LobbyComply Blog

Utah Senate Bill 145, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 17, 2026, amends several provisions of the state’s lobbying laws. The changes are effective May 6, 2026, and address procurement lobbying, contingency fee restrictions, university event expenditures, and de minimis gift thresholds.

What Does Utah SB 145 Change?

SB 145 touches four distinct areas of Utah lobbying compliance. Here is a breakdown of each amendment.

Procurement Lobbying Deregulated for Local and Education Entities

SB 145 removes procurement activities from the relevant lobbying definitions that apply to local government lobbying and board of education lobbying. Under the revised definitions, local and education lobbying generally covers legislative and administrative actions, but does not include  adjudicative proceedings and purchasing and contracting decisions.

This change deregulates local and education procurement lobbying, reducing compliance obligations for those communicating with a public official for the purpose of influencing a purchasing and contracting decision  at the local government and board of education level.

Contingency Lobbying Restrictions Extended

Prior Utah law prohibited hiring a lobbyist for compensation contingent, in whole or in part, upon a specific legislative or executive outcome. SB 145 expands these restrictions to also cover local and educational actions.

Under the updated law, incentivized lobbying is prohibited when a lobbyist’s compensation is tied to:

• A government action occurring, or
• The amount appropriated for a government program

Organizations engaging lobbyists in Utah should review existing compensation structures to confirm they remain compliant under the broadened scope. Learn more on our Lobbying Compliance Consulting page

Broader Event Exemptions for University-Sponsored Events

Expenditure reporting will no longer be required for admission, attendance, and travel to or from the following types of events, provided they are hosted by public or nonprofit higher education institutions:

• Recreational events
• Sporting events
• Artistic performances
• Art exhibitions
• Other artistic events

To qualify for the exemption, the event must occur at the institution, and the purpose of the public official’s attendance must be to build a relationship with the institution.

Previously, such attendance offers were only permitted for public colleges and universities as governmental sponsors. The revision extends the exemption to nonprofit higher education institutions as well.

De Minimis Gift Thresholds Increased

SB 145 raises the threshold for de minimis expenditures that lobbyists may make for public officials without triggering reporting requirements:

Item Category	Previous Threshold	New Threshold
Nonfood items	$10	$25
Publications & commemorative items	$30	$50

The adjustment reflects higher costs for such items and responds to the prior thresholds being found overly restrictive in practice.

When Do the Changes Take Effect?

All amendments under Utah SB 145 take effect May 6, 2026.

Lobbyists and their organizations should audit current practices, particularly around contingency compensation structures, to ensure compliance before that date. Lobbyists interested in making larger value expenditures should review the updates to ensure continued compliance.

For jurisdiction-specific guidance, State and Federal Communications maintains regularly updated online compliance guidebooks covering Utah and other states.

Utah Senate Bill 145 FAQs 

The campaign contribution limits for city elections have been adjusted. The amount that may be contributed to mayoral candidates increased from $3,980 to $4,200 per election cycle. The amount for City Council candidates increased from $850 to $900 per election cycle.

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Utah’s legislative session adjourned sine die on March 6 after 45 days in session. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 145, which changes definitions related to lobbying and will remove procurement activities from registration requirements for educational and local lobbying. The bill raises limits on expenditures by lobbyists for public officials from $10 to $25 for nonfood expenditures, and to $50 for publications and commemorative items. The bill also creates exceptions 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. The ban on contingency fees for legislative or executive lobbying is expanded to include all forms of lobbying. If signed by the governor, the bill will take effect May 6.

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The Utah Legislature passed a bill concerning state court expansion. Senate Bill 134 increases the number of Utah Supreme Court justices from five to seven; increases the number of court of appeals judges from seven to nine; and adds three additional district court judges. The bill was signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on January 31. Senate Bill 134 is effective immediately but remains at risk of amendment if required funding during the legislative session is not approved.

The Utah Legislature concluded its work in the Second Special Session of the 66th Legislature on December 9. Lawmakers repealed House Bill 267, an anti-union law passed earlier this year, to avoid an upcoming referendum vote; passed a bill adjusting qualifying provisions for prospective candidates for the office of U.S. representative in 2026, in consideration of an anticipated appeal of a court decision on congressional district maps; and passed a bill allowing such an appeal directly to the Utah Supreme Court. Other measures passed made election and political district boundary disputes more immediately appealable; and rebuked the judiciary for what the legislative majority believes was encroachment on its constitutional powers.

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The Utah Legislature anticipates convening in special session on December 9 for the purpose of election system clarity, according to a joint press release issued by the House and Senate. The announcement follows a trial court decision in an ongoing lawsuit on congressional district maps.

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The Utah Legislature concluded its work in the First Special Session of the 66th Legislature on October 6. Lawmakers approved a congressional map, subject to ongoing litigation, and enacted standards for evaluating redistricting plans for compliance with voter-imposed state law. Other adopted measures concern the method of appointment of the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court, berm management of the Great Salt Lake, and statutory recodification and technical corrections.

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The campaign contribution limits for city elections have been adjusted. The amount that may be contributed to mayoral candidates has increased from $3,720 to $3,980 per election cycle. The amount for City Council candidates increased from $790 to $850 per election cycle. Political action committees are no longer required to file local campaign finance reports with the city clerk pursuant to an ordinance passed by council earlier this year. State campaign finance reporting requirements are still applicable.

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The Utah Legislature anticipates convening in special session on October 6 to vote on congressional maps being redrawn following recent court orders. The Legislative Redistricting Committee comprised of state senators and representatives has been tasked with publishing proposed maps by September 25. Lawmakers have until October 6 to vote on final maps to submit to the court. Public meetings and a public comment period have also been scheduled.

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Incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox defeated Democratic candidate Brian King 56% to 31% in Utah’s gubernatorial race on November 5.

King, a trial lawyer and state representative, has served as Utah’s House minority leader for eight years.

While moderate Republicans have historically fared well in Utah’s statewide elections, Cox has recently sought to convince voters that he is more conservative than his record shows.

The Legislature called itself into a special session in response to a unanimous ruling by the Utah Supreme Court that ruled the Legislature cannot undermine ballot initiatives passed by voters.

Lawmakers will consider placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to prohibit foreign entities from contributing to ballot initiatives or referenda; restore and strengthen the ability of voters, the Legislature, and local bodies to amend or repeal legislation; and extend the period to collect signatures for the referendum process from 40 to 60 days.

The special session is set to begin August 21.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will call lawmakers for a special legislative session to consider financial and legal issues regarding House Bill 11, relating to student eligibility in interscholastic activities.

The call is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, March 25. This does not affect lobbyist reporting.

The Utah legislative session adjourned sine die March 4 after 45 days.

During the session, lawmakers approved a $25 billion budget that included a notable increase for public education funding.

The budget was the largest ever, driven by the economy and additional spending from Washington D.C.

Additionally, a nearly $200 million package cutting income taxes was approved.

Legislation that passed during the session will become effective 60 days following the date of adjournment sine die.

Gov. Spencer Cox has called the Utah Legislature into a special session on redistricting set to begin November 9 at 10:30 a.m.

Lawmakers will vote on a set of maps that will determine the boundaries of Utah’s political districts, from school boards to the state Legislature and Congress, for the next decade.

In addition, Cox outlined other issues to be considered by lawmakers, including a vote to change the name of Dixie State University and an opportunity to consider provisions related to COVID-19 and the workplace.

It is not yet clear when the special session is slated to end.