S.B. 145
Signed into LawLobbying Amendments
Lobbying Amendments
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
What This Bill Does
This bill amends and enacts provisions relating to lobbying.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- defines terms;
- modifies and clarifies the definitions of lobbyist, lobbying, and a principal;
- modifies the limits for certain expenditures;
- prohibits consideration, a reward, or an incentive for lobbying that is contingent on certain government action and provides criminal and civil penalties for violation of the prohibition;
- replaces the offense of employing or soliciting a person to lobby for contingent compensation with the offense described in the preceding paragraph;
- creates an exception to the definition of "expenditure" in relation to certain sporting events, performances, or exhibitions of a state institution of higher education or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education;
- amends provisions relating to lobbying by a former state official; and
- makes technical and conforming changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah's lobbying laws get a significant overhaul under this bill, which rewrites key definitions and adds new restrictions. A "lobbyist" is now defined as anyone who accepts or agrees to accept any payment, reward, incentive, or other compensation in exchange for lobbying — broadening the definition beyond just employees or contractors of a formal "principal." Similarly, a "principal" is now anyone who pays or promises to pay something of value for lobbying services. The bill explicitly bans lobbyists from accepting pay that is contingent on whether a specific government action occurs or on the amount of money appropriated for a program. Several spending thresholds are also raised — the limit for small non-food gifts increases from $10 to $25, and the cap for publications and commemorative items rises from $30 to $50 — and university-sponsored sporting events and arts performances are carved out as exceptions that don't count as reportable expenditures when a public official attends to build a relationship with the institution. The bill also loosens the one-year post-employment lobbying ban for former state officials by allowing them to lobby branches of government other than the one where they previously served.
S.B. 145
Signed into LawLobbying Amendments
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
What This Bill Does
This bill amends and enacts provisions relating to lobbying.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- defines terms;
- modifies and clarifies the definitions of lobbyist, lobbying, and a principal;
- modifies the limits for certain expenditures;
- prohibits consideration, a reward, or an incentive for lobbying that is contingent on certain government action and provides criminal and civil penalties for violation of the prohibition;
- replaces the offense of employing or soliciting a person to lobby for contingent compensation with the offense described in the preceding paragraph;
- creates an exception to the definition of "expenditure" in relation to certain sporting events, performances, or exhibitions of a state institution of higher education or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education;
- amends provisions relating to lobbying by a former state official; and
- makes technical and conforming changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah's lobbying laws get a significant overhaul under this bill, which rewrites key definitions and adds new restrictions. A "lobbyist" is now defined as anyone who accepts or agrees to accept any payment, reward, incentive, or other compensation in exchange for lobbying — broadening the definition beyond just employees or contractors of a formal "principal." Similarly, a "principal" is now anyone who pays or promises to pay something of value for lobbying services. The bill explicitly bans lobbyists from accepting pay that is contingent on whether a specific government action occurs or on the amount of money appropriated for a program. Several spending thresholds are also raised — the limit for small non-food gifts increases from $10 to $25, and the cap for publications and commemorative items rises from $30 to $50 — and university-sponsored sporting events and arts performances are carved out as exceptions that don't count as reportable expenditures when a public official attends to build a relationship with the institution. The bill also loosens the one-year post-employment lobbying ban for former state officials by allowing them to lobby branches of government other than the one where they previously served.
Votes
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Documents
Floor Debates
Committee Hearings
Other Versions
Original
Subjects
Action History44
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 Mar 26, 2026, 9:44 PM
