MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Monday, February 25, 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 25, 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 a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 18, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Fraser was recognized to introduce Tim Lancaster, a nominee to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Senator Campbell was recognized to introduce John Esparza, a nominee to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Mr. Lancaster and Mr. Esparza made opening statements and answered questions from the members of the committee.

The nominees to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents were left pending before the committee.

Senator Seliger was recognized to introduce Spencer D. Armour, III, a nominee to the University of Houston System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Chairman Hegar introduced Roger F. Welder, a nominee to the University of Houston System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Mr. Armour and Mr. Welder made opening statements and answered questions from the members of the committee.

Mr. Welcome Wilson, Jr., a nominee to the University of Houston System Board of Regents, arrived late and was allowed by the Chairman to make an opening statement and answer questions from the members of the committee.

The nominees to the University of Houston System Board of Regents were left pending before the committee.

Senator Hinojosa introduced Ronald F. Ederer, a nominee to the Texas Racing Commission, to the committee.

Chairman Hegar introduced Dr. Gary P. Aber, a nominee to the Texas Racing Commission, to the committee.

Mr. John T. Steen, III, a nominee to the Texas Racing Commission, was also introduced to the members of the committee.

Dr. Aber, Mr. Ederer, and Mr. Steen all made opening statements and answered questions from the members of the committee.

The nominees to the Texas Racing Commission were left pending before the committee.

Senator Campbell moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: 248th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Commission on State Emergency Communications, Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, Governing Board of the Office of Violent Sex Offender Management, Manufactured Housing Board, Midwestern State University Board of Regents, State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents, Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, Texas Judicial Council, Texas Optometry Board, Texas Racing Commission, Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, Texas State Board of Pharmacy, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, University of Houston System Board of Regents, and Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board of Directors.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Chairman Hegar brought up pending business from the hearing held on Monday, February 18, 2013. 

Senator Campbell moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Adjutant General's Department, Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, State Bar of Texas, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, State Office of Administrative Hearings, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Funeral Service Commission, and Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Ms. Deeia Beck’s nomination as the Public Counsel for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel will be left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 11:39 AM 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