MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, February 7, 2019

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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, February 7, 2019, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Dawn Buckingham, Chair	None
Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kel Seliger

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Chair Buckingham introduced the committee staff, Robert Haley, Britton Davis, and Keith Elkins from Chair Buckingham’s office. 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.

Chair Buckingham recognized Senator Hinojosa to introduce his constituent Justice Gregory Perkes, who has been nominated to serve as Justice of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals, Place 6.

Chair Buckingham recognized Senator Seliger to introduce his constituent Justice Keith Stretcher, who has been nominated to serve as Justice of the Eleventh Court of Appeals, Place 3.

Chair Buckingham recognized Senator Birdwell to introduce two of his constituents.  Justice John Neill, who has been nominated to serve as Justice of the Tenth Court of Appeals, Place 3, and Will Dixon, who has been nominated to serve as the Navarro County Criminal District Attorney.

Chair Buckingham recognized Senator Campbell to introduce her constituent David Whitley, who has been nominated to serve as the Secretary of State.

Justice Neill made an opening statement. Questions were asked by Chair Buckingham. No public testimony was offered.

Justice Stretcher made an opening statement. Questions were asked by Chair Buckingham. No public testimony was offered.

Justice Perkes made an opening statement. Questions were asked by the following members: Chair Buckingham and Vice Chair Watson. No public testimony was offered.

Mr. Dixon made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by Chair Buckingham and Senator Menendez. No public testimony was offered.

Secretary Whitley made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chair Buckingham, Vice Chair Watson, Senator Seliger, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles, Senator Hall, Senator Menendez, Senator West, and Senator Whitmire.

Upon completion of questions by the members of the committee, public testimony was offered for and against the nomination of David Whitley to serve as the Secretary of State. See attached witness list.

Chair Buckingham recognized Senator Campbell to offer closing remarks.

Chair Buckingham recognized Vice Chair Watson, who thanked all of those that took the time out of their day to come express their views and opinions.

Each member of the Committee congratulated and thanked Chair Buckingham for a well run meeting.

Chair Buckingham announced that the nominees would be left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 1:06 p.m., Vice Chair 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 Dawn Buckingham, M.D., Chair

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Britton Davis, Clerk