Bill Text: IN SB0375 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Sustainable natural resource task force.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-18 - Effective 05/09/2011 [SB0375 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SB0375-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 2-5-31.
Synopsis: Sustainable natural resource task force. Establishes the
sustainable natural resource task force to: (1) collect programmatic and
funding data on current natural resource protection programs in
Indiana; (2) perform a needs assessment concerning natural resource
programs; and (3) collect information concerning the natural resource
protection programs of other states, including information about
funding and funding mechanisms for those programs. Establishes
reporting requirements. Provides that the task force expires May 1,
2013.
Effective: Upon passage.
January 11, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
natural and cultural resources.
Chapter 31. Sustainable Natural Resource Task Force
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "task force" refers to the sustainable natural resource task force established by section 3 of this chapter.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "committee" refers to the natural resources study committee established by IC 2-5-5-1.
Sec. 3. The sustainable natural resource task force is established.
Sec. 4. (a) The task force consists of ten (10) members appointed as follows:
(1) Two (2) members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate, who may not be affiliated with the same political party.
(2) Two (2) members of the house of representatives
appointed by the the speaker of the house, who may not be
affiliated with the same political party.
(3) Three (3) members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives, each of whom is recommended by one (1)
of the following organizations:
(A) The Indiana Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts.
(B) The Indiana Wildlife Federation.
(C) The Indiana Land Protection Alliance.
(4) Three (3) members appointed by the president pro
tempore of the senate, each of whom is recommended by one
(1) of the following organizations:
(A) The Indiana Farm Bureau.
(B) The Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners
Association.
(C) The Nature Conservancy.
(b) The appointing authority who appointed a member of the
task force may remove the member for cause.
Sec. 5. (a) The term of a member of the task force expires May
1, 2013.
(b) In the case of a vacancy on the task force:
(1) the appointing authority who appointed the member
whose position is vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the
vacancy not more than thirty (30) days after the vacancy
occurs; and
(2) the member appointed under this subsection shall fill the
vacancy for the remainder of the term.
Sec. 6. (a) A member of the task force appointed under section
4(3) or 4(4) of this chapter shall serve without compensation.
(b) A member of the task force who is a member of the general
assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and
travel allowances paid to legislative members of interim study
committees established by the legislative council. Per diem,
mileage, and travel allowances paid under this subsection shall be
paid from appropriations made to the legislative council.
Sec. 7. Six (6) members of the task force constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.
Sec. 8. (a) The task force shall do the following:
(1) Collect programmatic and funding information
concerning current natural resource protection programs in
Indiana.
(2) Perform a needs assessment concerning the natural
resource programs in Indiana, including current programs
and associated costs.
(3) Collect information concerning:
(A) natural resource protection programs in other states,
particularly states bordering Indiana; and
(B) funding and funding mechanisms for the programs
referred to in clause (A).
(b) The task force shall do the following:
(1) Present a progress report to the committee at the
committee's first meeting of the 2012 interim.
(2) Present a progress report to the committee at the
committee's final meeting of the 2012 interim.
(3) Provide to the governor copies of the reports presented
under subdivisions (1) and (2).
(c) Beginning November 1, 2012, the task force, at the direction
of the legislative council and the committee, shall do the following:
(1) Conduct any needed follow-up research and policy
analysis.
(2) Prepare a final report setting forth the findings and
recommendations of the task force, including a report card on
the health of natural resources in Indiana.
(d) The final report required under subsection (b)(2) must be:
(1) completed by January 1, 2013; and
(2) submitted to the general assembly in an electronic format
under IC 5-14-6 and to the governor.
Sec. 9. (a) The task force shall hold regular meetings.
(b) The task force shall hold its initial meeting not later than
May 30, 2011.
(c) A chairperson shall be elected by the members of the task
force at the first meeting of the task force. The chairperson elected
at the first meeting shall serve until June 30, 2012, when the
members of the task force may elect a new chairperson. If a task
force member is elected chairperson under this subsection on or
after June 30, 2012, that task force member shall serve as
chairperson until May 1, 2013. If a new chairperson is not elected
under this subsection on or after June 30, 2012, the chairperson
elected at the first meeting shall serve as chairperson until May 1,
2013.
Sec. 10. The task force may establish work groups to:
(1) assist in research and information gathering concerning
various topics studied by the task force; and
(2) report back to the task force at regular task force
meetings.
Sec. 11. (a) The department of natural resources shall provide
administrative assistance to the task force. However, the
chairperson of the task force may, with the approval of the task
force, appoint staff from one (1) or more of the organizations
referred to in section 4(3) and 4(4) of this chapter to provide
administrative assistance.
(b) The task force shall seek technical assistance from the
following:
(1) The department of natural resources.
(2) The department of agriculture.
(3) The department of environmental management.
(c) The task force may seek and accept assistance from public
universities willing to provide research, scientific expertise, and
policy analysis as needed by the task force.
Sec. 12. This chapter expires May 1, 2013.