AUSTIN — State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) was appointed by Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen to serve as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and also as a member of the House Committee on Business and Industry.

The House Committee on Transportation is responsible for oversight of the critical infrastructure development for the state including state highways. The committee also has jurisdiction over the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Transportation Commission.

"An increase in oil and gas production is always a good thing for Texas, but with it comes a significant increase in traffic on Permian Basin highways creating challenges to local infrastructure," Landgraf said. "I will continue to take the lead to improve safety on our highways and keep West Texas open for business."

Landgraf was also appointed to the House Committee on Business and Industry, which is responsible for oversight of industry and manufacturing and has jurisdiction over the State Office of Risk Management, the Risk Management Board, the Division of Worker's Compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance, and others.

"I asked for these posts because I believe I can utilize them to better serve the people of the Permian Basin and Texas. Now that committees have been assigned, I'll be rolling up my sleeves and getting to work," Landgraf said.

The 86th Texas legislative session is underway and will run through May 27, 2019.