MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Monday, April 15, 2013
11:30 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, April 15, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Glenn Hegar, Chair |
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Senator Donna Campbell, Vice Chair |
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Senator Sylvia Garcia |
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Senator John Carona |
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Senator Jane Nelson |
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Senator Troy Fraser |
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Senator Kirk Watson |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 11:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 8, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Birdwell was recognized to introduce Randy Watson, nominee to the Public Safety Commission, to the committee.
Judge Ada Brown and Randy Watson answered questions from the members of the committee.
The nominees to the Public Safety Commission were left pending before the committee.
Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Morris E. Foster, nominee to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, to the committee.
Anthony G. Buzbee, Morris E. Foster, and Charles W. Schwartz answered questions from the members of the committee. Senator Seliger was also recognized to ask the three nominees questions.
The nominees to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents were left pending before the committee.
Senator Watson moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: 357th Judicial District Court, Cameron County, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors, Criminal District Attorney, Kaufman County, Health and Human Services Council, Public Safety Commission, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, Texas Crime Stoppers Council, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Real Estate Commission, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.
Chairman Hegar, in conjunction with Senator Watson, opened a discussion about the possibility of amending the committee rules. Senator Watson wants to ensure that all nominees that appear or not appear before the committee be required to submit an updated appointments application before being considered by the Senate Committee on Nominations. No action was taken, but Chairman Hegar indicated that he intends to vote on the proposed amended rules at the next meeting.
There being no further business, at 12:26 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