MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, April 27, 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, April 27, 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 members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Menéndez and Senator Miles.

Senator Buckingham moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 20, 2017; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Taylor moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Midwestern State University Board of Regents, Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Texas Southern University Board of Regents, Texas Woman's University Board of Regents, and University of North Texas System Board of Regents. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The following members submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye: Senator Menéndez and Senator Miles. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry was  recognized to introduce Sheriff Kelly S. Rowe, who has been nominated to the Commission of Jail Standards, to the committee.

Senator Nichols was recognized to introduce Christopher S. Moss, who has been re-nominated to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees, to the committee.

Senator Buckingham was recognized to introduce The Honorable Nolan G. Kinsey, who has been nominated as Judge to the 440^th Judicial District Court, to the committee.

Senator Huffman was recognized to introduce Dr. Sandra L. Criner, who has been nominated to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, to the committee.

Senator Creighton was recognized to introduce Dr. Jessica S. Quillivan, who has been nominated to the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, to the committee.

Sheriff Kelly S. Rowe made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered from the following member: Chairman Birdwell.

Mr. Christopher S. Moss made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered from the following members: Vice-Chairman Watson, Senator Taylor, and Chairman Birdwell.

At the conclusion of Mr. Moss’s testimony, Vice-Chairman Watson assumed the chair.

Dr. Sandra L. Criner and Dr. Jessica S. Quillivan made opening statements. Questions and comments were offered from the following member: Vice-Chairman Watson.

After the conclusion of Dr. Criner’s and Dr. Quillivan’s testimonies, Vice-Chairman Watson moved that the committee stand at ease at 9:21 a.m.; without objection, it was so ordered.

The committee was called back to order at 9:29 a.m., and Chairman Birdwell resumed the chair.

Judge Nolan G. Kinsey made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered from the following members: Chairman Birdwell and Vice-Chairman Watson.

Upon the completion of questions, no public testimony was offered. One card was submitted registering a position in support of the nomination of Chris Moss, but no oral testimony was offered. See attached witness list.

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

There being no further business, at 10:00 a.m., Vice-Chairman Watson 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