New Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said Wednesday that he has appointed new confirmation committees to review gubernatorial appointments, like those Huntsman just announced.

It will be up to the confirmation committee chairmen to decide if they actually want to meet, question Huntsman's nominees and take any other testimony.

In some cases, said Valentine, the chairmen may decide "there is no objections to the appointments, so no hearing will be held." But in other cases, the chairmen may want to meet the nominee and ask their opinions or history.

Huntsman's nominees will be voted on by the entire Senate on the opening day of the Legislature, Valentine said.

Besides Haro and Pignanelli, the other new Cabinet members are Russ Skousen, commerce; former Rep. Mike Styler, R-Delta, natural resources; former Sen. Leonard Blackham, R-Moroni, agriculture; Kent Michie, insurance; and Dr. David Sundwall, health.

Holdovers from Walker's Cabinet are Nielson, Jeff Herring, human resource management; Lee Ellertson, Labor Commission; Robert Flowers, public safety; Ed Leary, financial services; John Njord, transportation; Scott Carver, corrections; Major Gen. Brian Tarbet, Utah National Guard.

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