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House approves rule requiring Speaker to disclose lobbyist‑paid travel
Summary
The Utah House adopted House Resolution 9 to require the Speaker to disclose out‑of‑state travel and lodging paid by registered lobbyists within two business days; the body passed an amendment adding 'state or federal government officer' to two disclosure lines and approved the resolution 71‑0 with four absent.
The Utah House of Representatives on the floor on an afternoon session adopted House Resolution 9, the "Speaker's Powers Amendment," requiring the Speaker to post within two business days written notice and approval when the Speaker authorizes out‑of‑state travel and lodging paid by a lobbyist.
Representative Kevin Garn, sponsor of HR 9, said the rule fills a gap left by House Bill 267 by insisting the Speaker disclose meetings' dates, locations, primary purpose and any official events or entertainment provided, and the name of any lobbyist, principal or government officer who paid for items related to the trip. "This really is about disclosure and transparency and democracy," Garn said.
Lawmakers clarified the scope on the floor. Representatives asked whether state‑paid travel, travel paid by a member personally, or travel paid by organizations that then disperse funds would be covered. Garn and others said the rule covers travel and lodging paid by a lobbyist or a principal; travel paid directly by the state or by a member personally is not covered. Representative Hendrickson asked whether foreign governments would be covered; the sponsor said he expected to address related questions with a forthcoming amendment.
The body voted on and approved an amendment inserting the phrase "state or federal government officer" in two places of the text to clarify who must be identified. The amendment was approved by voice and the resolution as amended passed on a roll call with 71 yes, 0 no and 4 absent. The Speaker Pro Tem ordered the resolution signed and sent to enrolling staff.
The rule specifies that disclosures be posted within two business days, but it does not set how long the disclosure must remain on the website; one representative raised that concern on the floor and the duration was not specified during the debate.
The House's action changes internal rules about disclosure of certain lobbyist‑funded travel; it does not change the underlying statutory ban on gifts over $10 or other campaign‑reporting rules. Further technical and scope questions were discussed but no additional policy deadlines were set on the floor.
