MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, March 5, 2015

10:00 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, March 5, 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 10:09 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 26, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of David J. Beck, Robert S. Hicks, and Sara M. Tucker, to be Regents of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, as well as, the nomination of Frederick “Shad” Rowe, Jr., to be a member of the Employees’ Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees.

Senator Burton requested to sever David J. Beck and Robert S. Hicks from the other nominees. Senator Fraser asked for clarification on the request to sever in committee. Senator Fraser requested the attendance of Mrs. Karina Davis, Senate Parliamentarian, who was asked to clarify Senate Rule 6.06 as it pertains to actions in the committee. Mrs. Davis responded to Senator Fraser’s questions.

Chairman Birdwell accepted Senator Burton’s request to sever and moved that the committee vote on the nominations of David J. Beck and Robert S. Hicks separately from Sara M. Tucker and Frederick “Shad” Rowe, Jr.

Chairman Birdwell moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of Sara M. Tucker to be a Regent of the University of Texas System Board of Regents and Frederick “Shad” Rowe, Jr. to be a member of the Employees’ Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Chairman Birdwell then moved that the committee vote on the nominations of David J. Beck and Robert S. Hicks to become Regents of the University of Texas System Board of Regents. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Chairman Birdwell called Bruce Bugg, Jr., and the Honorable Tryon Lewis, nominees to the Texas Transportation Commission, to the witness table. 

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Campbell to introduce her constituent Bruce Bugg to the committee. Chairman Birdwell then recognized Senator Seliger to introduce his constituent the Honorable Tryon Lewis to the committee.

Bruce Bugg and Judge Tryon Lewis answered questions from the members of the committee.

At 11:30 a.m., Chairman Birdwell handed the gavel to Vice-Chairman Taylor, who then assumed the chair.

Public Testimony was provided on the nomination of Judge Tryon Lewis and two cards were read into the record in support of both nominees to the Texas Transportation Commission.  See the attached witness list.

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

There being no further business, at 12:08 p.m., Vice-Chairman Taylor 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