MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Monday, March 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, March 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 Sylvia Garcia
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Kirk Watson

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

Senator Campbell introduced Michael Novak, nominee to the Texas Facilities Commission, to the committee.  Mr. Novak answered questions from the members of the committee.

Mr. Novak’s nomination was left pending before the committee.

Senator Hancock was recognized to introduce The Honorable Michael Williams, nominated as the State Commissioner of Education, to the committee.  Commissioner Williams made an opening statement and began answering questions from the members of the committee.

A quorum was established at 11:17 AM, with the arrival of Senator Fraser. 

At 11:22 AM Senator Hegar assumed the chair and asked that the roll be called.  There being 6 members present, a quorum was established. 

The following member arrived after the roll was called: Senator Jane Nelson

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

Commissioner Williams continued answering questions from the members of the committee as well as from Senator West, Senator Ellis, and Senator Hancock.

Commissioner Williams’ nomination was left pending before the committee.

Senator Fraser was recognized to introduce Deborah K. Unruh, nominated as the Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, to the committee.

Ms. Unruh made an opening statement and answered questions from the members of the committee.

Ms. Unruh’s nomination was left pending before the committee.

Senator Hegar introduced the Reverend Scott W. Fisher, Rebecca Gregory, and David Scott Matthew, nominees to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board, to the committee.  Senator Hegar indicated that he did not see the need to have all 13 members of the Texas Juvenile Justice Board appear before the committee.  Senator Hegar felt it was important to the have the chair of the board, and the two newest members appear.

The three nominees to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board made opening statements and answered questions from the members of the committee.

The nominees to the Texas Juvenile Justice Board were left pending before the committee.

Senator Hegar moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, Office of Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Texas Education Agency, Texas Facilities Commission, Texas Juvenile Justice Board, and Texas Municipal Retirement System. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Fraser and Senator Watson both asked to be shown voting aye, as long as it did not change the outcome of the vote.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 12:20 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