Senate confirms judges, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox and passes bills to cover furloughed employees and child nutrition shortfalls

The Utah Senate used its Oct. 16 special session to confirm multiple gubernatorial appointments, including judicial nominees, and to pass bills authorizing temporary state funding to cover some effects of the federal shutdown.

Judicial confirmations: The governor transmitted multiple judicial nominations and the Senate’s judicial confirmation committee reported favorable recommendations. The Senate consented to the appointment of Brian G. Cannell to the First Judicial District; the clerk recorded the confirmation as 28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent. The body similarly confirmed Ryan Evershed as a judge in the Eighth District juvenile court, with a recorded vote of 28 yays, 0 nays, 1 absent. Additional judges were introduced, heard and confirmed in committee and on the floor; where specific tallies were recorded in the transcript those tallies are cited, and other confirmations were advanced by voice/roll call as recorded.

Lieutenant governor confirmation: The governor nominated Spencer J. Cox to replace Greg Bell as lieutenant governor. The Government Operations Confirmation Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval, and the full Senate consented to Cox’s appointment by recorded vote of 27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent. In brief remarks after his confirmation, Cox thanked senators and said he was “very honored and grateful for the trust and the confidence the governor has placed in me” and described his intent to serve as a liaison between the legislature and local governments.

Bills to address shutdown impacts: The Senate passed House Bill 2,001 (State Employee Benefit Amendments), which allows fixed-cost benefits (health, dental, life insurance and holiday pay) for certain state employees affected by federal furloughs to be funded out of existing appropriations; the sponsor noted the money has already been appropriated and that roughly 195 employees could be affected. The Senate also passed House Bill 2,002, authorizing the State Board of Education to use state liquor-control program funds already appropriated to cover child nutrition program shortfalls if federal funding is delayed; the authorization includes a repeal date later in 2013.

Votes and next steps: Both HB 2,001 and HB 2,002 were passed under suspension of procedural rules; the clerk recorded passage and the bills were to be signed by the President in open session and sent to the House for the Speaker’s signature. The Senate also approved the governor’s other appointments by roll call in the session.

Closing: The Senate completed its business, notified the governor and the House, and adjourned the second special session sine die.