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Portrait of Mike McKellPhoto: le.utah.gov

UT · Officeholder

Mike McKell

RState Senator · District 25

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

  • Rights & public safety176 with · 8 against184 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Amendments

      This bill modifies provisions related to law enforcement and criminal justice. This bill: requires that counties offering probation services adopt certain probation standards and practices; modifies definitions; provides that the Office of State Debt Collection has the authority to collect civil accounts receivable or a civil judgment of restitution and interest thereon; provides that administrative garnishments also apply to a debtor's property or wages that are under control of a third party; requires the Office of State Debt Collection to provide an accounting of the unpaid balance of a…

      Mar 6, 2025 · Failed 14–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Judicial Amendments

      This bill modifies provisions relating to the Supreme Court. This bill: modifies provisions governing the membership and internal management of the Supreme Court; provides that the governor shall appoint a chief justice of the Supreme Court (chief justice) when a vacancy in the office occurs; modifies provisions related to an interim chief justice and appointment procedures; requires that a governor's selection for chief justice is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate; and makes conforming changes.

      Feb 28, 2025 · Passed 17–12 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Civil Procedure on Injunctions

      This joint resolution amends the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to address injunctions. This resolution: amends Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 65A, to address injunctions; and makes technical and conforming changes to Rule 65A.

      Feb 27, 2025 · Passed 18–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All rights & public safety votes
  • Jobs & cost of living151 with · 6 against159 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Local Government Fees Modifications

      This bill modifies and enacts provisions related to municipal and county fees. This bill: defines terms; prohibits a city from imposing a fee on the general public for broadband or public safety service, with exceptions; prohibits a town from imposing a fee on the general public for public safety service, with exceptions; authorizes a municipality or county to impose a transportation utility fee if the municipality or county complies with certain requirements; establishes a process and requirements for a municipality or county to impose a transportation utility fee; provides that property…

      Mar 6, 2025 · Passed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • No

      Alcohol Amendments

      This bill amends provisions relating to alcohol. This bill: defines terms; permits a local government to authorize an outlet or restaurant with an alcohol license to be in proximity to a public park under certain conditions; clarifies the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission's authority when granting or denying an application for a retail license; provides that a hotel may serve spirituous liquor in a container that is not the spirituous liquor's original container; provides that a patron of a facility with multiple licenses may transport beer between the premises under certain conditions;…

      Mar 4, 2025 · Failed 13–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Property Tax Amendments

      This bill modifies provisions related to property tax. This bill: defines terms; prohibits taxpayers from receiving the homeowner's credit unless the taxpayer received the credit within the previous two years, beginning in 2026; removes requirements for annual inflation adjustments for the homeowner's credit; increases the household income limits and maximum credit amounts allowed for a renter's credit; changes the qualifications, scope, duration, and rates of interest applicable to the discretionary and nondiscretionary property tax deferral programs; prohibits taxpayers from receiving…

      Feb 24, 2025 · Passed 15–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All jobs & cost of living votes
  • Education & families116 with · 4 against122 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Educator License Amendments

      This bill modifies provisions relating to educator license discipline and restrictions on employment and volunteer service. This bill: amends provisions relating to ineligibility for educator licensure following license denial; establishes a tiered framework for restrictions on employment and volunteer service following license suspension or revocation; requires automatic restrictions for serious misconduct involving actual harm or credible risk to children; requires written findings demonstrating specific risk for restrictions in other cases; exempts technical violations from automatic work…

      Mar 5, 2026 · Passed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications

      This bill amends the Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement to expand access to the performance-based teacher award program. This bill: broadens statewide eligibility for the performance-based teacher award program; provides a process for teachers employed in non-participating local education agencies to be considered for an award; and makes conforming changes.

      Feb 20, 2026 · Passed 15–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      School Finance Amendments

      This bill changes the flexible allocation to teacher and classroom salary support. This bill: changes the flexible allocation to teacher and classroom salary support; and makes technical changes.

      Feb 23, 2026 · Passed 17–12 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All education & families votes
  • Climate & energy92 with · 4 against98 votes

    Most contested

    • No

      Data Center Water Transparency Amendments

      This bill addresses reporting related to water use and large data centers. This bill: defines terms; directs land use authorities to issue certain notices; requires certain large data centers to communicate with water providers; requires reporting by operators of certain large data centers before construction and annually; addresses disclosure of the reported information; provides for enforcement mechanisms; addresses rulemaking; and makes technical and conforming amendments.

      Mar 5, 2026 · Failed 13–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Water Amendments

      This bill addresses regulations related to water. This bill: provides circumstances of when a municipality may set different water rates based in part on water conservation; addresses special district fees; defines terms; addresses rate setting by a retail water supplier and public water systems; provides for how revenues from retail rates may be spent; creates a presumption regarding the reasonableness of certain water rates that include water conservation as an element in determining the rate; modifies provisions related to the Board of Water Resources; addresses tiered rates for secondary…

      Mar 7, 2025 · Passed 17–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments

      This bill addresses the jurisdictional management of public lands. This bill: defines terms; asserts the state's jurisdictional interest in land controlled by the federal government under a proprietary interest; directs the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (office) to promote the state's jurisdictional interests on landscape-scale public lands; requires the office to: identify and map landscape-scale lands in the state; establish map layers for certain criteria on landscape-scale lands; map a landscape public nuisance area on landscape-scale lands containing forested areas; and report…

      Mar 5, 2026 · Passed 17–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All climate & energy votes
  • Health & care49 with · 4 against53 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments

      This bill amends provisions related to the provision of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to minors. This bill: prohibits providing cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to minors after a certain date.

      Feb 25, 2026 · Passed 17–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      School Curriculum Amendments

      This bill restricts certain entities from involvement in health education in public schools. This bill: defines terms; and prohibits a local education agency from allowing entities that perform elective abortions to provide health-related instruction or materials in public schools.

      Mar 7, 2025 · Passed 18–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Health Curriculum and Procedures Amendments

      This bill amends provisions regarding health instruction and physical and mental health procedures in the public education system. This bill: defines terms; requires any health care provider to obtain informed parental consent before providing or facilitating telehealth or another health care service to a student within a public school; establishes requirements for certain restricted services, including: identifying who may and may not provide a restricted service; and requiring informed parental consent and certain parental notification; ensures that a local or state rule or policy does not…

      Mar 7, 2025 · Passed 21–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All health & care votes
  • Transportation44 with · 2 against46 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Local Government Fees Modifications

      This bill modifies and enacts provisions related to municipal and county fees. This bill: defines terms; prohibits a city from imposing a fee on the general public for broadband or public safety service, with exceptions; prohibits a town from imposing a fee on the general public for public safety service, with exceptions; authorizes a municipality or county to impose a transportation utility fee if the municipality or county complies with certain requirements; establishes a process and requirements for a municipality or county to impose a transportation utility fee; provides that property…

      Mar 6, 2025 · Passed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Transportation Amendments

      This bill amends provisions related to transportation, including road usage charge, towing dispatch, and local option sales tax use. This bill: allows a political subdivision to prohibit a mobile business from operating on a street or sidewalk that is temporarily closed for certain events; requires commercial electric vehicles with a gross weight of 6,001 pounds or more to pay a road usage charge with a higher road usage charge cap; exempts buses operating on the bus's planned route to temporarily cross lane lines to stop at a bus stop; exempts the Department of Transportation from certain…

      Mar 6, 2026 · Passed 18–9 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Railroad and Transportation Amendments

      This bill addresses railroad provisions. This bill: modifies the duties of the Department of Agriculture and Food related to railroad operations; amends the duties of the rail ombudsman; and repeals certain sections.

      Mar 7, 2025 · Passed 19–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All transportation votes
  • Housing & rent32 with · 4 against36 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Property Tax Amendments

      This bill modifies provisions related to property tax. This bill: defines terms; prohibits taxpayers from receiving the homeowner's credit unless the taxpayer received the credit within the previous two years, beginning in 2026; removes requirements for annual inflation adjustments for the homeowner's credit; increases the household income limits and maximum credit amounts allowed for a renter's credit; changes the qualifications, scope, duration, and rates of interest applicable to the discretionary and nondiscretionary property tax deferral programs; prohibits taxpayers from receiving…

      Feb 24, 2025 · Passed 15–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • No

      Tax Revenue Amendments

      This bill modifies provisions related to tax revenue. This bill: defines terms; limits the amount of reserve funds maintained by cities and counties; reduces the amount of the residential property tax exemption for rental properties, with certain exceptions; clarifies the applicability of the residential exemption for owners of multiple primary residences in the state; requires counties to provide information to the Multicounty Appraisal Trust regarding business entities that receive the residential exemption; excludes certain property valuation increases from the calculation of locally…

      Mar 3, 2026 · Failed 14–15 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Sex-Designated Housing Amendments

      This bill creates an exemption in the Utah Fair Housing Act allowing a landlord to designate housing as single-sex based on biological sex. This bill: defines terms; permits a landlord to restrict occupancy in single-sex housing to individuals of the designated biological sex; clarifies that such restriction is not unlawful discrimination under the Utah Fair Housing Act; and makes technical and conforming changes.

      Feb 19, 2026 · Passed 19–7 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All housing & rent votes
  • Technology & privacy34 with · 1 against35 votes

    Most contested

    • No

      Data Center Water Transparency Amendments

      This bill addresses reporting related to water use and large data centers. This bill: defines terms; directs land use authorities to issue certain notices; requires certain large data centers to communicate with water providers; requires reporting by operators of certain large data centers before construction and annually; addresses disclosure of the reported information; provides for enforcement mechanisms; addresses rulemaking; and makes technical and conforming amendments.

      Mar 5, 2026 · Failed 13–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Programmable Money Amendments

      This bill modifies the Uniform Commercial Code. This bill: defines terms; excludes programmable money from the standard definition of money; prohibits a person from requiring the use of programmable money for a transaction unless the person also offers a free, non-digital alternative; outlaws an issuer denying a transaction based on discriminatory criteria, including a person's political opinions, religious beliefs, medical history, or lawful ownership of a firearm; prevents an issuer from using environmental, social, or governance standards and diversity programming compliance as a basis for…

      Feb 26, 2026 · Passed 20–6 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Disability Litigation Amendments

      This bill addresses website access litigation brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This bill: provides a sunset date for statutory provisions related to abusive website access litigation; defines terms; creates a civil action for a court to determine whether a lawsuit alleging a website access violation under the Americans with Disabilities Act is abusive; and allows a court to award attorney fees and costs, punitive damages, and sanctions if the lawsuit is abusive.

      Feb 17, 2026 · Passed 20–6 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All technology & privacy votes
  • Foreign affairs & defense5 with · 3 against8 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Veteran Access to State Parks

      This bill addresses a program that offers a discounted annual pass to state parks for qualified veterans. This bill: creates a program, as funding allows, that offers a discounted annual pass to state parks to qualified veterans who are residents of the state; requires the Division of State Parks to offer the discounted veteran pass at a reduction of at least 25% of the price of a state parks annual day-use pass; provides for the automatic repeal of the discounted annual pass program after three years; and grants rulemaking authority to establish the program.

      Feb 5, 2025 · Failed 13–15 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • No

      Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Weapons Testing

      This resolution urges the government of the United States to not resume explosive nuclear weapons testing. This resolution: urges the government of the United States to not resume explosive nuclear weapons testing.

      Feb 3, 2026 · Failed 10–16 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    • No

      State Sovereignty Amendments

      This bill addresses state sovereignty. This bill: defines terms; prohibits the governor or the chief executive officer of a political subdivision from declaring a state of emergency exclusively in response to an international organization's proclamation declaring a state of emergency; declares that an international organization has no power, jurisdiction, or legal authority in the state; prohibits the state, state agencies, and local governments from implementing or enforcing an international directive issued by an international organization; and makes technical changes.

      Feb 5, 2026 · Failed 12–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

    All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 17 of 258 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Rights & public safety (6), Jobs & cost of living (4), Housing & rent (3)

  • Protective Order Amendments

    What it does: This bill addresses protective orders. This bill: defines terms; provides that a party may file a motion alleging that another party knowingly falsified certain information for the purpose of obtaining a protective or…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–6, Republicans 20–2

    Mar 3, 2026Official record ↗

  • Tax Revenue Amendments

    What it does: This bill modifies provisions related to tax revenue. This bill: defines terms; limits the amount of reserve funds maintained by cities and counties; reduces the amount of the residential property tax exemption for re…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–6, Republicans 14–8

    Mar 3, 2026Official record ↗

  • High School Graduation Amendments

    What it does: This bill ensures students meeting graduation requirements can participate in graduation ceremonies. This bill: requires an LEA to allow any student receiving a diploma to participate in graduation ceremonies, includi…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 5–0, Republicans 7–12

    Feb 27, 2026Official record ↗

  • Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments

    What it does: This bill provides funding for dental care for uninsured children. This bill: creates the Uninsured Children Dental Care Restricted Account; and directs certain revenue to the Uninsured Children Dental Care Restricted…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 6–0, Republicans 9–10

    Feb 27, 2026Official record ↗

  • Liability Limitations Amendments

    What it does: This bill creates an affirmative defense. This bill: creates an affirmative defense in a civil action for conduct, an omission, or a condition authorized or required by a governmental entity; specifies the circumstanc…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–6, Republicans 16–1

    Feb 25, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

HB 212 · UT SENATE

County Formation Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ failed

This bill modifies provisions related to the creation of a new county. This bill: defines terms; establishes a process for the legislative body of a petitioning municipality to initiate a process to create a new county; imposes a threshold for petitioners and certain viability requirements on the formation of a new county, including the completion of a feasibility study; allows certain rural property to remain in a seceding county, in certain circumstances; provides for the continuation of property taxation between a seceding county and a new county to satisfy general obligation or revenue…

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Failed 17–12·Substantive·Mar 7, 2026Roll call ↗
SB 227 · UT SENATE

Punitive Damages Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ concurs with House amendment

This bill enacts provisions relating to punitive damages. This bill: provides that an insurer may not rely on the existence, likelihood, possibility, or exposure to punitive damages when taking actions under Title 31A, Insurance Code; provides the circumstances in which a court may award punitive damages against an employer, managing agent, or principal for the conduct of the employer's, managing agent's, or principal's employee or agent; provides that the provisions this bill enacts apply only to a claim arising after the effective date of the bill; and makes technical changes.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 28–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
SB 267 · UT SENATE

Software in Education Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ concurs with House amendment

This bill requires the State Board of Education (state board) to study best practices regarding the use of software in public schools. This bill: defines terms; requires the state board to: conduct a study regarding the use of software and digital services in public schools; review best practices related to the educational effectiveness, design, and data practices of software that students use; publish guidance describing best practices for the responsible use of software in a public school; and upon request, report the findings of the study to the Education Interim Committee; and makes…

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 28–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
SCR 10 · UT SENATE

Concurrent Resolution Emphasizing Utah's Commitment to Advanced Air Mobility

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ concurs with House amendment

This resolution recognizes Utah's role in aerospace innovation and affirms the state's commitment to developing and implementing Advanced Air Mobility technologies. This resolution: recognizes Utah's history as a global leader in aerospace innovation and research; describes the potential of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technologies; recognizes Utah's ideal political, economic, and geographic environments for the testing and implementation of AAM technologies; outlines Utah's long-term goal to establish an operational AAM system and vertiport network before the 2034 Winter Olympic Games; and…

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 28–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 454 · UT SENATE

Public Assistance Fraud Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ passed 3rd reading

This bill concerns public assistance fraud. This bill: amends certain criminal provisions concerning obtaining or using public assistance; creates the offense of public assistance fraud by a person facilitating an inaccurate public assistance application; adds the newly created offense to the list of predicate offenses for a pattern of unlawful activity; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 24–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 145 · UT SENATE

School Excused Absence Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

This bill amends a definition related to a student being excused from school. This bill: amends a definition related to a student being excused from school; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 19–2·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 536 · UT SENATE

Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

This bill concerns criminal conduct on public lands. This bill: defines terms; creates the Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund (fund) to be administered by the State Historic Preservation Office; amends the criminal offense of defacing by graffiti on public lands, including to add conduct involving natural and archaeological features; amends penalty provisions for certain criminal violations of the offense of antiquities alteration, removal, injury, or destruction; provides that a court may order criminal restitution to be deposited into the fund for a violation of: defacing by…

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 23–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 219 · UT SENATE

Higher Education Civics Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

This bill amends provisions related to general education writing requirements. This bill: allows institutions of higher education to voluntarily adopt certain writing requirements; directs the Utah Board of Higher Education to establish minimum requirements for using primary source documents in writing courses; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 17–3·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
SB 254 · UT SENATE

Extracted Natural Resources Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage

This bill addresses natural resources within the state. This bill: facilitates faster permitting by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining; modifies the tax credit for mining exploration; creates the State Reinvestment Restricted Account and diverts various streams of income related to severance taxes into the State Reinvestment Restricted Account; addresses property tax differentials based on critical minerals zones; defines terms; establishes the state critical minerals objectives and policy, including providing for annual reviews; creates the…

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 20–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 113 · UT SENATE

Emergency Reporting Abuse Amendments

YesVOTED

Motion: Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

This bill amends the criminal offense of emergency reporting abuse. This bill: modifies the offense of emergency reporting abuse to include conduct in which an actor contacts a 911 emergency response service when the actor knows, or reasonably should know, that no actual or perceived emergency, crime, or other circumstance jeopardizing public safety exists; adds new penalties to the criminal offense of emergency reporting abuse; moves a definition to the statute in which the definition is referenced; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 23–1·Substantive·Mar 6, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 773 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.