Utah Senate confirms dozens of governor’s appointments in 25-0 roll call

The Utah State Senate on June 19 consented to a broad list of appointments and reappointments transmitted from the governor’s office, approving the slate by a roll-call vote of 25 yes, 0 no, with four senators absent.

Clerks read the list into the record under "Utah Code Annotated 67-1-1 and -2," naming nominees and reappointments across state agencies, boards and commissions, including Richard W. Sprott as executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality and Sam Granato for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The list, the clerk said, closed with a written transmittal signed "Sincerely, John Emma Huntsman Junior, governor."

Senators debated procedure but not the merits of most nominees. Senator Jenkins asked whether members could vote 'no' on an individual nominee; Senate staff replied members retain the "right of division" to remove a single name from the consent motion for separate consideration. Senator Higueta said she considered requesting a division because the name of Tom Hatch, a former member of the body, appeared on the list.

During the roll call, Senator Stahl said she had "some reservations, on the State Board of Regents," arguing the appointments "only leaves 1 rural person on the Board of Regents," but she nonetheless cast a yes vote. The president then announced the motion had passed and that the governor’s additional appointments were confirmed.

The Senate’s action was procedural consent to the governor’s transmittal and does not, in the record, include individual debate on most nominees. The clerk placed the full roll-call tally on the record: 25 yes, 0 nay, with four absent. The Senate moved on to closing business after confirmation.