The Senate Committee on Nominations met on March 22 to take up SB 670 concerning the appointment of all three head of the HHS agencies and SB 705 concerning protection of personal data for individuals considered for nomination, as well as discussing the nomination of several individuals. The report below focuses on SB 670 and SB 705.

SB 670 (Birdwell) Relating to the appointment of the commissioners of the health and human services agencies by the governor.

  • Birdwell lays out bill
    • HHS and its subsidiaries account for a third of the state budget
    • Currently HHSC’s executive director is the only head of the 3 agencies appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
    • SB 670 requires that commissioners of DFPS and DSHS should also be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
    • CS adds language that was struck in original bill and states that each commissioner serves at the pleasure of the governor
    • Added back in so it wouldn’t conflict with HB 5
  • CSSB 670  voted out (4-0) Recommended to local and uncontested

 
SB 705 (Birdwell) Relating to an exception from disclosure under the public information law for certain personal information of an applicant for an appointment by the governor.

  • Birdwell lays out bill
    • Protects the personal information of those who are only considered for nominations, but not nominated; Open Records Act only redacts information related to the final nominee
    • CS removes subsection 4 relating to family members
  • CSSB 705 voted out (4-0) Recommended for local and uncontested