MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Monday, March 22, 2021
12:45 PM
Betty King Committee Room
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations was held on Monday, March 22, 2021, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Carol Alvarado |
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Senator Dawn Buckingham, Chair |
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Senator Sarah Eckhardt |
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Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Borris Miles |
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Senator Bryan Hughes |
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Senator Kel Seliger |
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Senator Drew Springer |
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Senator Kel Seliger, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 12:45 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Seliger moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 15, 2021; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Eckhardt moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Board of Pardons and Paroles, Texas Facilities Commission, University of Houston System Board of Regents, University of North Texas System Board of Regents, State Office of Administrative Hearings, Angelina and Neches River Authority Board of Directors, Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors, Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors, Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 6, Judge of the 44th Judicial District Court, Judge of the 54th Judicial District Court, Judge of the 72nd Judicial District Court, Judge of the 181st Judicial District Court, Judge of the 192nd Judicial District Court, Judge of the 303rd Judicial District Court, Judge of the 358th Judicial District Court, Judge of the 455th Judicial District Court, Judge of the 466th Judicial District Court, Judge of the 467th Judicial District Court, Justice of the Eighth Court of Appeals, Place 2, Justice of the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, Place 9, Presiding Judge of the Fifth Administrative Judicial Region, Presiding Judge of the Sixth Administrative Judicial Region, Presiding Judge of the Ninth Administrative Judicial Region, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Forensic Science Commission, Texas Judicial Council, Texas Military Preparedness Commission and the Veterans’ Land Board. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Alvarado submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye. This did not change the outcome of the vote. Without objection; it was so ordered.
Senator Nichols was recognized to introduce Dr. Keven Ellis, appointed as Chair of the State Board of Education.
Senator Perry was recognized to introduce Dr. Kathy Stewart, appointed to the Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents.
Senator Johnson was recognized to introduce Steven H. Stodghill, appointed to the Public Safety Commission.
Senator Johnson was recognized to introduce Robert Vaughn, appointed to the Texas Transportation Commission.
Senator Johnson was recognized to introduce Todd Williams, appointed to the School Land Board.
Dr. Ellis made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Alvarado, Senator Hughes, and Senator Seliger. No public testimony was offered.
Mr. Stodghill made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following member: Senator Hughes. No public testimony was offered.
Mr. Vaughn made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Alvarado and Senator Seliger. No public testimony was offered.
Dr. Stewart made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Hughes, Senator Alvarado, and Senator Seliger. No public testimony was offered.
Mr. Williams made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Hughes and Senator Alvarado. No public testimony was offered.
Senator Seliger, the acting chair, announced that all appearing and non-appearing nominees, on the posted agenda, would be left pending before the committee.
There being no further business, at 1:41 p.m., Senator Seliger moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair; without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Kel Seliger, Acting Chair
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Robert Haley, Committee Director