Watchdogs on Short Leashes

In Your State - Utah

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2001 — The Center interviewed ethics agency officials, scoured ethics agency Web sites and combed through pages of state statutes to conduct this survey of state ethics agencies. Below is a snapshot of answers for this state. See how this state ethics agency compares on staff and budget, oversight and enforcement power, among other topics surveyed. Find out what other type of ethics oversight this state has. Go to the methodology for an explanation of how the survey was conducted and what exact questions were asked.

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.

More Info

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.