Utah Senate confirms two judicial nominees, consents to slate of governor's appointments

The Utah State Senate met in a seventh extraordinary session on Aug. 20, 2020, and consented to multiple gubernatorial appointments, including two judicial nominees. The body approved Anne Marie McKiff Allen for the Fifth District Court and Tasha Marie Williams for the Second District Juvenile Court by roll-call votes, and consented to a larger slate of reappointments and appointments across state boards.

Senate President Jay Stewart Adams called the session at 4 p.m. to consider the governor’s appointments. Senator Buxton moved to adopt the same rules used in the earlier 2020 special session; the motion passed by voice vote and the Senate proceeded to consideration of nominations.

Todd Wyler, chair of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, moved consent to Anne Marie McKiff Allen’s appointment to the Fifth District Court and summarized her background: a J. Reuben Clark Law School (BYU) graduate (1997), experience as deputy county attorney in Garfield County, service as general counsel for Southern Utah University and as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University. Senator Vickers spoke in support of Allen and noted her family’s ties to public service. The Senate’s roll-call produced 27 "yay" votes, 0 "nay," and 2 absent; the motion passed.

After moving into a Committee of the Whole to hear from her, Judge Anne Marie McKiff Allen thanked the Senate and pledged to "serve to the very best of my ability to bring honor to that role," noting her lifelong ties to rural Southern Utah and her commitment to the rule of law.

The secretary then read the governor’s letter nominating Tasha Marie Williams to the Second District Juvenile Court and the Judicial Confirmation Committee’s favorable recommendation. Senator Wyler summarized Williams’s credentials, including a law degree from the University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law (2008), her work with Utah Juvenile Defenders, and a 2016 youth advocate award from the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice. Senator Hilliard noted Williams’s past service as a Senate intern and local ties to Davis County.

A roll-call vote on Williams’s consent recorded 26 "yay" votes, 0 "nay," and 3 absent; the Senate consented. In remarks to the chamber, Judge Williams thanked the governor, the committee and her family and pledged to "serve the families and the youth of [the] Second District" with humility and to promote confidence in the judiciary.

The Senate also received and consented to a larger list of gubernatorial appointments and reappointments, which the secretary read into the record and committee chairs reported on. Among the nominations announced were a School and Institutional Trust Lands trustee (Brian Harris to replace Lani M. Bullard), reappointments to the State Charter School Board (Michelle Monday Smith, James R. Moss Jr., Cynthia K. Phillips) and the appointment of Stephanie L. Spiker to the State Charter School Board. The Utah Indigent Defense Commission and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission nominations were also reported as recommended by committee. The Senate took a roll-call on the entire slate and recorded 25 "yay" votes, 0 "nay," and 4 absent.

Senator Vickers moved the Senate adjournment "sine die," which passed by voice vote; President Adams then said the members should remain nearby because the body planned to reconvene shortly to handle a Senate bill.

Votes at a glance: Anne Marie McKiff Allen (Fifth District Court) — 27–0 (2 absent); Tasha Marie Williams (Second District Juvenile Court) — 26–0 (3 absent); slate of additional gubernatorial appointments — 25–0 (4 absent).

The Senate did not debate or vote on other bills during the public portion of the session; President Adams indicated additional business (a Senate bill) would be considered shortly after recess.