Utah Senate confirms Jill N. Parrish and Ronald E. Nehring to the State Supreme Court

The Utah Senate voted this week to confirm two nominees to the state Supreme Court.

In separate roll‑call votes the chamber confirmed Jill N. Parrish and Ronald E. Nehring. Senators praised the judicial confirmation committee’s work and the nominees’ records before sending each to the bench. The clerk recorded 28 aye votes for Parrish, no nays and one absence; later the Senate recorded 27 aye votes, one nay and one absence for Nehring.

Jill N. Parrish, introduced by committee chair Sen. Chris Butters, addressed the Senate after her confirmation, thanked the committee and family members in the gallery, and described the confirmation process as rigorous and fair. “I will commit to you that I will work hard. I will always be prepared. I will keep an open mind,” Parrish said, adding she would decide cases “based solely on the rule of law.”

Judge Ronald E. Nehring also spoke to the chamber after confirmation, introduced his family and pledged fidelity to the state constitution. “I pledge and promise my fidelity to the constitution of this great state,” he said.

Senators who had served on the confirmation committee explained they had interviewed the nominees, reviewed records and questioned them at length. Supporters noted Parrish’s academic record and public service; supporters of Nehring cited his judicial experience and written opinions. A small number of senators offered brief explanations for their votes; the floor debate and committee record provide the primary basis for the confirmations.

What happens next: each confirmation will be entered into the court’s personnel records and the justices are expected to assume duties consistent with the court’s schedule. The Senate recessed to continue other business after the committee of the whole returned the chamber to the regular calendar.