Senate confirms slate of executive nominations to state boards and commissions

The Oklahoma Senate moved through tier 1 and tier 2 executive nominations during the session, reading nominees and taking up advise-and-consent motions for appointments to university boards, education and arts councils, tourism and other statewide entities.

Notable confirmations included David McKenzie to the Regional University System of Oklahoma (the clerk recorded 38 ayes and 5 nays on that nomination) and multiple other nominees confirmed by recorded tallies or unanimous consent. The clerk declared the nominations confirmed as roll calls closed; at one point the Senate recorded “46 aye votes and 0 nay votes” to confirm a batch of tier 2 nominations.

Senators offered brief remarks when sponsors presented nominees; there was no extended debate recorded on the merits of most of the appointments. The nominations addressed governance of higher education, career-technical boards, tourism and arts councils and other boards that require Senate advice and consent.

The clerk concluded confirmation business before the chamber moved on to additional agenda items.

A full list of nominations read on the floor is in the transcript and includes the nominee’s name, the board and the term end date as read aloud during the session.