Utah Senate confirms state privacy officer and approves governor�appointments in special session

The Utah Senate convened in a seventh extraordinary session at the State Capitol on Dec. 16, 2021, and unanimously approved key appointments from the state auditor and the governor.

President J. Stewart Adams called the session and the body moved without recorded opposition to adopt the temporary rules for the meeting. The Senate then considered an auditor communication proposing Whitney Phillips as State Privacy Officer; the secretaryread the auditorletter and the motion to consent was made on the floor by Senator Brown. A senator who served with Phillips at the State Office of Education described her work on student data privacy and recommended confirmation.

The Senate conducted a roll-call vote on the auditor appointment. "With a vote of 26 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 3 being absent, the senate has consented to the auditors appointment," President Adams announced after the tally. Phillips was invited to stand for recognition on the chamber floor.

The governor's communications, read into the record, listed appointments and reappointments to multiple state boards and commissions, including the Board of State Parks, the Board of State History, the Board of Water Resources, the Crime Victims Reparations and Assistance Board, several technical college boards of trustees, the Health Data Committee, the Utah Digital Health Service Commission, and the Water Quality Board. The communication included a statement that documentation and legal qualifications for nominees were provided in addenda.

Senator Bramble moved that the Senate consent to the governor's slate as presented; committee chairs reported that nominations reviewed in committee had answered questions and received favorable recommendations. The secretary conducted a roll-call vote; President Adams announced the result as 26 yay, 0 nay, and 3 absent, and the Senate recognized appointees present in the chamber.

No formal objections or nay votes were recorded on the two consent matters. After taking several personal-privilege recognitions, including a citation honoring Chief Mike Nelson of the Brigham City Police Department and tributes marking Haven J. Barlow's 100th birthday, the Senate adjourned on a motion by Senator Vickers.

Actions taken during the special session were procedural confirmations and consents; the record shows approvals but does not include additional directives, funding decisions, or policy changes attached to these appointments. Further administrative follow-up (for example onboarding dates or effective dates of appointments) was not specified on the floor during this session.