Bill would require fentanyl education

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CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

The death of a Leander High School graduate from a fentanyl overdose has prompted state Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, to file a bill that would require 10 hours of education annually concerning the dangers of the drug to students in sixth grade and up, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Tucker Roe, 19, bought what he thought was a Percocet pill on Instagram, according to his mother, Stefanie Turner. It turned out to be laced with a deadly amount of fentanyl, a powerful opioid responsible for more than 5,000 deaths in Texas last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“He was struggling with sleeping and stress, and he purchased a pill to help him sleep, and that pill took his life,” Turner told the Statesman. Wilson’s bill would allow a number of different types of organizations to provide the education, including public health agencies.

Pedestrian, bicyclist fatalities on the rise

Pedestrian fatalities resulting from traffic crashes increased 34% from 2017 to 2021, while bicyclist deaths increased 58% during the same period. The Texas Department of Transportation has kicked off a pedestrian and bicyclist campaign this month to urge all Texans to follow the state’s traffic laws and reduce those fatalities.

“We have a shared responsibility to every member of our community – to every family and every individual – to help reverse these trends and reduce traffic fatalities in Texas,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams.

Texas law requires drivers to stop and yield for pedestrian and bicyclists in crosswalks, to yield while turning, and to pass bikes at a safe distance. Pedestrians, in turn, are urged to cross only at intersections and crosswalks, to obey all traffic signs and signals, and to use sidewalks when possible.

Bicyclists are required to stop at red lights and stop signs, to ride in the same direction as traffic, and to use bike lanes when available.

Lawmakers want to legalize Sunday liquor sales

A pair of bills introduced in the Legislature would legalize the sales of ready-to-drink cocktails seven days a week, the Houston Chronicle reported. Under current law, liquor stores are closed on Sunday, and grocery and corner stores can only sell beer and wine.

State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills,  filed his version of the bill recently.

“As industries innovate and new products become staples in the marketplace, it only makes sense for us to take a look at ways government can reduce regulatory red tape,” Hancock said. A twin version of the bill was filed in the House by state Rep. Justin Holland, R-Rockwall.

Liquor stores would still be required to be closed on Sunday under the bills.