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.
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Rep. Paxton, Vice Chair
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Roberta Bilsky, Clerk