MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, February 14, 2019

9:00 AM

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 14, 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:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bob Hall and Senator Lois Kolkhorst.

Senator Watson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on Thursday, February 7, 2019; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Alvarado moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Court of Appeals District, Court of Appeals for the Tenth Court of Appeals District, Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth Court of Appeals District, and the Criminal District Attorney for Navarro County. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hall and Senator Kolkhorst submitted motions in writing to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Commissioner Henry L. Whitman, nominated as the Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services, on behalf of Senator Zaffirini.

Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Commissioner Kent Sullivan, nominated as the Commissioner of Insurance.

Senator Miles was recognized to introduce Thomas W. Hambrick, nominated as the Director of the Office of State-Federal Relations.

Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Executive Commissioner Courtney Phillips, nominated as the Executive Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Commissioner Emily Lindley, nominated to serve as a member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Senator Watson was recognized to introduce Commissioner Shelly Botkin, nominated to serve as a member of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Senator Campbell was recognized to introduce both Commissioner Arthur D’Andres and Commissioner DeAnn Walker, nominated to serve as members of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Chair Buckingham turned the gavel over to Vice Chair Watson and asked that she be recognized to introduce Major General Tracy Norris, nominated as the Adjutant General of Texas.

General Norris answered questions from the following members: Chair Buckingham and Vice Chair Watson. No public testimony was offered.

Vice Chair Watson returned the gavel to Chair Buckingham.

Commissioner Whitman made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chair Buckingham, Vice Chair Watson, and Senator Kolkhorst. No public testimony was offered.

Commissioner Sullivan made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chair Buckingham, Senator Kolkhorst, and Senator Miles. No public testimony was offered.

Mr. Hambrick made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chair Buckingham, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Miles, and Senator Alvarado. No public testimony was offered.

Executive Commissioner Phillips made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chair Buckingham, Senator Miles, Senator Hall, and Senator Seliger. No public testimony was offered.

Commissioner Lindley made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Chair Buckingham, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Miles, and Senator Alvarado. No public testimony was offered.

Commissioner Botkin made an opening statement. Commissioner D’Andres made an opening statement. Commissioner Walker made an opening statement. All three commissioners answered questions from the following members: Chair Buckingham, Senator Kolkhorst, and Senator Hall. No public testimony was offered.

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

There being no further business, at 11:08 a.m., Senator Miles 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