Senate nominations committee reports March 31 slate and hears introductions for seven additional nominees

The Senate Committee on Nominations voted 5-0 to favorably report a slate of nominees left pending on the committee’s March 31 agenda to the full Senate and then heard introductions and questions for seven additional gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions.

The committee, chaired by Chairman Campbell, convened with a quorum and immediately proceeded to take the roll and vote. Vice Chair Hagenboo moved that the nominees left pending on March 31 be favorably reported; the motion passed on a recorded voice roll call: 5 ayes, 0 nays. The clerk recorded that the slate will move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Beyond that procedural vote, the committee took testimony from individual nominees and their introducers. Colonel Jerry K. Weldon II testified as the governor’s nominee to the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors, introduced by Senator Birdwell. Weldon described a lifelong connection to the Brazos River and summarized his management experience, saying he would bring a focus on “stewardship” and balancing legislative policy with resource management. Senators pressed Weldon on transparency and prioritization after a Sunset Commission review; Weldon said he supports publishing project priorities and working with the Legislature and the public to implement the commission’s findings.

Robert Vaughn, nominated to the Texas Transportation Commission, was introduced by Senator…