Senate committee recommends John Nielsen to Utah Supreme Court after questioning on standing, recusal and diversity

The Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee voted 5–2 to recommend Judge John Nielsen for appointment to the Utah Supreme Court following a confirmation hearing that centered on jurisdictional limits, interpretive philosophy and potential conflicts of interest.

Committee members questioned Nielsen at length about when courts may act without jurisdiction and how he approaches constitutional interpretation. "No. There is no exception to standing," Nielsen said when asked whether courts should sometimes overlook standing or jurisdictional defects to correct perceived injustice. He described several types of standing — traditional (redressability and a concrete interest), associational, prudential and public‑interest standing — and said the legislature may create causes of action and therefore influence the bounds of standing so long as it does not violate constitutional limits.

Senators also…