Chairwoman Brooke Popp outlines TCEQ priorities before Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Nominations convened on May 5, 2025, to address pending nominees and hear from key figures in Texas government. The meeting began with Chairman Brooke Popp of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) being introduced, setting the stage for discussions on various nominations.

The committee first addressed nominees from a previous agenda, with Senator Alvarado requesting to sever the nomination of Douglas McCregan for the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents from the list. Following this, Vice Chair Hagenboob moved to report the remaining nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. The committee voted, resulting in a unanimous recommendation of 7 ayes and 0 nays for the non-severed nominees.

Next, the committee turned its attention to the severed nominee, Douglas McCregan. After a brief discussion, the committee voted again, with the outcome being 5 ayes and 2 nays, thus recommending McCregan's nomination to the full Senate.

Following the voting process, Chairman Brooke Popp was formally introduced. Senator Eckhart praised Popp's extensive experience, highlighting her previous roles, including her tenure as chair of the Water Development Board, where she was the first woman to hold that position. Popp's accomplishments included overseeing significant projects and managing a substantial loan portfolio.

In her address, Popp expressed gratitude for her appointment and acknowledged the importance of her role at TCEQ, emphasizing the agency's mission and her commitment to serving Texas. The meeting concluded with Popp's remarks, underscoring her dedication to environmental quality in the state.

Overall, the meeting effectively progressed through its agenda, confirming several nominees and providing a platform for Popp to outline her vision for TCEQ. The committee's next steps will involve presenting the confirmed nominees to the full Senate for final approval.