Senate panel hears confirmation testimony for multiple agency nominees
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Summary
On April 1 the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee took testimony from nominees for the Division of Administration, Department of Conservation and Energy, Department of Revenue and the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Policy. Senators praised nominees’ experience and asked limited substantive questions; no contested votes were recorded during the hearing.
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee on April 1 heard introductory testimony from multiple executive-branch nominees and asked brief questions about qualifications and agency priorities.
Brian McClinton, nominee for deputy commissioner in the Division of Administration, described a background in management and finance and said he plans to assist with procurement, FP&C matters and interagency coordination. "So, from Livonia, Louisiana... I went to LSU... I have an MBA," McClinton said, and senators thanked him for his willingness to serve.
At the Department of Conservation and Energy, Deputy Secretary Steven Swiber and Secretary Dustin Davidson outlined the department’s expanded responsibilities, emphasizing oil and gas development, coastal use, pipeline oversight, groundwater coordination and a larger Office of Energy for market research and grants. "We now have a coordinating body to do that," Davidson said of groundwater management, and he described contracting with national labs and fee structures to support technical review.
The committee also heard from nominees to the Department of Revenue: Brandy Averett (deputy secretary) and Catherine Logan (assistant secretary for legal affairs) introduced their backgrounds in tax and legislative work and received praise for their roles in tax reform. Jared Coniglio, nominee for secretary, described a long career in state finance and tax administration, including work on collections and program integrity.
Chad Brown, nominee for commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Policy, introduced himself and discussed prior experience in insurance regulation and as a former state representative. Senators offered congratulations and light questioning; no formal roll-call votes or recorded objections were made during the hearing.
The committee cleared the board after introductions; staff will proceed with the next steps in the confirmation process for each nominee.
