MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Monday, April 26, 2021

12:45 PM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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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 Monday, April 26, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair	Senator Dawn Buckingham, Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado	Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Drew Springer

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Vice-Chair Paxton, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 12:46 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

Senator Alvarado moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 19, 2021; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Seliger moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, State Securities Board, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Chief Executive and Public Counsel of the Office of Public Utility Counsel, Executive Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Workforce Commission, Credit Union Commission, Department of Information Resources, Gulf Coast Authority Board of Directors, Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, Nueces River Authority Board of Directors, Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board, Public Safety Commission, Risk Management Board, State Board for Educator Certification, Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents, Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Diabetes Council, Texas Real Estate Commission, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents, and Trinity River Authority Board of Directors. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye, this did not change the outcome of the vote.  Without objection; it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols was recognized to introduce William Faubel, appointed to the San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors. Senator Nichols also offered comments of support for Frank Denton, appointed to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

Vice-Chair Paxton, on behalf of Senator Taylor, introduced David Yelovich, appointed to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

Senator Kolkhorst was recognized to introduce Sheriff Raul “Pinky” Gonzales, appointed to the Commission on Jail Standards.

Senator Creighton was recognized to introduce Frank Denton, appointed to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

Vice-Chair Paxton, on behalf of Senator Menendez, introduced Ambassador Sichan Siv, appointed to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

Vice-Chair Paxton, on behalf of Senator Menendez, introduced Dr. Maria Ferrier, appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas.

Senator Eckhardt was recognized to introduce Assistant Chief Jason Hester, reappointed to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Sheriff Gonzales made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following member: Vice-Chair Paxton.

Ambassador Siv made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Vice-Chair Paxton and Senator Seliger.

Mr. Faubel made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following member: Vice-Chair Paxton.

Mr. Denton made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Vice-Chair Paxton and Senator Seliger.

Mr. Yelovich made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Senator Alvarado and Senator Seliger.

Dr. Ferrier made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Vice-Chair Paxton, Senator Seliger, and Senator Alvarado.

Assistant Chief Hester made an opening statement. Questions and comments were offered by the following members: Vice-Chair Paxton, Senator Eckhardt, Senator Miles, Senator Alvarado, and Senator Seliger.

Vice-Chair Paxton, the acting chair, announced that all appearing and non-appearing nominees, on the posted agenda, would be left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 2:27 p.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 Angela Paxton, Vice-Chair

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George Moore, Clerk