Utah Senate Consents to Wide Range of Gubernatorial Appointments and Adopts Citation for Wild Turkey Federation

SALT LAKE CITY — During an Aug. 9, 2023 extraordinary session, the Utah State Senate consented to a broad slate of gubernatorial appointments to state boards, commissions and college trustees and adopted a citation recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The governor transmitted appointments to multiple entities, including Cindy Tetro to the Utah Board of Higher Education; Steve Handy to the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission; Trista Lawrence to the Board of Aging and Adult Services; Michael Davis to the Board of Water Resources; reappointments and trustee nominations for Davis Technical College, Dixie Technical College, Salt Lake Community College, Utah Tech, Weber State University, and several technical college boards. The communications were read into the record and followed by confirmation-committee reports that recommended favorable action on many nominees.

Senator Hinkins moved that the Senate vote to consent to the appointments as read. The roll-call vote recorded 24 yes, 0 no, 5 absent, and President Adams invited appointees present in the chamber to stand for recognition.

Separately, Senator Owens presented a Senate citation honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation, praising the group’s work in wildlife management, habitat conservation and hunter recruitment. The citation text—read aloud by the Secretary—noted the federation’s incorporation date and cited investments of more than half a billion dollars since 1985 to conserve or enhance critical habitat. The Senate adopted the citation and authorized the president to sign it.

After completing the list of consents and the ceremonial citation, Senator Vickers moved to adjourn; the chamber recessed with plans for a meet-and-greet reception later that evening.

The appointment consent covered numerous boards and trustees across state higher education, natural resources, water, technical colleges, and advisory bodies. The Senate recorded committee reports for each set of nominees; where committee endorsements were stated on the record, this article notes that fact but does not attempt to supply biographical details beyond what was read into the record. Specific appointees and the bodies to which they were assigned were read verbatim into the record during the session.