MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Monday, March 10, 2003
3:00 p.m. or upon adjournment
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations
was held on Monday, March 10, 2003, in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jon Lindsay None
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator John Carona
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Mike Jackson
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m., and the
following business was transacted.
The Chairman introduced Douglas Lang, nominee for the Court of
Appeals for the Fifth Court of Appeals District. He gave his
opening statement, his position on redistricting, what county
his seat resides, and his case load.
The Chair announced that the consideration of this nominee would
be left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair introduced Richard Abram Roman, nominee for the 346th
Judicial District Court, El Paso. He gave his opening
statement, type of case load he had and what his jurisdiction
included.
The Chair announced that the consideration of this nominee would
be left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair introduced Woodrow Brimberry, Texas State Board of
Pharmacy nominee; Senator Duncan introduced Doyle High.
Juluette Bartlett-Pack, Brimberry, and High gave their opening
statements. Senator Barrientos questioned the Board's budget
and compared it to other states. He challenged border
prescriptions and price controls on prescriptions.
Senator Deuell questioned recycling drugs to save money, the
shortage of pharmacists and re-certification classes.
The Chair read two witness cards indicating support for all
three candidates from Brad Shields and David Gonzales.
Senator Van de Putte introduced Dr. Abigail Barrera, Texas Board
of Human Services and Arthur Hernandez with the Texas State
Board of Examiners of Psychologist.
At 4:40 p.m., a quorum was established.
At 4:42 p.m., without objection, the motioned carried to adopt
the minutes from the previous meeting.
At 4:45 p.m., the Chair moved to recommend to the full Senate
that the nominees from the State Board of Pharmacy,
Bartlett-Pack, Brimberry and High, be confirmed. The motion
carried with a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays. Senator Harris and
Hinojosa asked to be shown voting aye.
Senator Barrientos moved that Douglas Lang, nominee for the
Court of Appeals for the 5th Court of Appeals, be recommended to
the full Senate. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, the motioned
carried. Senator Harris and Hinojosa asked to be shown voting
aye.
Senator Barrientos moved that Richard Roman, nominee for the
346th Judicial District Court, El Paso County, be recommended to
the full Senate. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, the motion
carried. Senator Harris and Hinojosa asked to be shown voting
aye.
Senator Barrientos introduced Albert Hawkins, nominee to the
Health and Human Services Commission. Senator Barrientos went
over the budget of the Commission including tier one, two and
three. The Senator questioned the Riatta contract and requested
the written posting of the Deputy Commissioner's position.
Senator Honojosa questioned the 12.5% cut and from where the
cuts would come. Senator Lindsay questioned lawsuits with the
Commission. There being no other questions, the nominee passed
to the full Senate with a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays. Senator
Harris asked to be shown voting aye.
Senator Hinojosa introduced Jerry Kane of the Texas Board of
Human Services. Senator Lindsay asked Kane to expand on the
budget questions given to the previous nominee, Albert Hawkins.
Kane expanded on tier one funding and the initial general
revenue. There being no other questions, the nominees were
passed to the full Senate with a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays;
Senator Harris and Senator Barrientos requested to be shown
voting aye.
Senator Hinojosa introduced Lance Bruun and Senator Lindsay
introduced Larry Leibrock, Mourice Mahmood, Cliff Mountain and
William Transier, the Department of Information Resources
nominees. Senator Lindsay asked for the description of he
agency, its budget and FTE's. There being no other questions
the nominees were confirmed with a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays.
Senator Harris and Barrientos asked to be shown voting aye.
Senator Carona introduced Catherine Brenell Estrada and Senator
Lindsay introduced the rest of the Board of Examiners of
Psychologists which included Pauline Clansy (Michael D. Nogueira
and Jess Ann Thomason were not present). They gave their opening
statements and complaints against the Board were discussed.
Senator Deuell discussed yearly fees for psychologists and asked
if each thought it would be okay for psychologists to write
prescriptions. Each nominee agreed that it would be okay with
proper and further education. The Chair announced that two
nominees were unable to appear before the committee due to
reasons written in letters to the Chairman. The committee agreed
to vote on all nominees regardless of presence. There being no
other questions, a vote was taken for Clansy, Estrada,
Hernandez, Nogueira and Thomason, nominees to the Texas State
Board of examiners of Psychologists. The nominees were
confirmed with a vote of 7 ayes and 0 nays.
Senator Lindsay introduced Pete Alfaro, Stephen Kurt Fryar and
Patsy Lou Reed-Guest, nominees for the Texas Youth Commission.
They gave opening remarks and discussed budget struggles. There
being no other questions, the nominees were sent to the full
Senate with a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays.
The Chairman asked for a motion to confirm the Interstate
Commission for Adult Offender Supervision, Statewide Emergency
Services Personnel Retirement Fund Board of Trustee, Statewide
Health Coordinating Council, Texas State Board of Podiatric
Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners,
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, TexasOnline Authority, and
the Private Sector Prison Industries Oversight Authority; there
being no objections the motion passed with 6 ayes and 0 nays.
There being no other business at 5:56p.m., Chairman Lindsay
announced the committee would stand in recess subject to the
call of the chair. There being no objections, the committee
recessed.
_______________________________
Senator Jon Lindsay
_______________________________
Tanya Tillman, Committee Clerk
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Minutes
Monday, March 10, 2003
page 4