MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, April 23, 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 23, 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 8:02 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 16, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Watson requested to severe the nominees to the Finance Commission of Texas. Chairman Birdwell granted this request.

Senator Watson moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Health and Human Services Council, Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners, Midwestern State University Board of Regents, State Board for Educator Certification, State Health Services Council, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas County and District Retirement System, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Texas Historical Commission. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Fraser submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye, without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Estes moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entity: Finance Commission of Texas. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 2 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Fraser submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye, without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Whitmire introduced his constituent, Paula Mendoza, a nominee to the University of Houston System Board of Regents, to the members of the committee.

Senator Hancock introduced his constituent, the Honorable Glen Whitley, a nominee to the University of North Texas System Board of Regents, to the members of the committee.

On behalf of Senator Eltife, Chairman Birdwell introduced Keith Honey, a nominee to the Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents, to the members of the committee.

On behalf of Senator Ellis, Senator Rodriguez introduced Juan Sorto, a nominee to the Family and Protective Services Council, to the members of the committee.  Mr. Sorto was called to the witness table and answered questions from the members of the committee.

Mr. Sorto’s nomination was left pending before the committee. See attached witness list.

Chairman Birdwell called Keith Honey, Paula Mendoza, and Judge Glen Whitley to the witness table. All three of these nominees answered questions from the members of the committee.

Mrs. Mendoza’s, Mr. Honey’s, and Judge Whitley’s nominations were left pending before the committee. See attached witness list.

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

At 9:22 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