UtahUtah municipal candidates must report campaign money until accounts close
Effective May 6, 2026, Utah municipal candidates required to report campaign finances must file yearly reports until they submit the required zero-balance account closing papers.
What it does
Covered municipal candidates must report campaign balances, donations, and spending annually until they file the required account closing papers. Reports are due January 10 or the next business day.
Candidates can stop yearly reporting once donations and spending stop and they file the required zero-balance closing papers. Remaining money must go to donors, eligible charities, or lawful political spending.
A late year-end report brings a $100 fine, with a chance to show payment is not required. Municipalities may also adopt stricter year-end reporting rules.
Argument forYear-end reports could make campaign money easier to track by showing remaining balances and donations and spending missing from earlier reports.
Argument againstCandidates who stop running could still face yearly paperwork and a $100 late fine until they file the required account closing papers.
More detail
Covered candidates must file yearly campaign money reports with their municipal clerk or recorder. The duty covers municipal candidates required to file campaign finance statements under Section 10-3-208. Reports show the December 31 balance and yearly donation and spending totals. Previously unreported transactions must include amounts and donor names, if known, or spending recipient names. Candidates must confirm that, to their best knowledge, they have reported all donations and spending. Checks count as received when candidates take possession of them. Reports are due by 5 p.m., starting the year after the municipal general election. Each report covers the previous calendar year.
Candidates must file an account closing statement and a final report to stop yearly reporting. These rules cover candidates subject to the yearly reporting duty. Candidates must stop receiving donations and spending money. Their campaign account, most recent year-end report, and attached final report must each show a zero balance. Before filing the closing statement, candidates must return leftover money to donors, donate it to a charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3), or spend it lawfully for political purposes. Candidates may file the closing statement and final report at any time. Yearly reporting continues until both reach the municipal clerk or recorder.
Municipal clerks or recorders must impose a $100 fine for a late year-end report. The fine applies to candidates who miss the year-end reporting deadline. Candidates must receive a reasonable chance to show that payment is not required, using evidence showing that this is more likely than not. Municipalities may adopt stricter year-end reporting rules. The state rules apply when they do not. Payment is due by 5 p.m. on the last business day that is at least 30 calendar days after the clerk or recorder imposes the fine.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 13Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 13Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded Senate/ concurs with House amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ concurs with House amendmentMajor
- Mar 6Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0321
- Mar 6LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0321
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Mar 6House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Mar 6House/ floor amendment
- Mar 6House/ uncircled
- Mar 6House/ circled
- Mar 6House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 5House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 5House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mar 4House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Mar 3House/ received from SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Senate/ to House
- Mar 3Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Mar 3Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 2Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 27Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 27Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Feb 27Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0321
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Feb 26LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0321
- Feb 24Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0321
- Feb 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0321
- Feb 23Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 23Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Government & EthicsCivil Rights & Voting