Utah House approves HJR 6 to require receipts, set daily legislative rate

The Utah House on Jan. 29 approved HJR 6, a joint rules resolution that sets a single daily compensation rate for legislative members and requires legible receipts for lodging and meals before reimbursement.

Sponsor Representative Deeb told colleagues the measure creates an audit trail for legislative expenses, ends previous practice of reimbursing lodging or meals without receipts and applies the daily rate to sessions, interim meetings and authorized task forces. "I never ask for reimbursement that I don't have a receipt for," Deeb said, arguing the resolution would provide "full disclosure" and transparency for constituents.

Representative Draxler and other supporters said the change brings clarity to what legislators are paid and reimbursed, and urged the Senate to take similar action. The House waived further debate and approved the measure 70 yes to 4 no; it will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

Under the sponsor's explanation, the resolution does not change the independent compensation commission's role in recommending salary levels; instead it sets procedural rules for reimbursement. The measure allows individual legislators to decline some or all reimbursement if they choose and requires submission of legible receipts to the chief clerks before payment.

The House took the action under suspension of the rules to move HJR 6 to the top of the third‑reading calendar so it could be considered and voted on the same day. With passage in the House, the resolution proceeds to the Senate where further action is required for any change in joint rules.

The next step is consideration by the Utah Senate; no Senate action was recorded in the House transcript.