Senate committee advises consent for five nominees, requests completion of ethics and administrative filings

A Senate committee voted to advise and consent to five nominations to state authorities and boards, taking action on nominees to the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, the Mississippi Home Corporation and the State Tax Appeals Board.

Brandy Huff, deputy director of the Harrison County Development Commission, was introduced for a remainder term on the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation. "I am the deputy director for Harrison County Development Commission," Huff said, adding that she was excited to be nominated and hoped to serve. Committee staff said peer reviewers found no derogatory information in her file but that there was no Statement of Economic Interest on file with the Mississippi Ethics Commission; staff asked her to complete that form before the nomination is taken to the full Senate. The committee voted to advise and consent to her nomination.

David Allen Williams of Pearl, introduced by staff as a certified public accountant with the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, summarized roughly 40 years working with health-care facilities across the state. "I've worked with health care facilities throughout the state of Mississippi … about 40 years," Williams said. Staff reported no derogatory information but said Williams also needs to file a Statement of Economic Interest with the Mississippi Ethics Commission prior to floor consideration. The committee voted to advise and consent to his nomination.

Alan Lang of Ridgeland described two decades in economic-development finance while being considered for an associate vacancy on the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation. Lang said his work included seven New Markets Tax Credit allocations that "totaled about $330,000,000" and deployment of "about $24,000,000" under a Mississippi small business investment program. Peer staff reported no derogatory information and asked Lang to file a Statement of Economic Interest; the committee voted to advise and consent.

The committee also considered the reappointment of Sue Stedman of Natchez to the Mississippi Home Corporation. Staff reported no derogatory information but said Stedman must file an oath on record with the secretary of state's office before the committee will take the nomination to the Senate floor; the committee advised and consented to the reappointment pending that administrative filing.

Finally, the committee reviewed John Robinson of Tupelo for a six‑year associate term on the State Tax Appeals Board. Staff indicated no derogatory information but noted Robinson must execute a new bond with the secretary of state's office before the nomination proceeds to the floor. The committee advised and consented to his nomination and then moved to rise and report to the full Senate.

In each case, peer staff flagged missing administrative filings — Statements of Economic Interest, an oath, or a bond — and the committee instructed nominees to complete the required paperwork before full‑Senate consideration.

The committee recorded voice votes on each nomination with the chair stating "the ayes have it."