2012 Indiana Code
TITLE 2. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ARTICLE 5. LEGISLATIVE AGENCIES AND STUDY COMMITTEES
CHAPTER 31. SUSTAINABLE NATURAL RESOURCE TASK FORCE

IC 2-5-31
Chapter 31. Sustainable Natural Resource Task Force

IC 2-5-31-1
"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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-2
"Committee"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "committee" refers to the natural resources study committee established by IC 2-5-5-1.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-3
Task force established
Sec. 3. The sustainable natural resource task force is established.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-4
Members; appointments; removal
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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-5 Terms; vacancies
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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-6
Compensation
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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-7
Quorum
Sec. 7. Six (6) members of the task force constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-8
Duties; reports
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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-9
Meetings; chairperson
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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-10
Work groups
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.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-11
Staffing; assistance
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. As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.

IC 2-5-31-12
Expiration
Sec. 12. This chapter expires May 1, 2013.
As added by P.L.106-2011, SEC.1.