Backers of a grass-roots initiative calling for ethics reform liked what they heard Tuesday night - even if some legislators and lobbyists wouldn't have. That's because the scores gathered at Salt Lake City's Main Library were on their side: They, too, want reform.

"I am supporting this," community activist Claire Geddes said. "I spent more time at the Capitol trying to work for reform. ... You would have thought we asked [lawmakers] to run naked in the streets."

Besides creating an independent ethics commission, the measure - seeking a spot on the 2010 ballot - would impose campaign contribution caps, prohibit corporate and union donations and ban almost all lobbyist gifts. It also would put an end to sitting legislators serving as paid lobbyists or returning in that status within two years of leaving office.

"Sometimes money rules in the Legislature," said former lawmaker and initiative proponent Kim Burningham. "Lobbyists give dollars to legislators. Some turn around and give it to other legislators. Not surprisingly, the person who gave the money often becomes the elected leader."

In 2008, the Legislature had to crank up its rusty and rarely used ethics process after a rash of complaints surfaced. In the end, one lawmaker had resigned, another was dealt a reprimand and the third complaint was dismissed. But those who sat in judgment lamented a system they viewed as broken.

As a result, more than 30 ethics bills flooded this year's legislative session but only a handful advanced and few real changes occurred. By mid-August, Utahns for Ethical Government unveiled its initiative effort. The all-volunteer group now is holding the necessary statewide public hearings before gathering signatures.

While most in attendance Tuesday sounded support for the effort, one naysayer stepped forward.

Peter Rehm, an Orem businessman, criticized the plans for a five-member independent ethics commission.

According to the initiative, the House speaker, Senate president and two minority leaders unanimously would agree on 20 fair-minded people. Those names would go into a hat, and five would be drawn at random. If the four lawmakers could not agree on the 20 names, then the selection task falls to initiative organizers, which made Rehm uncomfortable enough to create an opposition Web site, www.unethicalreform.org.

"Who is it that makes sure that the ethics commission is being ethical?" Rehm asked. "Also, the hat thing is really weird."

Several GOP lawmakers have voiced opposition to gift bans, independent commissions and contribution caps. Some urged colleagues to show up and speak out against the effort.

Three Democratic House members attended Tuesday's hearing. "I know there's going to be strong opposition to this petition by legislators who are afraid of any kind of ethics reform," Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Holladay, said in an interview. "I'm not one of them." Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, had been the subject of a complaint last fall that Riesen had leaked. Hughes countered with his own complaint against Riesen. Hughes was reprimanded. The complaint against Riesen was dismissed.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com