AUSTIN — When the Texas Legislature is not in session, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House give lawmakers interim charges, or issues to study, so they can craft legislation in the next session.
The House Transportation Committee will take up two of its charges Tuesday.
At 10 a.m., lawmakers will meet to talk about the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) ability to complete highway construction projects that reduce congestion and improve mobility. Lawmakers are charged with finding ways to help the agency complete those projects on time and under budget.
Then at 1 p.m., the committee will come back to discuss the impact energy production is having on Texas roads and how to improve road quality in those areas.
A select committee appointed by the Speaker of the House is also meeting Tuesday morning. The House Committee on Opioids and Substance Abuse is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Lawmakers will hear from experts on the prevalence and impact of opioid and synthetic drug abuse. They'll also consider whether programs in place to help drug abusers have the capacity to meet the needs of Texans.