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Utah Senate Confirms Two Judicial Appointments, Honors New Judges on Floor
Summary
The Utah Senate confirmed Tupac A. G. Renteria to the Third District Juvenile Court and Keith C. Barnes to the Fifth District Court after favorable committee recommendations; both nominees introduced family and pledged impartiality from the rostrum.
The Utah Senate voted to confirm two judicial nominees sent by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, approving Tupac A. G. Renteria for the Third District Juvenile Court and Keith C. Barnes for the Fifth District Court.
Renteria—s appointment was transmitted in a March letter noting the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee—s favorable recommendation. The Senate consented to his appointment by a roll-call that produced 24 yeas, zero nays and five absences. Renteria thanked the body and introduced members of his family, saying he appreciated the committee—s vetting and the Senate—s consideration.
Keith C. Barnes received committee backing and a near-unanimous floor vote, recorded as 28 yeas, zero nays and one absence. Barnes addressed the chamber and pledged preparedness and fair treatment for litigants: "I will, each and every day that I'm on the bench, I will be prepared. I will treat all people who appear in my court with respect, and I will be fair in my decisions and my demeanor," he said.
Scott Jenkins, chair of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, told the Senate the committee had met and "felt very comfortable" recommending both nominees after interviews and review. Senators on both sides of the aisle offered brief remarks; one floor speaker noted the confirmations followed the committee process and called the nominees —well qualified.—
Both confirmations were conducted under regular order: a committee report was read into the record, a motion was made on the floor, and the Senate recorded roll-call tallies before signing the appointments in open session. The appointments will be enrolled and transmitted for the governor—s final processing steps.
Because these were confirmations of judicial officers, senators emphasized committee vetting and the nominees— professional credentials during floor remarks. No substantive objections were recorded during the committee or floor proceedings.
The Senate then resolved into a Committee of the Whole to allow the newly confirmed judges to make short remarks and introduce their families before returning to regular business.
