MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, April 9, 2015

8:00 a.m.

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, April 9, 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:

The following member arrived after the roll was called: Senator José Rodríguez.

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

Senator Burton moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Aging and Disability Services Council, Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Council, Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports, Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority Board of Directors, Office of Public Utility Counsel, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Real Estate Research Advisory Committee, School Land Board, State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, Texas Forensic Science Commission, Texas Funeral Service Commission, Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, and Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Huffman introduced her constituent, Steven Mach, to the members of the committee. Steven Mach, nominee to the Public Safety Commission, was called to the witness table and answered questions from the members of the committee.  Mr. Mach’s nomination was left pending before the committee.  See attached witness list.

Major Jason Hester, nominee to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, was called to the witness table and answered questions from the members of the committee.  Major Hester’s nomination was left pending before the committee.  See attached witness list.

All non-appearing nominees, on todays posted agenda, were left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 9:34 a.m., Senator Burton 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