SB 145: Lobbying Amendments - Utah

Amended Excerpts 1/27/2026 10:01:411 → Amended 1/27/2026 10:01:411 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly updates Utah's lobbying laws by clarifying definitions, increasing the threshold for small gifts from $10 to $25, and creating new exceptions for attending events hosted by state universities. It also establishes a strict ban on contingent compensation for lobbying and adds specific reporting requirements for travel and lodging expenses.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of 'public officials' to include judges and justices, while simultaneously creating specific exemptions for local officials and education officials regarding expenditures made within their own local government types.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions to clarify terms like 'compensation,' 'expenditure,' and 'public official,' and added specific categories for education officials and judges.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the monetary threshold for small gifts and entertainment that do not require reporting from $10 to $25.

Added mandatory disclosure requirements for all travel and lodging expenditures made to benefit public officials.

EXCEPTIONS

Created new exceptions allowing public officials to attend recreational or artistic events hosted by state or private nonprofit universities to build relationships.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a strict prohibition on accepting rewards or incentives for lobbying that are contingent on specific government actions.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended the lobbying 'cooling-off' period for former state officials to one full calendar year, with exceptions for lobbying on their own behalf or for associated businesses.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 1/27/2026 10:01:411 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's lobbying laws to clarify definitions, update financial reporting thresholds, and modify restrictions on former state officials. Key changes include raising the daily expenditure limit for non-food items from $10 to $25, expanding exemptions for higher education events, and adding a new exception allowing former officials to lobby for businesses they are associated with, provided the business's main activity is not lobbying.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of lobbying exemptions to include certain sporting and artistic events hosted by state and private nonprofit universities, and it clarifies the definition of 'public official' to better align with other state statutes.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'expenditure' to include higher value thresholds for non-food items ($25 instead of $10) and clarified what constitutes an 'approved activity' for legislators and executives.

Revised the definition of 'public official' in multiple sections to ensure consistency across different state codes regarding who is subject to lobbying restrictions.

EXEMPTIONS

Added new exceptions allowing public officials to attend recreational, sporting, and artistic events hosted by state or private nonprofit institutions of higher education to build relationships with those institutions.

REQUIREMENT

Amended financial reporting requirements to reflect the new expenditure thresholds and clarified reporting for travel and lodging.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the cooling-off period for former state officials by adding an exception that allows them to lobby on behalf of businesses they are associated with, unless the business's primary activity is lobbying.

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 17, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's lobbying laws to clarify definitions, adjust financial reporting thresholds, and modify exceptions for gifts and events involving state universities. Key changes include raising the monetary threshold for small gifts from $10 to $25, updating references to higher education institutions to align with current statutes, and changing the House Sponsor's name. The bill also adds a new definition for 'foreign agent' and clarifies rules regarding contingent compensation.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on lobbying regulation, but specific applicability changes regarding which university events are exempt from expenditure limits and how small gifts are valued.

DEFINITION

Updated references to 'institution of higher education' in the text to cite Section 53H-1-102(1) instead of the previous Section 53B-2-101(1), ensuring alignment with current statutory definitions.

Added a new definition for 'foreign agent' to clarify who is subject to lobbying restrictions when working with foreign governments.

Clarified the definition of 'public official' in related statutes to explicitly list specific roles like judges and justices alongside other government officials.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the dollar threshold for small gifts or items that are not considered an expenditure from $10 to $25.

TECHNICAL

Changed the House Sponsor's name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Jordan D. Teuscher' and adjusted the effective date timestamp.

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