AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas House is returning to work and the first order of business is setting the ground rules.

Lawmakers in the Legislature’s lower chamber failed to pass a resolution that will govern how they operate the first week of the 83rd Legislature. The House cannot take up any business until the rules resolution passes.

Tea party conservatives are pushing for greater transparency in what happens to the bills they file, to what committees they are assigned and whether they come up for a vote.

State Rep. David Simpson, a Longview Republican, complained in a speech on Tuesday about how senior lawmakers, including the speaker, control what bills come up for a vote and how committee assignments are made.

He called on lawmakers to make the rules fair.

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