Utah Senate Consents to Multiple Gubernatorial Appointments, Confirms Scott W. Smith as Tax Commission Director

The Utah State Senate, meeting in its 12th extraordinary session in November 2018, consented to a broad list of gubernatorial appointments and confirmed Scott W. Smith as executive director of the Utah State Tax Commission.

Secretary of the Senate read a package of appointments transmitted by Governor Gary R. Herbert that included placements to boards and commissions such as the Child Care Licensing Committee, the Utah Digital Health Service Commission, the Board of Tourism Development, the Utah System of Technical Colleges Board of Trustees, and several technical college boards of directors. Committee chairs reported unanimous or favorable recommendations for nominees including Russell Lamoreaux, Dean J. Cox and Scott W. Smith.

Senator Henderson moved that the Senate vote to consent to the appointments as read and to confirm Scott W. Smith; the Senate recorded 23 "aye" votes, 0 "nay" votes, with six senators absent, and the motion carried. After confirmation, Scott W. Smith addressed the Senate, introduced family and Tax Commission colleagues and said the Commission’s responsibility is "to make sure that we collect the right amount of taxes, not the most," and that Utah taxpayers should pay "the correct amount of tax."

The confirmations covered a range of advisory boards, college trustee seats, and state agency leadership positions. The Senate did not record any amendments to the slate during the floor proceedings. The session moved on to other business, and later adjourned.

What happens next: Appointees whose nominations require onboarding or administrative steps will assume duties according to the statutory authorities of the receiving bodies; Scott W. Smith will lead the Utah State Tax Commission’s administration and motor vehicle functions as executive director.