Utah Senate confirms multiple gubernatorial appointments, assigns bills to committees and adjourns

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate on the floor Tuesday consented to a series of gubernatorial appointments, assigned several bills to standing committees and recessed until Monday.

The chamber first took up a large slate of nominations transmitted in letters from Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Senate staff read appointments to water conservancy boards, ethics and review commissions and higher-education trustee slots, among others. After a motion on the floor, the Senate recorded a vote of 25 "yay," 0 "nay" and 4 absent to consent to that initial set of appointments.

Senator Curtis S. Bramble, committee chair, moved the consent vote, saying, "I move the Senate vote to consent to the appointments as, read by Senate staff." The motion carried on the roll call announced by President Adams.

Among the nominations announced earlier in the record were John Richardson for the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District Board of Trustees and reappointment of Don Ramsey as South Jordan representative; Jim Evans and Stephen Roth for the political subdivisions ethics review commission; Amelia Powers Gardner for the Bridal Activity Bond Review Board; Erin McKnight to the Utah Indigent Defense Commission; and reappointments to the Utah State University Board of Trustees for David Peterson, J.C. Skinner, Gina Gagan and David Huntsman. The governor certified that each nominee met the legal requirements for the offices named in his transmittal letters.

Later the Senate considered the nomination of Donna Law to serve as executive director of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, a post the governor transmitted in a Dec. 18, 2023, letter. Senator David P. Hinkins moved for consent. Supporters noted Law's experience, including work at Southern Utah University and prior interim service in the department.

Senator Bridal said, "Having worked in the committee arena . . . I'm very excited about this appointment," and praised Law as a successor to Jill Remington Love. Senator Harper added that Law "has been a great asset to SUU" and that the state would be better for her service.

The Senate voted to consent to Donna Law's appointment, 24 "aye," 0 "nay," 5 absent.

In addition to confirmations, the rules committee report was read on the floor and recommended assignment of multiple bills to standing committees. The report assigned measures including Senate Bill 112 (eyelash technician licensure) and SB 116 (eviction notice requirements amendments) to Business and Labor; HB 60 (phased retirement extension) and HB 88 (landowner liability amendments) to Economic Development and Workforce Services; and several education, natural resources and revenue measures to their respective committees. These assignments were placed for committee consideration.

The Senate concluded its business and adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m.

The confirmations recorded on the floor are formal consents; some nominees previously received favorable committee recommendations reported to the chamber this week. The Legislature will consider additional committee action and scheduling on bills as committees meet in the coming days.