MINUTES 
                                           
                          SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS 
                               Monday, April 14, 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, April 14, 2003, in the Capitol Extension,  
         Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Jon Lindsay                     Senator John Carona 
         Senator Bob Deuell                      Senator Juan Hinojosa 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator Chris Harris 
         Senator Mike Jackson 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:15pm. 
          
         The Chair recognized Senator Nelson, who introduced Jamie Lou  
         Wheeler, nominee to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually  
         Impaired Governing Board.   
          
         The Chair recognized Senator Whitmire, who introduced Martha  
         Greenlaw, nominee to the Texas Funeral Service Commission.   
          
         The Chair introduced Martha Greenlaw, Janice Howard and Harry  
         Whittington, nominees to the Texas Funeral Commission.  They  
         gave their opening remarks.  The Chair asked if Texas had a  
         problem with dumping bodies.  A discussion regarding crematory  
         jurisdiction proceeded. 
          
         Senator Barrientos introduced Harry Whittington. 
          
         Senator Deuell questioned the amount of complaints the  
         Commission receives. Senator Barrientos told the Commission to  
         offer suggestions to the Senate for a bill which gives the  
         Commission more control over pre-need lots.  
          
         There being no other questions, the Chair announced that the  
         consideration of the nominees would be left pending awaiting the  
         arrival of a quorum. 
          
         The Chair introduced pending nominee, Jose Montemayor with the  
  
         Texas Department of Insurance.   
          
         A quorum was present at 4:35pm.   
          
         A motion passed to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. 
          
         Senator Barrientos questioned the issue of homeowners' insurance  
         and the monetary relief to consumers. 
          
         There being no other questions, a motion passed to send Jose  
         Montemayor to the full Senate with 5 ayes and 0 nays.  Senator  
         Harris asked to be shown voting aye.   
          
         The Chair recognized Senator Shapiro, who introduced James Dale  
         Griffin, nominee to the Correctional Managed Health Care  
         Committee. 
          
         A motion carried to send the Texas Funeral Commission to the  
         full Senate with 5 ayes and 0 nays.  Senator Harris asked to be  
         shown voting aye. 
          
         Senator Deuell began questioning James Griffin regarding managed  
         health care in prisons.   
          
         Senator Lindsay questioned about the number of members on the  
         Committee, which was nine. He also discussed the amount of money  
         that went to inmate medication.  Senator Barrientos asked about  
         the Committee's budget.  There being no other questions, the  
         nominee passed to the full Senate with 5 ayes and 0 nays.   
         Senator Harris asked to be shown voting aye.   
          
         The Chair asked that the Texas Strategic Military Planning  
         Commission, Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners, On-Site  
         Wastewater Treatment Research Council, Texas Guaranteed Student  
         Loan Corporation, State Office of Risk Management, Office of  
         Public Insurance Counsel and the Texas State Board of Examiners  
         of Dietitians be sent to the full Senate; the motioned passed  
         with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Senator Harris asked to be  
         shown voting aye.   
         The Chair introduced Jesus Bautista, Gene Brooks, Donna Vaden  
         Clopton, Otilio Galindo, Frankie Swift, Mary Welch, Jamie  
         Wheeler, the nominees to the Texas School for the Blind and  
         Visually Impaired Governing Board.  Senator Jackson questioned  
         the monetary value of seeing eye dogs.  There being no other  
         questions the nominees, including non appearing nominee, Deborah  
         Louder, passed to the full Senate with 5 ayes and 0 nays.   
         Senator Barrientos asked to be shown voting aye.   
          
         There being no other business, at 6:45p.m., Chairman Lindsay  
         announced that the committee would stand in recess subject to  
         the call of the Chair.  There being no objections, the committee  
         recessed. 
          
         _________________________________ 
  
         Jon Lindsay, Chairman 
          
         _________________________________ 
         Tanya Tillman, Committee Clerk