MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Monday, February 18, 2013

11:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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, February 18, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Glenn Hegar, Chair	Senator John Carona
Senator Donna Campbell, Vice Chair
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM. There being no quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Chairman Hegar recognized Senator Estes to make supporting remarks about Commissioner Toby Baker, nominated as one of the three Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Commissioner Toby Baker to the committee.

Commissioner Baker made an opening statement and answered questions from members of the committee.

Quorum was established at 11:16 AM with the arrival of Senator Nelson.  The roll was called and the minutes from the previous hearing were approved by a motion from Senator Campbell.  There were 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

With a quorum present, Chairman Hegar brought up pending business from the meeting held on February 11^th.  Senator Watson was recognized to read into the record a statement explaining his vote of support for Barbara Cargill’s nomination as Chair of the State Board of Education.

Senator Campbell moved that all the nominees from the February 11^th meeting be approved.  There being 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent the pending nominees will be sent to the full Senate for confirmation.  Senator Fraser arrived after the roll was called and asked to be shown voting aye on the pending nominees.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:35 AM, Commissioner Toby Baker’s nomination was left pending before the committee.

Chairman Hegar recognized Senator Watson to introduce The Honorable Cathleen Parsley, nominated as Chief Administrative Law Judge.  Judge Parsley made an opening statement and answered questions from members of the committee.

At 11:45 AM, Judge Parsley’s nomination was left pending before the committee.

Chairman Hegar recognized Senator Watson to introduce Deeia Beck, nominated as Public Counsel for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.

Mrs. Beck made an opening statement and answered questions from members of the committee.  One public card of support was submitted on behalf of Mrs. Beck.  See attached witness list.

At 12:22 PM, Mrs. Beck’s nomination was left pending before the committee.

All non-appearing nominees were left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 12:25 PM Senator Hegar moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Glenn Hegar, Chair

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Jake Johnson, Clerk