Utah Senate Confirms Cameron Beach to Eighth District Court, Consents to Multiple Gubernatorial Appointments

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate on Dec. 2024 confirmed Cameron Beach as a judge of the Eighth District Court and approved a slate of additional gubernatorial appointments during a thirteenth extraordinary session called by Gov. Spencer J. Cox.

The confirmations came after committee recommendations and roll-call votes. Senator Pitcher moved the Senate to consent to Beach’s appointment, citing Beach’s years in private practice and ties to Vernal. The Senate voted to consent to Beach’s appointment; the presiding officer announced the vote in favor and congratulated Judge Beach.

The move followed a favorable report from the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, signed by committee leadership. "I went to law school actually with Mr. Beach," Senator Pitcher said in support. Cameron Beach, who spoke briefly to the chamber after confirmation, introduced family in the gallery and said, "It is very humbling to be here today. It's an honor to be here today to receive confirmation." He thanked Gov. Spencer J. Cox and the Eighth District nominating commission and said he looked forward to serving on the bench.

Separately, the Senate considered and consented to a package of appointments read by Senate staff, including nominees to the State Records Committee, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services director post, the child care provider licensing committee and reappointments to boards such as the Board of Pardons and Parole. After a committee chair’s summation defending the committee vetting process, the chamber recorded the vote and the presiding officer announced the slate was approved with 28 yea votes and 1 nay vote.

The chamber also confirmed two nominees to the Compassionate Use Board — Kristen Becker and Alexandra Williams — following a Health and Human Services committee recommendation. The Senate recorded a unanimous consent for those appointments, 29–0.

Senator Kurt Bramble used personal privilege to mark his retirement after 24 years of service, presenting a ceremonial gavel to remain in Senate custody. In remarks earlier during the appointment debate, Bramble defended the committee’s 90-day vetting process and criticized media coverage that he said had taken “cheap shots.” He said the process provided time for public input and urged the public to use committee hearings for concerns rather than editorials.

The extraordinary session was called by Gov. Cox via proclamation to consider immediate legislative attention to appointments, and the Senate completed the listed confirmations before adjourning. The Senate appointed Senator Wilson to notify the governor's representative of the convening and later of the adjournment. After completing business the Senate adjourned at the close of the session.

Actions at a glance: the Senate consented to Cameron Beach as Eighth District Court judge (consent vote announced in favor), approved a multi-nominee slate including State Records Committee and Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services nominations (28–1), and confirmed two Compassionate Use Board members (29–0).