Senate unanimously confirms Darcy Dixon Pignanelli to Utah State Tax Commission

The Utah Senate unanimously confirmed Darcy Dixon Pignanelli on May 20, 2006, as a member of the Utah State Tax Commission to replace Palmer DePaulis, voting 29–0 after waiving the statutory 15‑day waiting period for gubernatorial nominees.

The confirmation followed a committee recommendation from the Revenue and Taxation confirmation committee. Senator Kurt Bramble, who chaired the committee, outlined the nominee’s qualifications, saying she “possess[es] knowledge of tax policy and administration” and noting a master’s degree in public administration and experience as a city manager and chief of staff. Bramble said he “wholeheartedly endorse[d]” Pignanelli’s nomination.

Senator Bramble then moved consent to the appointment; Senator Eastman had earlier moved to waive the Utah Code’s 15‑day requirement for acting on gubernatorial nominees, and that waiver passed. The roll-call confirmation returned 29 yes votes and 0 nays; the President declared Pignanelli confirmed for a term expiring June 30, 2007.

Pignanelli addressed the Senate in a brief Committee of the Whole, thanking senators for the unanimous vote and saying she was “fully aware of the impart that’s been placed upon me in that quasi‑judicial function to be fair and impartial, to look to the law.” She added that she would serve as “a steward of the state tax commission.”

No amendments or conditions to the appointment were recorded on the floor. The Senate dissolved the Committee of the Whole and returned to the calendar after the brief address.

The Senate’s actions were taken under the extraordinary-session provisions transmitted by the governor and certified by the lieutenant governor; a formal certificate of proclamation accompanied the communication from the governor’s office.