House advances registry bill aimed at improving records of local government and limited-purpose entities

The Utah House on Jan. 30 approved House Bill 31, which expands and clarifies the state’s local government and limited-purpose entity registry that the lieutenant governor’s office maintains.

Representative Handy, sponsor of HB 31, said the registry—created after a 2018 audit—needed clearer data and reporting requirements. Handy described requirements that municipal recorders and county clerks register their municipalities and counties, that certain nonprofit corporations register within six months after fiscal-year end, and that charter and affiliated satellite charter schools be clarified in the registry. He also noted a privacy provision in the amendment that defines personal information and excludes private email addresses or phone numbers from public disclosure.

On the floor, members described the bill as technical cleanup to address data gaps discovered during implementation of the 2018 registry. Voting was opened and closed; HB 31 passed the House (71-0) and will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Supporters characterized HB 31 as administrative and intended to improve transparency and data accuracy for state oversight and audits; no funding changes were discussed on the floor.