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Senate confirmations committee approves multiple board and commission nominees en masse
Summary
The Senate confirmations committee met with a quorum and approved multiple slates of nominees to state boards and commissions, voting to confirm appointees to trusteeships, advisory boards and commissions across several state agencies.
The Senate confirmations committee met with a quorum and approved several groups of nominees en masse, advancing appointments to state boards and commissions.
The committee chair opened the session and called the roll before proceeding through a series of confirmation votes. Nominees were invited to speak briefly; most offered short remarks of thanks or expressed willingness to serve. Committee members offered expressions of appreciation for long-term service on some boards and noted local ties for certain appointees.
Why it matters: Confirmations place public members and officials on boards that oversee state universities, rehabilitation services, victim compensation, human resources, and disability services. These appointments affect governance and oversight of programs that serve Alabamians across multiple service areas.
Most of the committee’s action consisted of grouped votes where the chair asked the clerk to call nominees in mass and the committee voted to approve entire slates rather than considering each name individually. Several groups included nominees who were not present; in those cases the committee proceeded with votes nonetheless.
University of Alabama Board of Trustees: The committee called four nominees for the University of Alabama Board of Trustees and approved them en masse. A motion to hear the nominees as a group was made by Senator Smitherman and seconded on the record; the committee recorded 12 yeas and 0 nays and announced the confirmations approved.
Agricultural Exhibition Center Corporation: Seven nominees to the Agricultural Exhibition Center Corporation were called and given the opportunity to stand and be recognized. The committee approved the slate with 11 yeas, 0 nays and 1 abstention (Senator Singleton recorded the abstention).
Department of Rehabilitation Services Board: Two nominees to the Department of Rehabilitation Services Board were listed; the transcript indicates they were not present but the committee proceeded and approved the nominations by voice vote using the prior roll with 12 yeas and 0 nays.
Court of Judiciary: The committee heard a motion and second for confirmation of Charles Ward to the Court of Judiciary and approved the nomination by recorded tally of 12 yays and 0 nays.
Crime Victims Compensation Commission: The committee considered a nomination to the Crime Victims Compensation Commission and approved Holly Brown Owens by a 12-0 vote.
Board of Human Resources: Two nominees from the Department of Human Resources were introduced to the committee; members praised their long service and the committee approved both nominations, 12 yays and 0 nays.
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Board of Trustees: Two nominees were presented and approved en masse, with the committee recording 12 yays and 0 nays.
Votes at a glance - University of Alabama Board of Trustees (4 nominees) — Motion to approve en masse; mover: Senator Smitherman; second: senator recorded; tally: 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Agricultural Exhibition Center Corporation (7 nominees) — Motion to approve en masse; tally: 11 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention (Senator Singleton); outcome: approved. - Department of Rehabilitation Services Board (2 nominees) — Motion to approve en masse; tally: 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved (nominees not present). - Court of Judiciary — Charles Ward — Motion to approve; tally: 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Crime Victims Compensation Commission — Holly Brown Owens — Motion to approve; tally: 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Board of Human Resources (2 nominees) — Motion to approve en masse; tally: 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved. - Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Board of Trustees (2 nominees) — Motion to approve en masse; tally: 12 yes, 0 no; outcome: approved.
Committee process and context: The clerk (Kelly Manning) conducted roll calls. Several confirmations were taken “in mass” (grouped) at the committee chair’s direction. Some nominees were present and briefly acknowledged the committee; others were absent but their confirmations proceeded. Members made brief remarks thanking nominees for their willingness to serve and noting local connections for particular appointees.
What’s next: Confirmations approved by the committee will move forward according to the Senate’s records and scheduling for final confirmation steps as required by Senate practice.
