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House passes bill restricting gubernatorial fundraising during official action
Summary
HB332 extends restrictions on political fundraising to the governor’s office while the governor is considering, signing or vetoing legislation; amendments narrowed the text to cover actual contributions rather than promises/contracts and removed reference to legislators’ personal PACs; the House passed the bill 71–2.
Representative Hansen presented House Bill 332 to place restrictions on political fundraising by the governor’s office during times the governor is engaged in official duties related to legislation, mirroring constraints that apply to legislators. "This also limits the governor's office from receiving political contributions during the time that he's considering action on, signing or vetoing legislation as well," Hansen said.
Representative Bennion asked for clarification and moved an amendment to delete references to promises, contracts or agreements to make future contributions and to remove language addressing legislators’ personal political action committees. Bennion said enforcement concerns and the lack of many personal PACs among legislators motivated narrowing the scope to actual contributions. Hansen said the committee added language to close a perceived loophole for political-action committees that accept contributions while the legislature is in session and that he supported closing that loophole but was open to the body’s direction.
Floor debate also addressed whether the restriction should apply to other statewide offices (lieutenant governor, attorney general) and Hansen explained the bill targeted the governor because of the governor’s final role on legislation. After amendment votes and summation, the House passed HB332 by recorded vote (71 yes, 2 no) and the bill was forwarded to the Senate.
