Staff Analysis of the Legislation
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This bill requires that individuals who directly or indirectly provide 5% or more of the funding for a lawsuit against the state or its political subdivisions may be required to disclose their funding. For state lawsuits, if the Attorney General determines the lawsuit impairs the health, safety, and welfare of the state, the AG's Office may request the disclosure. For political subdivision suits, if the governing body of the political subdivision adopts a resolution determining that the lawsuit impairs the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens, the governing body may request the disclosure by resolution. The bill also authorizes the state and political subdivisions to file a motion with the court requesting that plaintiff funding is disclosed and courts may issue an order requiring the plaintiff to disclose the names of contributors if the court determines the lawsuit impairs the ability of the state or a political subdivision of the state to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Utah citizens. The court may stay a lawsuit that seeks to delay or stop the state or political subdivision from beginning or continuing a project or enforcing a statute or ordinance if funding for the lawsuit is not disclosed. |
