MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Monday, February 7, 2005
2:00 p.m. or upon adjournment
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
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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, February 7, 2005, in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jon Lindsay Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Jane Nelson
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The chair called the meeting to order at 2:16 p.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator
Jackson (2:19 p.m.) and Vice-chairman Deuell (2:21 p.m.).
Minutes from the previous meeting were adopted at 2:17 by all
present.
The Chair recognized Senator Jeff Wentworth to introduce
Elizabeth Ames Jones, nominee for Texas Railroad Commission and
former State Representative for District 121. Jones gave a brief
description of her family background in oil and gas, her
experience as a member of the Texas House Committee on Energy
Resources, her vision for capturing viable alternative fuel
sources and goals for the future.
Chairman Lindsay questioned Jones about her lack of experience.
Jones restated her oil and gas history and said she hoped that
those doubts would be overcome by her work ethic and commitment.
Chairman Lindsay recognized Senator Barrientos. Senator
Barrientos asked Jones about how she saw her role as a
commissioner. She answered saying she saw her role as one that
provides assistance as well as regulation; she also wants to
master all aspects of the position and acquire a sense of
balance in juggling the differing roles of a commissioner.
Barrientos asked if she thought the Railroad Commission was
still needed. Jones replied she was confident in the will of the
Legislature and whatever outcome it decided upon. Barrientos
questioned her approach to the cleanup of abandoned wells; Jones
replied that the money spent so far has been well-utilized but
her desire was to accelerate the process. Barrientos then asked
Jones what she thought about Communities in Schools (C.I.S.) and
its appropriations and her thoughts about state employees. She
answered saying C.I.S. was an excellent program and she hopes to
keep good employees at the Railroad Commission, noting a 17%
deficit in equity in present salaries.
The Chair recognized Senator Shapiro. Senator Shapiro asked Mrs.
Jones what she would call the Railroad Commission if she had to
rename it. Jones replied that, although she would call it the
Energy Commission since that is more reflective of what it
actually does, she did note the posterity and history behind the
present name.
Senator Shapiro called Jones one of the finest people in the
legislature; a dedicated public servant full of passion,
compassion and desire who is committed to learning.
Chairman Lindsay recognized Senator Jackson who gave some
examples of a possible new name for the commission. Jackson
offered his congratulations and reminded Jones that, as a state
representative she was accountable to a constituency of 150,000
people or so, as a Railroad Commissioner she would find the
whole state of Texas knocking at her door.
The Chair recognized Senator Nelson who echoed support for Mrs.
Jones, saying she could not think of a better choice for the
job. Nelson did query Jones about what goal she had to build on
the success of the commission. Jones expressed the necessity of
recapturing carbons and enhancing hydrocarbons to keep a viable
and healthy energy program in Texas.
At 2:40 p.m. Chairman Lindsay asked for a motion. Senator Nelson
moved that the committee vote to confirm Jones, Senator Deuell
seconded the motion. By a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays, the
committee confirmed Jones' nomination and sent it to the full
Senate for confirmation.
Vice-chairman Deuell moved that nominees from the non-appearing
entities be voted upon. Senator Jackson seconded the motion. At
2:43 p.m. the committee voted on nominees from the following
entities: State Cemetery Committee, State Committee of Examiners
in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments, State
Employee Charitable Campaign Policy Committee,
Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Mutual
Insurance Company Board of Directors, Texas Board of Orthotics
and Prosthetics, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical
Examiners and State Board of Examiners of Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology. By a vote of 6 ayes and 0 nays, all
non-appearing nominees were passed out of committee and sent to
the full Senate for confirmation.
There being no more business, at 2:44 p.m., Chairman Lindsay
announced the committee would stand in recess subject to the
call of the chair.
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Senator Jon Lindsay, Chair
Jazen Wood, Clerk