Also on Wednesday, one of Huntsman's three new appointments to the beverage control commission was confirmed by the Senate.

The vote came the day after members of the Senate Business and Labor Confirmation Committee unanimously recommended the confirmation of Salt Lake food distributor Sam Granato.

The governor's two other choices to serve on the commission that regulates liquor sales in the state, Park City lawyer Gordon Strachan and retired Cache Chamber president and CEO Bobbie Bicknell Coray, will have to wait until next month to be considered by the Senate.

That's because of a quirk in a bill passed last session making a number of technical changes to Utah's liquor laws, including a mandate that only two new appointments can be made in a single budget year.

"It's all a logistical puzzle that must be fit together," Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley said. But not one that should create any problems even though only three of the five commission slots will be filled for a few weeks.

The commission meets monthly, mainly to consider issuing licenses to serve alcohol and taking action against restaurants, private clubs and other licensees that violate the state's liquor laws by, for example, serving minors.

The commission's next regular meeting is June 29, the day before the terms of commissioners Lunt, Hales and Budd expire.

Huntsman, who has advocated relaxing the state's liquor laws by allowing private clubs to do away with memberships, decided to replace all three. The governor's office said the change was made because the three already had served multiple terms.

Granato, owner of the Frank Granato Importing Co., was asked by the committee about difficulties in getting a second liquor store for fast-growing Washington County. The DABC Commission only recently approved the purchase of land for a new state store in St. George.

"They are very much underserved," said Sen. Jon Greiner, R- Ogden, who as head of the Executive Appropriations subcommittee over the department told department officials earlier this year that they needed to take action.

And Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, said there had been a "real hesitation" to meet the needs of his constituents. Hickman said he hoped Granato would make sure the commission is adequately serving all communities.

"There are a lot of forces in play in this state, particularly in that area," Hickman said. "I have every confidence you'll be able to weigh the forces that are at play and be able to serve the community that wants to be served and protected the state as well."

Granato described the commission as a policy enforcer. "I don't have any hidden agendas," he said. "I am not that familiar with what's gone on in the past."

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