The House Committee on General Investigating 
         78th Legislature 
         November 7, 2003 
         10:00 a.m. or upon final adjourn./recess 
         Houston, Texas - 900 Bagby St., Houston City Council Chambers 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted on October 28, 2003, the House  
         Committee on General Investigating met in a public hearing and  
         was called to order by the chair, Representative Bailey, at  
         10:09 a.m. 
          
         The roll was answered as follows: 
          
         Present:  Representatives Bailey; Flynn; Keel (3). 
          
         Absent:   Representatives Paxton; Dutton (2). 
          
         A quorum was present. 
          
         At 10:14 a.m. the hearing was briefly interrupted due to a  
         problem with audio tape machine, hearing resumed at 10:20 a.m. 
          
         Chairman Bailey called on Richard Holland, Captain with Houston  
         Police Department (HPD) to testify and outline what the status  
         of the Houston Police Department Crime Lab is as of today's  
         hearing. 
          
         Chairman Bailey recognized Senator Mario Gallegos, Houston, has  
         joined us on the podium. 
          
         Chair called Irma Rios, newly hired Director of  the Houston  
         Crime Lab to give the committee an assessment of  the lab and  
         the progress made since she has taken over the laboratory. 
          
         Interim Police Chief Joe Breshears explained his commitment on  
         behalf of HPD to make sure that the lab is properly funded and  
         staffed to meet accreditation and to restore confidence with the  
         citizens of Houston. 
          
         Chairman then called Ada Edwards, Houston City Councilwoman to  
         testify concerning the city's public safety committee's  
         commitment to making sure the City of Houston provides funding  
         and support to have a first class laboratory operation within  
         the Houston Police Department. 
          
         Al Mays, Asst. Director, Houston Finance and Administration  
         explained the budgeting process concerning the Houston Police  
         Department and the laboratory. 
          
         Chairman Bailey then called on Charles "Chuck" Rosenthal,  
         District Attorney, Harris County  to provide an update from his  
         office on the effects of the Houston Crime Lab problems  with  
         DNA and now with the closing of  the toxicology sections. 
          
         At 12:07, Chairman recognized that Representative Harold Dutton  
  
         has joined us.   
          
         Chair then recognized Robert Rosenberg to address the committee. 
          
         At 12:55 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection,  
         the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair. 
          
         ________________________ 
         Rep. Bailey, Chair 
          
         ________________________ 
         Roberta Bilsky, Clerk