Why you shouldn’t 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.
HB 429: Rental Car Protectionism
This bill adds numerous costly regulations for companies empowering Utahns to share/rent their own vehicles.
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.
The Utah Legislature should allow Tesla to compete
The following op-ed, written by our policy director Michael Melendez, was published today in the Deseret News. Over 130 years ago, Thomas Edison invested in technology and infrastructure to build electric power distribution...
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...
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...
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...
Utah Automobile Manufacturer Prohibited from Selling to Utahns
Editor’s note: The following is a lightly edited interview with Steve Hall (owner) and Daniel Boyer (director of marketing) of Vanderhall Motor Works—a vehicle manufacturer located in Provo, Utah. The company is legally...
A Tale of Economic Protectionism, Car Dealerships, and the Utah Legislature
Several legislators are attempting to push back against protectionist laws that favor the car dealership industry. And the car dealerships are, unsurprisingly, pushing back. Under current law, a new car dealership cannot be...
HB141: Legalizing Zenefits in Utah
This bill passed the House 61-4 and passed the Senate unanimously. It was subsequently signed into law by Governor Herbert. Libertas Institute supports this bill. In late 2014, the Utah Insurance Department attempted to shut down...