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Utah House substitutes a disclosure bill for an outright lobbyist gift ban after extended debate
Summary
After a day-long floor debate over banning gifts from lobbyists, the Utah House approved a substitute for HB 178 that emphasizes quarterly disclosure and expanded reporting of reimbursements and travel expenses rather than an absolute ban; an amendment to tighten meal exemptions failed earlier in the day.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 19 debated competing approaches to limit lobbyist influence, ultimately approving a disclosure‑focused substitute to House Bill 178 and forwarding it to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Ralph Becker, sponsor of the original bill, opened debate saying the measure "would institute a ban of gifts from lobbyists to legislators, with a $5 limit" aimed at restoring public confidence in government. Becker argued public polling showed strong constituent support for stricter limits and framed the proposal as a step to "restore public confidence."
The House then considered a substitute offered by Representative Dee…
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