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Senate advances lobbyist-reporting changes after debate over how to count ‘dual-purpose’ events
Summary
The Utah Senate voted to advance Senate Bill 265, a rewrite clarifying lobbyist disclosures, after extended floor debate and an amendment defining how to calculate the “actual cost” of dual‑purpose events such as fundraisers and the governor’s ball.
The Utah Senate voted to place Senate Bill 265 (lobbyist-reporting issues) on the third-reading calendar on Feb. 26 after an extended floor debate over how to report expenditures tied to events that serve both public and fundraising purposes.
Senator Lane Beatty, sponsor of the bill, told colleagues the proposal largely codifies existing reporting practice but introduces a new treatment of “dual‑purpose activities” to make reporting consistent across lobbyists. “What this basically, at this point in time, just says it's the fee of whatever the normal cost would be for you if you were a member of the public to come and be part of that,” Beatty said, explaining his amendment’s approach to measuring contribution value.
The central dispute on the floor concerned whether to measure an official’s accepted invitation at its purchase price (what a ticket sold for) or by the portion of the event’s direct cost that can be attributed to the official. Senator Steiner proposed an amendment modeled on Internal Revenue Service practice that would subtract the fair‑market value of goods and services provided so that the report reflects the net fundraising contribution. Steiner argued this mirrors charitable-event tax accounting and would produce a clearer dollar‑for‑dollar disclosure.
Senator Beatty and others countered that some political fundraising events lack a fixed, publicly posted ticket price and that calculating exact allocations after the fact would be impractical. Beatty’s amendment defined “actual cost” as the cost of food and drink provided at the event and any admission fee charged in the ordinary course of business; his amendment passed while the Steiner amendment failed.
Supporters said the bill will reduce inconsistent reporting practices that grow out of differing lobbyist interpretations of the law. Critics, including representatives of watchdog groups referenced on the floor, warned the approach may leave gaps and called for stricter, dollar‑for‑dollar accounting. Beatty acknowledged those concerns but said his change strikes a practical balance.
The Senate adopted Beatty’s amendment and, by roll call, placed the substitute on the third‑reading calendar for final consideration.
What’s next: SB 265 will return for a final third reading and a final vote on the full text and any remaining amendments.
