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House approves one-year 'cooling-off' restriction on former officials becoming lobbyists
Summary
The House passed HB345, a bipartisan ethics bill creating a one-year ban on former state officials registering as lobbyists under Title 36; sponsors said the measure aligns Utah with other states and aims to preserve public trust.
The Utah House approved House Bill 345, a bipartisan measure that prohibits former state officials from registering as lobbyists under the Lobbyist Disclosure Regulation Act (Title 36) for one calendar year after leaving office.
Sponsors described the measure as a one-year “cooling-off” period modeled in part on other states’ rules. A floor sponsor noted that 16 states have a one-year period, six have two-year bans and other states use different approaches; the bill’s stated purpose is to reduce the appearance of undue influence and strengthen public trust in elected officials.
Representative Moss, speaking in support, said the bill breaks the connection between a legislator’s official duties and future private lobbying and emphasized public perception and trust: “It’s very important, the perception the public has of us and the trust they have in us,” Moss said. Sponsors and supporters described the bill as the product of bipartisan input through the Ethics Committee.
During floor questioning, members debated whether a one-year ban was sufficient versus a two-year period and how the restriction would apply to former representatives who take elected local office (e.g., mayor or county commissioner). Floor sponsors clarified that the prohibition targets registered lobbying as a paid lobbyist; former officials acting as elected local officials or speaking for their government roles would not be barred in ordinary capacities.
The House passed HB345 with a recorded vote of 71 yes and 3 no; the bill will be transferred to the Senate for consideration.
