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Utah Senate convenes extraordinary session, confirms judge and dozens of gubernatorial appointees
Summary
The Utah State Senate met in an extraordinary session on June 17, 2013, to consider gubernatorial appointments. The Senate unanimously consented to the confirmation of Renee M. Jimenez as a Third District juvenile court judge and approved a broad slate of board and commission nominees, including the UDOT executive director.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate met in an extraordinary session called by Gov. Gary R. Herbert on June 17, 2013, to consider gubernatorial appointments and committee reports. The Senate adopted the rules used in the 2013 general session and then voted to consent to judicial and agency nominees transmitted by the governor.
Senators met with a quorum of 26 present, President Niederhauser announced. The session’s central actions were two consent votes: the confirmation of Renee M. Jimenez to the Third District Juvenile Court and the consent to a large slate of board and commission appointments transmitted by the governor.
Senator Scott Jenkins, chair of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, told colleagues the panel had “no reason not to confirm her” after meetings with Jimenez and recommended the court nomination favorably. Following discussion, the Senate held a roll call and President Niederhauser announced that the body had received 26 “aye” votes and zero “nay” votes for Jimenez’s confirmation. “We have consented to the governor’s appointment of Renee M. Jimenez as our newest judge,” he said, and senators congratulated her.
Jimenez addressed the Senate in a Committee of the Whole, thanking the governor, the Judicial Nominating Committee and the Senate committee and describing her focus on child welfare. “I am thrilled to be here,” she said, pledging to be “a positive and productive juvenile court judge” and to work in partnership with the community to protect children and strengthen families.
The governor also transmitted a long list of appointments and reappointments across state boards and commissions, including nominees for the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Housing Corporation board, university and college boards of trustees and numerous state commissions. Committee chairs reported unanimous or favorable recommendations in committee for several nominees. After a roll call later in the session, the Senate again recorded 26 “yay” votes and zero “nay” votes and President Niederhauser said the body had consented to the governor’s appointments.
Among those named in the governor’s transmittal was Carlos Braceras as executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation to replace John Nord. The incoming director addressed senators in a Committee of the Whole, saying he was “incredibly humbled and…committed to furthering transportation in the state of Utah,” and pledging stewardship of public funds and a focus on innovation, transparency and ethics at UDOT.
Votes at a glance Renee M. Jimenez — Consent to appointment as judge, Third District Juvenile Court; vote: 26–0; outcome: approved. Governor’s slate of appointments (multiple boards and commissions, including Carlos Braceras for UDOT executive director) — Consent to appointments; vote: 26–0; outcome: approved.
The Senate closed the Committee of the Whole after remarks from nominees, offered brief recognitions and adjourned after notifying the governor’s representative that the Senate had completed its business. The extraordinary session’s immediate effect was to fill or reappoint several vacancies across state boards and to install a new juvenile court judge and the UDOT executive director; any changes to policy or rule were not part of the session’s actions.
