Bill Text: IN SR0066 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Urging study of mineral extraction and severance in the state of Indiana.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-24 - First reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources [SR0066 Detail]

Download: Indiana-2011-SR0066-Introduced.html


Introduced Version





SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION


     A SENATE RESOLUTION to urge the legislative council to assign to the Natural Resources Study Committee the subject of mineral extraction and severance in the state of Indiana.



WATERMAN




     , read first time and referred to Committee on








Introduced

First Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2011)


SENATE RESOLUTION


     MADAM PRESIDENT:

    I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:

    A SENATE RESOLUTION to urge the legislative council to assign to the Natural Resources Study Committee the subject of mineral extraction and severance in the state of Indiana.

     Whereas, Indiana enjoys a rich history of minerals such as coal, aggregate, gypsum, peat, methane, petroleum, oil, and natural gas;

    Whereas, There has been an increased volume of extraction and severance of Indiana minerals;

    Whereas, 38 states have some extraction and severance tax in law, including Indiana which enacted a petroleum severance tax in 1947;

    Whereas, Indiana has approximately 57 billion tons of unmined coal, of which nearly 17 billion tons is recoverable using current technology. Based on current production rates, Indiana's 17 billion tons of available coal could last more than 500 years;

    Whereas, Every state with mineral wealth, except

Pennsylvania, imposes a severance tax to compensate residents for the removal of nonrenewable resources;
    
    Whereas, The severance tax is an important source of state and local revenue to support services such as education, health care, environmental protection, early childhood education, and support for persons with disabilities;

    Whereas, Each natural gas well drilled requires 800 to 2,000 heavy truck trips to transport heavy drilling rigs and water tankers to the site. This increased traffic requires frequent road reconstruction and bridge repair. Extraction industries are historically nomadic and boom-like, imposing social costs on rural communities including increased demand for public safety services and rapidly rising housing costs; and

    Whereas, The standing committee responsible for natural resource policy requires a clear and comprehensive understanding of the regulatory process and the challenges faced by Indiana counties and their constituents: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:


    SECTION 1. The Indiana Senate urges the legislative council to assign to the Natural Resources Study Committee the subject of extraction and severance of minerals in the state of Indiana.
    SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Executive Director of the Legislative Services Agency.

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