Updated 7:23 p.m. MDT 6/18/2020
Utah’s governor would have to inform the Legislature of some major emergency purchases under a bill passed by the Utah Legislature Thursday.
Within 24 hours, the governor would have to tell lawmakers about purchases of more than $2 million that use federal funds and are made through the no-bid emergency process. It only applies during a declared pandemic or epidemic emergency.
Some lawmakers have called for investigations into no-bid contracts the state has entered into during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is just to make sure that we continue to exercise our proper rights as a Legislature to provide financial oversight,” said Rep. Val Peterson, R-Orem, the bill’s sponsor.
If signed into law, the bill will be automatically repealed at the end of 2021.
Gov. Gary Herbert declined to comment on the bill.
Sonja Hutson covers politics for KUER. Follow her on Twitter @SonjaHutson
