Committee introduces paired measures requiring disclosure of out-of-state travel by legislators and state officials

Representative Stephanie Mickelson presented RS32618, a rewrite of a prior request that would require legislators to report out-of-state travel within 30 days of travel. The required disclosure would include travel destination, dates, purpose and the name and address of the person or entity that paid for the travel; Mickelson said she excluded the value of the travel from the disclosure requirement.

“I'm asking that if we have individuals that are leaving the state for out of state travel as a legislator that you would have to report that within 30 days of that travel,” Mickelson said. She told the committee she removed the travel cost from the requirement but would report destination, date, purpose and payer details.

RS32619, the sponsor said, would mirror the legislative disclosure requirement for state executive-branch officials so the same transparency standard would apply across branches.

Representatives asked about specifics. Representative Alfieri confirmed that the value of the travel was intentionally excluded; Mickelson said the bill removes the requirement to report the value. Representative Barbieri said she would have preferred a single bill combining both provisions but supported introduction.

The committee moved to introduce RS32618 (motion by Representative Achilles) and RS32619 (motion by Representative Scogg); both motions carried on voice votes.

Votes at a glance: motion to introduce RS32618 — moved by Representative Achilles; carried by voice vote. Motion to introduce RS32619 — moved by Representative Scogg; carried by voice vote.