MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Thursday, May 14, 2015

8:00 a.m.

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, May 14, 2015, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Van Taylor, Vice Chair
Senator Konni Burton
Senator Craig Estes
Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Kirk Watson

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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:

Senator Rodríguez moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on May 7, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Estes moved that committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals to the following entities: Angelina and Neches River Authority Board of Directors, Division of Workers' Compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees, Texas Juvenile Justice Board, Texas Medical Board, Texas State University System Board of Regents, Texas Water Development Board, Upper Colorado River Authority, and Upper Guadalupe River Authority. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Ellis introduced his constituent, Derrick Mitchell, a nominee to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, to the members of the committee. Mr. Mitchell was called to the witness table, made an opening statement, and answered questions from the members of the committee. Mr. Mitchell’s nomination was left pending before the committee. See attached witness list.

Senator Hinojosa introduced his constituent, Eliseo Cantu, a nominee to the Texas Veterans Commission, to the members of the committee. Mr. Cantu was called to the witness table, made an opening statement, and answered questions from the members of the committee. Mr. Cantu’s nomination was left pending before the committee. See attached witness list.

All non-appearing nominees, on today’s posted agenda, were left pending before the committee.

There being no further business, at 9:17 a.m., Senator Burton 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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Inga Dedow, Clerk