MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, March 16, 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, March 16, 2017, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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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

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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 role was called: Senator Borris Miles.

Senator Taylor moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on Thursday, March 9, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Menéndez motioned to sever the nomination of Dr. Josh McGee to the State Pension Review Board.

Chairman Birdwell moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Employees Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees, State Pension Review Board (without Dr. Josh McGee), Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of Dr. Josh McGee to the State Pension Review Board. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Campbell to introduce Ms. Margaret Martin, who has been nominated to serve on the Texas Racing Commission.

Chairman Birdwell recognized Senator Watson to introduce Commissioner Jonathan Niermann, who has been nominated to serve on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Commissioner Jonathan Niermann made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chairman Birdwell and Senator Estes.

Ms. Margaret Martin made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Menéndez, Chairman Birdwell, and Senator Taylor.

Upon the completion of questions, no public testimony was offered.

Chairman Birdwell announced that all appearing and non-appearing nominees would be left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 9:03 a.m., Senator Menéndez 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