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Utah Senate, in extraordinary session, confirms two Third District judges and dozens of gubernatorial appointments
Summary
In an October 2011 extraordinary session, the Utah Senate consented to Governor Gary R. Herbert’s nominees, including Elizabeth Ruby Mills and Ryan Harris for the Third District Court, approved multiple board and commission appointments, adopted session rules and heard brief remarks from the new judges.
The Utah State Senate convened in a fourth extraordinary session in October 2011 at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City to consider and consent to a slate of gubernatorial appointments, including two judges for the Third District Court and numerous board and commission nominees.
Senators adopted the Senate rules from the 2011 general session before taking up the governor’s nominations. A letter from Governor Gary R. Herbert transmitted the nomination of Elizabeth Ruby Mills for the Third District Court; the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee reported a favorable recommendation.
Senator Hilliard moved to consent to the governor's appointment of Elizabeth Ruby Mills; several senators spoke in support. Senator Morgan cited Mills’ legal and volunteer background, noting she had degrees in counseling and social services, experience as an emergency social worker, and later legal work in Utah at Richards Brandt Miller Nelson. The Senate recorded unanimous consent among those present; the clerk reported 22 affirmative votes recorded and seven senators absent.
The Senate then considered Ryan Harris to the Third District Court. The Judicial Confirmation Committee also recommended Mr. Harris. Senators praised the thorough, sometimes lengthy, confirmation process. A roll-call vote recorded 26 yea, 0 nay, and 3 absent; the Senate consented to Harris’ appointment.
After the confirmations, the body resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear brief remarks from the two judges. Elizabeth Ruby Mills thanked the Senate and the governor, reflected on 18 years practicing law in Utah, and said she ‘‘takes very seriously the responsibilities with which I have been entrusted’’ and is ‘‘eager to do good work.’’ Ryan Harris thanked the governor and the Senate, described the process as fair, and repeated the governor’s advice that judges should ‘‘work hard’’ and ‘‘stay humble,’’ committing to discharge his duties with diligence and humility.
The governor also transmitted a broader list of appointments to boards and commissions (including Taft Price to the University of Utah Board of Trustees to replace Scott Anderson; Samuel Charles Strait and Robert Mica to the Utah Capital Investment Board; Jeffrey Allen Sheets to the Board of Tourism Development; Mark Turner Echols to the Utah Geological Survey; and reappointments to the Utah Athletic Foundation Board, Labor Commission Appeals Board, and Radiation Control Board). The Senate consented to this package by roll call (reported as 24 aye, 0 nay, 5 absent).
Lawmakers also confirmed Wilford W. Clyde to the Utah State Board of Regents after a committee review; the Senate recorded 26 yea, 0 nay, and 3 absent on that confirmation.
Other business included brief recognitions of staff who worked on the state's redistricting process and routine adjournment. The Senate adjourned sine die following the day’s consents.
Votes at a glance
- Consent: Elizabeth Ruby Mills, Third District Court — Approved (clerk recorded 22 aye; seven absent). - Consent: Ryan Harris, Third District Court — Approved (26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent). - Consent: Multiple board/commission appointments (Taft Price — University of Utah Board of Trustees; Samuel Charles Strait and Robert Mica — Utah Capital Investment Board; Jeffrey Allen Sheets — Board of Tourism Development; Mark Turner Echols — Utah Geological Survey; various reappointments) — Approved (reported 24 aye, 0 nay, 5 absent). - Consent: Wilford W. Clyde, Utah State Board of Regents — Approved (26 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent).
What this means
By consenting to these nominations, the Senate filled judicial and board vacancies across state government. The confirmations follow standard gubernatorial nomination procedures and committee vetting; the two judges addressed the Senate and pledged to uphold their duties.
The Senate concluded the extraordinary session after approving the nominations and recognizing staff who worked on redistricting.
(Quotes in this article are attributed to speakers as they appear in the Senate transcript.)
