Utah Senate unanimously consents to governor's slate of board appointments

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate in a specially convened extraordinary session on June 15, 2022, consented to a slate of appointments submitted by Governor Spencer J. Cox, voting 27-0 with two senators absent.

Madam Secretary read the governor’s proclamation calling the Senate into the 10th extraordinary session to consider “consent to appointments made by the governor” since the close of the 2022 General Session. The proclamation, read on the floor, identified the purpose and gave the session the authorization under Article 7, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Utah; the communication also cited Utah Code sections as read in the message.

Senator Hinkins moved that the Senate "vote to consent to the appointments as read." Senators on two confirmation committees reported to the full Senate in support: Senator McCall said the Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee had a substantial confirmation hearing and urged support, highlighting Curtis Wells as a strong choice for the CIB chair; Senator Fillmore said the Education Confirmation Committee recommended the education nominees unanimously.

Madam Secretary then called the roll for a vote. President Adams announced the result: "With a vote of 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes, 2 being absent, the Senate has consented to the governor's appointments." The Senate congratulated the appointees and directed Senator Cullimore to notify the governor’s office that the Senate had concluded its business.

Appointees read into the record included (as read by the Secretary) Kaitlyn Roberts to the Davis Technical College Board of Trustees (replacing Andrea Moss); Brandon Howard (replacing Shawn Butcher); Tamara Tran (replacing Lindsay Bayuk); appointments to the Drinking Water Board; Justin Maughan (replacing Scott Morrison) to the Permanent Community Impact Fund Board; Curtis Wells (replacing Keith Heaton); Dean Baker; reappointments and appointments to the School and Institutional Trust Lands Board of Trustees including Garth Tudor Ogden, Greg Todd and Jack Lytle; Michael G. Nelson (replacing Donald Foote); reappointments and appointments to the Utah Arts Advisory Board and the Utah Board of Higher Education including Jenny Wilson (reappointment) and several named nominees. The Secretary’s communication asked for timely consideration and certification that nominees met relevant legal requirements.

The session adopted the same extraordinary-session rules used previously, without debate, and completed its work in a short floor meeting. Senator Vickers moved to adjourn and the Senate adjourned following the completed consent vote.

The transcript records the governor’s communication and the Senate’s consent vote and committee endorsements; the roll-call tally is recorded in the session as 27 yeas, 0 nays and 2 absent. The communication as read on the floor cited Utah Code by number in the Secretary’s text; the numeric citations in the transcript appear as read and are noted here as presented.