Utah lawmakers, apparently concerned that the World Health Organization or United Nations might storm the state capitol at any moment, spent Thursday passing a bill to defend against imaginary threats to Utah’s sovereignty from global organizations.
HB158 from Rep. Lisa Shepherd makes it clear that international organizations, like the World Health Organization or the World Economic Forum have no jurisdiction in the state.
“This explicitly states that no rule, regulation, tax or mandate from these entities shall be implemented or enforced by any Utah governmental body, agency or subdivision,” Shepherd explained.
Wild conspiracy theories about the WEF, U.N., and W.H.O. have emerged in recent years. The WEF in particular has become a target of conspiracy theorists who believe the organization is behind a plot to deliberately crash the economy and establish an authoritarian world government.
President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization was cheered by conspiracy theorists, who have claimed global health initiatives are a secret plot against humanity.
Shepherd admitted that there have been no directives from such organizations directed at Utah.
Like moths to a flame, public comment was dominated by those who fear shadowy international forces are constantly plotting to impose their will on unsuspecting Utahns.
Freshman Rep. Kristen Chevrier, R-Highland, who founded the anti-vaccine organization Vaccine Freedom Utah, urged her colleagues to not let Utah fall victim to malign outside forces.
“The governing bodies of the World Health Organization, the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, are not elected by the citizens of Utah,” Chevrier said.
“The U.N. and the W.H.O.’s stated goals within its One Health agenda include total biosurveillance of humans and animals and digital passport programs that masquerade as choice.”
The conspiracy theory about “total biosurveillance” emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on governments and private companies allegedly using technology to monitor and control populations.
Rep. Andrew Stoddard, D-Sandy, attempted to hold the bill after he expressed some concern that the proposal could inadvertently prevent Utah officials from acting on any type of recommendation from an international organization.
“Legally, any of these organizations have no sovereignty here. I do think there’s some language discrepancies here that would hamstring the governor under certain circumstances,” Stoddard said.
The Republicans on the committee brushed off Stoddard’s concerns and advanced the bill to the full House on a straight party line vote.
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