Stephen H. Urquhart

Stephen H. Urquhart
Senator Stephen Urquhart
Member of the Utah State Senate from the 29th District
Incumbent
Assumed office 2009
Preceded by	John Hickman
Member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 75th District
In office 2001–2009
Succeeded by	Don L. Ipson
Personal details
Born	(1965-06-20) June 20, 1965
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Sara
Residence	St. George
Occupation	Attorney

Stephen Harold Urquhart (born June 20, 1965)^[1] is an American politician from Utah. A Republican, he has been a member of the Utah State Senate, representing the State's 29th Senate district in Washington County since 2009. Prior to that, he served in the Utah House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009.^[2]

Early Life, Education, and Career

Stephen Harold Urquhart was born June 20, 1965.^[3] Urquhart received his Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University and his bachelor's degree in Biology from Williams College. ^[3] He is a lawyer by profession.^[3] Urquhart is married to his wife Sara,^[4] has 4 children, and has self-declared that he can beat anyone at Foosball.^[5] He now lives in St. George Utah.^[3]

Political career

Urquhart is an American politician from Utah. ^[3] A Republican, he has been a member of the Utah State Senate, representing the State's 29th Senate district in Washington County since 2009. ^[4] Prior to that, he served in the Utah House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009. ^[3] He has also served as a board member for the Dixie Regional Medical Center, St. George Art Around the Corner, and St. George Community Center. ^[3]

In 2014, Senator Urquhart sat on the following committees (and subcommittees) in the Senate:

• Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee chair;
• Public Education Subcommittee
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee

^[3]

2014 Sponsored Legislation

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Pivotal Bills

Senator Urquhart sponsored S.B. 100, Antidiscrimination Amendments during the 2014 legislative session. ^[6] Although this bill was kept in the Rules Committee, it was the topic of many conversations. ^[7] 13 gay rights protesters seeking a hearing for the anti-discrimination bill were handcuffed and taken into custody by Utah Highway Patrol troopers Monday for blocking access to a legislative committee hearing while they were demanding for S.B.100 to be heard. ^[7] Before the troopers took action shortly after 2 p.m., the protesters were told they were committing a potential felony and a class B misdemeanor by interfering with the hearing scheduled in the Senate Building on the Capitol grounds.^[7] Currently, Utah law prohibits workplace and housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy/childbirth, age, national origin, or disability. Senator Urquarts bill would add protections for sexual orientation/gender identity. ^[7] People of any race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. still can be fired/evicted; but not because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. ^[8]In other words, if a person is otherwise qualified, housing and employment decisions should not be based on that person’s sexual orientation/gender identity. This addition to the law is straightforward and simple. ^[8] In Senator Urquharts own words, “without hurting anyone, it [SB100] will protect individuals. It will promote economic development. It is supported by a significant majority of Utahns.” ^[8]

Senator Urquhart also drafted SB 284, which focuses on Concurrent Enrollement for High School students. ^[3] This made students pay not more than $30/credit hour—for credits that they concur in, which would still be at least an 80% subsidy. ^[9] Amendment 3 exempts from that fee certain general education courses and kids who are eligible for free-and-reduced-lunch-eligible kids. ^[9] Under SB 284, poor kids would not pay the fees, and no one would pay for fees for certain general education courses.^[9]

References