House committee approves optional bill-tracker field to record legislation origins

The Utah House Rules Standing Committee on Feb. 25 recommended House Resolution 4 favorably, a rules change that would add an optional field to the legislature's bill tracker allowing members or staff to indicate that particular legislation originated from a state agency or similar source.

Representative Matt MacPherson, sponsor of the first substitute, told the committee the change is voluntary and intended to help the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC) compile origin data for caucus staff upon request. MacPherson said the tweak grew from staff and leadership concerns and aims simply to provide more transparency about where draft legislation comes from.

Representative Peterson moved the substitute and praised the sponsor for working with committee members. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period. The committee adopted the substitute and then, on a subsequent motion by Representative Purdon, voted to pass the first substitute favorably by voice vote; the chair ruled the measure passed unanimously.

If adopted by the full House, HR 4 would not require disclosure but would make it straightforward for sponsors or staff to record an origin entry in the bill-tracking system. The resolution assigns OLRGC the role of compiling the optional data for caucus staff who request it.