House Rules committee rejects proposal to disclose executive‑branch origin of bills

The Utah House Rules Committee rejected a rules resolution that would have asked legislators to disclose when bills were materially requested by executive‑branch agencies.

Representative Matt McPherson introduced HR4, saying the measure was intended as a voluntary transparency practice, not a punitive rule. “If this bill is originating in any way, shape, or form from an agency or from the executive branch, just let your colleagues know,” McPherson said, urging a simple disclosure so legislators and the public can better understand where proposals originate.

Committee members pressed McPherson for specifics about scope and enforcement. Representative Casey Wilcox questioned whether informal staff conversations or off‑the‑record consultations would count as a request and cautioned that some agency staff need confidentiality. “Sometimes it does feel like a whistleblower conversation,” Wilcox said, noting potential risks to agency employees. Representative Jason Peterson and Representative Burton also raised concerns about vague definitions and the risk of outing private contributors or well‑intentioned constituents.

Chair Fisher suggested a narrow administrative fix that would add an agency‑origin checkbox to the bill request form so origin could be logged at filing rather than relying on spoken disclosures. McPherson said he would consider alternative placements for the disclosure language, such as the bill‑release paperwork, and bring a revised draft back if needed.

The committee voted by roll call on a motion to recommend HR4 favorably. Representative Lee cast the only yes vote; six members voted no (motion tally: yes 1, no 6). The motion failed. McPherson told the committee he would revisit the language and consider substitutes or alternate processes.

The committee did not adopt HR4 and provided direction for the sponsor to rework the proposal if he chooses to pursue it again.