The Utah Senate has adopted its own version of a lobbyist disclosure bill that increases the frequency of reports but exempts the most common lobbyist treats from stricter reporting standards.

"It's a change. It's a step in a direction," said Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse. "It's just such a pleasure to be carrying a bill of this nature. It's like putting a neon sign on your back that says, 'Kick me.' "

The bill, approved by the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee late Wednesday, requires lobbyists to disclose the names of any officeholders to whom they give "tangible personal property" valued at more than $5.

"Tangible personal property," however, does not include "the admission price for events, meals, recreation, outings or functions." That means lobbyists wouldn't have to disclose the names of officials for whom they purchased meals, golf games or Utah Jazz tickets unless the expenditure was more than $50 per person.

"They wouldn't be considered tangible on this," Killpack said.

Currently, gifts over $50 are banned, although the same "tangible" exceptions exist. A measure pending in the state House of Representatives would lower the disclosure limit for all expenditures except meals to $5.

When asked about the different disclosure standards during a testy session with reporters, Killpack used the example of having dinner with an interest group and still discussing policy.

"A tangible gift that comes to you" -- such as a lapel pin, he said -- "how does that necessarily deal with transacting business and policyfi"

Other Senate GOP leaders said the only problem is with media reports about lobbyists' gifts.

"I think there's a sense that $50 is a reasonable de minimis for certain expenditures," said Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo. "Because of what appears to be an intentional misrepresentation in the media about taking jewelry and this graphic with cash or whatever, there's a $5 ... threshold for tangible items."

Sen. Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful, put it this way: "The problem with this whole discussion is, there is no problem."

That animus is why his bill differs from the House version, Killpack said: "The question is, 'What can we move past the entire bodyfi' "

Killpack's bill also would require lawmakers to file campaign finance reports annually. Lobbyists would have to file quarterly reports.

The bill heads next to the full Senate.

SB 246, Government Law Changes, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse

Sets new reporting requirements for lobbyists on "tangible personal property," but leaves other limits as-is.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A3.