Michael K. McKell

Office held

Voting record

All votes by Michael K. McKell

Law and education

Michael K. McKell, often identified publicly as Mike McKell, earned his bachelor's degree at Southern Utah University and his law degree at the University of Idaho. His Senate biography describes a legal practice specializing in insurance law and identifies him as founding partner of Utah Legal Team. Those professional details provide background for his work on legal and insurance issues, without establishing a position on any individual claim or case. ^[1]

House service before the Senate

McKell began legislative service in the Utah House in 2013 and was elected to the Senate in 2020. He now represents District 25 in southern Utah County. The 2013 date is the start of his overall legislative career, not the start of Senate service. His current biography identifies him as Senate majority assistant whip, combining district representation with a caucus leadership role. ^[1]

Education and government assignments

The official roster places McKell on Senate Education, Judiciary/Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice and Government Operations and Political Subdivisions. Executive Appropriations, Higher Education Appropriations and General Government Appropriations add spending responsibilities. He also serves on the Utah Commission on Uniform State Laws and Legislative Water Development Commission. Those assignments span education, agency administration, legal consistency and infrastructure rather than one single policy specialty. ^[2]

In the 2026 General Session, Michael K. McKell was chief sponsor of S.B. 21, Geothermal Amendments. It changes how geothermal resources are reserved on state and institutional trust land, clarifies ownership of geothermal resources and fluids, adjusts the Division of Water Rights' confidentiality powers and sets bonding requirements. The governor signed it on March 26, 2026. ^[3]

In the 2026 General Session, Michael K. McKell was chief sponsor of S.B. 45, Kratom Adjustments. It requires kratom processors and retailers to register with the Department of Agriculture and Food, limits kratom sales to retail tobacco specialty businesses, bans certain kratom products and changes penalties, fees and the purchase age. The governor signed it on March 26, 2026. ^[4]

Olympic planning and community life

The Senate biography identifies McKell as co-chair of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Coordination Committee. That is a legislative coordination role, separate from organizing an individual event or awarding a contract. The biography also describes his interests outside office, including farming, horse racing and marathon running. Those details round out the career account while committee records remain the reference for his formal responsibilities. ^[1]

Profile sources

Profile refreshed October 20, 2026. Candidate statements describe the candidate's own experience or positions; official records and reporting are labeled separately.

1. Utah Senate — official member biography · Official record
2. Utah Legislature — official member record and committee assignments · Official record
3. Utah Legislature, S.B. 21 Geothermal Amendments · Official record
4. Utah Legislature, S.B. 45 Kratom Adjustments · Official record

From the Legislature's roster

Profession

Attorney; Title Officer

Education

B.A., Southern Utah University; J.D., University of Idaho

Committees

• Executive Appropriations Committee
• General Government Appropriations Subcommittee
• Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
• Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee
• Government Operations Interim Committee
• Senate Education Confirmation Committee
• Senate Judiciary Confirmation Committee
• Legislative Management Committee
• Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Coordination Committee
• Legislative Water Development Commission
• Utah Commission on Uniform State Laws
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Ethics Committee
• Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee
• Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee

As listed by the Utah Legislature.

In the news

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