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Utah Senate unanimously consents to multiple gubernatorial appointments, confirms UCAT commissioner
Summary
The Utah State Senate met in an October 2016 extraordinary session and by roll call consented to a slate of gubernatorial appointments, including the confirmation of David R. Wollstone Hume as Utah College of Applied Technology commissioner; the consent carried 26–0 with three absent.
The Utah State Senate convened in an extraordinary session in October 2016 and on a roll-call vote consented to a slate of gubernatorial appointments, the chamber announced, carrying the motion 26–0 with three members absent.
The Senate’s president, President Niederhauser, presided over the session called by Gov. Gary R. Herbert under Article 7, Section 6 of the Utah Constitution. The governor’s proclamation, read into the record, said the session’s purpose was "for the senate to consent to appointments made by the governor to positions within state government" since the close of the 2016 general session.
Why it matters: The confirmations fill seats on state boards and commissions that oversee alcohol and beverage control, pardons and parole, youth parole, state financial institutions, the Utah Communications Authority and the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT), among others. Committee chairs told the full Senate they had vetted the nominees and recommended approval.
Senator Curtis S. Bramble, reporting for the Business and Labor committee, emphasized the committee process. "These aren't rubber stamps, senators," he said, adding that committees asked "straightforward, direct, and probative" questions before making unanimous recommendations.
Committee reports presented unanimous or favorable recommendations for several nominees. The Senate Education Confirmation Committee reported a favorable recommendation for David R. Wollstone Hume as commissioner of technical education for the Utah College of Applied Technology. The Business and Labor Confirmation Committee reported in favor of Olivia Villa Agraz for the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee recommended Donald E. Blanchard for the Board of Pardons and Parole. The Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Confirmation Committee recommended Tina L. Matthew for chair of the Utah Communications Authority.
On the roll-call vote on the motion to consent to all the governor's appointments, the clerk recorded responses from members and President Niederhauser announced the result: "With 26 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 3 being absent, the Senate has consented to governor's appointments." The chamber then followed Senate custom and invited the newly confirmed UCAT commissioner to address members.
David R. Wollstone Hume, introduced by Senator Don I. Ipsen, thanked senators and said he was "definitely excited to get started," acknowledging the magnitude of the job and emphasizing a focus on workforce training and closer working relationships with educational partners and employers.
Procedural notes: At the outset the Senate adopted the rules of the 2016 general session for use in the extraordinary session and appointed a committee to notify the governor's representative that the Senate had convened and later concluded its business. The meeting was called pursuant to Utah Code 67-1-1 and 67-1-2 and the governor's proclamation.
The session concluded after the committee notified the governor's representative and the Senate adjourned.
