S.J.R. 11

1

JOINT RULES RESOLUTION -
2 LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES
3 1998 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Craig A. Peterson
6 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE REVISING JOINT RULES; MODIFYING
7 RULES GOVERNING LEGISLATIVE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS; MAKING
8 TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
9 This resolution affects legislative rules as follows:
10 AMENDS:
11 JR-15.02
12 JR-15.03
13 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
14 Section 1. JR-15.02 is amended to read:
15 JR-15.02. Expenses While in Session.
16 [The following] (1) These rules govern legislative expenses when the Legislature is in
17 annual general session[, veto override session, or special session]:
18 [(1)] (2) Each legislator shall receive [a subsistence allowance of $35 per day for each
19 calendar day of the session] an expense allowance equal to the sum of the federal lodging per diem
20 rate for Salt Lake City and the federal meals and incidental expenses per diem rate for Salt Lake
21 City.
22 [(2)] (3) (a) Each legislator shall receive transportation costs to and from the session.
23 (b) These costs shall be computed on the basis of actual mileage for private automobile
24 use or the actual cost of alternative commercial transportation.
25 [(3) For each day during the session, legislators shall receive either:]
26 [(a) actual mileage between their places of residence and the state capitol; or]
27 [(b) a lodging allowance at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Sections

1 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 for each calendar day of the session.]
2 [(4) (a) In making the daily election under Subsection (3), each legislator shall affirm in
3 writing that the legislator:]
4 [(i) has either actually commuted or has actually obtained lodging; and]
5 [(ii) is being reimbursed only for the option the legislator has selected.]
6 [(b) The Legislative Expenses Oversight Committee established in JR-15.05, shall ensure
7 that legislators do not receive duplicate or improper reimbursements.]
8 [(5) (a) In addition to actual transportation or actual lodging allowance, each legislator is
9 also entitled to a travel budget equal to the cost of one weekly round trip between the state capitol
10 and the legislator's place of residence.]
11 [(b) Transportation costs shall be computed on the basis of actual mileage or the actual
12 cost of alternative commercial transportation.]
13 Section 2. JR-15.03 is amended to read:
14 JR-15.03. Expenses for authorized legislative meetings.
15 [The following] (1) These rules govern legislative expenses for attendance at authorized
16 legislative meetings when the Legislature is not in session[:].
17 [(1)] (2) Authorized legislative meetings include special sessions, veto override sessions,
18 interim committees and subcommittees, management committee and subcommittees, and the
19 meetings of any other body where legislative participation is required by law or authorized by the
20 Legislative Management Committee.
21 [(2) Each] (3) For each day that a legislator attends an authorized legislative meeting, the
22 legislator shall receive [a subsistence allowance of $35 per day for each day that the legislator
23 attends an authorized legislative meeting] a meals and incidental expenses per diem equal to the
24 federal meals and incidental expenses per diem rate for Salt Lake City.
25 [(3)] (4) (a) Each legislator shall receive transportation costs to and from the authorized
26 legislative committee meeting.
27 (b) Transportation costs shall be computed on the basis of actual mileage for private
28 automobile use or the actual cost of alternative commercial transportation.
29 [(4) (a)] (5) If [the] attendance at the authorized legislative committee meeting [exceeds
30 one day, or attendance at the meeting] necessitates overnight accommodations, legislators shall
31 receive [either:] reimbursement for actual lodging expenses up to the federal lodging per diem rate

- 2 -

1 for Salt Lake City.
2 [(i) actual mileage between their places of residence and the location of the meeting; or]
3 [(ii) a lodging allowance at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Section
4 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 for each day the legislator attends the authorized legislative meeting.]
5 [(b) (i) In making the election under Subsection (4) (a), each legislator shall affirm in
6 writing that the legislator:]
7 [(A) has either actually commuted or obtained lodging; and]
8 [(B) is being reimbursed only for the option the legislator has selected.]
9 [(ii)] (6) The Legislative Expenses Oversight Committee established in JR-15.05 shall
10 ensure that legislators do not receive duplicate or improper reimbursements.
11 Section 3. Effective date.
12 This resolution takes effect upon approval by a constitutional majority vote of all members
13 of the Senate and House of Representatives.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-28-98 10:19 AM

A limited legal review of this bill raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

- 3 -