Utah 2025 2025 Regular Session

Utah Senate Bill SB0291 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/17/2025

                    02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
1 
Lobbying Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Brady Brammer
House Sponsor:
2 
 
3 
LONG TITLE
4 
General Description:
5 
This bill amends and enacts provisions relating to lobbying.
6 
Highlighted Provisions:
7 
This bill:
8 
▸ defines terms;
9 
▸ modifies and clarifies the definitions of lobbyist, lobbying, and a principal;
10 
▸ prohibits consideration, a reward, or an incentive for lobbying that is contingent on
11 
certain government action and provides criminal and civil penalties for violation of the
12 
prohibition;
13 
▸ replaces the offense of employing or soliciting a person to lobby for contingent
14 
compensation with the offense described in the preceding paragraph;
15 
▸ creates an exception to the definition of "expenditure" in relation to certain sporting
16 
events, performances, or exhibitions of a state institution of higher education or a
17 
private, nonprofit institution of higher education;
18 
▸ amends provisions relating to lobbying by a former state official;
19 
▸ requires a municipality or county to disclose certain information regarding lobbying
20 
expenditures made by the municipality or county; and
21 
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
22 
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23 
None
24 
Other Special Clauses:
25 
None
26 
Utah Code Sections Affected:
27 
AMENDS:
28 
36-11-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 425, 438
29 
36-11-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 16
30 
53-1-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 425
 S.B. 291  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
31 
53-1-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 506
32 
63G-23-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 158
33 
67-24-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 360
34 
ENACTS:
35 
10-8-1.8, Utah Code Annotated 1953
36 
17-15-34, Utah Code Annotated 1953
37 
REPEALS AND REENACTS:
38 
36-11-301, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1991, Chapter 280
39 
 
40 
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
41 
Section 1.  Section 10-8-1.8 is enacted to read:
42 
10-8-1.8 . Disclosure of retention of a lobbyist.
43 
(1) A municipality that retains the services of a lobbyist, as defined in Section 36-11-102,
44 
shall:
45 
(a) before the lobbyist performs any services for the municipality, post, on the
46 
municipality's website, the following information:
47 
(i) the name of the lobbyist;
48 
(ii) the agreement between the municipality and the lobbyist;
49 
(iii) a description of the purpose for which the municipality retains the lobbyist; and
50 
(iv) a description of the consideration, including the amount or value of the
51 
consideration, that the lobbyist has received, will receive, or may receive in
52 
exchange for the lobbyist's services to the municipality;
53 
(b) post a link on the main page of the municipality's website to the information
54 
described in Subsection (1)(a), with the link entitled, "municipal expenditures for
55 
lobbying"; and
56 
(c) maintain on the website the information described in Subsection (1)(a), with the link
57 
described in Subsection (1)(b), for at least one year after the day on which the
58 
municipality posts the information.
59 
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to lobbying provided to municipalities in general by the
60 
Utah League of Cities and Towns.
61 
Section 2.  Section 17-15-34 is enacted to read:
62 
17-15-34 . Disclosure of retention of a lobbyist.
63 
(1) A county that retains the services of a lobbyist, as defined in Section 36-11-102, shall:
64 
(a) before the lobbyist performs any services for the county, post, on the county's
- 2 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
65 
website, the following information:
66 
(i) the name of the lobbyist;
67 
(ii) the agreement between the county and the lobbyist;
68 
(iii) a description of the purpose for which the county retains the lobbyist; and
69 
(iv) a description of the consideration, including the amount or value of the
70 
consideration, that the lobbyist has received, will receive, or may receive in
71 
exchange for the lobbyist's services to the county;
72 
(b) post a link on the main page of the county's website to the information described in
73 
Subsection (1)(a), with the link entitled, "county expenditures for lobbying"; and
74 
(c) maintain on the website the information described in Subsection (1)(a), with the link
75 
described in Subsection (1)(b), for at least one year after the day on which the county
76 
posts the information.
77 
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to lobbying provided to counties in general by the Utah
78 
Association of Counties.
79 
Section 3.  Section 36-11-102 is amended to read:
80 
36-11-102 . Definitions.
81 
      As used in this chapter:
82 
(1) "Aggregate daily expenditures" means:
83 
(a) for a single lobbyist, principal, or government officer, the total of all expenditures
84 
made within a calendar day by the lobbyist, principal, or government officer for the
85 
benefit of an individual public official;
86 
(b) for an expenditure made by a member of a lobbyist group, the total of all
87 
expenditures made within a calendar day by every member of the lobbyist group for
88 
the benefit of an individual public official; or
89 
(c) for a multiclient lobbyist, the total of all expenditures made by the multiclient
90 
lobbyist within a calendar day for the benefit of an individual public official,
91 
regardless of whether the expenditures were attributed to different clients.
92 
(2) "Approved activity" means an event, a tour, or a meeting:
93 
(a)(i) to which a legislator or another nonexecutive branch public official is invited;
94 
and
95 
(ii) attendance at which is approved by:
96 
(A) the speaker of the House of Representatives, if the public official is a member
97 
of the House of Representatives or another nonexecutive branch public official;
98 
or
- 3 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
99 
(B) the president of the Senate, if the public official is a member of the Senate or
100 
another nonexecutive branch public official; or
101 
(b)(i) to which a public official who holds a position in the executive branch of state
102 
government is invited; and
103 
(ii) attendance at which is approved by the governor or the lieutenant governor.
104 
(3) "Board of education" means:
105 
(a) a local school board described in Title 53G, Chapter 4, School Districts;
106 
(b) the State Board of Education;
107 
(c) the State Charter School Board created under Section 53G-5-201; or
108 
(d) a charter school governing board described in Title 53G, Chapter 5, Charter Schools.
109 
(4) "Capitol hill complex" means capitol hill, as defined in Section 63O-1-101.
110 
(5)(a) "Compensation" means anything of economic value, however designated, that is
111 
paid, loaned, granted, given, donated, or transferred to an individual for the provision
112 
of services or ownership before any withholding required by federal or state law.
113 
(b) "Compensation" includes:
114 
(i) a salary or commission;
115 
(ii) a bonus;
116 
(iii) a benefit;
117 
(iv) a contribution to a retirement program or account;
118 
(v) a payment includable in gross income, as defined in Section 62, Internal Revenue
119 
Code, and subject to social security deductions, including a payment in excess of
120 
the maximum amount subject to deduction under social security law;
121 
(vi) an amount that the individual authorizes to be deducted or reduced for salary
122 
deferral or other benefits authorized by federal law; or
123 
(vii) income based on an individual's ownership interest.
124 
(6) "Compensation payor" means a person who pays compensation to a public official in
125 
the ordinary course of business:
126 
(a) because of the public official's ownership interest in the compensation payor; or
127 
(b) for services rendered by the public official on behalf of the compensation payor.
128 
(7) "Education action" means:
129 
(a) the passage or defeat of a resolution, policy, amendment, or other official action for
130 
consideration by a board of education;
131 
(b) a nomination or appointment by an education official or a board of education;
132 
(c) the passage or defeat of a vote on an administrative action taken by a vote of a board
- 4 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
133 
of education; or
134 
[(d) an adjudicative proceeding over which an education official has direct or indirect
135 
control;]
136 
[(e) a purchasing or contracting decision;]
137 
[(f) drafting or making a policy, resolution, or rule;]
138 
[(g)] (d) determining a rate or fee[; or] .
139 
[(h) making an adjudicative decision.]
140 
(8) "Education official" means:
141 
(a) a member of a board of education; or
142 
(b) an individual appointed to or employed in a position under a board of education, if
143 
that individual:
144 
(i) occupies a policymaking position[ or makes purchasing or contracting decisions];
145 
[(ii) drafts resolutions or policies or drafts or makes rules;]
146 
[(iii)] (ii) determines rates or fees; or
147 
[(iv)] (iii) makes decisions relating to an education budget or the expenditure of
148 
public money[; or] .
149 
[(v) makes adjudicative decisions; or]
150 
[(c) an immediate family member of an individual described in Subsection (8)(a) or (b).]
151 
(9) "Event" means entertainment, a performance, a contest, or a recreational activity that an
152 
individual participates in or is a spectator at, including a sporting event, an artistic event,
153 
a play, a movie, dancing, or singing.
154 
(10) "Executive action" means:
155 
(a) a nomination or appointment by the governor;
156 
(b) the action of the governor in approving or vetoing legislation;
157 
[(b)] (c) the [proposal, drafting, amendment, enactment,] passage or defeat by a state
158 
agency of a rule, or an amendment to a rule, made in accordance with Title 63G,
159 
Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; or
160 
[(c)] (d) agency ratemaking proceedings[; or] .
161 
[(d) an adjudicative proceeding of a state agency.]
162 
(11)  "Executive official" means:
163 
(a) an individual elected to an executive office or appointed to fill a vacancy in an
164 
executive office; or
165 
(b) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the executive branch of state
166 
government, if that individual:
- 5 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
167 
(i) occupies a policymaking position; or
168 
(ii) determines rates or fees.
169 
[(11)] (12)(a) "Expenditure" means any of the items listed in this Subsection [(11)(a)] 
170 
(12)(a) when given to or for the benefit of a public official unless consideration of
171 
equal or greater value is received:
172 
(i) a purchase, payment, or distribution;
173 
(ii) a loan, gift, or advance;
174 
(iii) a deposit, subscription, or forbearance;
175 
(iv) services or goods;
176 
(v) money;
177 
(vi) real property;
178 
(vii) a ticket or admission to an event; or
179 
(viii) a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to
180 
provide any item listed in Subsections [(11)(a)(i) through (vii)] (12)(a)(i) through
181 
(vii).
182 
(b) "Expenditure" does not [mean] include:
183 
(i) a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary course of business;
184 
(ii) a campaign contribution:
185 
(A) reported in accordance with Title 20A, Chapter 11, Campaign and Financial
186 
Reporting Requirements, Section 10-3-208, Section 17-16-6.5, or any
187 
applicable ordinance adopted under Subsection 10-3-208(6) or 17-16-6.5(1); or
188 
(B) lawfully given to a person that is not required to report the contribution under
189 
a law or ordinance described in Subsection [(11)(b)(ii)(A)] (12)(b)(ii)(A);
190 
(iii) printed informational material that is related to the performance of the recipient's
191 
official duties;
192 
(iv) a devise or inheritance;
193 
(v) any item listed in Subsection [(11)(a)] (12)(a) if:
194 
(A) given by a relative;
195 
(B) given by a compensation payor for a purpose solely unrelated to the public
196 
official's position as a public official;
197 
(C) the item is food or beverage with a value that does not exceed the food
198 
reimbursement rate, and the aggregate daily expenditures for food and
199 
beverage do not exceed the food reimbursement rate; or
200 
(D) the item is not food or beverage, has a value of less than $10, and the
- 6 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
201 
aggregate daily expenditures do not exceed $10;
202 
(vi) food or beverage that is provided at an event, a tour, or a meeting to which the
203 
following are invited:
204 
(A) all members of the Legislature;
205 
(B) all members of a standing or interim committee;
206 
(C) all members of an official legislative task force;
207 
(D) all members of a party caucus; or
208 
(E) all members of a group described in Subsections [(11)(b)(vi)(A) through (D)] 
209 
(12)(b)(vi)(A) through (D) who are attending a meeting of a national
210 
organization whose primary purpose is addressing general legislative policy;
211 
(vii) food or beverage that is provided at an event, a tour, or a meeting to a public
212 
official who is:
213 
(A) giving a speech at the event, tour, or meeting;
214 
(B) participating in a panel discussion at the event, tour, or meeting; or
215 
(C) presenting or receiving an award at the event, tour, or meeting;
216 
(viii) a plaque, commendation, or award that:
217 
(A) is presented in public; and
218 
(B) has the name of the individual receiving the plaque, commendation, or award
219 
inscribed, etched, printed, or otherwise permanently marked on the plaque,
220 
commendation, or award;
221 
(ix) a gift that:
222 
(A) is an item that is not consumable and not perishable;
223 
(B) a public official, other than a local official or an education official, accepts on
224 
behalf of the state;
225 
(C) the public official promptly remits to the state;
226 
(D) a property administrator does not reject under Section 63G-23-103;
227 
(E) does not constitute a direct benefit to the public official before or after the
228 
public official remits the gift to the state; and
229 
(F) after being remitted to the state, is not transferred, divided, distributed, or used
230 
to distribute a gift or benefit to one or more public officials in a manner that
231 
would otherwise qualify the gift as an expenditure if the gift were given
232 
directly to a public official;
233 
(x) any of the following with a cash value not exceeding $30:
234 
(A) a publication; or
- 7 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
235 
(B) a commemorative item;
236 
(xi) admission to or attendance at an event, a tour, or a meeting, the primary purpose
237 
of which is:
238 
(A) to solicit a contribution that is reportable under Title 20A, Chapter 11,
239 
Campaign and Financial Reporting Requirements, 2 U.S.C. Sec. 434, Section
240 
10-3-208, Section 17-16-6.5, or an applicable ordinance adopted under
241 
Subsection 10-3-208(6) or 17-16-6.5(1);
242 
(B) to solicit a campaign contribution that a person is not required to report under
243 
a law or ordinance described in Subsection [(11)(b)(xi)(A)] (12)(b)(xi)(A); or
244 
(C) charitable solicitation, as defined in Section 13-22-2;
245 
(xii) travel to, lodging at, food or beverage served at, and admission to an approved
246 
activity;
247 
(xiii) sponsorship of an approved activity;
248 
(xiv) notwithstanding Subsection [(11)(a)(vii)] (12)(a)(vii), admission to, attendance
249 
at, or travel to or from an event, a tour, or a meeting:
250 
(A) that is sponsored by a governmental entity;
251 
(B) that is widely attended and related to a governmental duty of a public official;
252 
(C) for a local official, that is sponsored by an organization that represents only
253 
local governments, including the Utah Association of Counties, the Utah
254 
League of Cities and Towns, or the Utah Association of Special Districts; or
255 
(D) for an education official, that is sponsored by a public school, a charter
256 
school, or an organization that represents only public schools or charter
257 
schools, including the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, the Utah
258 
School Boards Association, or the Utah School Superintendents Association;[
259 
or]
260 
(xv) travel to a widely attended tour or meeting related to a governmental duty of a
261 
public official if that travel results in a financial savings to:
262 
(A) for a public official who is not a local official or an education official, the
263 
state; or
264 
(B) for a public official who is a local official or an education official, the local
265 
government or board of education to which the public official belongs[.] ;
266 
(xvi) notwithstanding Subsection (12)(a)(vii), admission to, attendance at, or travel to
267 
or from a sporting event provided by an institution of higher education described
268 
in Subsection 53B-2-101(1), or by a private, nonprofit institution of higher
- 8 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
269 
education in the state, if:
270 
(A) the institution of higher education is competing in the sporting event; and
271 
(B) the purpose of the public official attending the event is to build a relationship
272 
between the institution of higher education and the public official; or
273 
(xvii) notwithstanding Subsection (12)(a)(vii), admission to, attendance at, or travel
274 
to or from a theatrical, musical, dancing, or other artistic performance, an art
275 
exhibition, or another artistic event provided by an institution of higher education
276 
described in Subsection 53B-2-101(1), or by a private, nonprofit institution of
277 
higher education in the state, if:
278 
(A) the institution is participating in the event; and
279 
(B) the purpose of the public official attending the event is to build a relationship
280 
between the institution of higher education and the public official.
281 
[(12)] (13) "Food reimbursement rate" means the total amount set by the director of the
282 
Division of Finance, by rule, under Section 63A-3-107, for in-state meal reimbursement,
283 
for an employee of the executive branch, for an entire day.
284 
[(13)] (14)(a) "Foreign agent" means an individual who engages in lobbying under
285 
contract with a foreign government.
286 
(b) "Foreign agent" does not include an individual who is recognized by the United
287 
States Department of State as a duly accredited diplomatic or consular officer of a
288 
foreign government, including a duly accredited honorary consul.
289 
[(14)] (15) "Foreign government" means a government other than the government of:
290 
(a) the United States;
291 
(b) a state within the United States;
292 
(c) a territory or possession of the United States; or
293 
(d) a political subdivision of the United States.
294 
(16) "Government action" means:
295 
(a) an education action;
296 
(b) an executive action;
297 
(c) a legislative action; or
298 
(d) a local action.
299 
[(15)] (17)(a) "Government officer" means:
300 
(i) an individual elected to a position in state or local government, when acting in the
301 
capacity of the state or local government position;
302 
(ii) an individual elected to a board of education, when acting in the capacity of a
- 9 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
303 
member of a board of education;
304 
(iii) an individual appointed to fill a vacancy in a position described in Subsection [
305 
(15)(a)(i) or (ii)] (17)(a)(i) or (ii), when acting in the capacity of the position; or
306 
(iv) an individual appointed to or employed in a full-time position by state
307 
government, local government, or a board of education, when acting in the
308 
capacity of the individual's appointment or employment.
309 
(b) "Government officer" does not mean a member of the legislative branch of state
310 
government.
311 
[(16)] (18) "Immediate family" means:
312 
(a) a spouse;
313 
(b) a child residing in the household; or
314 
(c) an individual claimed as a dependent for tax purposes.
315 
[(17)] (19) "Legislative action" means[:]
316 
[(a)]   the passage or defeat of a bill, resolution, amendment, nomination, veto override,
317 
appropriation, or other matter pending or proposed in either house of the Legislature
318 
or [its] the Legislature's committees, or requested by a legislator[; and] .
319 
[(b) the action of the governor in approving or vetoing legislation.]
320 
(20) "Legislative official" means a member, or a member-elect, of the Senate or the House
321 
of Representatives.
322 
[(18)] (21) "Lobbying" means communicating with a public official for the purpose of
323 
influencing [a legislative action, executive action, local action, or education] government
324 
action.
325 
[(19)] (22)(a) "Lobbyist" means[:]  an individual who accepts or agrees to accept
326 
employment, payment, a reward, an incentive, something of value, or other
327 
consideration in exchange for lobbying.
328 
[(i) an individual who is employed by a principal; or]
329 
[(ii) an individual who contracts for economic consideration, other than
330 
reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses, with a principal to lobby a public
331 
official.]
332 
(b) "Lobbyist" includes an individual who engages in lobbying on behalf of an entity in
333 
which the individual obtained a non-controlling ownership interest within the
334 
immediately preceding 18 months.
335 
[(b)] (c) "Lobbyist" does not include:
336 
(i) a government officer;
- 10 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
337 
(ii) a member or employee of the legislative branch of state government;
338 
(iii) an individual who, in exchange for lobbying, accepts or agrees to accept only
339 
reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses;
340 
[(iii)] (iv) a person, including a principal, while appearing at, or providing written
341 
comments to, a hearing conducted in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
342 
Administrative Rulemaking Act, or Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative
343 
Procedures Act;
344 
[(iv)] (v) a person participating on or appearing before an advisory or study task force,
345 
commission, board, or committee, constituted by the Legislature, a local
346 
government, a board of education, or any agency or department of state
347 
government, except legislative standing, appropriation, or interim committees;
348 
[(v)] (vi) a representative of a political party;
349 
[(vi)] (vii) an individual representing a bona fide church solely for the purpose of
350 
protecting the right to practice the religious doctrines of the church, unless the
351 
individual or church makes an expenditure that confers a benefit on a public
352 
official;
353 
[(vii)] (viii) a newspaper, television station or network, radio station or network,
354 
periodical of general circulation, or book publisher for the purpose of publishing
355 
news items, editorials, other comments, or paid advertisements that directly or
356 
indirectly urge [legislative action, executive action, local action, or education] 
357 
government action;
358 
[(viii)] (ix) an individual who appears on the individual's own behalf before a
359 
committee of the Legislature, an agency of the executive branch of state
360 
government, a board of education, the governing body of a local government, a
361 
committee of a local government, or a committee of a board of education, solely
362 
for the purpose of testifying in support of or in opposition to [legislative action,
363 
executive action, local action, or education] government action; or
364 
[(ix)] (x) an individual representing a business, entity, or industry, who:
365 
(A) interacts with a public official, in the public official's capacity as a public
366 
official, while accompanied by a registered lobbyist who is lobbying in relation
367 
to the subject of the interaction or while presenting at a legislative committee
368 
meeting at the same time that the registered lobbyist is attending another
369 
legislative committee meeting; and
370 
(B) does not make an expenditure for, or on behalf of, a public official in relation
- 11 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
371 
to the interaction or during the period of interaction.
372 
[(20)] (23) "Lobbyist group" means two or more lobbyists, principals, government officers,
373 
or any combination of lobbyists, principals, and government officers, who each
374 
contribute a portion of an expenditure made to benefit a public official or member of the
375 
public official's immediate family.
376 
[(21)] (24) "Local action" means:
377 
(a) an ordinance or resolution for consideration by a local government;
378 
(b) a nomination or appointment by a local official or a local government;
379 
(c) a vote on an administrative action taken by a vote of a local government's legislative
380 
body; or
381 
[(d) an adjudicative proceeding over which a local official has direct or indirect control;]
382 
[(e) a purchasing or contracting decision;]
383 
[(f) drafting or making a policy, resolution, or rule;]
384 
[(g)] (d) determining a rate or fee[; or] .
385 
[(h) making an adjudicative decision.]
386 
[(22)] (25) "Local government" means:
387 
(a) a county, city, or town;
388 
(b) a special district governed by Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities
389 
- Special Districts;
390 
(c) a special service district governed by Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District
391 
Act;
392 
(d) a community reinvestment agency governed by Title 17C, Limited Purpose Local
393 
Government Entities - Community Reinvestment Agency Act;
394 
(e) a conservation district governed by Title 17D, Chapter 3, Conservation District Act;
395 
(f) a redevelopment agency; or
396 
(g) an interlocal entity or a joint cooperative undertaking governed by Title 11, Chapter
397 
13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.
398 
[(23)] (26) "Local official" means:
399 
(a) an [elected member of a local government] individual elected to a local government
400 
office or appointed to fill a vacancy in a local government office; or
401 
(b) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in a local government if that
402 
individual:
403 
(i) occupies a policymaking position[ or makes purchasing or contracting decisions];
404 
or
- 12 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
405 
[(ii) drafts ordinances or resolutions or drafts or makes rules;]
406 
[(iii)] (ii) determines rates or fees[; or] .
407 
[(iv) makes adjudicative decisions; or]
408 
[(c) an immediate family member of an individual described in Subsection (23)(a) or (b).]
409 
[(24)] (27) "Meeting" means a gathering of people to discuss an issue, receive instruction, or
410 
make a decision, including a conference, seminar, or summit.
411 
[(25)] (28) "Multiclient lobbyist" means a single lobbyist, principal, or government officer
412 
who represents two or more clients and divides the aggregate daily expenditure made to
413 
benefit a public official or member of the public official's immediate family between
414 
two or more of those clients.
415 
[(26)] (29) "Principal" means a person that [employs an individual to perform lobbying,
416 
either as an employee or as an independent contractor] pays or provides, or agrees or
417 
promises to pay or provide, employment, a reward, an incentive, something of value, or
418 
other consideration to a person to engage in lobbying.
419 
[(27)] (30) "Public official" means:
420 
(a) an education official;
421 
(b) an executive official;
422 
(c) a legislative official;
423 
(d) a local official; or
424 
(e) an immediate family member of an official or individual described in Subsections
425 
(30)(a) through (d).
426 
[(a)(i) a member of the Legislature;]
427 
[(ii) an individual elected to a position in the executive branch of state government; or]
428 
[(iii) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the executive or
429 
legislative branch of state government if that individual:]
430 
[(A) occupies a policymaking position or makes purchasing or contracting
431 
decisions;]
432 
[(B) drafts legislation or makes rules;]
433 
[(C) determines rates or fees; or]
434 
[(D) makes adjudicative decisions;]
435 
[(b) an immediate family member of a person described in Subsection (27)(a);]
436 
[(c) a local official; or]
437 
[(d) an education official.]
438 
[(28)] (31) "Public official type" means a notation to identify whether a public official is:
- 13 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
439 
(a)(i) a member of the Legislature;
440 
(ii) an individual elected to a position in the executive branch of state government;
441 
(iii) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the legislative branch of
442 
state government who meets the definition of [public ] legislative official[ under
443 
Subsection (27)(a)(iii)];
444 
(iv) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the executive branch of
445 
state government who meets the definition of [public] executive official[ under
446 
Subsection (27)(a)(iii)];
447 
(v) a local official, including a description of the type of local government for which
448 
the individual is a local official; or
449 
(vi) an education official, including a description of the type of board of education for
450 
which the individual is an education official; or
451 
(b) an immediate family member of an individual described in [Subsection (27)(a), (c),
452 
or (d)] Subsections (30)(a) through (d).
453 
[(29)] (32) "Quarterly reporting period" means the three-month period covered by each
454 
financial report required under Subsection 36-11-201(2)(a).
455 
[(30)] (33) "Related person" means a person, agent, or employee who [knowingly and
456 
intentionally ]assists a lobbyist, principal, or government officer in lobbying.
457 
[(31)] (34) "Relative" means:
458 
(a) a spouse;
459 
(b) a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law,
460 
sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, or first cousin; or
461 
(c) a spouse of an individual described in Subsection [(31)(b)] (34)(b).
462 
[(32)] (35) "Tour" means visiting a location, for a purpose relating to the duties of a public
463 
official, and not primarily for entertainment, including:
464 
(a) viewing a facility;
465 
(b) viewing the sight of a natural disaster; or
466 
(c) assessing a circumstance in relation to which a public official may need to take
467 
action within the scope of the public official's duties.
468 
Section 4.  Section 36-11-201 is amended to read:
469 
36-11-201 . Lobbyist, principal, and government officer financial reporting
470 
requirements -- Prohibition for related person to make expenditures.
471 
(1)(a)(i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), a lobbyist shall file financial
472 
reports with the lieutenant governor on or before the due dates specified in
- 14 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
473 
Subsection (2).
474 
(ii) A lobbyist who has not made an expenditure during a quarterly reporting period
475 
is not required to file a quarterly financial report for that quarterly reporting period.
476 
(iii) A lobbyist who is not required to file any quarterly reports under this section for
477 
a calendar year shall, on or before January 10 of the following year, file a financial
478 
report listing the amount of the expenditures for the entire preceding year as
479 
"none."
480 
(b) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), a government officer or principal that makes
481 
an expenditure during any of the quarterly reporting periods under Subsection (2)(a)
482 
shall file a financial report with the lieutenant governor on or before the date that a
483 
report for that quarter is due.
484 
(c)(i) As used in this Subsection (1)(c), "same local government type" means:
485 
(A) for a county government, the same county government or another county
486 
government;
487 
(B) for a municipal government, the same municipal government or another
488 
municipal government;
489 
(C) for a board of education, the same board of education;
490 
(D) for a local school board described in Title 53G, Chapter 4, School Districts,
491 
the same local school board or another local school board;
492 
(E) for a special district, the same special district or another special district or a
493 
special service district;
494 
(F) for a special service district, the same special service district or another special
495 
service district or a special district; or
496 
(G) for a participant in an interlocal agreement, another participant in the same
497 
interlocal agreement.
498 
(ii) A local official or an education official is not required, under this section, to
499 
report an expenditure made by the local official or education official to another
500 
local official or education official of the same local government type as the local
501 
official or education official making the expenditure.
502 
(2)(a) A financial report is due quarterly on the following dates:
503 
(i) April 10, for the period of January 1 through March 31;
504 
(ii) July 10, for the period of April 1 through June 30;
505 
(iii) October 10, for the period of July 1 through September 30; and
506 
(iv) January 10, for the period of October 1 through December 31 of the previous
- 15 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
507 
year.
508 
(b) If the due date for a financial report falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the
509 
report is due on the next succeeding business day.
510 
(c) A financial report is timely filed if it is filed electronically before the close of regular
511 
office hours on or before the due date.
512 
(3) A financial report shall contain:
513 
(a) the total amount of expenditures made to benefit any public official during the
514 
quarterly reporting period;
515 
(b) the total amount of expenditures made, by the type of public official, during the
516 
quarterly reporting period;
517 
(c) for the financial report due on January 10:
518 
(i) the total amount of expenditures made to benefit any public official during the last
519 
calendar year; and
520 
(ii) the total amount of expenditures made, by the type of public official, during the
521 
last calendar year;
522 
(d) a disclosure of each expenditure made during the quarterly reporting period to
523 
reimburse or pay for travel or lodging for a public official, including:
524 
(i) each travel destination and each lodging location;
525 
(ii) the name of each public official who benefitted from the expenditure on travel or
526 
lodging;
527 
(iii) the public official type of each public official named;
528 
(iv) for each public official named, a listing of the amount and purpose of each
529 
expenditure made for travel or lodging; and
530 
(v) the total amount of expenditures listed under Subsection (3)(d)(iv);
531 
(e) a disclosure of aggregate daily expenditures greater than $10 made during the
532 
quarterly reporting period including:
533 
(i) the date and purpose of the expenditure;
534 
(ii) the location of the expenditure;
535 
(iii) the name of any public official benefitted by the expenditure;
536 
(iv) the type of the public official benefitted by the expenditure; and
537 
(v) the total monetary worth of the benefit that the expenditure conferred on any
538 
public official;
539 
(f) for each public official who was employed by the lobbyist, principal, or government
540 
officer, a list that provides:
- 16 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
541 
(i) the name of the public official; and
542 
(ii) the nature of the employment with the public official;
543 
(g) each bill or resolution, by number and short title, on behalf of which the lobbyist,
544 
principal, or government officer made an expenditure to a public official;
545 
(h) a description of each [executive] government action on behalf of which the lobbyist,
546 
principal, or government officer made an expenditure to a public official;
547 
(i) a description of each [local action or education] government action regarding which
548 
the lobbyist, principal, or government officer made an expenditure to a local official
549 
or education official;
550 
(j) the general purposes, interests, and nature of the entities that the lobbyist, principal,
551 
or government officer filing the report represents; and
552 
(k) for a lobbyist, a certification that the information provided in the report is true,
553 
accurate, and complete to the lobbyist's best knowledge and belief.
554 
(4) A related person may not, while assisting a lobbyist, principal, or government officer in
555 
lobbying, make an expenditure that benefits a public official under circumstances that
556 
would otherwise fall within the disclosure requirements of this chapter if the expenditure
557 
was made by the lobbyist, principal, or government officer.
558 
(5) The lieutenant governor shall:
559 
(a)(i) develop a preprinted form for a financial report required by this section; and
560 
(ii) make copies of the form available to a lobbyist, principal, or government officer
561 
who requests a form; and
562 
(b) provide a reporting system that allows a lobbyist, principal, or government officer to
563 
submit a financial report required by this chapter via the Internet.
564 
(6)(a) A lobbyist and a principal shall continue to file a financial report required by this
565 
section until the lobbyist or principal files a statement with the lieutenant governor
566 
that:
567 
(i)(A) for a lobbyist, states that the lobbyist has ceased lobbying activities; or
568 
(B) for a principal, states that the principal no longer employs an individual as a
569 
lobbyist;
570 
(ii) in the case of a lobbyist, states that the lobbyist is surrendering the lobbyist's
571 
license;
572 
(iii) contains a listing, as required by this section, of all previously unreported
573 
expenditures that have been made through the date of the statement; and
574 
(iv) states that the lobbyist or principal will not make any additional expenditure that
- 17 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
575 
is not disclosed on the statement unless the lobbyist or principal complies with the
576 
disclosure and licensing requirements of this chapter.
577 
(b) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), a lobbyist or principal that is required to
578 
file a financial report under this section is required to file the report quarterly until the
579 
lobbyist or principal files the statement required by Subsection (6)(a).
580 
Section 5.  Section 36-11-301 is repealed and reenacted to read:
581 
36-11-301 . Contingent consideration, reward, or incentive prohibited.
582 
      It is unlawful for a lobbyist to solicit, accept, or agree to accept anything of value from a
583 
person as consideration for, a reward for, or an incentive for, lobbying, if:
584 
(1) the consideration, reward, or incentive is based on whether certain government action
585 
occurs or does not occur; or
586 
(2) the value of the consideration is based on the value of an appropriation.
587 
Section 6.  Section 53-1-102 is amended to read:
588 
53-1-102 . Definitions.
589 
(1) As used in this title:
590 
(a) "Capitol hill complex" means capitol hill, as defined in Section 63O-1-101.
591 
(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety appointed under Section
592 
53-1-107.
593 
(c) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety created in Section 53-1-103.
594 
(d) "Governor-elect" means an individual whom the board of canvassers determines to
595 
be the successful candidate for governor after a general election for the office of
596 
governor.
597 
(e) "Law enforcement agency" means an entity or division of:
598 
(i)(A) the federal government, a state, or a political subdivision of a state;
599 
(B) a state institution of higher education; or
600 
(C) a private institution of higher education, if the entity or division is certified by
601 
the commissioner under Title 53, Chapter 19, Certification of Private Law
602 
Enforcement Agency; and
603 
(ii) that exists primarily to prevent and detect crime and enforce criminal laws,
604 
statutes, and ordinances.
605 
(f) "Law enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section
606 
53-13-103.
607 
(g) "Motor vehicle" means every self-propelled vehicle and every vehicle propelled by
608 
electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails,
- 18 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
609 
except motorized wheel chairs and vehicles moved solely by human power.
610 
(h) "Peace officer" means any officer certified in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 13,
611 
Peace Officer Classifications.
612 
(i) "Public official" means[ the same as that term is defined in Section 36-11-102.] :
613 
(i) a member of the Legislature;
614 
(ii) an individual elected to a position in the executive branch of state government;
615 
(iii) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the executive or
616 
legislative branch of state government, if that individual:
617 
(A) occupies a policymaking position;
618 
(B) makes purchasing or contracting decisions;
619 
(C) drafts legislation or makes rules;
620 
(D) determines rates or fees; or
621 
(E) makes adjudicative decisions;
622 
(iv) an elected member of a local government, as defined in Section 36-11-102;
623 
(v) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in a local government, as
624 
defined in Section 36-11-102, if that individual:
625 
(A) occupies a policymaking position;
626 
(B) makes purchasing or contracting decisions;
627 
(C) drafts ordinances or resolutions, or drafts or makes rules;
628 
(D) determines rates or fees; or
629 
(E) makes adjudicative decisions;
630 
(vi) a member of a board of education, as defined in Section 36-11-102;
631 
(vii) an individual appointed to or employed in a position under a board of education,
632 
as defined in Section 36-11-102, if that individual:
633 
(A) occupies a policymaking position;
634 
(B) makes purchasing or contracting decisions;
635 
(C) drafts resolutions or policies, or drafts or makes rules;
636 
(D) determines rates or fees;
637 
(E) makes decisions relating to an education budget or the expenditure of public
638 
money; or
639 
(F) makes adjudicative decisions; or
640 
(viii) an immediate family member of an individual described in Subsections (1)(i)(i)
641 
through (vii).
642 
(j) "State institution of higher education" means the same as that term is defined in
- 19 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
643 
Section 53B-3-102.
644 
(k) "Vehicle" means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may
645 
be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon
646 
stationary rails or tracks.
647 
(2) The definitions provided in Subsection (1) are to be applied throughout this title in
648 
addition to definitions that are applicable to specific chapters or parts.
649 
Section 7.  Section 53-1-106 is amended to read:
650 
53-1-106 . Department duties -- Powers.
651 
(1) In addition to the responsibilities contained in this title, the department shall:
652 
(a) make rules and perform the functions specified in Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code,
653 
including:
654 
(i) setting performance standards for towing companies to be used by the department,
655 
as required by Section 41-6a-1406; and
656 
(ii) advising the Department of Transportation regarding the safe design and
657 
operation of school buses, as required by Section 41-6a-1304;
658 
(b) make rules to establish and clarify standards pertaining to the curriculum and
659 
teaching methods of a motor vehicle accident prevention course under Section
660 
31A-19a-211;
661 
(c) aid in enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking;
662 
(d) meet with the Division of Technology Services to formulate contracts, establish
663 
priorities, and develop funding mechanisms for dispatch and telecommunications
664 
operations;
665 
(e) provide assistance to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and the
666 
Utah Office for Victims of Crime in conducting research or monitoring victims'
667 
programs, as required by Section 63M-7-507;
668 
(f) develop sexual assault exam protocol standards in conjunction with the Utah Hospital
669 
Association;
670 
(g) engage in emergency planning activities, including preparation of policy and
671 
procedure and rulemaking necessary for implementation of the federal Emergency
672 
Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, as required by Section
673 
53-2a-702;
674 
(h) implement the provisions of Section 53-2a-402, the Emergency Management
675 
Assistance Compact;
676 
(i) ensure that any training or certification required of a public official, as defined in
- 20 - 02-17 10:58  S.B. 291
677 
Section 53-1-102, or a public employee, as [those terms are ]defined in Section
678 
63G-22-102, complies with Title 63G, Chapter 22, State Training and Certification
679 
Requirements, if the training or certification is required:
680 
(i) under this title;
681 
(ii) by the department; or
682 
(iii) by an agency or division within the department;
683 
(j) employ a law enforcement officer as a public safety liaison to be housed at the State
684 
Board of Education who shall work with the State Board of Education to:
685 
(i) support training with relevant state agencies for school resource officers as
686 
described in Section 53G-8-702;
687 
(ii) coordinate the creation of model policies and memorandums of understanding for
688 
a local education agency and a local law enforcement agency; and
689 
(iii) ensure cooperation between relevant state agencies, a local education agency,
690 
and a local law enforcement agency to foster compliance with disciplinary related
691 
statutory provisions, including Sections 53E-3-516 and 53G-8-211;
692 
(k) provide for the security and protection of public officials, public officials' staff, and
693 
the capitol hill complex in accordance with the provisions of this part;
694 
(l) fulfill the duties described in Sections 77-36-2.1 and 78B-7-120 related to lethality
695 
assessments; and
696 
(m) fulfill the duties described in Section 63L-13-201 related to restricted foreign
697 
entities.
698 
(2)(a) The department shall establish a schedule of fees as required or allowed in this
699 
title for services provided by the department.
700 
(b) All fees not established in statute shall be established in accordance with Section
701 
63J-1-504.
702 
(3) The department may establish or contract for the establishment of an Organ
703 
Procurement Donor Registry in accordance with Section 26B-8-319.
704 
Section 8.  Section 63G-23-102 is amended to read:
705 
63G-23-102 . Definitions.
706 
      As used in this chapter:
707 
(1) "Public official" means, except as provided in Subsection (3), the same as that term is
708 
defined in Section [36-11-102] 53-1-102.
709 
(2) "Public official" includes a judge or justice of:
710 
(a) the Utah Supreme Court;
- 21 -  S.B. 291	02-17 10:58
711 
(b) the Utah Court of Appeals;
712 
(c) a district court;
713 
(d) a juvenile court; or
714 
(e) the Business and Chancery Court.
715 
(3) "Public official" does not include a local official or an education official as defined in
716 
Section 36-11-102.
717 
Section 9.  Section 67-24-103 is amended to read:
718 
67-24-103 . Qualified prohibitions on lobbyists -- Time limit -- Exceptions.
719 
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a former state official [serving on or after May 12,
720 
2009, ]may not become a lobbyist or engage in lobbying that would require registration
721 
as a lobbyist under Title 36, Chapter 11, Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act, for
722 
one calendar year, beginning on the day the state official leaves office and ending on the
723 
one-year anniversary of that day.
724 
(2) This section does not apply if the former state official[ ] :
725 
(a) engages in lobbying on behalf of:
726 
[(a)] (i) [himself] the former state official; or
727 
[(b)] (ii) a business with which [he ] the former state official is associated, unless the
728 
primary activity of the business is lobbying or governmental relations[.] ; or
729 
(b) lobbies only outside the branch of government where the former state official served.
730 
Section 10.  Effective Date.
731 
This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
- 22 -