MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Monday, April 3, 2023

8:00 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 Monday, April 3, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Donna Campbell, Chair	Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Kevin Sparks, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Morgan LaMantia
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Drew Springer

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:  Senator LaMantia and Senator Springer.

Senator Miles made a motion to sever the nomination of Commissioner Jon Niermann to be a member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Chair Campbell asked for a motion for the remaining non-severed nominees.

Vice-Chair Sparks moved that the committee vote to approve the non-severed nominations of the individuals to the following entities:  Finance Commission of Texas, San Antonio River Authority Board of Directors, Public Safety Commission, Texas State Board of Pharmacy, Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission, San Jacinto River Authority Board of Directors, Texas Veterans Commission, Board for Lease of Texas Department of Criminal Justice Lands, Board for Lease of Texas Parks and Wildlife Lands, Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports, Brazos River Authority Board of Directors, Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors, Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, Credit Union Commission, Governing Board of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, Governing Board of the Texas School for the Deaf, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Board of Directors, Gulf Coast Authority Board of Directors, Judicial Compensation Commission, Nueces River Authority Board of Directors, One-Call Board, Risk Management Board, State Board of Dental Examiners, State Cemetery Committee, Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Forensic Science Commission, Texas Funeral Service Commission, Texas Industrialized Building Code Council, Texas Public Finance Authority, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, and the Veterans’ Land Board.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.

Senator Alvarado moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of Commissioner Jon Niermann to be a member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting and 1 absent.

Chair Campbell recognized Senator Eckhardt to make a statement on her no vote. Senator Eckhardt stated that Commissioner Niermann is highly qualified, but she still has concerns about the clustering of industries in low opportunity areas. Senator Eckhardt also opposes the public hearing process at the TCEQ.

Chair Campbell recognized Senator Alvarado to make a statement. Senator Alvarado stated that there is disconnect between the TCEQ and concrete batch plants in her district. She also stated that the public hearing process at the TCEQ needs to be improved.

Chair Campbell recognized Senator Nichols to introduce his constituent Dr. Keven Ellis, who has been reappointed as Chair of the State Board of Education.

Chair Campbell recognized Senator Nichols to introduce his constituent Chief Bill Avera, who has been reappointed to the Texas School Safety Center Board.

Dr. Keven Ellis made an opening statement. Chair Campbell, Vice-Chair Sparks, Senator Alvarado, and Senator Eckhardt offered questions and comments. No public testimony was offered.

Chair Campbell, on behalf of Senator Whitmire, introduced Mr. Brad Wright, who has been appointed to the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation Board of Directors.

Vice-Chair Sparks assumed the chair.

Chief Bill Avera made an opening statement. Chair Sparks and Senator Eckhardt offered questions and comments. No public testimony was offered.

Chair Sparks recognized Senator Miles to introduce his constituent Dr. Daniel Wong, who has been appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Dr. Daniel Wong made an opening statement. Chair Sparks, Senator Alvarado, and Senator Miles offered questions and comments. No public testimony was offered.

Chair Sparks recognized Senator Eckhardt to introduce her constituent Mr. David Bolduc, who has been appointed as the Public Counsel for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.

Mr. David Bolduc made an opening statement. Chair Sparks offered questions and comments. No public testimony was offered.

Chair Sparks recognized Senator Eckhardt to introduce her constituent Mr. John Elliott who has been reappointed to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees.

Mr. John Elliott made an opening statement. Chair Sparks offered questions and comments. One public card was submitted in support of Mr. Elliott. See the attached witness list.

Mr. Brad Wright made an opening statement. Chair Sparks, Senator Eckhardt, and Senator Springer offered questions and comments. No public testimony was offered.

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

There being no further business, at 9:52 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 Donna Campbell, M.D., Chair

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Brandon Gajeton, Clerk