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House passes fuller campaign-finance reporting that targets political consultants
Summary
House Bill 3 94 updates campaign finance law to define 'political consultant', require itemized disclosures of consultant expenditures, expand reporting to LLC managers, impose a one-year lookback on conflicts and extend retention of conflict forms; the House approved the measure unanimously and it was transmitted to the Senate.
The Utah House on March 6 advanced legislative changes to campaign finance reporting aimed at closing gaps in disclosure when campaigns hire consultants.
Representative Dunnegan, sponsor of House Bill 3 94, said the measure defines a "political consultant" and requires campaigns to disclose itemized uses of funds when expenditures are carried out by consultants rather than by the campaign itself. "If you hire a political consultant or a campaign manager and you give them some of money and they go out and do campaign expenditures for you," Dunnegan said, "then the candidate will have to disclose that on your filing."
The substitute also expands who must be reported by clarifying that managers of limited liability companies (LLCs) are covered where earlier law referenced officers of corporations and partners. The bill adds a one'year lookback to conflict of interest filings to prevent last'minute transfers that could obscure prior involvement.
Dunnegan told the chamber the changes respond to issues raised by prior investigations and guidance from the lieutenant governor's office, and clarified penalties for failure to file on time. He said the bill balances disclosure requirements with exemptions for volunteer services.
After a brief debate and with summation waived, the House approved the changes and passed HB 394; the bill will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
