Utah Senate unanimously confirms judicial appointments and dozens of gubernatorial nominees in special session

The Utah Senate convened an eighth extraordinary session on April 20, 2022, to consider gubernatorial appointments and other business and unanimously consented to multiple nominees, including two judicial appointments.

The session opened with a prayer led by Senator McKell and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Thatcher, followed by a governor—s proclamation calling the Senate into extraordinary session to consider appointments made since the close of the 2022 general session.

Senator Cullimore moved to adopt the Senate rules for the special session; the motion passed without opposition. The Senate then turned to confirmation business. A written communication from the governor transmitted the nomination of Mandy Larson to the Sixth District Court. Senator Wyler reported the confirmation committee interviewed Larson and recommended her for appointment unanimously, describing her service as deputy county attorney for Sevier County since 2014, prior service as a city attorney and prosecutor for the Gunnison City Justice Court and prior private-practice work in family and juvenile law. "So, we voted unanimously as a committee, to recommend her appointment to the Sixth District Court," Wyler said.

Senator McCall rose to speak in support: "I just wanna rise in support of Judge Larson," he said, noting a long personal acquaintance and describing her as "well deserved." The Senate then held a roll call vote and recorded 28 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absence, consenting to the governor's appointment of Mandy Larson.

The governor also transmitted the nomination of David Johnson to the Third District Juvenile Court. Senator Wyler reported the committee had interviewed Johnson, summarized his background as an assistant attorney general who has served as general counsel to the Department of Human Services since March 2021, and reviewed his earlier work representing juveniles and an award for Excellence in Juvenile Representation. The Senate held a roll call vote on Johnson's confirmation and recorded 29 yay votes, 0 nay votes; the Senate consented and President Adams congratulated the new judge.

Later in the session the governor's office transmitted a list of additional appointments and reappointments to advisory committees, boards and commissions. Senator Bramble moved that the nominees read on the record be confirmed; the Senate recorded a roll call with 29 ayes and 0 nays, consenting to those appointments. President Adams directed notification to the governor's representative that the Senate had concluded its business.

Senator Vickers moved to adjourn sine die; the motion passed and the Senate adjourned. The session record shows unanimous or near-unanimous consent for the items taken up during the short, procedural extraordinary session.