenders/) - [education spending account](https://libertas.institute/tag/education-spending-account/) - [starter homes](https://libertas.institute/tag/starter-homes/) - [small lot reform](https://libertas.institute/tag/small-lot-reform/) - [juvenile offenders](https://libertas.institute/tag/juvenile-offenders/) - [recording](https://libertas.institute/tag/recording/) - [police officers](https://libertas.institute/tag/police-officers/) - [testing](https://libertas.institute/tag/testing/) - [saliva tests](https://libertas.institute/tag/saliva-tests/) - [quarantine](https://libertas.institute/tag/quarantine/) - [public health](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-health/) - [social worker licensing](https://libertas.institute/tag/social-worker-licensing/) - [property tax relief](https://libertas.institute/tag/property-tax-relief/) - [drug](https://libertas.institute/tag/drug/) - [enforcement](https://libertas.institute/tag/enforcement/) - [amber alert](https://libertas.institute/tag/amber-alert/) - [tax deferral](https://libertas.institute/tag/tax-deferral/) - [senior citizens](https://libertas.institute/tag/senior-citizens/) - [warrantless](https://libertas.institute/tag/warrantless/) - [teacher shortage](https://libertas.institute/tag/teacher-shortage/) - [teachers](https://libertas.institute/tag/teachers/) - [minors](https://libertas.institute/tag/minors/) - [equitable relief](https://libertas.institute/tag/equitable-relief/) - [damages](https://libertas.institute/tag/damages/) - [lawsuits](https://libertas.institute/tag/lawsuits/) - [lawful speech](https://libertas.institute/tag/lawful-speech/) - [mobile business](https://libertas.institute/tag/mobile-business/) - [physician](https://libertas.institute/tag/physician/) - [shortage](https://libertas.institute/tag/shortage/) - [competency](https://libertas.institute/tag/competency/) - [competency proceedings](https://libertas.institute/tag/competency-proceedings/) - [identification documents](https://libertas.institute/tag/identification-documents/) - [id](https://libertas.institute/tag/id/) - [former offenders](https://libertas.institute/tag/former-offenders/) - [guilty](https://libertas.institute/tag/guilty/) - [department of corrections](https://libertas.institute/tag/department-of-corrections/) - [subdivisions](https://libertas.institute/tag/subdivisions/) - [government records](https://libertas.institute/tag/government-records/) - [public data](https://libertas.institute/tag/public-data/) - [portable benefits](https://libertas.institute/tag/portable-benefits/) - [gig worker](https://libertas.institute/tag/gig-worker/) - [ketamine](https://libertas.institute/tag/ketamine/) - [legal industry](https://libertas.institute/tag/legal-industry/) - [regulator sandbox](https://libertas.institute/tag/regulator-sandbox/) - [remove children](https://libertas.institute/tag/remove-children/) - [home](https://libertas.institute/tag/home/) - [homicide](https://libertas.institute/tag/homicide/) - [zap](https://libertas.institute/tag/zap/) - [rap](https://libertas.institute/tag/rap/)