Bill creating a database for government finances passes Senate

A bill that would create a free, easy-to-use, searchable Web site for Utah residents to see where their tax dollars are being spent passed through the Senate on Friday.

The bill, SB38, would apply to all branches of the state of Utah, state departments, state colleges and universities, counties with at least 12,000 residents and cities with at least 10,000 residents, local and special-service districts, school districts and charter schools with budgets of $1 million or more.

The Web site would provide access to financial reports, audits, budgets and other financial documents, many of which are public, but normally are sought after by the public with a formal request under the Government Records Access and Management Act.

Total cost for the project is $250,000.

"$250,000, while a lot of money, is a small price to pay for this kind of transparency," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy.

The bill now moves to the House.