This bill amends and enacts provisions relating to lobbying.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's lobbying laws are addressed by this bill, which was substituted after an earlier draft would have loosened the one-year lobbying ban on former state officials to let them lobby branches of government other than the one they previously served in; the current version removes that change and largely preserves the existing one-year ban preventing former state officials from becoming lobbyists, with only minor wording updates. The bill would broaden and clarify who counts as a "lobbyist" (anyone who accepts or agrees to accept payment, a reward, or other consideration in exchange for lobbying, including someone with a recent ownership stake in the entity they're lobbying for) and a "principal" (anyone who pays or promises to pay for lobbying), while simplifying the definition of "lobbying" to cover communication aimed at influencing any "government action," a new umbrella term combining legislative, executive, local, and education actions. It would also make it a crime and civil violation for a lobbyist to accept pay that is contingent on whether a specific government action happens or that is tied to the amount of money appropriated for a program, replacing the current, narrower ban on employing someone to lobby for contingent compensation. Finally, the bill would raise the dollar limits on small gifts lobbyists can give public officials — from $10 to $25 for general gifts and from $30 to $50 for publications or commemorative items — and would exempt certain university-sponsored sporting events and arts performances from counting as reportable gifts when a public official attends to build a relationship with the institution.
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Jan 26
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 9
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 13
House Rules
Feb 17
House Committee
Feb 24
House Floor Vote
Feb 26
Governor Signed
Mar 17
IntroductionJan 20
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeJan 26
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 9
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 13
House RulesFeb 17
House CommitteeFeb 24
House Floor VoteFeb 26
Governor SignedMar 17
This bill amends and enacts provisions relating to lobbying.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's lobbying laws are addressed by this bill, which was substituted after an earlier draft would have loosened the one-year lobbying ban on former state officials to let them lobby branches of government other than the one they previously served in; the current version removes that change and largely preserves the existing one-year ban preventing former state officials from becoming lobbyists, with only minor wording updates. The bill would broaden and clarify who counts as a "lobbyist" (anyone who accepts or agrees to accept payment, a reward, or other consideration in exchange for lobbying, including someone with a recent ownership stake in the entity they're lobbying for) and a "principal" (anyone who pays or promises to pay for lobbying), while simplifying the definition of "lobbying" to cover communication aimed at influencing any "government action," a new umbrella term combining legislative, executive, local, and education actions. It would also make it a crime and civil violation for a lobbyist to accept pay that is contingent on whether a specific government action happens or that is tied to the amount of money appropriated for a program, replacing the current, narrower ban on employing someone to lobby for contingent compensation. Finally, the bill would raise the dollar limits on small gifts lobbyists can give public officials — from $10 to $25 for general gifts and from $30 to $50 for publications or commemorative items — and would exempt certain university-sponsored sporting events and arts performances from counting as reportable gifts when a public official attends to build a relationship with the institution.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM