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Campaign finance limits fail in Utah House after extended debate
Summary
Second substitute of HB 60, which would have imposed new contribution limits for legislative and statewide races, failed on final passage 31-40 after floor debate over dark money, enforcement and CPI indexing. Sponsor said limits respond to public concern about undue influence.
The Utah House debated HB 60 on March 3, a bill that would have imposed contribution limits for candidates and adjusted related rules. Representative Brian King, sponsor of the measure, described the bill as implementing commission recommendations and said Utah is one of four states without contribution limits.
Members warned the measure would not eliminate so-called "dark money" and could have unintended consequences. Representative Doh argued the bill would mainly affect those who "play by the rules" while allowing circumvention through other entities. Representative Wilson said the bill risked driving money "underground," making spending less transparent.
King defended the proposal, saying limits would help candidates remove themselves from competing with unregulated third-party money: "We need to take ourselves out of that arena," he said. The House considered substitute versions of the bill; after moving a second substitute and debate, the second substitute failed final passage, 31 yes to 40 no. The measure was referred to staff for filing.
