UTAH DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT ON H.B. 60: VACCINE PASSPORT AMENDMENTS

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, February 16, 2022 — Yesterday evening, Republicans in the House Business and Labor Committee passed H.B. 60: Vaccine Passport Amendments by a 9-4 vote, a bill which would prevent Utah businesses from making their own decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccine requirements for patrons and employees. This bill is yet another example of Republican hypocrisy, touting “small government” and “personal freedom,” while simultaneously overruling Utah businesses’ ability to make decisions that are best for them, their employees, and their customers.

“H.B. 60 is an overreach by Republicans who are more concerned with appeasing extremists in their base than allowing businesses to make their own decisions,” said Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis. “Let’s be clear: there are currently no government mandates telling private Utah businesses that they must require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees or for patrons. Instead of respecting the autonomy that business owners currently have to make decisions for their own establishments, Republicans have decided to virtue-signal to their base by interfering in the operations of those private businesses.” 

The Utah Democratic Party opposes H.B. 60. We encourage anyone who also opposes this bill to contact their representative and make their opinion known before it comes to a vote on the House floor.