SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate on Sept. 2025 voted to consent to a package of gubernatorial appointments to multiple state boards and commissions, approving the slate 24–0 with five senators absent. The confirmations came during the fifth extraordinary session called by Gov. Spencer J. Cox to consider those nominations.

The confirmations matter because the appointees will serve on governing boards that oversee public universities, technical colleges, water resources and drinking water policy, and other state commissions that influence higher-education governance and state regulatory decisions.

Senate president Adams opened the session with a proclamation from Gov. Cox calling the Senate into the extraordinary session to "consent to appointments made by the governor to positions within state government." The governor transmitted appointment letters dated July 21 and Aug. 18, 2025, and multiple Senate confirmation committees reported favorable recommendations to the full body.

Committee chairs delivered the recommendations on the floor. Senator Milner, chair of the Senate Education Confirmation Committee, reported favorable recommendations for several university board nominees, including reappointments and new appointments to the University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University and Weber State University boards of trustees. Senator Darren Owens, chair of the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee, reported favorable recommendations for appointments to the Board of Water Resources, the Utah Geological Survey and the Drinking Water Board. Senator Evan J. Vickers reported a favorable recommendation for Warren Lignell to the Title and Escrow Commission, and Senator Brammer reported a favorable recommendation for a nominee to the Utah Victim Services Commission.

The Senate first adopted procedural rules for the extraordinary session — "the same Senate rules, joint rules, and interim rules adopted for the 2025 fourth extraordinary session" — on a motion by Senator Fillmore. Later, Senator Hankins moved that the Senate vote to consent to the appointments; with no additional discussion recorded, the chamber proceeded to a roll-call vote.

The Senate confirmed the following appointees as read into the record by Senate staff: Bassam Salem (reappointment to the University of Utah Board of Trustees); Tessa White and Casey Malouf (reappointments to the Utah State University Board of Trustees); Brett Hughey and Luke Johnson (appointments to the Utah State University Board of Trustees); Jeanette Bennett and Blake Moderetski (reappointments to the Utah Valley University Board of Trustees) and additional Utah Valley University appointments including Bradley Herbert and Kristen Andrus (appointments/replacements as read); Keith Titus and Brent Bishop (reappointments to the Weber State University Board of Trustees); Dale Buxton (appointment to the Board of Water Resources); Richard Borden and Michael Hansen (appointments to the Utah Geological Survey); Kyle Brostrom and Kenneth Romney (appointments to the Davis Technical College Board of Trustees); Holly McKinney, Brian Cox and Jason Ludinger (appointments to the Drinking Water Board); Greg Sanders (appointment to the Ogden‑Weber Technical College Board of Trustees); Stacy Hutchings (appointment to the State Charter School Board); Warren Lignell (appointment to the Title and Escrow Commission); Dominique Chiaptis (appointment to the Utah Victim Services Commission); Justin Olsen, Shauna Smith and others listed by the governor in transmitted letters.

Senate staff noted on the floor that the statutory 30‑day notification requirement for these appointments had been waived before the session. Multiple confirmation committees cited specific meeting dates in September 2025 when they considered and recommended nominees; those committee reports were read into the record and entered as the basis for the floor consent vote.

The final roll-call vote was announced as 24 ayes, 0 nays, five absent. The president declared that "the senate has consented to the appointments as read by the senate staff," and invited confirmed appointees in the gallery to stand and be recognized.

The Senate then completed its remaining procedural business and adjourned the extraordinary session.

Speakers quoted or identified on the floor in this report are taken from the session record: Senate president Adams; Senator Fillmore (moved adoption of the session rules); Senator Hankins (moved consent to the appointments); Senator Milner (education committee chair reporting recommendations); Senator Evan J. Vickers (business and labor committee chair reporting a recommendation); Senator Darren Owens (natural resources committee chair reporting recommendations); Senator Brammer (judiciary committee chair reporting a recommendation); the governor (Spencer J. Cox) and the lieutenant governor (Deidre M. Henderson) as named in the proclamation transmitted to the Senate.