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Utah Senate Unanimously Confirms Joseph M. Bean to Second District Court
Summary
The Utah Senate on April 16, 2014, unanimously confirmed Joseph M. Bean to the Second District Court by a 26–0 roll call with three senators absent; Bean pledged to dispense justice 'in a kindly, equitable, and just manner' and said he would not engage in judicial activism.
The Utah Senate unanimously confirmed Joseph M. Bean as a judge of the Second District Court on April 16, 2014, voting 26–0 with three members absent during a fifth extraordinary session called to consider the governor's nomination. The vote followed a favorable report from the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee.
The session was called by Senate President Wayne L. Niederhauser to fulfill the Senate’s duty under Article 8, Section 8 of the Utah Constitution to consider judicial appointments. Governor Gary Herbert transmitted Mr. Bean’s appointment in a March 5, 2014, letter and the Judicial Confirmation Committee met April 9, 2014, to review the nominee.
Senator Scott K. Jenkins, chair of the confirmation committee, told the full Senate the panel had reviewed Mr. Bean’s background and recommended confirmation, saying they “found him to be suitable for this job.” Senator Hilliard formally moved the confirmation, citing family ties and Bean’s qualifications.
During a roll call, the clerk recorded 26 yays, 0 nays and 3 absent; President Niederhauser announced that the Senate had confirmed and consented to the governor’s appointment.
After the confirmation, the Senate resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear brief remarks from Judge Joseph M. Bean. Bean introduced family members in the gallery and summarized his judicial and legal experience, saying he had served about 20 years as a justice court judge and about 24 years as a litigating attorney. He pledged: “I will do my very best to meet out justice in a kindly, equitable, and just manner.” He added that he would follow the laws enacted by elected representatives and “will not engage in judicial activism.”
The extraordinary session also included a motion to adopt the Senate rules from the February 2014 general session for this extraordinary session, which passed by voice vote, and concluded with a motion to adjourn that passed.
No amendments to the nomination were proposed during the session. The judge’s confirmation is effective immediately following the Senate’s consent, and no further Senate action on this appointment was scheduled during the session.
