MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations was held on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Mike Jackson Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Glenn Hegar Senator Jane Nelson Senator Robert Nichols Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Kirk Watson		None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Chairman Jackson began with a brief history of the committee and an explanation of the nominations process.  The chair informed the members that the committee will meet each week thirty minutes upon adjournment in the Senate chamber.

 

Chairman Jackson discussed committee action reports; the reports will be confirmed by the full Senate on the Monday following each committee meeting.  The chair explained that a 2/3 vote by the Senate is required to confirm each nominee.

 

Chairman Jackson introduced the committee staff, Robert Haley and Kate Chapman.

 

The chair laid out the committee rules for the 80th Legislative Session. Senator Nelson moved adoption of the rules; there being no objection, the rules were adopted. 

 

Chairman Jackson informed the members about two documents found in committee binders: one listing entities who could appear in front of the committee and one listing non-appearing entities.  In response to a question from Senator Nelson, the chair explained that committee members may suggest that certain entities on the 'non-appearing' list be moved to the 'appearing' list.  The chair asked that members submit these suggestions to the Nominations Committee office.

 

Chairman Jackson proposed that financial statements not be included in committee binders for non-appearing nominees.

 

Each committee member made an introduction of the staff person with whom he or she will be working.

 

Chairman Jackson introduced Ken Anderson who serves as Governor Perry's Director of Appointments.

 

In response to a question from Senator Shapleigh, the chair explained that a committee member should write a letter if he or she would like for a non-appearing entity to appear.

 

There being no further business, at 1:14 p.m., Senator Jackson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Mike Jackson, Chair

 

 

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Kate Chapman, Clerk