House Rules committee holds HR 6 to refine lobbyist-ethics and badge rules after access concerns

The House Rules Standing Committee on Feb. 12 voted to hold House Resolution 6 (lobbyist ethics amendments) so the sponsor can return with revised language. Representative Romero said the measure aims to prevent unauthorized individuals from using legislators’ or spouses’ badges, occupying staff-only spaces, or influencing prioritization of legislation, especially when the same non-staff person is present daily.

Representative Peterson and others asked whether the bill would inadvertently bar constituents who visit occasionally (for example PTA members or volunteers) and how the bill would define the threshold between legitimate guest access and persistent nonstaff presence. Representative Romero said the intent is to target recurring unauthorized presence and pledged to work with staff on clearer wording.

Public commenter Seth Stewart urged caution, citing Utah Code 52-4-103 and the principle that the House floor is a public body meeting space and warned the language could chill public participation. A point-of-order interrupted Stewart’s line of questioning but he completed his public comments in the allotted time.

Representative Wilcox moved to hold the resolution to allow redrafting; the committee supported the motion and voted to hold the measure unanimously. The sponsor said she would work with drafting attorneys to clarify badge language and the scope of the volunteer-lobbyist limitation before returning the measure for further committee consideration.

What’s next: Sponsor will work with staff to refine definitions (volunteer lobbyist, permitted guests, and badge use) and the committee expects a revised draft to return for consideration.