Lincoln Shurtz — who gave the most of any lobbyist, $7,753, mostly for a Utah League of Cities and Towns dinner with legislators — says gifts are not needed for access. "This is a very citizen-friendly Legislature. Anyone can go to the Legislature, send in a card, and nine times out of 10 their legislator will come and meet with them," he said.

The analysis found that the more than half of the gift spending in the first quarter — about $68,000 — was for food, perhaps showing that lobbyists believe the old adage that the quickest way to the heart is through the stomach.

One Valentine's Day gift may show that more than most. Spencer Stokes — registered as a lobbyist for many organizations including EnergySolutions, Microsoft and America First Credit Union — spent $387 to send "chocolate gifts" to all 104 legislators on that day for lovers.

Lobbyists spent another $21,000 on various forms of entertainment in the quarter. It included such things as the Utah Symphony and Opera spending $2,040 in free tickets for 60 unnamed lawmakers (plus $2,593 on a preconcert reception). A lobbyist for the Hale Center Theater provided $2,520 worth of tickets to its production of the "Civil War" to unnamed lawmakers.

A lobbyist for Thanksgiving Point spent $3,567 on an event hosting lawmakers at its Museum of Ancient Life. The University of Utah spent $2,256 for lawmakers at a gala honoring Nobel Prize winner Mario Capecchi.

Also, lobbyists gave at least $2,280 worth of Utah Jazz tickets to lawmakers. They gave at least $563 worth of college sports tickets to them.

Lobbyists also spent at least $11,500 on receptions for lawmakers. They also spent at least $10,500 on low-cost gifts, ranging from the T-shirts and umbrellas given by a lobbyist for Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield to the baseball caps provided by a lobbyist for the Utah Rural Electrical Association.

Lobbyists spent at least $11,000 on other gifts, whose nature is a bit murky. They described those gifts with vague terms such as "public relations," "building relations" or "meeting," without saying exactly what was provided.

Only 55 percent of gift spending can be tied directly to specific companies or groups, because lobbyists with many clients are not required to break out their spending by separate clients.

Where spending can be tied to specific groups or companies, the health-care industry spent the most on gifts, $15,432. That was followed by $11,500 by general business groups, $11,300 by entertainment groups, $6,680 by education groups, and $5,650 by communications groups.