Establishes the Indiana state forest commission. Specifies the membership of the state forest commission. Requires the state forest commission to meet in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and to issue a written report establishing a plan for the management of the state forests for the 100 year period beginning in 2023. Provides that the state forest commission's plan must contain certain recommendations and must embody certain principles. Requires the state forest commission to set forth in its report the subjects discussed and issues raised concerning which the general assembly may choose to pass legislation. Requires the natural resources commission to adopt rules incorporating the state forest commission's determination about the percentage of state forest land falling within each of the three "priority use" categories. Requires the natural resources commission, every seven years, to conduct a review of the implementation of the state forest commission's plan and to adopt rules to revise the plan, as appropriate.
Sponsored bills
Establishes information that a hospital must submit to the state department of health (department) and the local plan commission before applying for zoning or a building permit for a construction project that will cost at least $50,000,000. Requires the department to post the information on the department's Internet web site.
Requires the state department of health (department) to establish a direct support professional registry (registry). Requires an authorized service provider that hires a direct support professional to submit certain information regarding the direct support professional to the department for inclusion in the registry, and requires the authorized service provider to submit updated information to the department when the direct support professional separates from employment with the authorized service provider. Requires the department to adopt rules to implement the registry, including rules to limit access to the registry to only authorized service providers. Provides that the registry must be operational not later than January 1, 2021.
Requires the board of a charter school to consist of at least two members who reside within the geographic boundaries of the school corporation in which the charter school is located. Requires that at least 50% of the public meetings of a charter school be held in the geographic boundaries of the school corporation in which the charter school is located. Requires a charter school and organizer to obtain an independent audit. Provides that, not later than July 1, 2021, and each July 1 thereafter, each charter school and organizer shall submit a report to the department of education (department). Requires the department and each charter school to post a copy of the report on their Internet web sites. Provides that, if the department finds that a charter school or organizer has misrepresented facts or committed fraud, waste, or abuse, the department shall issue findings and may make recommendations to the state board of education to take certain action. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study committee the task of studying matters regarding whether there: (1) is a need for new charter schools; and (2) should be a moratorium on establishing additional charter schools. Repeals a provision that provides that the professional growth experience points required to renew a practitioner license or an accomplished practitioner license be obtained through the completion of externships or certain other types of professional development.
Requires the legislative services agency to do the following: (1) Collect, review, and evaluate information concerning teacher pay matters. (2) Not later than December 31, 2020, submit a report regarding the information to the general assembly.
Beginning in 2022, requires that the department of education (department) annually report to the general assembly the number of students who pass the naturalization exam by at least 60% on their first attempt. Requires that the department post the passage rate on its Internet web site.
A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Randy Head upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the legacy of the Hulman-George family and celebrating the incoming leadership of Roger Penske and the Penske Corporation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR.
Eliminates the property tax exemption for property owned by an Indiana nonprofit corporation and used by that corporation in the operation of a hospital.
A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Bill Hart upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.