Senate committee advances four cosmetology board nominees after members warn of longstanding complaints

After testimony on nursing education concluded, the committee moved to confirm governor-submitted nominees to the state cosmetology board.

Chairman Bridal said nominations had arrived after session and proposed taking up a block of nominees. "If there is a motion to take up senate nominations number 8, 9, 11, and 12 in a block, I would entertain that," the chairman said, and Senator Parks moved to take them in a block. Without objection the chair called for a voice vote and the chair said "The ayes have it."

Senator Blunt cautioned the committee, saying he could not think of "any board in state government that we've received more complaints about over the last decade or so," and urged nominees to do a good job or implied the board’s operation should be reconsidered. Senator Boyd said he was familiar with one applicant and offered support. Senator McMillan noted as a member of the peer committee that candidates Cook and Hill had not completed their statements of economic interest with the Mississippi Ethics Commission and said those filings would likely need to be completed before a floor vote.

What the committee did: The body advised and consented to the four nominees in a block by voice vote; the record shows a voice tally only (the chair stated "The ayes have it"). Committee members also agreed to have the board meet with the committee later to address implementation and complaint issues, per the chairman's remarks.

Next steps: The committee rose and reported the nominations to the larger body; Senator McMillan’s note about the ethics filings suggests the nominees may need to complete paperwork before the matter reaches the Senate floor.