MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, January 26, 2017

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, January 26, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Craig Estes
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Van Taylor

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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 members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Menendez and Senator Miles.

Chairman Birdwell introduced the committee staff, Robert Haley and John Ryan Isaacson.  Each member then made an introduction of the staff person with whom he/she will be working.

Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Hughes to introduce his constituent Senator Kevin Eltife, who has been nominated to be a member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Campbell to introduce her constituent Rad Weaver, who has been nominated to be a member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Dean Whitmire to introduce Janiece Longoria, who has been nominated to be a member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, to the committee.

Chairman Birdwell called Senator Eltife, Mrs. Longoria, and Mr. Weaver forward to the witness table. Each nominee made an opening statement. The nominees answered questions from the following members: Dean Whitmire, Senator Seliger, Senator Schwertner, Senator West, Senator Watson, Senator Buckingham, Chairman Birdwell, Senator Taylor, Senator Menendez, and Senator Miles.

Upon the completion of questions from the members of the committee, public testimony was offered against the nomination of Rad Weaver. Public testimony was also offered against all three nominees to the University of Texas System Board of Regents. See attached witness list.

Chairman Birdwell announced that the nominees to the University of Texas System Board of Regents would be left pending before the committee for one week.

There being no further business, at 10:08 a.m., Senator 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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John Ryan Isaacson, Clerk