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House approves corporate-contribution disclosure bill after extended debate
Summary
After an extended floor debate over First Amendment and practical concerns, the House passed a bill requiring corporations that spend above reporting thresholds to disclose donor names and amounts used for campaign or election activity.
The Utah House passed First Substitute House Bill 43 on Feb. 25, a measure that requires corporations—profit and nonprofit—that spend above the statutory reporting threshold on campaigns or ballot measures to disclose donor names and amounts tied to those election expenditures.
Sponsor Representative Hughes described the bill as bringing “daylight” to contributions now routed through corporate entities and said the measure mirrors current disclosure expectations for candidates and political-action committees. Supporters argued the change provides transparency about money influencing elections; opponents warned of First Amendment and privacy risks, suggesting disclosure could chill donors or produce retaliatory actions against contributors.
Representative Chavez Houck, Representative Ivory and others raised concerns about definitions such as "donor" and "full and adequate consideration" for membership dues; Representative Hughes said the bill allows aggregate reporting below a low-dollar threshold and that draft language could be refined. Representative Layton cautioned that transparency is not always benign and warned of potential retaliation against donors. The House rejected a motion to circle the bill and later, after a motion for previous question, passed HB 43 by roll call, 61–10. The measure will be transmitted to the Senate.
