Utah House votes for limit on anonymous campaign contributions

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives voted Thursday to approve a limit on anonymous political campaign donations.

The action, if passed by the Senate and then approved by the governor by the end of the session, would amend campaign finance provisions to allow candidates to accept up to $100 from anonymous donors. Anything above that should be given away.

HB38 states that the candidate must give any anonymous donations of more than $100 to the state or a political subdivision or to a nonprofit organization. Under current law, nothing is required to be done with an anonymous contribution.

Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, a co-sponsor of the bill, said sometimes cash is left on a doorstep or desk at the candidate's workplace, with a note that wishes the candidate well.

"I would hope the candidate feels that he or she needs to somehow identify the source of that," he said.

The bill allows anything under $100 to be classified as "anonymous" in financial disclosure documents filed with the state elections office.

— Wendy Leonard, Twitter: wendyleonards