McALLEN, January 29 - Normally a federal issue, state senators have been asked to study and make recommendations to stem the tide of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

The charges were given jointly to two Senate committees, International Relations and Trade, and Transportation and Homeland Security, by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

The two panels must also study and make recommendations to reduce criminal activities within the border region.

“I have never met anyone on the border that is for illegal immigration. We all want this issue sorted out in a fair and humane way, and means comprehensive immigration reform,” said Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, chair of the International and Relations and Trade Committee.

“We will be echoing the sentiments of our border communities and giving our own personal views. But I also think we need to hear from our friends and neighbors in Mexico and other experts in the field. This is a joint problem.”

Lucio has been an outspoken opponent of the border wall.

Border security is one of the six major items state senators will study before the 81st Legislature meets next January, Dewhurst announced Tuesday.

In a news release, Dewhurst said he was setting an ambitious agenda for Senate committees and subcommittees, with property tax relief, higher education, affordable health care, transportation, environment and natural resources, and border security listed as priority issues.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to these charges and I’ve had tremendous input from senators, as well as several elected officials and numerous citizens,” Dewhurst said. “These charges focus on keeping Texans safe, improving our Texas economy while keeping taxes low, continuing to improve our public schools and universities, continuing to improve our air quality and protect our water resources, and building new highways.”

On border security, Dewhurst said he wants the state’s homeland security efforts, as well as the state’s recent $140 million investment in law enforcement, evaluated by the Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security. The panel, chaired by Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, has been asked to study and make recommendations to deter transnational and drug-related gang violence along the border and throughout Texas.

Dewhurst also wants senators to study and make recommendations for the creation of a tamper-proof driver’s license of photo ID that complies with the federal Real ID Act, including the implementation of the Secure Enhanced Driver’s License Program.

Gov. Rick Perry has already signed into law a bill requiring the Department of Public Safety to implement a pilot program for the Enhanced Driver’s License. The bill was passed in 2007 following legislation from state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso. Shapleigh recently urged Perry to take advantage of recent legislation passed by Congress that provides $50 million in grants for Enhanced Driver’s License pilot programs.

The Committee on International Relations and Trade chaired by Lucio traditionally handles border issues. The IRT committee was given six interim charges. Lucio said he would make a statement about the charges on Wednesday.

The IRT charges are:

• Review state and local policies relating to development and growth in rural and unincorporated regions of the state. Work with housing advocates, county organizations and appropriate officials to assess the proliferation of substandard housing in rural and unincorporated areas.

• Determine the appropriateness of and make recommendations on the existing extraterritorial jurisdiction authority currently granted under colonia prevention measures along the border region.

• Develop recommendations to better provide border and rural communities’ access to state and federal resources. Review the programs established by different states and recommend initiatives that Texas can enact to increase the competitiveness of these communities, engender critical development, provide affordable housing, identify community assets, retain/create wealth and create regional jobs. Study and make recommendations to expand business opportunities in international markets for businesses located in economically distressed areas, including rural and border areas.

• Study the state’s current and long-range need for physicians, dentists, nurses, and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Make recommendations to recruit high-need professions, especially for primary care providers and long-term care professionals in the border region of Texas. (Joint charge with the Senate Health and Human Services Committee).

• Study and make recommendations to stem the tide of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling, and to reduce the criminal activities within the border region. (Joint charge with Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security).

• Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the International Relations and Trade Committee, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.