The House Committee on General Investigating 78th Legislature May 15, 2003 8:00 a.m. or upon final adjourn./recess Capitol Extension, E2.030 Pursuant to a notice posted on May 9, 2003, the House Committee on General Investigating met in a public hearing and was called to order by the acting chair, Representative Paxton at 8:03 a.m. The roll was answered as follows: Present: Representatives Paxton; Flynn; Keel (3). Absent: Representatives Bailey; Dutton (2). A quorum was present. Representative Paxton acknowledged that Representative Larry Phillips has joined us for this hearing. Representative Paxton called on Reagan Greer, Executive Director of the Texas Lottery Commission to give a statement and answer questions. The chair then called Gary Grief, Deputy Executive Director, Texas Lottery Commission to explain his actions concerning the purchase of equipment prior to approval of the Commissioners on a rule change. Numerous questions were asked concerning the authority of the Executive Director in regards to making purchases without Commission Board approval. Current law allows that discretion, but could be changed under the Commission sunset legislation. Representative Paxton then called on Kimberly Kiplin, General Counsel, Texas Lottery Commission to explain her involvement in both the rule change and the purchasing of equipment prior to the rule change being approved. The chair called on Ridgely Bennett, Deputy General Counsel, Texas Lottery Commission to explain the sole source purchase of equipment. Representative Paxton then called on Dawn Nettles, Texas Lotto Report, who explained various issues concerning the commission, including withholding information, cheating winners, and how untimely promotional materials are distributed to retailers. Under the pending Houston Police Crime lab investigation, the clerk provided an update on the tele-video conferences with the death row inmates and advised that our legal counsel would furnish a written report for the committee. At 9:58 a.m., on the motion of Representative Paxton and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair. ________________________ Rep. Paxton, Vice Chair ________________________ Roberta Bilsky, Clerk