[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6137952,"mediaKeyId","5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5","parentId",5593801,"title","Senate committee favorably recommends Erica Evans to lead Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services","audioSeconds",1802,"startMs",133000,"endMs",1935000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5&start=133&end=1935","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5/thumbnail_133000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6137952/Utah/Senate-committee-favorably-recommends-Erica-Evans-to-lead-Utah-Department-of-Alcoholic-Beverage-Services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137952-96775ca56aa98d51ff7472494ae196d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1769929862&Signature=EHHd1TLtxzoLY71oKwJ2rm4wkXa36KU6fiWnzdY5tSYN1ZVZVTEPyeDVmweRIN4x4p55abE-TYrB85GsXdP7Rlz~xGwqIaqJ1r97d0R-2fsdfEdrPzUHeoCVMeY6Z6jEKuKTpqgd3z4Zcbc1458Ff-rnsOVfXKjijCUiPnTUOaUrLsllH1P~nDQoCbN7Sx7FgT~b093BzhX9EH0RSFaOJDNg9M-YSfCTbEr1Te~jR2vfCl4gBLHqdqwHH4iVmQCIIn9Xq7ZjGrnr3N69KIKbo~qfT~bgVeapmkgxWpYLCuy7WEgXWhWab2hSoh4dPW05aq~BjPs6BSVsfOiIIWo~~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah Legislature","date","2025-08-18T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Evan Vickers, chair of the Senate Business, Labor and Confirmation Committee, told members on Aug. 18 that the committee would consider Erica Evans for executive director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, commonly known as DABs, and invited her to speak to the panel.

Evans said she was \"truly honored to have been nominated by Governor Cox to serve as executive director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, better known to most as DABs.\" She described more than a decade of legal and public-service work in Utah and California and said, if confirmed, her first priorities would be operational efficiency and transparency.

The committee favorably recommended Evans to the full Senate by voice vote, recorded as unanimous (6-0).

Why it matters: DABs operates the state\u0000's alcohol retail system and licenses and enforces alcohol laws in Utah; testimony to the committee described the agency as a large enterprise that returns substantial revenue to the state and supports prevention and public-safety programs.

Evans summarized her relevant background: six years at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel; service as deputy director of legal and regulatory affairs at DABs overseeing licensing and compliance; and recent work managing internal operations for the Legislature. She told the committee she has drafted alcohol legislation and worked directly with licensed businesses and intends to continue a collaborative approach between the agency and the Legislature.

On the control-state model, Evans told Senator Cal Musselman that she \"values the benefit of the control state model\" and that her role would be to enforce the law \"with fidelity\" to how the Legislature directs. She said she has been comparing practices with other control states to better explain and apply the model in day-to-day operations.

Committee members pressed on retail operations and customer service. Evans said improving customer experience starts with internal operations: finishing an enterprise resource planning update, reducing paper processes, and building on a recently launched online licensing and compliance system that she said transformed that division's interaction with the public. \"One of the mantras that Tiffany Clayson brought into the department that I continue to want to support is coming from a place of 'yes,'\" she said.

Public testimony and endorsements accompanied the nomination. Steve Handy, chair of the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission, told the committee DABs maintains 52 state stores, about 30 package agencies, roughly 900 employees, and a roughly $600 million enterprise that returns in the neighborhood of $100 million a year to the state general fund. Tiffany Clayson, the former DABs executive director who preceded Evans, and Dave Davis, president of the Utah Retail Merchants Association and Utah Food Industry Association, each urged confirmation, citing Evans's legal knowledge of \"32B\" and retail experience.

Discussion versus decision: the committee\u0000's questioning and the public endorsements were part of the confirmation hearing (discussion). The committee then took formal action: Senator Sandell moved to forward Evans's nomination with a favorable recommendation to the full Senate; the committee recorded a unanimous favorable recommendation (6-0).

What remains: the committee\u0000's favorable recommendation moves the nomination to the full Senate for final confirmation.

Ending: Evans thanked the committee and said she welcomed follow-up questions. The Senate committee adjourned and later considered two other nominations on the Aug. 18 agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business and Labor Confirmation Committee - August 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Evan Vickers, chair of the Senate Business, Labor and Confirmation Committee, told members on Aug. 18 that the committee would consider Erica Evans for executive director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, commonly known as DABs, and invited her to speak to the panel.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137944,"Senate committee favorably recommends Scott Kellner to Utah State Money Management Council",552,2667000,3219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5&start=2667&end=3219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5/thumbnail_2667000.jpg","/articles/6137944/Utah/Senate-committee-favorably-recommends-Scott-Kellner-to-Utah-State-Money-Management-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137944-42004bd78b6c272373e80c16d6a83daa/orig.mp4?Expires=1769929862&Signature=i2LZjkjotvgIbTWo-ZkgWG1FVW4f~g9hEYCXvptSPplV1ZNHmvYvkFI1v8duFBdm-9xCkNA0jy9hFzE6oLcCr48LS-d-T1D2Ds-Y2at8QUPkZ8g124yV5iPsST~KBEUXeFIeN7xonAsG4VAJfuqa-3bCrV4J2drcJC4h-4I6crxAahPVA67EM1nNl~8l18f885OCNvsYcEk2wGfoMn9OP0KX~CK~vZmxswSKnmYB4NZIQmMMKEvPsNQNfMNGpOdOd4sCXA1cEYmF6xX6EZWiqyuplObOvoQDGtdWopFArUMZhu8p8Y7m34VP7sGmuv0UBih6UJfKZc~37gtqFOxbfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Evan Vickers introduced the nomination of Scott Kellner on Aug. 18 and asked Kellner to summarize his qualifications for the State Money Management Council.

Kellner, a portfolio manager at Zions Bank, said he has 14 years in wealth and institutional investment management, holds Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations, and has worked with institutional and private clients in Utah. \"I will approach it with a deep respect for the public trust,\" he told the committee, citing values of community, integrity, stewardship and fiscal responsibility.

Committee members asked about public financial literacy and outreach. Kellner said he was not fully certain of the council\u0000's past role in promoting financial literacy but said he would welcome opportunities to support education efforts where appropriate and where the council\u0000's remit allows.

Public supporters appeared for the nomination. Robert Spendlove, representing Zions Bank, told the committee Kellner has the right experience and temperament to advise on the investment of the public-treasure investment fund; he said the council oversees about $30,000,000,000 in state funds. Former state representative Scott Howell also offered a character endorsement.

Action: Senator Escamilla moved to favorably recommend the nomination to the full Senate; the committee recorded a unanimous favorable recommendation (6-0).

Discussion versus decision: committee questioning about outreach and financial literacy constituted discussion; the formal motion and recorded unanimous recommendation constituted the committee\u0000's decision to forward the nomination.

Ending: Kellner and his family were thanked for attending; the committee noted the nomination will proceed to the full Senate for confirmation consideration.","The Senate Business, Labor and Confirmation Committee unanimously recommended Scott Kellner to the full Senate for the State Money Management Council. Nominee Scott Kellner highlighted his institutional investment credentials and pledged to safeguard public funds; endorsers noted the Council oversees billions in state investments.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6137949,"Senate committee endorses Chris Conaby for Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission",658,1966000,2624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5&start=1966&end=2624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5593801-70a9ca4ada140fd55d3f6fa4351536a5/thumbnail_1966000.jpg","/articles/6137949/Utah/Senate-committee-endorses-Chris-Conaby-for-Alcoholic-Beverage-Services-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6137949-32d27206d7ade3128da52b4b343ff580/orig.mp4?Expires=1769929862&Signature=L~KKSHmfMjqCy5-X8Zm02nyVLWaimOkLzuxNpr1txTAmOmTF~UuCLLzu59L06Sgt9plEozXtJpKlW46xTXDHEXBeIEs6EDQrrvcgOgE6Tlwz86aFwjI8xl78rwuDSnTkIvKBrkiVBoy6obv5I3k7d8hLYiT960vcjTikrUfVHnsXfuNS7apz39X54LkEGnZlASAefxVhLw30Mf26U2T9XiRAZJTMBRXqhTxa9~KPvm274DQMYIzvgDuG25wXFi~MVyBUaPestbyYd2s9Su~VUQ0iYdk5ZvtJlN~imDdk4Kr8XMQad6GT1zOzGu0sy4SVqRFHx1EihiHExi8J22zBJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Evan Vickers, chair, introduced the nomination of Chris Conaby on Aug. 18 and invited Conaby to describe his background and interest in the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission.

Conaby said his professional experience is in real estate development and hospitality and described prior public-service roles including managing director of corporate recruitment in Governor Herbert\u0000's administration, service on the governor\u0000's Office of Economic Development board, and local planning commissions. He told the committee he understands commissioners have limited latitude and saw the commission\u0000's role as enforcing code, supporting staff and returning statutory questions to the Legislature.

Tiffany Clayson, former DABs executive director, endorsed Conaby, saying his business and hospitality experience will add useful perspective to the commission\u0000's decisions on licensing and penalties. Conaby told the committee he sees the agency\u0000's work as a balance between access and service on the one hand and public safety and preservation of community values on the other.

The committee voted to favorably recommend Conaby to the full Senate. Senator Musmar moved the motion; the committee recorded the recommendation as unanimous (6-0).

Discussion versus decision: committee discussion focused on Conaby\u0000's accessibility to the public and his approach to communication and staff integration (discussion). The committee then took formal action to forward the nomination to the full Senate (decision).

Ending: Conaby thanked the committee and the meeting record shows the nomination will proceed to the full Senate for confirmation consideration.","The Senate Business, Labor and Confirmation Committee unanimously recommended Chris Conaby to the full Senate to fill a vacancy on the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission. Supporters highlighted his real estate development and public-service background and emphasized commissioners' limited role to implement legislative policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee favorably recommends Erica Evans to lead Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services

Senate committee favorably recommends Scott Kellner to Utah State Money Management Council

Senate committee endorses Chris Conaby for Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission