[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6315067,"mediaKeyId","2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56","parentId",2381214,"title","House substitute clarifies agency responsibility for responding to legislative audits","audioSeconds",212,"startMs",1847000,"endMs",2059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56&start=1847&end=2059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56/thumbnail_1847000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6315067/Utah/House-substitute-clarifies-agency-responsibility-for-responding-to-legislative-audits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315067-0a1986fcf52325428d660b96c25334f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229615&Signature=YX8KAcdkAKE1zxY7V6cxW-07mMdRZ-reeHPLz7wfqdtyB7TgwI9UqYKCWH9saKpFgxITCpVjWWCJ13WFwTzJV23iPmJTGQLzv9UKEFIDUq0pLsIRYc-9jfPSdvhiXUh79BFcSroBsbv4mF~s3I5Bv~6QXoexs1kJba7wNrcGQ-tMz1iye-slhd8saDU0bYXz2sDR1wPQkc0RqsVnfpO8OP5tTu8C26n5owpvFy9kszRCeYnZekks7r1JLSbxmIbBQCmsbglrdNNOEEZKl~NLbS3npQwqQu0sSvWpx65csGMh6km2czxNOx1eAFlHgwBwZHPRV6Q6ymwtdtKhSwP~0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","Representative General Burton, sponsor of House Bill 215, told the committee Feb. 20 the measure clarifies who is responsible for ensuring audited agencies produce “get well” plans and respond to audit findings. Burton said the change followed work with the Utah State Board of Education and the governor’s chief counsel to define what a chief officer must do to create accountability after an audit.

Burton recounted an example in which an agency reported an audit finding unchanged eight years after the audit — a lapse he said exposed a “broken chain of authority.” The bill, he said, designates the chief officer above the audited unit to be involved in ensuring corrective action or communicating constraints to the legislature, such as insufficient funding to implement recommended changes.

Committee members had few substantive questions and some praise for the collaborative drafting with affected agencies. Representative Burton said the highlighted provisions appear between lines 7 and 21 of the substitute. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the third substitute favorably.

The bill focuses on government accountability and audit follow‑up rather than creating new enforcement sanctions; sponsors said the measure is intended to strengthen communication between audited entities, chief officers and the legislature.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee - February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee favorably recommended third substitute House Bill 215, clarifying the role of agency chief officers in responding to Office of the Legislative Auditor General audits and establishing a clearer chain of accountability.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315071,"Panel adopts substitute tightening lobbying disclosures, expands higher‑ed event exceptions",551,1295000,1846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56&start=1295&end=1846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","/articles/6315071/Utah/Panel-adopts-substitute-tightening-lobbying-disclosures-expands-highered-event-exceptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315071-67766e7ac9da96590a06ddaa207abdd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229615&Signature=QPNbidl1saJCsY49d0kCDNss91fLbRQA9gGB9nc1rWkGyKVJxk24IyQK-HMHEeBlZnK4CHi1ftARQvaFHvNkej9oBJZIJbC0cNSE5hmcqNRb8VyyuXoffpdQpF5I9hKa5klltKVF1ADF2yztQhQ6zdohYR71t2nIMKgfxi4nU4nC-oMwBJiaL4XViRUbXtLvAzp7hYpXtboVXFCmOaAIcLAWhjlj~8hx~HesWtOHBMIXKeecouqRdnZ8vsGFPQCI876zjM4PQ0mmiowSEX1Czu~decQEhx6uPyJTXminRtZoQqr3eD1KkoD5D3pd7~idKL2jZL6fFvQPvXUKwVcEBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Brammer presented the first substitute to Senate Bill 291 on Feb. 20 as a set of technical and policy changes intended to tighten lobbying disclosure and modernize some rules.

The substitute adds a disclosure requirement when an individual has obtained a non‑controlling ownership interest in a non‑publicly traded entity within the preceding 18 months, the sponsor said, noting the change is intended to surface potential contingency‑like relationships where a lobbyist could benefit from a policy outcome. The substitute excludes ordinary holdings in publicly traded companies from that requirement. It also expands the types of higher‑education events that qualify for the existing legislative exception beyond athletics to include arts and student performances and extends parity to nonprofit higher‑education groups attached to institutions.

The sub also amends how the statute treats lobbying by former state officials and raises the gift threshold cited in current law from $10 to $25 to account for inflation, the sponsor said. The original version had included local government retention of lobbyists language, but that piece was removed at the request of lobbyists and is not in the substitute.

Senators on the committee had no recorded objections during the hearing and the substitute was adopted and recommended favorably in a unanimous vote.

Senator Brammer characterized the bill as aimed at best practices and disclosure rather than singling out individuals. He said the relevant ownership disclosure language appears around line 540 of the substitute and provisions about the 18‑month lookback are in the 291–293 range of lines referenced during the hearing.","The committee unanimously passed a substitute for Senate Bill 291 that adds disclosure requirements for lobbyists with recent ownership interests in non‑public entities, adjusts post‑employment restrictions, and raises the gift threshold.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315076,"Committee advances bill to let Salt Lake County repurpose funds for convention center rebuild",567,653000,1220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56&start=653&end=1220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56/thumbnail_653000.jpg","/articles/6315076/Utah/Committee-advances-bill-to-let-Salt-Lake-County-repurpose-funds-for-convention-center-rebuild","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315076-7c0098d001fb9dc7790d9eeed0abd76e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229615&Signature=o5E1owHup-IF5riZqvTtmWoi-ei50cdXccttswMmRecMXhirPU~AZrvpk-S59iG2ldjoAb~1wsea8M1J3gAZp15Wt3qn2JU8q127KiON9o90mAHXg3V~qPG6rJbFAlnl2b9ykIbw7JDkP7eIQwLNCqqA2qwNRXydgZKY-R3FowCPYblAFmzraAWFPeSw1sQDc~OX6-qq61lofmFJTH38bmo-GbV~1Y9dHDimlp6vbYWNvx~6xupPCpF5yVY8VQgv30RrJmJ0zJle4EkVzqSQzcbxZaA0VUP41VManyCO2KmRwl6CMnr0VEDWS9ft2J3obuJv0pHrmBida1aM4-6ZJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Daniel McKay presented Senate Bill 306 as a measure to provide Salt Lake County additional clarity and flexibility to finance parts of a convention center rebuild and the broader downtown sports, entertainment and convention district.

Lincoln Shirts, speaking on behalf of county interests and the Salt Lake County administration, told the committee the legislation is not intended to create new revenue but to provide “flexibility and clarity in their existing revenue tools” and to clean up language in prior law governing hotel mitigation funds. He said the changes would allow the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to disperse funds already set aside to address economic impacts from convention‑hotel development.

Salt Lake County Mayor Wilson told the committee the bill would repurpose a portion of fourth‑quarter transportation dollars specific to Salt Lake County and would not affect the county’s broader road funding. “We feel this is a good purpose,” she said, and described the proposed rebuild of the Salt Palace and connecting downtown assets as a win for residents and visitors, particularly with a view to completion before the Olympic Games.

Committee members questioned the fiscal note and local impact. McKay said he approved a fiscal note over the weekend; he described it as roughly $3,500 related to administrative costs for hotel mitigation adjustments. Committee members also discussed the treatment of 300 West — a busy downtown corridor — and local negotiations with UDOT about whether to leave the road at grade, close it, or build a subterranean routing with a plaza above. McKay said he anticipated language changes that would allow UDOT and the city to consider options and return with a final solution.

Senator Harper said he was not “quite there yet” on the bill and indicated a substitute was expected; the committee nevertheless voted to recommend the bill with one dissenting vote. The motion to pass SB 306 with a favorable recommendation passed 3‑1, with Senator Harper voting no. The committee chair said the bill will proceed to the floor.

No additional revenue sources were added in the bill as presented to the committee; a sponsor representative said that the bill “does not do anything to enhance any revenue going towards the Delta Center or the private investment that's occurring within the area. It is specific to the rebuild of the convention center.”","Senate Bill 306 would clarify and expand Salt Lake County’s use of existing local revenue tools and hotel mitigation funds to support rebuilding and revitalizing the downtown convention center area; the committee recommended the bill 3‑1.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315081,"Committee approves bill to let state delegates fill most statewide vacancies",202,440000,642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56&start=440&end=642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56/thumbnail_440000.jpg","/articles/6315081/Utah/Committee-approves-bill-to-let-state-delegates-fill-most-statewide-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315081-4f278d3886b870be564a28b2fcdc1e1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229615&Signature=i8p6kuFJZ7P1togdfvGf~Mq3i~I6~uHzEL924OJTCV4I6tTXRUfyiH1k3qfH-vaS3aYv-XGQA9T9g8kX~oRQ5lDSMfnubvEmmehZA5WkUew6mQLSRDWpQgHHWyQR6WDs6iuxeFsJYe5EbE2zDrXHk~SH7HC77eBBEAN27~~SY4LS-Wg7eiGHSb~3HZJC6aWV7rIsD4dHOGE98hmqJYISo4w9H~iWaEnLxcoPvnS3oIharB4Y6UloUDNRcNSW2D95ZhXCbPA8q7XKzLhYrZ2GKeuoIcT8HBQkRhLO6Rz7kl-bjC4xZomEzRc8lcBulHgL5qHOrOlnUZgxVqP~yyI~ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Daniel McKay described Senate Bill 300 on Feb. 20 as a change to party procedure for filling vacancies in statewide offices other than governor and lieutenant governor. Under current practice, McKay said, a party’s state central committee selects three nominees and forwards them to the governor for formal nomination; SB 300 would allow the full body of the party’s state delegates to make that selection instead.

“Rather than have the state central committee be the electors, this goes to all of the state delegates on a state level,” a committee member summarized during questions. McKay confirmed the bill does not prescribe the mechanics of that selection — for example, whether the delegates would meet in person or vote remotely — but noted parties used a virtual convention in 2020 and could adopt remote voting again to limit cost.

McKay framed the change as a response from some party members who said state central committees are not direct, neighborhood‑level delegates but managing bodies and therefore should not be the sole nominating body. He said the proposal was aimed at giving “the entire body of delegates” the choice when a vacancy occurs.

There was no public comment and no fiscal impacts discussed at the hearing. The committee voted to recommend SB 300 favorably; the motion passed unanimously.","Senate Bill 300 would shift selection of replacement candidates for most statewide offices from party state central committees to the full body of party delegates; the committee gave the bill a favorable recommendation.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6315087,"Senate panel backs bill preventing local bans on pre‑5 a.m. golf‑course mowing",339,99000,438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56&start=99&end=438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2381214-07cee5377ed9914ce106220c71e9be56/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6315087/Utah/Senate-panel-backs-bill-preventing-local-bans-on-pre5-am-golfcourse-mowing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6315087-7cca8cc1e33e41ea6c1ba5cf2befd5a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229615&Signature=freC9i7n55Ao0aJI2YdfE78RE9xckyydYGr-AqAgnpRGzyHRQD5JXBPUgXa~bz8BHPAsby9WV-jEy57HzO5M3db6hnqpQau1~u7n6Z5HAEQX8bSfX3dsY4Jd4YeJoa7YTnpMDTNUOcdroFc3LzmrjJiN-WJSzFpgr6wl4KGsGiyPKMasQve5arM1su1kxrE3nIOVvqNIwCMPiFIdZppS3ih-Ok2eQ9-l5niq-ZaY4igmP4jYwJyJdrvGCkybMj0aN2n-XtnoC-~3uTaGlpJ4uLIxXN5alnfvmgSfRKbQg8~lIJHlgJOfggaIEnQTf3rUZqCUJWx3gtEfY6lXkmMU5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Daniel McKay, sponsor of Senate Bill 298, told the committee Feb. 20 that the bill would prevent a municipality or county from adopting an ordinance that stops mowing before 5 a.m.

“The reason for that is the golfers aren't on the course yet early in the morning,” McKay said, explaining that many golf courses begin mowing early so they can finish before play begins. He added that the bill responds to complaints from private golf‑course owners who said later mowing could multiply their labor costs by four.

The bill grew out of private‑property concerns McKay said he’d seen in city council meetings. He described one packed city council hearing where around 100 nearby residents urged a noise ordinance to prevent mowing before 8 a.m.; the owner testified that shifting mowing later in the day would extend crews’ hours and raise costs substantially. Justin Lee, deputy director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, told the committee his organization had not taken an official position but cautioned that exempting localities from noise controls as early as 5 a.m. is earlier than many municipal ordinances, which often set enforcement at 6:30 or 7 a.m.

The committee voted to recommend SB 298 favorably. The motion was made by Senator McKay and passed unanimously, 3‑0. The committee chair said the bill will next go to the Senate floor.

The bill does not identify named exceptions for municipally owned courses, but McKay noted that in practice a city‑owned course had not faced the same restrictions because ownership changes how local councils weighed competing interests.

No formal fiscal note or implementation timeline was discussed during the committee hearing.

The committee moved on after public comment closed; proponents and opponents did not remain to seek additional changes at the hearing.","The committee recommended Senate Bill 298 to bar municipalities and counties from enacting ordinances that would prohibit mowing before 5 a.m., after sponsors told stories of private golf courses pressured by local voters to adopt earlier noise restrictions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House substitute clarifies agency responsibility for responding to legislative audits

Panel adopts substitute tightening lobbying disclosures, expands higher‑ed event exceptions

Committee advances bill to let Salt Lake County repurpose funds for convention center rebuild

Committee approves bill to let state delegates fill most statewide vacancies

Senate panel backs bill preventing local bans on pre‑5 a.m. golf‑course mowing