The House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics 
         79th Legislature 
         February 16, 2005 
         8:00 a.m. or upon final adjourn./recess 
         Capitol Extension, E2.030 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted on February 9, 2005, the House Committee on  
         General Investigating & Ethics met in a public hearing and was called to  
         order by the chair, Representative Bailey, at 8:12 a.m. 
          
         The roll was answered as follows: 
          
         Present:   Representatives Bailey; Paxton; Flynn (3). 
          
         Absent:    Representatives Dutton; Keel (2). 
          
         A quorum was present. 
          
         Chairman Bailey explained a letter sent to Rep. Roberto Alonzo concerning his  
         request for an investigation dealing with the Border Bandits. Chairman  
         explained each member has a copy of the Committee's response on the issue. 
          
         (Representative Keel now present.) 
          
         Chairman advised that request for the new Project Leader for the HPD Crime  
         Lab Mike Bromwich had been sent and that we had received a letter from Mr.  
         Bromwich explaining why it was not advisable for him to appear before the  
         Committee. 
          
         The Chairman then called on Chief Harold Hurtt, Houston Police Department to  
         provide the Committee with an update on the Crime Lab. 
          
         Irma Rios, Director of the Houston Crime Lab explained what is taking place  
         with the 280 boxes of evidence and talked about the 29 capital convictions  
         cases. 
          
         (Representative Dutton now present.) 
          
         Troy Cotton from the Harris County District Attorney's office explained their  
         review process. 
          
         Chairman Bailey then called on Earl Pearson, Chief of Texas Rangers to  
         explain what the role of the Rangers is concerning the Houston Crime Lab. 
          
         At 9:23 a.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 
          
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