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Utah Senate unanimously confirms governor’s slate of board and commission appointments in special session
Summary
In a third extraordinary session called by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, the Utah Senate voted 23–0 with six absent to confirm a slate of gubernatorial appointments to multiple state boards and commissions after committee recommendations and a roll-call vote.
The Utah Senate convened in an extraordinary session called by Gov. Gary R. Herbert to consider gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions and voted to confirm the slate. Senator Lyle Hilliard moved approval of the names read into the record; the motion carried on a roll-call vote.
The session opened with a gubernatorial proclamation citing Article 7, Section 6 of the Utah Constitution and Utah Code 67-1-1 and 67-1-2, saying the Senate was convened "for the Senate to consent to appointments made by the governor to positions within state government of the State of Utah since the close of the 2019 general session." A long list of appointments and reappointments was read into the record, including nominees to the Transportation Commission, Youth Parole Authority, Utah State Retirement Board, Drinking Water Board, Board of Tourism Development, the Board of Pardons and Parole and others.
Committee chairs reported favorable recommendations for many nominees. Senator Wayne Harper told the Senate the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee unanimously recommended Sharon P. McCully to the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. The Retirement and Independent Entities Confirmation Committee reported favorable recommendations for Craig Dearden and Larry Evans to the Utah Communications Authority Board and state retirement systems board; Transportation committee reports recommended Natalie Goughner and Kevin Van Tassel. The Education Confirmation Committee reported it had interviewed and unanimously recommended Crystal Magalet to the Utah State Board of Regents. Several confirmations were reported as unanimous by their committees.
After committee reports, Senator Lyle Hilliard moved that the Senate "approve the names read to us, appointed by the governor." The Senate proceeded to a roll-call vote. President Adams announced, "Having received 23 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 6 being absent, motion passes and the recommended appointments have been confirmed." The record notes Senators Adams, Buxton, Bridal and Grover among the excused; the vote tally was recorded as 23–0 with six senators absent.
Following the vote, Senator Davis commented that, regarding the appointment of former Senator Kevin Van Tassel, "he now gets to spend the money instead of appropriating it," an observation about the different role an appointee can have compared with a legislator. The Senate then notified the governor's representative that it had concluded business and adjourned after brief staff announcements about a barbecue and caucus meetings.
The confirmations included nominees and reappointments spanning multiple state boards; the proclamation and committee reports are entered in the Senate record. The Senate took formal action only to confirm the governor’s appointees and adjourned without further substantive business.
