Lobbyists filed their first disclosure reports Friday under Utah's somewhat ratcheted-down law, although whether the new rules result in more sunshine on Capitol Hill gift giving remains to be seen.
One effect, it does seem to be having is that lobbyists are buying lawmakers cheaper meals.
The Legislature changed its reporting rules last session. Now, instead of having to report the recipient of a meal over $50, lobbyists have to report the name of any official who took a meal that cost more than $25.
There is an exception, however: Any time the entire Legislature or one of its chambers, or a committee, or a Democratic or Republican caucus is invited to an event, the attendees do not have to be reported. The new law took effect May 12.
Gifts valued over $10 still have to be reported, as does admission to any sporting event, including those where the legislator is participating, such as a round of golf.
"I guess where it's changed the way we do business, I have [the $25 limit] in mind when I'm scheduling lunch and I try to go places where it's easy to get a meal under $25, and frankly that isn't that hard to do in this town," said Charles Evans, a lobbyist with about two dozen clients.
Evans spent $432 on meals in the quarter at downtown Salt Lake City restaurants like P.F. Chang's, Café Molise and Z Teijas. None of the meals was over $25.
Lobbyist Jay Magure is one who triggered the new requirements, buying meals for Sens. Margaret Dayton, Sheldon Killpack and Curt Bramble in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and for Bramble in Raleigh, N.C. He also spent about $147 buying sympathy flowers for Rep. Curt Oda after his mother died, and for Rep. Carl Wimmer after his family was hit by a truck at Herriman Days.
Reagan Outdoor Advertising spent a total of $950 on meals for Sens. Michael Waddoups, Wayne Niederhauser, and John Valentine and Reps. Craig Frank and Chris Herrod and their spouses.
Rocky Mountain Power lobbyist Kevin Boardman spent a total of $300 on Democratic Sens. Gene Davis and Brent Goodfellow for entries into a Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce golf tournament.
Oda received $201 in airfare to St. George to speak at the Utah Health Care Association convention there.
Former House Speaker Greg Curtis spent $393 on meals while lobbying for his clients, most of it before the new $25 reporting threshold took effect.
Greg Fredde listed $26 for trap shooting but did not name the recipients as required by the new gift standard.
