MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, February 12, 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 12, 2015, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	None
Senator Van Taylor, Vice Chair
Senator Konni Burton
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Troy Fraser
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:

The following member arrived after the roll was called: Senator Fraser

Senator Taylor moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 5, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Eddie Lucio to introduce the Honorable Carlos H. Cascos, nominated to be the next Texas Secretary of State, to the committee.

Judge Cascos answered questions from members of the committee.

Public testimony was provided in support of Judge Cascos’ nomination to be the next Texas Secretary of State.  See attached witness list.

Chairman Birdwell moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of the Honorable Carlos H. Cascos to be the next Texas Secretary of State. At 8:51 a.m., the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Kirk Watson to introduce Stuart W. Bowen Jr., nominated to be the next Inspector General for the Health and Human Services Commission, to the committee.

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

Chairman Birdwell moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of Stuart W. Bowen Jr. to be the next Inspector General for the Health and Human Services Commission.

At 9:03 a.m., the motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

There being no further business, at 9:05 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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Inga Dedow, Clerk