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ISR Bill Watch


1064 Donations for Feeding the Hungry with venison
Authors: Reps. Bischoff, Cheatham, and Blanton
Wild game donations. Establishes a procedure to collect voluntary donations when hunting licenses are sold. Specifies that the proceeds must be used to process donated wild game related to feeding the state's hungry. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the natural resources study committee.)
Passed first House
Senate Sponsors: Mishler, R. Young, and Lewis


1039 Lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping licenses
Authors: Reps. Herrell and Friend
Lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Requires the director of DNR to make available to residents of Indiana lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Ways and Means


1056 Backcountry areas of state forests
Authors: Reps. Pierce, Foley, and Plfum
Development of backcountry areas in state forests. Provides that backcountry areas of Yellowwood State Forest and Morgan-Monroe State Forest may not be developed in a manner that permits motorized access, sale of timber, or commercial activity.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources


0280 Exotic Animals
Author: Sen. Arnold
Exotic animals. Makes it illegal to release into the wild or sell exotic or wild animals without a permit from DNR.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Corrections, Criminal, and Civil Matters


0386 Fishing license for Veterans
Authors: Sens. Breaux, R. Young, Mrvan, Hume, and Deig
Fishing licenses for discharged veterans. Allows a resident who has served during the preceding 24 months in federal active service outside the United States as a member of the armed forces to fish without a license.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources


1101 Management of small lakes
Author: Rep. Dodge
Management of small lakes. Reduces from ten acres to five acres the size of a lake for which certain laws restrict projects that will or are likely to lower the water level of the lake. Reduces from 20 acres to five acres the size of a lake that is subject to the prohibition against lowering the water level of a lake more than 12 inches below the high water mark established by a dam or other artificial device creating the lake.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources


1201 Logjam removal
Authors: Reps. M. Smith, Cheatham, Hinkle, Bischoff
Drainage. Gives county drainage boards and county surveyors equal authority regarding artificial watercourses. Establishes storm water issues will be directed initially to the county surveyor’s office.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources


0282 Storm water management.
Authors: Sen. Charbonneau, Gard
Storm water management. Repeats HB1201 while granting authority to drainage board to receive complaints concerning, investigate, and order the removal of certain storm water related nuisances.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs


1232 Logjam removal
Authors: Reps. Dermody, Dembowski, Eberhart, Davis
Removal of logjams in floodways. Provides that a permit is not required to remove a logjam or mass of wood debris that has accumulated in a river or stream.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources


0255 Out of state sales of state forestry trees from nursery
Author: Sen. Mishler
Sale of excess nursery stock. Allows DNR to sell excess nursery stock; DNR must sell excess stock at least twice the price of out-of-state sales.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources


0301 DNR in house projects increased to $150,000
Author: Sen. Hershman
Natural resources public works projects. Increases the cost of projects that DNR may perform without awarding a public works contract from $75,000 to $150,000.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Appropriations


1343 Rifle standards for deer hunters
Authors: Reps. Yarde II, Cheatham, Walorski
Establishes the specifications for a rifle that may be used during deer hunting season.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Courts and Criminal Codes

[Quackin-n-Wackin]

Lets keep a eye on this,keep this bill updated to what is happening.
_________________
"DONT TREAD ON ME!"
Rick

[sadclownwp]

These are some important bills, I for one would love to see them pass.
_________________
Its been said a million times, and it is still as true as ever, a bad day fishing is still better than a good day working.

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ISR Bill Watch



1064 Donations for Feeding the Hungry with venison
Authors: Reps. Bischoff, Cheatham, and Blanton
Wild game donations. Establishes a procedure to collect voluntary donations when hunting licenses are sold. Specifies that the proceeds must be used to process donated wild game related to feeding the state's hungry. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the natural resources study committee.)
Passed first House (easily)
Senate Sponsors: Mishler, R. Young, and Lewis



Sportsmen’s Roundtable recommended a mandatory one dollar fee be added to the DNR Summer Study Committee for venison processing for the hungry. The study committee endorsed this voluntary donation collection system. The Roundtable supports this bill as one more positive step to getting more deer taken and processed for feeding the hungry, but it is not expected to come close to meeting the demand for funding locker fees.



0301 DNR in house projects increased to $150,000
Author: Sen. Hershman
Natural resources public works projects. Increases the cost of projects that DNR may perform without awarding a public works contract from $75,000 to $150,000.
First House: Passed out of Committee on Appropriations (1/19); passed 2nd reading (1/25)



This bill helps DNR get more projects done in house without requiring contract bidding. The Sportsmen’s Roundtable should consider endorsement.



0282 Storm water management.
Authors: Sen. Charbonneau, Gard
Storm water management. Repeats HB1201 while granting authority to drainage board to receive complaints concerning, investigate, and order the removal of certain storm water related nuisances.
First House: Passed out of Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs (1/21)



There are concerns that county drainage board will aggressively remove all trees on shorelines in addition to logjam removal that can eliminate fish habitat and release trapped sediments. Fishing organizations should continue to watch this bill.



The rest of the bills on this list are likely to die for lack of action.



1039 Lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping licenses
Authors: Reps. Herrell and Friend
Lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. Requires the director of DNR to make available to residents of Indiana lifetime hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Ways and Means



Sportsmen’s Roundtable do not support returning to lifetime licenses due to negative financial impact on the Division of Fish and Wildlife. This bill is not expected to get a hearing.



1056 Backcountry areas of state forests
Authors: Reps. Pierce, Foley, and Plfum
Development of backcountry areas in state forests. Provides that backcountry areas of Yellowwood State Forest and Morgan-Monroe State Forest may not be developed in a manner that permits motorized access, sale of timber, or commercial activity.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources



IWF and Sportsmen’s Roundtable support current DNR forest management plans for this area. This bill is not expected to get a hearing. It was reviewed by the summer study committee and did not get support from the study committee.



0280 Exotic Animals
Author: Sen. Arnold
Exotic animals. Makes it illegal to release into the wild or sell exotic or wild animals without a permit from DNR.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Corrections, Criminal, and Civil Matters



0386 Fishing license for Veterans
Authors: Sens. Breaux, R. Young, Mrvan, Hume, and Deig
Fishing licenses for discharged veterans. Allows a resident who has served during the preceding 24 months in federal active service outside the United States as a member of the armed forces to fish without a license.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources



1101 Management of small lakes
Author: Rep. Dodge
Management of small lakes. Reduces from ten acres to five acres the size of a lake for which certain laws restrict projects that will or are likely to lower the water level of the lake. Reduces from 20 acres to five acres the size of a lake that is subject to the prohibition against lowering the water level of a lake more than 12 inches below the high water mark established by a dam or other artificial device creating the lake.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources



1201 Logjam removal
Authors: Reps. M. Smith, Cheatham, Hinkle, Bischoff
Drainage. Gives county drainage boards and county surveyors equal authority regarding artificial watercourses. Establishes storm water issues will be directed initially to the county surveyor’s office.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources



1232 Logjam removal
Authors: Reps. Dermody, Dembowski, Eberhart, Davis
Removal of logjams in floodways. Provides that a permit is not required to remove a logjam or mass of wood debris that has accumulated in a river or stream.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources



0255 Out of state sales of state forestry trees from nursery
Author: Sen. Mishler
Sale of excess nursery stock. Allows DNR to sell excess nursery stock; DNR must sell excess stock at least twice the price of out-of-state sales.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Natural Resources



1343 Rifle standards for deer hunters
Authors: Reps. Yarde II, Cheatham, Walorski
Establishes the specifications for a rifle that may be used during deer hunting season.
First House: 1st reading: Committee on Courts and Criminal Codes

[Quackin-n-Wackin]

Man I would like to see the lifetime lic. come back.
_________________
"DONT TREAD ON ME!"
Rick

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Indiana Sportsmen's Roundtable Bill Watch
1064 Donations for Feeding the Hungry with venison
Authors: Reps. Bischoff, Cheatham, and Blanton
Senate cosponsors: Mishler, R. Young, Lewis
Wild game donations. Establishes a procedure to collect voluntary donations when hunting licenses are sold. Specifies that the proceeds must be used to process donated wild game related to feeding the state's hungry. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the natural resources study committee.)
Passed House (easily); referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources (2/1/10)
Sportsmen’s Roundtable recommended a mandatory one dollar fee be added to the DNR Summer Study Committee for venison processing for the hungry. The study committee endorsed this voluntary donation collection system. The Roundtable supports this bill as one more positive step to getting more deer taken and processed for feeding the hungry, but it is not expected to come close to meeting the demand for funding locker fees.

0301 DNR in house projects increased to $150,000
Author: Sen. Hershman, Hume, Mishler
House cosponsors: Grubb, Leonard
Natural resources public works projects. Increases the cost of projects that DNR may perform without awarding a public works contract from $75,000 to $150,000.
Passed House(1/28/10); referred to House Committee on Labor and Employment (2/2/10)
This bill helps DNR get more projects done in house without requiring contract bidding. The Sportsmen’s Roundtable should consider endorsement.

0282 Storm water management.
Authors: Sen. Charbonneau, Gard, Randolph
House cosponsors: Bischoff, M. Smith, Cheatham, Hinkle
Storm water management. Repeats HB1201 while granting authority to drainage board to receive complaints concerning, investigate, and order the removal of certain storm water related nuisances.
Passed House (2/2/10); referred to Committee on Natural Resources (2/8/10)
There are concerns that county drainage board will aggressively remove all trees on shorelines in addition to logjam removal that can eliminate fish habitat and release trapped sediments. Fishing organizations should continue to watch this bill.

1232 Logjam removal
Authors: Reps. Dermody, Dembowski, Eberhart, Davis
Senate cosponsors: Charbonneau, Arnold, Bischoff
Removal of logjams in floodways. Provides that a permit is not required to remove a logjam or mass of wood debris that has accumulated in a river or stream.
Passed House (2/2/10); referred to Committee on Natural Resources (2/8/10)

These bills died in committee:
1039 Lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping licenses
1056 Backcountry areas of state forests
0280 Exotic Animals
0386 Fishing license for Veterans
1101 Management of small lakes
1201 Logjam removal
0255 Out of state sales of state forestry trees from nursery
1343 Rifle standards for deer hunters

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February 11, 2010

HB 1232 Removal of logjams in floodways passes out of Committee on Natural Resources

IWF's Director John Goss breaks down HB 1232:

The purpose of the DNR Review is to minimize the negative impact on fish and wildlife.
KEY Issues of conservation concern include:

1. Operation of heavy equipment in the stream, minimizing disturbances
2. Devastation of stream banks, removal of trees on the bank
3. Release of large sediment deposits and impact on the water quality and spawning areas downstream
4. Timing and protecting spawning and young fry in the streams during certain weeks of the year
5. Proper removal and disposal of accumulated logs, brush and debris
6. Overly zealous removal of all fallen trees into streams, most of them provide beneficial habitat and structure for healthy ecology of the stream and protection for fish populations

The original HB1232, which passed the House 93-1, permanently removes DNR fish and wildlife review for all logjams.

The Senate Natural Resources Committee amended the bill to incorporate the current DNR Emergency Rule on logjam permits and voted it out 7-1.

The Indiana Wildlife Federation and Sportsmen’s Roundtable spoke against the bill and requested more study. Representatives of the Izaak Walton League, Save the Dunes, The Nature Conservancy, Friends of White River, Friends of the Wildcat and Hoosier Environmental Council all strongly recommended that the bill go to summer study committee.

However, only Senator Becker of Evansville supported sending it to study committee. It appears that this bill will pass the Senate easily.

ACTION: Conservation groups can make a decision on whether they will reluctantly support the amended logjam bill. The amended bill is considerably better than the original bill, but more work is needed.

Specifically, we will try other amendments to add language that makes the "emergency rule" language now in the bill more closely resemble the DNR's general license for logjam removal including the notification requirement. Please see explanation below on types of logjams and key concerns.

There are 5 classes of logjams depending on the number of trees and logs and the amount of stream flow interference. Most can be removed with hand tools without a permit. This is called a general permit allowing removal after notice to DNR. Past practice has been to notify DNR with a simple explanation of the removal plan and the size of the obstruction. DNR has 10 days to respond with recommendations to protect fish and wildlife.

Landowners, county surveyors, and drainage boards have clarified their authority to remove obstructions contributing to flooding in legislation passed in recent years. Landowners have complained to legislators that it takes too long to get permits for large logjams. But DNR is not to blame.

There are 3 permits required for removal of large logjams in Indiana. The Corps of Engineers in all waters of the state where the Corps has jurisdiction for impact on stream flow and downstream impacts, Indiana Department of Environmental Management for any impact on water quality and sediment impact plus federal endangered species protection, and Department of Natural Resources for any impact on fish and wildlife in that stream and for flood control.

In 2008, after the devastation to stream banks and trees from floods both spring and fall of 50 and 100-year levels, DNR Director Rob Carter suspended DNR review of large logjams with a few exceptions. That emergency order expires in March 2010. The language of the emergency order still protected salmonid streams (trout and salmon) and designated scenic rivers. Many landowners objected to going back to the regular DNR permit process. There are still 2 permits required from IDEM and the Corps.

The Indiana Wildlife Federation will convene a discussion with the conservation groups after the session to make recommendations to the Natural Resources Summer Study Committee for 2010 to revisit the logjam permit process and try to re-insert DNR authority. Coordination of permits with IDEM and the Corps of Engineers and DNR to expedite the timeline for logjam permits should be the goal with adequate time for assessing fish and wildlife impacts.

The Amended version of HB 1232 language puts the DNR Emergency Rule permanently into statute. Click here to see the new HB 1232 that is advancing to the Senate Floor.

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March 8, 2010

Only a handful of our bills are still active. Three out of the four should be passed soon, and legislators are working out a few issues with SB 313 Net metering in conference committee.


ACTION
313: Net metering In conference committee
1040: Lake management work group Ready for enrollment
1064: Donations for feeding the hungry with venison Awaits Gov. Daniels's signature
1232: Logjam removal Ready for enrollment

Click on the bill number above, or check below for more details about the bills and commentary from IWF and ISR.

Indiana Wildlife Federation Bill Watch

0313 Net metering
Author: Sen. Merritt, Gard
House cosponsors: Dvorak, Lutz
Net metering. Requires an investor owned electric utility to offer net metering to certain customers that generate electricity from renewable energy resources. Establishes a billing method for net metering customers.
In conference committee

IWF ACTION-Testified in favor of bill and requested an increase in the total Kilowatts eligible for all classes of customers eligible for net metering and also supported an annual adjustment of bills to reflect credits for energy produced. INCA is supporting the DVORAK House version of net metering. The bill was amended to include a provision stating 4% of the electricity provided by electricity suppliers must come from wind power.

1040 Lake Management Work Group
Authors: Reps. Dembowski, Dodge
Senate cosponsors: Stutzman, Arnold
Lake management work group. Extends the final report date and expiration date of the lake management work group from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2012. Allows members of the work group who are not state employees to receive a per diem for attending a work group meeting.
Ready for enrollment (3/1/10)

HR 27 Study of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers, authored by Representatives Ruppel and Bischoff, was referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures. Restrictions on phosphorus in lawn fertilizers is one of INCA's priorities for 2010. The resolution will be sent to the Department of Natural Resources summer study committee. Learn more at IWF's phosphorus-free lawns homepage.



Indiana Sportsmen's Roundtable Bill Watch

1064 Donations for Feeding the Hungry with venison
Authors: Reps. Bischoff, Cheatham, and Blanton
Senate cosponsors: Mishler, R. Young, Lewis
Wild game donations. Establishes a procedure to collect voluntary donations when hunting licenses are sold. Specifies that the proceeds must be used to process donated wild game related to feeding the state's hungry. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the natural resources study committee.)
Awaits Governor Daniels's signature (3/2/10)

Sportsmen’s Roundtable recommended a mandatory one dollar fee be added to the DNR Summer Study Committee for venison processing for the hungry. The study committee endorsed this voluntary donation collection system. The Roundtable supports this bill as one more positive step to getting more deer taken and processed for feeding the hungry, but it is not expected to come close to meeting the demand for funding locker fees.

1232 Logjam removal
Authors: Reps. Dermody, Dembowski, Eberhart, Davis
Senate cosponsors: Charbonneau, Arnold, Bischoff
Removal of logjams in floodways. Provides that a permit is not required to remove a logjam or mass of wood debris that has accumulated in a river or stream.
Ready for enrollment (3/2/10)