Public Safety Committee forwards three gubernatorial nominees to full Senate

The Oklahoma Senate Public Safety Committee on an undisclosed date unanimously forwarded three gubernatorial nominees to the full Senate.

Senators recorded 8 ayes and 0 nays on each roll call. The committee chair declared the nominations of Brent Black and Lou Anne Moody and a law-enforcement nominee carried to the Senate floor.

Brent Black was presented to the committee as a nominee to the Forensic Review Board. The presenter said the board has seven members, four of whom must be licensed mental-health professionals, and described Black as the president of Creoaks Behavioral Health Services Incorporated who would be succeeding himself for a new term. The committee recorded a unanimous voice vote and forwarded the nomination to the full Senate.

Lou Anne Moody of Henrietta, Oklahoma, was introduced as a nominee and spoke to the panel. Moody identified herself as city attorney for the city of Okmulgee and said she has practiced law since 1989 and has been a sole practitioner since 1995. She told senators she attended one meeting of the Forensic Review Board and that the body reviews recommendations for people found not guilty by reason of insanity; she said meetings typically include 30–35 cases and can last a full day. Senator Yek praised board volunteers and the committee forwarded her nomination by an 8–0 vote.

A third nominee introduced by Senator Gillespie and identified in the transcript as "Mr. McCrory" described more than 40 years in law enforcement, including 38 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and liaison work for emergency management and hazardous-materials response. Committee members offered supportive remarks, and the committee recorded an 8–0 vote forwarding that nomination to the Senate floor. (The transcript later refers to this nominee as "McCoy" in one line; see clarifying details.)

Each forwarded nomination will next be considered by the full Senate. The committee concluded its business and adjourned.