MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, February 5, 2015

8:00 AM

Betty King Committee Room

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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 Thursday, February 5, 2015, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Van Taylor, Vice Chair
Senator Konni Burton
Senator Craig Estes
Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee rules.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell introduced the committee staff, Robert Haley and Inga Dedow.  Each member then made an introduction of the staff person with whom he/she will be working.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Luis Saenz, Appointments Director for Governor Greg Abbott, to introduce his staff.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Jeff Archer, Executive Director of the Texas Legislative Council, to come forward and provide the committee with an informative briefing pertaining to the Nominations process and the Senate’s role.

Mr. Archer answered questions from the members of the committee.

Before recessing the Committee, Chairman Birdwell took an opportunity to discuss the upcoming committee schedule.

There being no further business, at 8:38 a.m. Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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Robert Haley, Clerk