MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Monday, March 21, 2011

9:00 A.M.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 21, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bob Deuell, Chair	Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Glenn Hegar, Vice Chair
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Jose Rodriguez
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Glenn Hegar and Senator Jane Nelson.

Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 14, 2011; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Deuell recognized Senator Kel Seliger to introduce Jose Cuevas, Jr., nominee to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and Thomas Mechler, nominee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

Robert Shepard, nominee to the North Texas Tollway Authority Board of Directors, made opening remarks.

Chairman Deuell recognized Senator Tommy Williams to introduce The Honorable Lawrence Gist, nominee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Shepard answered questions from members of the committee.

Senator Hegar moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of Robert K. Shepard to the North Texas Tollway Authority Board of Directors. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Jose Cuevas, Jr. made opening remarks and answered questions from members of the committee.

Senator Hegar moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of Jose Cuevas, Jr. to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Chairman Deuell recognized Senator Watson to introduce George P. Bithos, D.D.S., Ph.D., nominee as the Independent Ombudsman for State Supported Living Centers.

Dr. Bithos made opening remarks and answered questions from members of the committee.

Senator Nelson moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of George P. Bithos, D.D.S., Ph.D. as the Independent Ombudsman for State Supported Living Centers. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Judge Lawrence Gist, Thomas Mechler, and Leopoldo R. Vasquez, III, answered questions from members of the committee.

Senator Nelson moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entity: Texas Board of Criminal Justice. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. (Senator Watson submitted a voting form voting aye).

Senator Hegar moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Council, Canadian River Compact Commissioner, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Southern University Board of Regents, Texas Veterans Commission, and Texas Woman's University Board of Regents. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. (Senator Watson submitted a voting form voting aye).

There being no further business, at 9:58 A.M. Senator Deuell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Bob Deuell, Chair

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Bogan Durr, Clerk