Fifth Substitute H.B. 246
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions of the Election Code and the Lobbyist Disclosure and
10 Regulation Act.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . defines terms;
14 . requires the chief election officer to provide notice to each filing entity, for which
15 the chief election officer has a physical or email address, of the reporting and filing
16 requirements described in Title 20A, Chapter 11, Campaign and Financial
17 Reporting Requirements;
18 . imposes a penalty for a state office candidate, a legislative office candidate, a school
19 board office candidate, or a judge, who fails to report contributions or public service
20 assistance, as applicable, within the time period required by law;
21 . provides for publication of information relating to a penalty described in the
22 preceding paragraph;
23 . reduces from 30 days to three business days, under certain circumstances, the
24 deadline by which a state office candidate, a legislative office candidate, or a school
25 board office candidate, is required to report contributions or public service
26 assistance;
27 . requires that the Legislature's website include, for each legislative officeholder, a
28 link to the financial reports maintained on the lieutenant governor's website in
29 relation to that legislative officeholder;
30 . amends provisions of the Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act by:
31 . increasing the license fee by $10;
32 . requiring a lobbyist to, while engaging in lobbying at the capitol hill complex,
33 wear a name tag, issued by the lieutenant governor, that identifies the lobbyist as
34 a lobbyist;
35 . requiring a lobbyist to, at the beginning of making a communication to a public
36 official that constitutes lobbying, inform the public official of the identity of the
37 principal on whose behalf the lobbyist is lobbying; and
38 . modifying penalty provisions; and
39 . makes technical and conforming changes.
40 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
41 None
42 Other Special Clauses:
43 This bill provides an immediate effective date.
44 This bill coordinates with S.B. 97, Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act
45 Amendments, by providing substantive amendments.
46 Utah Code Sections Affected:
47 AMENDS:
48 20A-11-103 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 369
49 20A-11-201 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 230
50 20A-11-301 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 230
51 20A-11-1301 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 230
52 20A-12-303 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 396
53 36-11-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 212
54 36-11-103 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 325
55 36-11-401 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 389
56 ENACTS:
57 20A-11-1604 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
58 36-11-305.5 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
59 Utah Code Sections Affected by Coordination Clause:
60 36-11-103 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 325
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62 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63 Section 1. Section 20A-11-103 is amended to read:
64 20A-11-103. Notice of pending interim and summary reports -- Form of
65 submission -- Public availability -- Notice of reporting and filing requirements.
66 (1) (a) Except as provided under Subsection (1)(b), 10 days before an interim report or
67 summary report is due under this chapter or Chapter 12, Part 2, Judicial Retention Elections,
68 the chief election officer shall inform the filing entity by postal mail or, if requested by the
69 filing entity, by electronic mail:
70 (i) that the financial statement is due;
71 (ii) of the date that the financial statement is due; and
72 (iii) of the penalty for failing to file the financial statement.
73 (b) The chief election officer is not required to provide notice:
74 (i) to a candidate or political party of the financial statement that is due before the
75 candidate's or political party's political convention;
76 (ii) of a financial statement due in connection with a public hearing for an initiative
77 under the requirements of Section 20A-7-204.1 ; or
78 (iii) to a corporation or labor organization, as defined in Section 20A-11-1501 .
79 (2) A filing entity shall electronically file a financial statement via electronic mail or
80 the Internet according to specifications established by the chief election officer.
81 (3) (a) A financial statement is considered timely filed if it is received by the chief
82 election officer's office before the close of regular office hours on the date that it is due.
83 (b) A chief election officer may extend the time in which a filing entity is required to
84 file a financial statement if a filing entity notifies the chief election officer of the existence of
85 an extenuating circumstance that is outside the control of the filing entity.
86 (4) Notwithstanding any provision of Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records
87 Access and Management Act, the lieutenant governor shall:
88 (a) make each campaign finance statement filed by a candidate available for public
89 inspection and copying no later than one business day after the statement is filed; and
90 (b) post an electronic copy or the contents of each financial statement in a searchable
91 format on a website established by the lieutenant governor:
92 (i) for campaign finance statements submitted to the lieutenant governor under the
93 requirements of Section 10-3-208 or Section 17-16-6.5 , no later than seven business days after
94 the date of receipt of the campaign finance statement; or
95 (ii) for a summary report or interim report filed under the requirements of this chapter
96 or Chapter 12, Part 2, Judicial Retention Elections, no later than three business days after the
97 date the summary report or interim report is electronically filed.
98 (5) If a municipality, under Section 10-3-208 , or a county, under Section 17-16-6.5 ,
99 elects to provide campaign finance disclosure on its own website, rather than through the
100 lieutenant governor, the website established by the lieutenant governor shall contain a link or
101 other access point to the municipality or county website.
102 (6) Between January 1 and January 15 of each year, the chief election officer shall
103 provide notice, by postal mail or email, to each filing entity for which the chief election officer
104 has a physical or email address, of the reporting and filing requirements described in this
105 chapter.
106 Section 2. Section 20A-11-201 is amended to read:
107 20A-11-201. State office candidate -- Separate bank account for campaign funds
108 -- No personal use -- Contribution reporting deadline -- Report other accounts.
109 (1) (a) Each state office candidate or the candidate's personal campaign committee
110 shall deposit each contribution and public service assistance received in one or more separate
111 campaign accounts in a financial institution.
112 (b) A state office candidate or a candidate's personal campaign committee may not use
113 money deposited in a campaign account for:
114 (i) a personal use expenditure; or
115 (ii) an expenditure prohibited by law.
116 (2) A state office candidate or the candidate's personal campaign committee may not
117 deposit or mingle any contributions received into a personal or business account.
118 (3) If a person who is no longer a state office candidate chooses not to expend the
119 money remaining in a campaign account, the person shall continue to file the year-end
120 summary report required by Section 20A-11-203 until the statement of dissolution and final
121 summary report required by Section 20A-11-205 are filed with the lieutenant governor.
122 (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b) and Section 20A-11-402 , a person who
123 is no longer a state office candidate may not expend or transfer the money in a campaign
124 account in a manner that would cause the former state office candidate to recognize the money
125 as taxable income under federal tax law.
126 (b) A person who is no longer a state office candidate may transfer the money in a
127 campaign account in a manner that would cause the former state office candidate to recognize
128 the money as taxable income under federal tax law if the transfer is made to a campaign
129 account for federal office.
130 (5) (a) As used in this Subsection (5) and Section 20A-11-204 , "received" means:
131 (i) for a cash contribution, that the cash is given to a state office candidate or a member
132 of the candidate's personal campaign committee;
133 (ii) for a contribution that is a negotiable instrument or check, that the negotiable
134 instrument or check is negotiated; and
135 (iii) for any other type of contribution, that any portion of the contribution's benefit
136 inures to the state office candidate.
137 (b) Each state office candidate shall report to the lieutenant governor each contribution
138 and public service assistance [
139 (i) except as provided in Subsection (5)(b)(ii), within 30 days after the day on which
140 the contribution or public service assistance is received[
141 (ii) within three business days after the day on which the contribution or public service
142 assistance is received, if:
143 (A) the state office candidate is contested in a convention and the contribution or
144 public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the convention is
145 held;
146 (B) the state office candidate is contested in a primary election and the contribution or
147 public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the primary
148 election is held; or
149 (C) the state office candidate is contested in a general election and the contribution or
150 public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the general
151 election is held.
152 (c) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(d), for each contribution or provision of
153 public service assistance that a state office candidate fails to report within the time period
154 described in Subsection (5)(b), the lieutenant governor shall impose a fine against the state
155 office candidate in an amount equal to:
156 (i) the greater of $50 or 15% of the amount of the contribution; or
157 (ii) the greater of $50 or 15% of the value of the public service assistance.
158 (d) A fine described in Subsection (5)(c) may not exceed the amount of the
159 contribution or the value of the public service assistance to which the fine relates.
160 (e) The lieutenant governor shall:
161 (i) deposit money received under Subsection (5)(c) into the General Fund; and
162 (ii) report on the lieutenant governor's website, in the location where reports relating to
163 each state office candidate are available for public access:
164 (A) each fine imposed by the lieutenant governor against the state office candidate;
165 (B) the amount of the fine;
166 (C) the amount of the contribution to which the fine relates; and
167 (D) the date of the contribution.
168 (6) (a) As used in this Subsection (6), "account" means an account in a financial
169 institution:
170 (i) that is not described in Subsection (1)(a); and
171 (ii) into which or from which a person who, as a candidate for an office, other than the
172 state office for which the person files a declaration of candidacy or federal office, or as a holder
173 of an office, other than a state office for which the person files a declaration of candidacy or
174 federal office, deposits a contribution or makes an expenditure.
175 (b) A state office candidate shall include on any financial statement filed in accordance
176 with this part:
177 (i) a contribution deposited in an account:
178 (A) since the last campaign finance statement was filed; or
179 (B) that has not been reported under a statute or ordinance that governs the account; or
180 (ii) an expenditure made from an account:
181 (A) since the last campaign finance statement was filed; or
182 (B) that has not been reported under a statute or ordinance that governs the account.
183 Section 3. Section 20A-11-301 is amended to read:
184 20A-11-301. Legislative office candidate -- Campaign finance requirements --
185 Candidate as a political action committee officer -- No personal use -- Contribution
186 reporting deadline -- Report other accounts.
187 (1) (a) (i) Each legislative office candidate shall deposit each contribution and public
188 service assistance received in one or more separate accounts in a financial institution that are
189 dedicated only to that purpose.
190 (ii) A legislative office candidate may:
191 (A) receive a contribution or public service assistance from a political action
192 committee registered under Section 20A-11-601 ; and
193 (B) be designated by a political action committee as an officer who has primary
194 decision-making authority as described in Section 20A-11-601 .
195 (b) A legislative office candidate or the candidate's personal campaign committee may
196 not use money deposited in an account described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for:
197 (i) a personal use expenditure; or
198 (ii) an expenditure prohibited by law.
199 (2) A legislative office candidate may not deposit or mingle any contributions or public
200 service assistance received into a personal or business account.
201 (3) If a person who is no longer a legislative candidate chooses not to expend the
202 money remaining in a campaign account, the person shall continue to file the year-end
203 summary report required by Section 20A-11-302 until the statement of dissolution and final
204 summary report required by Section 20A-11-304 are filed with the lieutenant governor.
205 (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b) and Section 20A-11-402 , a person who
206 is no longer a legislative office candidate may not expend or transfer the money in a campaign
207 account in a manner that would cause the former legislative office candidate to recognize the
208 money as taxable income under federal tax law.
209 (b) A person who is no longer a legislative office candidate may transfer the money in
210 a campaign account in a manner that would cause the former legislative office candidate to
211 recognize the money as taxable income under federal tax law if the transfer is made to a
212 campaign account for federal office.
213 (5) (a) As used in this Subsection (5) and Section 20A-11-303 , "received" means:
214 (i) for a cash contribution, that the cash is given to a legislative office candidate or a
215 member of the candidate's personal campaign committee;
216 (ii) for a contribution that is a negotiable instrument or check, that the negotiable
217 instrument or check is negotiated; and
218 (iii) for any other type of contribution, that any portion of the contribution's benefit
219 inures to the legislative office candidate.
220 (b) Each legislative office candidate shall report to the lieutenant governor each
221 contribution and public service assistance [
222 legislative office candidate:
223 (i) except as provided in Subsection (5)(b)(ii), within 30 days after the day on which
224 the contribution or public service assistance is received[
225 (ii) within three business days after the day on which the contribution or public service
226 assistance is received, if:
227 (A) the legislative office candidate is contested in a convention and the contribution or
228 public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the convention is
229 held;
230 (B) the legislative office candidate is contested in a primary election and the
231 contribution or public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the
232 primary election is held; or
233 (C) the legislative office candidate is contested in a general election and the
234 contribution or public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the
235 general election is held.
236 (c) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(d), for each contribution or provision of
237 public service assistance that a legislative office candidate fails to report within the time period
238 described in Subsection (5)(b), the lieutenant governor shall impose a fine against the
239 legislative office candidate in an amount equal to:
240 (i) the greater of $50 or 15% of the amount of the contribution; or
241 (ii) the greater of $50 or 15% of the value of the public service assistance.
242 (d) A fine described in Subsection (5)(c) may not exceed the amount of the
243 contribution or the value of the public service assistance to which the fine relates.
244 (e) The lieutenant governor shall:
245 (i) deposit money received under Subsection (5)(c) into the General Fund; and
246 (ii) report on the lieutenant governor's website, in the location where reports relating to
247 each legislative office candidate are available for public access:
248 (A) each fine imposed by the lieutenant governor against the legislative office
249 candidate;
250 (B) the amount of the fine;
251 (C) the amount of the contribution to which the fine relates; and
252 (D) the date of the contribution.
253 (6) (a) As used in this Subsection (6), "account" means an account in a financial
254 institution:
255 (i) that is not described in Subsection (1)(a)(i); and
256 (ii) into which or from which a person who, as a candidate for an office, other than a
257 legislative office for which the person files a declaration of candidacy or federal office, or as a
258 holder of an office, other than a legislative office for which the person files a declaration of
259 candidacy or federal office, deposits a contribution or makes an expenditure.
260 (b) A legislative office candidate shall include on any financial statement filed in
261 accordance with this part:
262 (i) a contribution deposited in an account:
263 (A) since the last campaign finance statement was filed; or
264 (B) that has not been reported under a statute or ordinance that governs the account; or
265 (ii) an expenditure made from an account:
266 (A) since the last campaign finance statement was filed; or
267 (B) that has not been reported under a statute or ordinance that governs the account.
268 Section 4. Section 20A-11-1301 is amended to read:
269 20A-11-1301. School board office candidate -- Campaign finance requirements --
270 Candidate as a political action committee officer -- No personal use -- Contribution
271 reporting deadline -- Report other accounts.
272 (1) (a) (i) Each school board office candidate shall deposit each contribution and public
273 service assistance received in one or more separate accounts in a financial institution that are
274 dedicated only to that purpose.
275 (ii) A school board office candidate may:
276 (A) receive a contribution or public service assistance from a political action
277 committee registered under Section 20A-11-601 ; and
278 (B) be designated by a political action committee as an officer who has primary
279 decision-making authority as described in Section 20A-11-601 .
280 (b) A school board office candidate may not use money deposited in an account
281 described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for:
282 (i) a personal use expenditure; or
283 (ii) an expenditure prohibited by law.
284 (2) A school board office candidate may not deposit or mingle any contributions or
285 public service assistance received into a personal or business account.
286 (3) A school board office candidate may not make any political expenditures prohibited
287 by law.
288 (4) If a person who is no longer a school board candidate chooses not to expend the
289 money remaining in a campaign account, the person shall continue to file the year-end
290 summary report required by Section 20A-11-1302 until the statement of dissolution and final
291 summary report required by Section 20A-11-1304 are filed with:
292 (a) the lieutenant governor in the case of a state school board candidate; and
293 (b) the county clerk, in the case of a local school board candidate.
294 (5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(b) and Section 20A-11-402 , a person who
295 is no longer a school board candidate may not expend or transfer the money in a campaign
296 account in a manner that would cause the former school board candidate to recognize the
297 money as taxable income under federal tax law.
298 (b) A person who is no longer a school board candidate may transfer the money in a
299 campaign account in a manner that would cause the former school board candidate to recognize
300 the money as taxable income under federal tax law if the transfer is made to a campaign
301 account for federal office.
302 (6) (a) As used in this Subsection (6) and Section 20A-11-1303 , "received" means:
303 (i) for a cash contribution, that the cash is given to a school board office candidate or a
304 member of the candidate's personal campaign committee;
305 (ii) for a contribution that is a negotiable instrument or check, that the negotiable
306 instrument or check is negotiated; and
307 (iii) for any other type of contribution, that any portion of the contribution's benefit
308 inures to the school board office candidate.
309 (b) Each school board office candidate shall report to the chief election officer each
310 contribution and public service assistance received by the school board office candidate:
311 (i) except as provided in Subsection (6)(b)(ii), within 30 days after the day on which
312 the contribution or public service assistance is received[
313 (ii) within three business days after the day on which the contribution or public service
314 assistance is received, if:
315 (A) the school board office candidate is contested in a primary election and the
316 contribution or public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the
317 primary election is held; or
318 (B) the school board office candidate is contested in a general election and the
319 contribution or public service assistance is received within 30 days before the day on which the
320 general election is held.
321 (c) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(d), for each contribution or provision of
322 public service assistance that a school board office candidate fails to report within the time
323 period described in Subsection (6)(b), the chief election officer shall impose a fine against the
324 school board office candidate in an amount equal to:
325 (i) the greater of $50 or 15% of the amount of the contribution; or
326 (ii) the greater of $50 or 15% of the value of the public service assistance.
327 (d) A fine described in Subsection (6)(c) may not exceed the amount of the
328 contribution or the value of the public service assistance to which the fine relates.
329 (e) The chief election officer shall:
330 (i) deposit money received under Subsection (6)(c) into the General Fund; and
331 (ii) report on the chief election officer's website, in the location where reports relating
332 to each school board office candidate are available for public access:
333 (A) each fine imposed by the chief election officer against the school board office
334 candidate;
335 (B) the amount of the fine;
336 (C) the amount of the contribution to which the fine relates; and
337 (D) the date of the contribution.
338 (7) (a) As used in this Subsection (7), "account" means an account in a financial
339 institution:
340 (i) that is not described in Subsection (1)(a)(i); and
341 (ii) into which or from which a person who, as a candidate for an office, other than a
342 school board office for which the person files a declaration of candidacy or federal office, or as
343 a holder of an office, other than a school board office for which the person files a declaration of
344 candidacy or federal office, deposits a contribution or makes an expenditure.
345 (b) A school board office candidate shall include on any financial statement filed in
346 accordance with this part:
347 (i) a contribution deposited in an account:
348 (A) since the last campaign finance statement was filed; or
349 (B) that has not been reported under a statute or ordinance that governs the account; or
350 (ii) an expenditure made from an account:
351 (A) since the last campaign finance statement was filed; or
352 (B) that has not been reported under a statute or ordinance that governs the account.
353 Section 5. Section 20A-11-1604 is enacted to read:
354 20A-11-1604. Link to financial reports on Legislature's website.
355 The Legislature's website shall include, for each legislative officeholder, a link to the
356 financial reports maintained on the lieutenant governor's website in relation to that legislative
357 officeholder.
358 Section 6. Section 20A-12-303 is amended to read:
359 20A-12-303. Separate account for campaign funds -- Reporting contributions.
360 (1) The judge or the judge's personal campaign committee shall deposit each
361 contribution in one or more separate personal campaign accounts in a financial institution.
362 (2) The judge or the judge's personal campaign committee may not deposit or mingle
363 any contributions received into a personal or business account.
364 (3) (a) As used in this Subsection (3) and Section 20A-12-305 , "received" means:
365 (i) for a cash contribution, that the cash is given to a judge or the judge's personal
366 campaign committee;
367 (ii) for a contribution that is a negotiable instrument or check, that the negotiable
368 instrument or check is negotiated; and
369 (iii) for any other type of contribution, that any portion of the contribution's benefit
370 inures to the judge.
371 (b) The judge or the judge's personal campaign committee shall report to the lieutenant
372 governor each contribution received by the judge, within 30 days after the day on which the
373 contribution is received.
374 (c) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(d), for each contribution that a judge fails to
375 report within the time period described in Subsection (3)(b), the lieutenant governor shall
376 impose a fine against the judge in an amount equal to the greater of $50 or 15% of the amount
377 of the contribution.
378 (d) A fine described in Subsection (3)(c) may not exceed the amount of the
379 contribution to which the fine relates.
380 (e) The lieutenant governor shall:
381 (i) deposit money received under Subsection (3)(c) into the General Fund; and
382 (ii) report on the lieutenant governor's website, in the location where reports relating to
383 each judge are available for public access:
384 (A) each fine imposed by the lieutenant governor against the judge;
385 (B) the amount of the fine;
386 (C) the amount of the contribution to which the fine relates; and
387 (D) the date of the contribution.
388 Section 7. Section 36-11-102 is amended to read:
389 36-11-102. Definitions.
390 As used in this chapter:
391 (1) "Aggregate daily expenditures" means:
392 (a) for a single lobbyist, principal, or government officer, the total of all expenditures
393 made within a calendar day by the lobbyist, principal, or government officer for the benefit of
394 an individual public official;
395 (b) for an expenditure made by a member of a lobbyist group, the total of all
396 expenditures made within a calendar day by every member of the lobbyist group for the benefit
397 of an individual public official; or
398 (c) for a multiclient lobbyist, the total of all expenditures made by the multiclient
399 lobbyist within a calendar day for the benefit of an individual public official, regardless of
400 whether the expenditures were attributed to different clients.
401 (2) "Approved meeting or activity" means a meeting or activity:
402 (a) (i) to which a legislator is invited; and
403 (ii) attendance at which is approved by:
404 (A) the speaker of the House of Representatives, if the public official is a member of
405 the House of Representatives; or
406 (B) the president of the Senate, if the public official is a member of the Senate; or
407 (b) (i) to which a public official who holds a position in the executive branch of state
408 government is invited; and
409 (ii) attendance at which is approved by the governor or the lieutenant governor.
410 (3) "Capitol hill complex" is as defined in Section 63C-9-102 .
411 [
412 that is paid, loaned, granted, given, donated, or transferred to an individual for the provision of
413 services or ownership before any withholding required by federal or state law.
414 (b) "Compensation" includes:
415 (i) a salary or commission;
416 (ii) a bonus;
417 (iii) a benefit;
418 (iv) a contribution to a retirement program or account;
419 (v) a payment includable in gross income, as defined in Section 62, Internal Revenue
420 Code, and subject to Social Security deductions, including a payment in excess of the
421 maximum amount subject to deduction under Social Security law;
422 (vi) an amount that the individual authorizes to be deducted or reduced for salary
423 deferral or other benefits authorized by federal law; or
424 (vii) income based on an individual's ownership interest.
425 [
426 official in the ordinary course of business:
427 (a) because of the public official's ownership interest in the compensation payor; or
428 (b) for services rendered by the public official on behalf of the compensation payor.
429 [
430 (a) a nomination or appointment by the governor;
431 (b) the proposal, drafting, amendment, enactment, or defeat by a state agency of a rule
432 made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
433 (c) agency ratemaking proceedings; or
434 (d) an adjudicative proceeding of a state agency.
435 [
436 when given to or for the benefit of a public official unless consideration of equal or greater
437 value is received:
438 (i) a purchase, payment, or distribution;
439 (ii) a loan, gift, or advance;
440 (iii) a deposit, subscription, or forbearance;
441 (iv) services or goods;
442 (v) money;
443 (vi) real property;
444 (vii) a ticket or admission to a sporting, recreational, or artistic event; or
445 (viii) a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to provide
446 any item listed in Subsections [
447 (b) "Expenditure" does not mean:
448 (i) a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary course of business;
449 (ii) a campaign contribution reported in accordance with Title 20A, Chapter 11,
450 Campaign and Financial Reporting Requirements;
451 (iii) printed informational material that is related to the performance of the recipient's
452 official duties;
453 (iv) a devise or inheritance;
454 (v) any item listed in Subsection [
455 (A) given by a relative;
456 (B) given by a compensation payor for a purpose solely unrelated to the public
457 official's position as a public official; or
458 (C) (I) the item has a value of less than $10; and
459 (II) the aggregate daily expenditures do not exceed $10;
460 (vi) food or beverage that is provided at an event to which the following are invited:
461 (A) all members of the Legislature;
462 (B) all members of a standing or interim committee;
463 (C) all members of an official legislative task force;
464 (D) all members of a party caucus; or
465 (E) all members of a group described in Subsections [
466 who are attending a meeting of a national organization whose primary purpose is addressing
467 general legislative policy;
468 (vii) food or beverage that is provided at an event to a public official who is:
469 (A) giving a speech at the event;
470 (B) participating in a panel discussion at the event; or
471 (C) presenting or receiving an award at the event;
472 (viii) a plaque, commendation, or award presented in public and having a cash value
473 not exceeding $50;
474 (ix) admission to or attendance at an event, the primary purpose of which is:
475 (A) to solicit contributions reportable under:
476 (I) Title 20A, Chapter 11, Campaign and Financial Reporting Requirements; or
477 (II) 2 U.S.C. Sec. 434; or
478 (B) charitable solicitation, as defined in Section 13-22-2 ;
479 (x) travel to, lodging at, food or beverage served at, and admission to an approved
480 meeting or activity;
481 (xi) sponsorship of an official event or official entertainment of an approved meeting
482 or activity;
483 (xii) notwithstanding Subsection [
484 event:
485 (A) that is sponsored by a governmental entity; or
486 (B) that is widely attended and related to a governmental duty of a public official; or
487 (xiii) travel to a widely attended event related to a governmental duty of a public
488 official if that travel results in a financial savings to the state.
489 [
490 (i) an individual elected to a position in state or local government, when acting within
491 the government officer's official capacity; or
492 (ii) an individual appointed to or employed in a full-time position by state or local
493 government, when acting within the scope of the individual's employment.
494 (b) "Government officer" does not mean a member of the legislative branch of state
495 government.
496 [
497 (a) a spouse;
498 (b) a child residing in the household; or
499 (c) an individual claimed as a dependent for tax purposes.
500 [
501 (a) a bill, resolution, amendment, nomination, veto override, or other matter pending or
502 proposed in either house of the Legislature or its committees or requested by a legislator; and
503 (b) the action of the governor in approving or vetoing legislation.
504 [
505 influencing the passage, defeat, amendment, or postponement of legislative or executive action.
506 [
507 (i) an individual who is employed by a principal; or
508 (ii) an individual who contracts for economic consideration, other than reimbursement
509 for reasonable travel expenses, with a principal to lobby a public official.
510 (b) "Lobbyist" does not include:
511 (i) a government officer;
512 (ii) a member or employee of the legislative branch of state government;
513 (iii) a person while appearing at, or providing written comments to, a hearing
514 conducted in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act or
515 Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act;
516 (iv) a person participating on or appearing before an advisory or study task force,
517 commission, board, or committee, constituted by the Legislature or any agency or department
518 of state government, except legislative standing, appropriation, or interim committees;
519 (v) a representative of a political party;
520 (vi) an individual representing a bona fide church solely for the purpose of protecting
521 the right to practice the religious doctrines of the church, unless the individual or church makes
522 an expenditure that confers a benefit on a public official;
523 (vii) a newspaper, television station or network, radio station or network, periodical of
524 general circulation, or book publisher for the purpose of publishing news items, editorials,
525 other comments, or paid advertisements that directly or indirectly urge legislative or executive
526 action; or
527 (viii) an individual who appears on the individual's own behalf before a committee of
528 the Legislature or an agency of the executive branch of state government solely for the purpose
529 of testifying in support of or in opposition to legislative or executive action.
530 [
531 officers, or any combination of lobbyists, principals, and officers who each contribute a portion
532 of an expenditure made to benefit a public official or member of the public official's immediate
533 family.
534 [
535 officer who represents two or more clients and divides the aggregate daily expenditure made to
536 benefit a public official or member of the public official's immediate family between two or
537 more of those clients.
538 [
539 either as an employee or as an independent contractor.
540 [
541 (a) (i) a member of the Legislature;
542 (ii) an individual elected to a position in the executive branch of state government; or
543 (iii) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the executive or legislative
544 branch of state government if that individual:
545 (A) occupies a policymaking position or makes purchasing or contracting decisions;
546 (B) drafts legislation or makes rules;
547 (C) determines rates or fees; or
548 (D) makes adjudicative decisions; or
549 (b) an immediate family member of a person described in Subsection [
550 [
551 is:
552 (a) (i) a member of the Legislature;
553 (ii) an individual elected to a position in the executive branch of state government;
554 (iii) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the legislative branch of
555 state government who meets the definition of public official under Subsection [
556 (16)(a)(iii); or
557 (iv) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in the executive branch of
558 state government who meets the definition of public official under Subsection [
559 (16)(a)(iii); or
560 (b) an immediate family member of a person described in Subsection [
561 [
562 financial report required under Subsection 36-11-201 (2)(a).
563 [
564 intentionally assists a lobbyist, principal, or government officer in lobbying.
565 [
566 sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, first cousin, or
567 spouse of any of these individuals.
568 Section 8. Section 36-11-103 is amended to read:
569 36-11-103. Licensing requirements.
570 (1) (a) Before engaging in any lobbying, a lobbyist shall obtain a license from the
571 lieutenant governor by completing the form required by this section.
572 (b) The lieutenant governor shall issue licenses to qualified lobbyists.
573 (c) The lieutenant governor shall prepare a Lobbyist License Application Form that
574 includes:
575 (i) a place for the lobbyist's name and business address;
576 (ii) a place for the following information for each principal for whom the lobbyist
577 works or is hired as an independent contractor:
578 (A) the principal's name;
579 (B) the principal's business address;
580 (C) the name of each public official that the principal employs and the nature of the
581 employment with the public official; and
582 (D) the general purposes, interests, and nature of the principal;
583 (iii) a place for the name and address of the person who paid or will pay the lobbyist's
584 registration fee, if the fee is not paid by the lobbyist;
585 (iv) a place for the lobbyist to disclose:
586 (A) any elected or appointed position that the lobbyist holds in state or local
587 government, if any; and
588 (B) the name of each public official that the lobbyist employs and the nature of the
589 employment with the public official, if any;
590 (v) a place for the lobbyist to disclose the types of expenditures for which the lobbyist
591 will be reimbursed; and
592 (vi) a certification to be signed by the lobbyist that certifies that the information
593 provided in the form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of the lobbyist's knowledge and
594 belief.
595 (2) Each lobbyist who obtains a license under this section shall update the licensure
596 information when the lobbyist accepts employment for lobbying by a new client.
597 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), the lieutenant governor shall grant a
598 lobbying license to an applicant who:
599 (i) files an application with the lieutenant governor that contains the information
600 required by this section; and
601 (ii) pays a [
602 (b) A license entitles a person to serve as a lobbyist on behalf of one or more principals
603 and expires on December 31 of each even-numbered year.
604 (4) (a) The lieutenant governor may disapprove an application for a lobbying license:
605 (i) if the applicant has been convicted of violating Section 76-8-103 , 76-8-107 ,
606 76-8-108 , or 76-8-303 within five years before the date of the lobbying license application;
607 (ii) if the applicant has been convicted of violating Section 76-8-104 or 76-8-304
608 within one year before the date of the lobbying license application;
609 (iii) for the term of any suspension imposed under Section 36-11-401 ;
610 (iv) if, within one year before the date of the lobbying license application, the applicant
611 has been found to have willingly and knowingly:
612 (A) violated this section or Section 36-11-201 , 36-11-301 , 36-11-302 , 36-11-303 ,
613 36-11-304 , 36-11-305 , or 36-11-403 ; or
614 (B) filed a document required by this chapter that the lobbyist knew contained
615 materially false information or omitted material information; or
616 (v) if the applicant is prohibited from becoming a lobbyist under Title 67, Chapter 24,
617 Lobbying Restrictions Act.
618 (b) An applicant may appeal the disapproval in accordance with the procedures
619 established by the lieutenant governor under this chapter and Title 63G, Chapter 4,
620 Administrative Procedures Act.
621 (5) The lieutenant governor shall:
622 (a) deposit $100 of each license [
623 (b) deposit $10 of each license fee into the General Fund as a dedicated credit to be
624 used by the lieutenant governor to pay the cost of administering the license program described
625 in this section.
626 (6) A principal need not obtain a license under this section, but if the principal makes
627 expenditures to benefit a public official without using a lobbyist as an agent to confer those
628 benefits, the principal shall disclose those expenditures as required by Section 36-11-201 .
629 (7) Government officers need not obtain a license under this section, but shall disclose
630 any expenditures made to benefit public officials as required by Section 36-11-201 .
631 (8) Surrender, cancellation, or expiration of a lobbyist license does not absolve the
632 lobbyist of the duty to file the financial reports if the lobbyist is otherwise required to file the
633 reports by Section 36-11-201 .
634 Section 9. Section 36-11-305.5 is enacted to read:
635 36-11-305.5. Lobbyist requirements.
636 (1) The lieutenant governor shall issue to each lobbyist a name tag that includes:
637 (a) the word "Lobbyist" in at least 18-point type; and
638 (b) the first and last name of the lobbyist, in at least 18-point type.
639 (2) Beginning on August 1, 2014, a lobbyist may not lobby a public official while the
640 lobbyist is at the capitol hill complex unless the lobbyist is wearing the name tag described in
641 Subsection (1) in plain view.
642 (3) A lobbyist shall, at the beginning of making a communication to a public official
643 that constitutes lobbying, inform the public official of the identity of the principal on whose
644 behalf the lobbyist is lobbying.
645 Section 10. Section 36-11-401 is amended to read:
646 36-11-401. Penalties.
647 (1) Any person who [
648 36-11-103 , 36-11-201 , 36-11-301 , 36-11-302 , 36-11-303 , 36-11-304 , 36-11-305 , 36-11-308 , or
649 36-11-403 , is subject to the following penalties:
650 (a) an administrative penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation; and
651 (b) for each subsequent violation of that same section within 24 months, either:
652 (i) an administrative penalty of up to $5,000; or
653 (ii) suspension of the violator's lobbying license for up to one year, if the person is a
654 lobbyist.
655 (2) Any person who [
656 report required by this chapter, omits material information from a license application form or
657 financial report, or files false information on a license application form or financial report, is
658 subject to the following penalties:
659 (a) an administrative penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation; or
660 (b) suspension of the violator's lobbying license for up to one year, if the person is a
661 lobbyist.
662 (3) Any person who [
663 report required by this chapter on the date that it is due shall, in addition to the penalties, if any,
664 imposed under Subsection (1) or (2), pay a penalty of up to $50 per day for each day that the
665 report is late.
666 (4) (a) When a lobbyist is convicted of violating Section 76-8-103 , 76-8-107 , 76-8-108 ,
667 or 76-8-303 , the lieutenant governor shall suspend the lobbyist's license for up to five years
668 from the date of the conviction.
669 (b) When a lobbyist is convicted of violating Section 76-8-104 or 76-8-304 , the
670 lieutenant governor shall suspend a lobbyist's license for up to one year from the date of
671 conviction.
672 (5) (a) Any person who [
673 36-11-301 , 36-11-302 , or 36-11-303 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
674 (b) The lieutenant governor shall suspend the lobbyist license of any person convicted
675 under any of these sections for up to one year.
676 (c) The suspension shall be in addition to any administrative penalties imposed by the
677 lieutenant governor under this section.
678 (d) Any person with evidence of a possible violation of this chapter may submit that
679 evidence to the lieutenant governor for investigation and resolution.
680 (6) A lobbyist who does not complete the training required by Section 36-11-307 is
681 subject to the following penalties:
682 (a) an administrative penalty of up to $1,000 for each failure to complete the training
683 required by Section 36-11-307 ; and
684 (b) for two or more failures to complete the training required by Section 36-11-307
685 within 24 months, suspension of the lobbyist's lobbying license.
686 (7) Nothing in this chapter creates a third-party cause of action or appeal rights.
687 Section 11. Effective date.
688 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
689 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
690 Constitution, Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
691 the date of veto override.
692 Section 12. Coordinating H.B. 246 with S.B. 97 -- Substantive amendments.
693 If this H.B. 246 and S.B. 97, Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act, both pass and
694 become law, it is the intent of the Legislature that the changes to Subsection 36-11-103 (5) in
695 S.B. 97 supercede the changes to Subsection 36-11-103 (5) in this bill when the Office of
696 Legislative Research and General Counsel prepares the Utah Code database for publication.
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