MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, February 23, 2017

8:00 AM

Betty King Committee Room

*****

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, February 23, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	None
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator Craig Estes
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Van Taylor

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

Senator Buckingham moved adoption of the minutes from the previous two hearings held on February 9, 2017, and February 15, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator West to introduce Faith Johnson, who has been nominated to serve as the Criminal District Attorney of Dallas County. Senator Huffines was also recognized to offer comments about Ms. Johnson.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Campbell to introduce Major General John F. Nichols, who has been re-nominated as the Adjutant General for Texas. Senator Campbell also introduced Nicole Bishop, who has been nominated to serve as the Criminal District Attorney of Kendall County.

Major General Nichols made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Taylor, Chairman Birdwell, Senator Watson, and Senator Miles.

Faith Johnson and Nicole Bishop both made opening statements. They answered questions from Chairman Birdwell.

Upon the completion of questions, no public testimony was offered. All nominees were left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 9:04 a.m., Senator Watson moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair; without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

__________________________________________

John Ryan Isaacson, Clerk