MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, May 7, 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, May 7, 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 members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Craig Estes and Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Burton moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 30, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Taylor moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors, Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners, Sabine River Authority of Texas Board of Directors, San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors, State Cemetery Committee, State Soil and Water Conservation Board, Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, Texas Municipal Retirement System, Texas Physician Assistant Board, Texas Small Business Industrial Development Corporation, Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and Texas State Board of Pharmacy. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Estes and Senator Fraser both submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye on the pending nominations; without objection, it was so ordered.  

Senator Campbell introduced her constituent Bech Bruun, a nominee to the Texas Water Development Board, to the members of the committee. Mr. Bruun made an opening statement and answered questions from the members of the committee. Mr. Bruun’s nomination was left pending before the committee. See attached witness list.

David Montagne, a nominee to the Texas State University System Board of Regents, was called to the witness table. Mr. Montagne made an opening statement and answered questions from the members of the committee. Mr. Montagne’s nomination was left pending before the committee. See attached witness list.

Chairman Birdwell, on behalf of Senator Perry, introduced the Honorable Martin Lee, a nominee to Upper Colorado River Authority. Thomas Murphy, a nominee to the Angelina and Neches River Authority Board of Directors, made an opening statement to the members of the committee. Mr. Lee and Mr. Murphy answered questions from the members of the committee. Mr. Lee’s and Mr. Murphy’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.

There being no further business, at 10:08 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