Enrolled Act, House Bill 1203

First Regular Session 116th General Assembly (2009)

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HOUSE ENROLLED ACT No. 1203

AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. IC 15-16-10 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]:
     Chapter 10. Invasive Species Council
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "council" refers to the invasive species council established by section 3 of this chapter.
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the invasive species council fund established by section 12 of this chapter.
    Sec. 3. The invasive species council is established within the Purdue University School of Agriculture.
    Sec. 4. (a) The council has the following duties:
        (1) Recommend:
            (A) priorities for projects;
            (B) funding; and
            (C) rules and laws;
        concerning invasive species to the appropriate governmental agencies and legislative committees.
        (2) Recommend a lead state agency to:
            (A) develop an invasive species inventory for each invasive species taxon; and
            (B) develop and maintain a data management system for invasive species in Indiana.
        (3) Communicate with other states, federal agencies, and state and regional organizations to enhance consistency and effectiveness in:
            (A) preventing the spread of;
            (B) early detection of;
            (C) response to; and
            (D) management of;
        invasive species.
        (4) Coordinate invasive species education and outreach programs.
        (5) Convene or support an invasive species meeting at least once per biennium to provide information on best practices and pertinent research findings.
        (6) Assist governmental agencies in:
            (A) reviewing current invasive species policies and procedures; and
            (B) addressing any deficiencies or inconsistencies concerning invasive species policies and procedures.
        (7) Assist state agencies in reviewing the agencies' performance measures for accountability concerning the agencies' invasive species actions.
        (8) Receive reports from any governmental agency regarding actions taken on recommendations of the council.
        (9) Apply for grants.
        (10) Provide grants for education concerning or management of invasive species.
    (b) The council does not have any regulatory authority over invasive species or the authority to hear appeals of grievances.
    (c) The council may create advisory committees to provide information and recommendations to the council.
    (d) Beginning July 1, 2011, the council shall issue a written report to the natural resources study committee (IC 2-5-5-1) in every odd-numbered year. The report must include a summary of:
        (1) the council's activities;
        (2) the performance of the council's duties; and
        (3) efforts in the state to identify and manage invasive species.
The report may include recommendations of the council.
    Sec. 5. (a) The council consists of the following eleven (11) members:
        (1) The dean of the Purdue University College of Agriculture or the dean's designee, who shall act as secretary of the council.
        (2) The director of the Indiana state department of agriculture or the director's designee.
        (3) The commissioner of the Indiana department of transportation or the commissioner's designee.
        (4) The state veterinarian or the state veterinarian's designee.
        (5) An employee of the division of fish and wildlife who is designated by the director of the division of fish and wildlife to serve as the aquatic invasive species coordinator.
        (6) An employee of the division of entomology and plant pathology who is designated by the director of the division of entomology and plant pathology to serve as the terrestrial invasive species coordinator.
        (7) One (1) individual representing research on invasive species.
        (8) Two (2) individuals who represent organizations that are primarily concerned with any of the following:
            (A) The hardwood tree industry.
            (B) The horticulture industry.
            (C) The agriculture industry.
            (D) The aquaculture industry.
        (9) Two (2) individuals who represent organizations or local governmental agencies primarily concerned with any of the following:
            (A) Land trusts.
            (B) Biodiversity conservation.
            (C) Aquatic conservation.
            (D) Local parks and recreation.
    (b) The governor shall appoint the members under subsection (a)(7) through (a)(9).
    (c) The council shall annually elect a member to serve as chairperson of the council.
    Sec. 6. (a) The term of a member of the council appointed under this chapter is three (3) years.     (b) The term of each member of the council continues until a successor has been appointed.
    (c) The appointing authority who appointed a member of the council may remove the member for cause.
    Sec. 7. (a) If there is a vacancy on the council, the appointing authority who appointed the member whose position is vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy. The appointing authority shall appoint a member not later than sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs.
    (b) The member appointed under this section shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
    Sec. 8. Members of the council shall serve without compensation. Subject to the availability of money in the fund, members who are not state or county employees are entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided in the Purdue University travel policies and procedures established by the Purdue University department of transportation and approved by the Purdue University vice president of business services.
    Sec. 9. Six (6) members of the council constitute a quorum.
    Sec. 10. (a) The council shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting each year at a date, place, and time to be set by the chairperson.     (b) The chairperson may call special meetings of the council.
    Sec. 11. The Purdue University School of Agriculture shall provide administrative assistance to the council.
     Sec. 12. (a) The invasive species council fund is established as a separate fund in the Purdue University treasury to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The fund shall be administered by the council.
    (b) The fund consists of any of the following:
        (1) Grants.
        (2) Appropriations.
        (3) Gifts and donations.
    (c) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund.
    (d) The Purdue University treasurer shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds may be invested. Interest that accrues from these investments must be deposited in the fund.
    (e) Money in the fund may be used for purposes set forth in this chapter and to meet the expenses of administering this chapter.
    (f) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund.
    Sec. 13. This chapter expires July 1, 2015.