Fiscal Highlights - July 2014

One year ago, in July 2013, the House passed H.R. 9001, "House Rules Resolution Forming Special Investigative Committee" during the 2013 First House Session.  Today, the House's investigation is complete and the final cost tallied to $3.76 million. 

The investigation was an unprecedented event in Utah.  The fiscal note on H.R. 9001 stated the resolution could cost between $500,000 and $3 million one-time.  However, it went on to say, "Actual costs will depend on a number of unpredictable factors.  This estimate does not include indirect or induced costs that might occur as a result of this resolution, such as costs to defend the committee's powers should they be challenged in a court of law."

Information from the special counsel and investigators indicated that costs were indeed driven up by having to defend the committee's powers in court (particularly in having to issue and defend search warrants), investigating missing electronic data, and other possible areas of obstruction.

While the House resolution authorized the investigative committee to work for 18 months, the committee accelerated its work and essentially completed the investigation in half that time.

The investigative committee met all of the requirements in the resolution, including:

• Investigating allegations of misconduct against the former Attorney General;
• Investigating matters related to the former Attorney General that arose as part of the investigation;
• Reporting to the House;
• Presenting a final written report showing the information and evidence gathered; and
• Providing the House periodic accounting detailing the ongoing costs.