Utah Senate meets in extraordinary session, consents to multiple gubernatorial appointments

The Utah State Senate met in an extraordinary session called by Gov. Gary R. Herbert in December 2016 to consider and consent to appointments made since the 2016 general session. Senators approved a slate of nominees for state boards and executive positions, and the Senate adjourned the same day.

The governor’s proclamation, read into the record by the Secretary of the Senate, cited Article 7, Section 6 of the Utah Constitution as authority to convene the Senate and listed the session’s purpose: to consent to appointments. The proclamation named appointees to the Board of Water Resources, the Utah Indigent Defense Commission, the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) governing authority, and several executive director posts across state agencies.

Senators moved to adopt the Senate rules used in the 2016 general session for this extraordinary session and then voted to consent to the governor’s nominations. Committee chairs reported unanimous committee recommendations for several nominees: Senator Wayne A. Harper, Government Operations Confirmation Committee chair, told the floor that his committee “found Ms. Downing very capable and competent” and recommended her confirmation.

Among those confirmed were Tawny Pat Downing as Executive Director of the Department of Administrative Services and Jill Remington Love as Executive Director of the Department of Heritage and Arts. After the Senate announced its consent, Tawny Pat Downing addressed the body, thanking senators and describing seven years with the department and prior work in the Department of Workforce Services and in the Legislature. "I really love serving the people of Utah," she said, adding that she looks forward to working to be more efficient and to better use taxpayers’ dollars.

Jill Remington Love also spoke briefly after confirmation, outlining her local government background, including nearly 25 years working in city government and 12 years on the Salt Lake City Council. "Heritage and arts is about building economies throughout Utah," she said, saying she looked forward to working with communities statewide.

The Senate also recognized the long legislative service of Senator Madsen, who will be leaving the body; colleagues from both caucuses offered personal remarks and presented a committee resolution recognizing his contributions. The extraordinary session concluded after a brief motion to adjourn that the Senate approved by voice vote.

The confirmations were announced on the floor; the record reflects the Senate's consent but does not list a numerical roll-call tally in the transcript excerpt provided. The committees that reviewed nominees signaled unanimous recommendations where so stated.