Oversight Summary
Oversight Survey
Utah is one of 27 states in which no outside agency oversees ethical conduct of state legislators. It is one of 8 of those states where any outside oversight for members of the legislature is lumped in with the responsibilities of the secretary of state or attorney general.
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What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?
None.
If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?
No.
Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?
Yes. Utah Code Title 36, Chapter 19, “Conflicts of Interest” prohibits a legislator from having a direct interest in a state contract when the contract is a result of a bill sponsored by the legislator.
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE36/htm/36_0C002.htm
Utah Code Title 67, Chapter 16 is the “Utah Public Officers’ and Employees’ Ethics Act,” but it does not pertain to state legislators. The definition of “public officer” exempts legislators and legislative employees.
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE67/67_0D.htm
When were the ethics statutes enacted?
1992 — “Conflict of Interest”
1989 — “Utah Public Officers’ and Employees’ Ethics Act”
Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?
Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate. See Info Resources.
http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TITLE76/htm/76_0A010.htm
Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?
Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office, State Elections Office
http://governor.state.ut.us/lt_gover/elections/elections.html
Where are lobbying disclosures filed?
Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office, State Elections Office
http://governor.state.ut.us/lt_gover/lobbyist1.htm
Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws’ “Ethics Update” 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.