MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations
was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2001, in the Capitol Extension, Room
E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Vice Chair
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Tom Haywood
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The Chair reconvened the meeting at 1:35 p.m. and the following
business was transacted.
The Chair laid out the nominee to the Texas Racing Commission.
The Chair introduced Michael G. Rutherford.
The nominee made an opening statement and then responded to
questions by the Chair.
The Chair announced that the consideration of this nominee would
be left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out the nominees to the Texas Real Estate
Commission.
The Chair recognized Senator Wentworth to introduce Paul Jordan.
The Chair introduced John Walton and Louise Hull.
The nominees made opening remarks and then responded to
questions by the Chair.
The Chair announced that the consideration of these nominees
would be left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair recognized Senator Armbrister to make supportive
comments on behalf of Louise Hull.
The Chair laid out the nominees to the Texas Parks & Wildlife
Commission.
The Chair introduced Philip Montgomery.
The Chair recognized Senator Wentworth to introduce Joseph
Fitzsimons.
The nominees made opening remarks and then responded to
questions by members of the Committee.
The Chair called Ellis Gilleland who testified in opposition of
Joseph Fitzsimons.
The Chair called David K. Langford who testified in favor of
Joseph Fitzsimons.
At 3:24 p.m., a quorum was established.
The Chair recognized Senator Barrientos to question Joseph
Fitzsimons.
The Chair recognized Senator Wentworth to question Joseph
Fitzsimons.
The Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to question Joseph
Fitzsimons.
Senator Wentworth moved to recommend to the full Senate that
Philip Montgomery and Joseph Fitzsimons be confirmed to the
Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission.
Senator Van de Putte seconded the motion.
The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senators
Haywood, Gallegos, and Lindsay asked to be shown as voting aye.
Without objection, the motion carried.
Senator Wentworth moved to recommend to the full Senate that
Paul Jordan, Louise Hull, and John Walton be confirmed to the
Texas Real Estate Commission.
Senator Van de Putte seconded the motion.
The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senators
Haywood, Gallegos, and Lindsay asked to be shown as voting aye.
Without objection, the motion carried.
Senator Wentworth moved to recommend to the full Senate that
Michael Rutherford be confirmed to the Texas Racing Commission.
Senator Van de Putte seconded the motion.
The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senators
Haywood, Gallegos, and Lindsay asked to be shown as voting aye.
Without objection, the motion carried.
Senator Van de Putte moved that the minutes from the previous
meeting be approved. Without objection, the motion carried.
The Chair laid out the nominee for the Commissioner of the Texas
Department of Insurance.
The Chair recognized Senator Barrientos to introduce Jose
Montemayor.
The nominee made opening remarks and then responded to questions
by members of the Committee.
At 3:50 p.m., Senator Van de Putte assumed the chair.
At 3:54 p.m., Senator Wentworth assumed the chair.
At 3: 56 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the chair.
Senator Gallegos moved to recommend to the full Senate that Jose
Montemayor be confirmed as the Commissioner of the Texas
Department of Insurance.
Senator Lindsay seconded the motion.
The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senators
Van de Putte and Wentworth asked to be shown voting aye.
Without objection, the motion carried.
Senator Lindsay moved to recommend to the full Senate that the
nominees with waived appearances listed on the attached agenda
be confirmed to their respective boards.
Senator Haywood seconded the motion.
The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senators
Van de Putte and Wentworth asked to be shown voting aye.
Without objection, the motion carried.
There being no further business, at 4:34 p.m., Senator Haywood
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair
______________________
Cheri Huddleston, Clerk