Utah Senate unanimously confirms governor's appointments in sixth extraordinary session
October 20, 2021 | 2021 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate convened an extraordinary session Wednesday and quickly approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments, adopting temporary session rules and confirming nominees to multiple state boards and commissions.
President Adams opened the sixth extraordinary session called by Gov. Spencer J. Cox and the body adopted the previous extraordinary-session rules after Senator Buxton moved to adopt them for the current session. "I move that the senate adopt the senate rules of the 2021 fifth extraordinary session for the sixth extraordinary session," Buxton said. The motion passed without opposition and the rules were adopted.
The Senate Secretary read a communication from Gov. Cox transmitting a first group of appointments to state bodies, including reappointments and new appointees to the Board of Tourism Development, the Real Estate Commission, the Utah Geological Survey board, the Utah Transit Authority board, the State Tax Commission and numerous other boards and commissions. After a committee report endorsing the nominations, Senator Bramble moved to consent to the appointments. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote, and President Adams announced the result: "With a vote of 28 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 1 being absent, the Senate has consented to the governor's appointment." The first group was confirmed by a 28-0-1 tally.
Senator McKay highlighted the nomination of Jennifer Fresquez to the Utah State Tax Commission, citing her experience as a commercial appraisal manager in the Salt Lake County Assessor's Office and her certified general appraiser credential. "Her property tax experience will be a significant asset to the state tax commission," McKay said during his committee report.
Senate leadership then announced they had waived the usual 30-day call requirement so the chamber could immediately consider additional nominations transmitted by the governor. The Senate Secretary read a second communication that included, among others, Nathan J. Evershed for the Board of Pardons and Parole and a nomination to the Utah Communications Authority board.
Senator Owens summarized the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee's review of Nathan J. Evershed, noting his work on both prosecution and defense sides and saying the committee found him qualified: "Mr. Evershed has served on the prosecution and defense sides," Owens said, describing the nominee's background and experience.
Senator Bramble moved consent to the second group of appointments. After a roll-call vote, the president announced: "With 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 2 being absent, the Senate has consented to the governor's appointment." The second group was confirmed by a 27-0-2 tally.
The Senate concluded with brief announcements, a reminder of a caucus, and a motion to adjourn. The president closed the extraordinary session and the body adjourned sine die.
Votes at a glance: first consent vote — 28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent; second consent vote — 27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent.
The Senate's written communications identified the full lists of nominees. Confirmed posts included appointments to the State Tax Commission (Jennifer Fresquez), the Board of Pardons and Parole (Nathan J. Evershed), the Utah Transit Authority board, the Utah Geological Survey board and multiple other state boards and commissions; the secretary certified that each nominee met statutory legal requirements as read on the floor.
The Senate took no further legislative action in the extraordinary session and adjourned sine die.
President Adams opened the sixth extraordinary session called by Gov. Spencer J. Cox and the body adopted the previous extraordinary-session rules after Senator Buxton moved to adopt them for the current session. "I move that the senate adopt the senate rules of the 2021 fifth extraordinary session for the sixth extraordinary session," Buxton said. The motion passed without opposition and the rules were adopted.
The Senate Secretary read a communication from Gov. Cox transmitting a first group of appointments to state bodies, including reappointments and new appointees to the Board of Tourism Development, the Real Estate Commission, the Utah Geological Survey board, the Utah Transit Authority board, the State Tax Commission and numerous other boards and commissions. After a committee report endorsing the nominations, Senator Bramble moved to consent to the appointments. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote, and President Adams announced the result: "With a vote of 28 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 1 being absent, the Senate has consented to the governor's appointment." The first group was confirmed by a 28-0-1 tally.
Senator McKay highlighted the nomination of Jennifer Fresquez to the Utah State Tax Commission, citing her experience as a commercial appraisal manager in the Salt Lake County Assessor's Office and her certified general appraiser credential. "Her property tax experience will be a significant asset to the state tax commission," McKay said during his committee report.
Senate leadership then announced they had waived the usual 30-day call requirement so the chamber could immediately consider additional nominations transmitted by the governor. The Senate Secretary read a second communication that included, among others, Nathan J. Evershed for the Board of Pardons and Parole and a nomination to the Utah Communications Authority board.
Senator Owens summarized the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee's review of Nathan J. Evershed, noting his work on both prosecution and defense sides and saying the committee found him qualified: "Mr. Evershed has served on the prosecution and defense sides," Owens said, describing the nominee's background and experience.
Senator Bramble moved consent to the second group of appointments. After a roll-call vote, the president announced: "With 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 2 being absent, the Senate has consented to the governor's appointment." The second group was confirmed by a 27-0-2 tally.
The Senate concluded with brief announcements, a reminder of a caucus, and a motion to adjourn. The president closed the extraordinary session and the body adjourned sine die.
Votes at a glance: first consent vote — 28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent; second consent vote — 27 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent.
The Senate's written communications identified the full lists of nominees. Confirmed posts included appointments to the State Tax Commission (Jennifer Fresquez), the Board of Pardons and Parole (Nathan J. Evershed), the Utah Transit Authority board, the Utah Geological Survey board and multiple other state boards and commissions; the secretary certified that each nominee met statutory legal requirements as read on the floor.
The Senate took no further legislative action in the extraordinary session and adjourned sine die.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
