Madsen said it is "appropriate and beneficial" for our legislators' constituents that legislators participate in trade missions and local activities for foreign visitors, but legislators need to "understand the context and the cultures" beforehand. "They're important as we venture into the international realm," he said.

Commission member Miguel Rovira, a regional director for GOED, said that while the state hosts delegations, many visits are set up by businesses, organizations or universities. Sometimes the state knows months ahead of time about those visits; sometimes it has as had three hours' notice, he said.

Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, was among commission members who expressed trepidation at appearing at foreign-dignitary events.

"I know I've received invitations on occasion by e-mail or something for some reception for somebody I didn't know in a place I didn't know for something I didn't know, and I wouldn't go because I couldn't imagine what in the world I would do there," Fowlke said.

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