MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Monday, March 17, 2003
3:00 p.m.
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 17, 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 3:00 p.m and the
following business was transacted:
Senator Estes introduced Judge Brotherton of the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission and gave Wayne D. Marty, Adjutants's
General Department, accolades.
General Marty gave his opening remarks. Senator Lindsay asked
the amount of time it takes for a clean up like with the
Columbia disaster and from where the money comes. General Marty
explained that it could be anywhere from 3 to 30 days and that
the money came from Federal reimbursements and state funds.
Senator Barrientos introduced General Marty and began to
question him regarding the cost of his Commission, his budget
and his travel. The Senator asked for a list of the employees
that are retired, receiving retirement money and a salary.
General Marty agreed and will also provide the ethnic breakdown
of guardsman. Senator Deuell asked how many people could be
moved immediately into combat if required to do so and General
Marty replied with 10,000.
The Chair announced that the consideration of this nominee would
be left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chairman introduced Senator Van de Putte to give an early
introduction of Thomas Labatt, Texas Water Development Board.
The Chairman introduced C. Kent Conine with the Department of
Housing and Community Affairs. He gave his opening remarks.
Senator Barrientos asked about the length of his tenure and his
thoughts on transferring the Home Program to ORCA. He did not
think it was a good idea and did not know from where the
suggestion came.
The Chair announced that the consideration of this nominee would
be left pending awaiting the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair introduced Mr. Bill O. Simmons with the
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF). Senator
Barrientos questioned him about TIF's budget and the number and
ethnic breakdown of TIF employees.
At 3:38 a quorum was established.
At 3:38, without objection, the motioned carried to adopt the
minutes from the previous meeting.
At 3:40pm, the Chair moved to recommend C. Kent Conine to the
full Senate. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays, the nominee was
confirmed. Senator Carona, Harris, and Jackson asked to be
shown voting aye.
At 3:41pm, the Chair moved to recommend Wayne D. Marty,
Adjutants's General's Department, to the full Senate. There
being 7 ayes and 0 nays, the nominee was confirmed. Senator
Jackson, Harris, and Carona asked to be shown voting aye.
The Chair then asked for a motion to send Bill Simmons with the
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board to the full Senate.
There being 7 ayes and 0 nays the nominees were confirmed.
Senator Carona asked to be shown voting aye.
The Chair introduced the nominees with the commission on Jail
Standards, William C. Morrow and Charles J. Sebesta. They gave
their opening remarks. Senator Hinojosa asked their thoughts on
video cameras and safety. Senator Jackson asked about their
operational oversight and violations. Senator Lindsay asked
about the number of jails in non-compliance, and Senator
Barrientos asked about their positions and pay. After answering
all questions, Senator Barrientos asked that Michael M. Seale
make an appearance before the committee even though he had
written a letter of explanation excusing himself from the
committee. Without objection, the Chairman agreed. Senator
Lindsay read two witness cards in support of the nominees. At
4:08 Senator Jackson moved to recommend the nominees to the full
Senate. There be 7 ayes and 0 nays, the nominees were
confirmed. Senator Deuell and Carona asked to be shown voting
aye.
Senator Harris introduced Steve Byrd with the Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education; Senator Barrientos
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Minutes
Monday, March 17, 2003
page 3
introduced Cathy Ellison, and Senator Lindsay introduced Daniel
J. Smith, Joe Stivers, and Gary M. Swindle. Each gave their
opening remarks.
Senator Barrientos questioned their definitions of racial
profiling, the ethnic breakdown of employees, the top five
highest paid positions and if any of those five positions were
held by any minorities.
After answering questions, the Commission was voted to the full
Senate 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senator Carona, Harris, and Jackson
asked to be shown voting aye.
The Chairman introduced the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission,
Robert Brotherton and Keith Kuttler, and Senator Hinojosa
introduced Barbara Punch.
The Chairman asked for a motion to send all non-appearing
entities to the full Senate. Senator Hinojosa moved to send the
Telecommunications Planning and Oversight Council, Texas Board
of Professional Geoscientists, Texas Incentive and Productivity
Commission, Board for Lease of Texas Department of Criminal
Justice Lands, Texas Municipal Retirement System, Texas Health
Care Information Council, Texas Board of Occupational Therapy
Examiners, and the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental
Impairments to the full Senate. There being 7 ayes and 0 nays
the nominees were sent to the full Senate. Senator Carona,
Harris, and Jackson asked to be shown voting aye.
The Chairman proceeded with the nominees to the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission. Each gave their opening statement. There
being no other questions the nominees were voted to be sent to
the full Senate with 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senator Barrientos,
Harris and Jackson were asked to be shown voting aye.
The Chairman introduced the Texas Water Development Board
nominees E.G. Rod Pittman, Thomas Weir Labatt and Senator
Honojosa introduced Dario Vidal Guerra. Each gave their opening
statement. Senator Lindsay asked about the number of members on
the board and if they were in favor of changing the rules on
interbasin transfer. They agreed they were open to ideas.
There being no other questions, the nominees were sent to the
full senate with 7 ayes and 0 nays. Senator Deuell, Barrientos
and Jackson asked to be shown voting aye.
There being no other business at 5:05pm, Chairman Lindsay
announced the committee would stand in recess subject to the
call of the Chair. There being no objections, the committee
recessed.
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Minutes
Monday, March 17, 2003
page 4
Senator Jon Lindsay
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Tanya A. Tillman Committee Clerk