Utah's 104 lawmakers received 27 catered meals, 33 refreshment breaks, 9 receptions, and 10 complimentary social events during the state's just-completed 45-day legislative session — all provided by government agencies, industry organizations, special interest groups and lobbyists. The freebies are exempt from Utah's public disclosure laws.
The meals, snacks and events were coordinated as part of the Legislature’s “Third House” events for lawmakers. Under current rules, sponsoring organizations aren't required to disclose their spending as long as all lawmakers receive invitations.
Several of the sponsored dinners were held in exclusive locations like the Alta Club, Memorial House in Memory Grove or at This is the Place Park. Holding an event at those venues can cost several thousand dollars.
In addition to meals and snacks, some groups treated lawmakers to free outings at museums or live theater performances. One lobbying firm treated legislators to an evening of dinner and a movie.
According to a schedule obtained by Utah Political Watch, many of the sponsoring organizations either had business before the Legislature or were special interest groups advocating for specific legislation. For instance, the Utah State Board of Education, Snow College and Southern Utah University depend on the Legislature to set their annual budgets.
Utah Parents United, which hosted an afternoon break, actively pushed for lawmakers to pass the bill banning fluoride in drinking water systems. UPU has also pushed to expand funding for Utah’s school vouchers program and testified in favor of a bill to ban transgender students living in dormitories at public colleges and universities that align with their gender identity.
