INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne), upon recommendation by Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville), has appointed State Senator Jim Lewis (D-Charlestown) to serve on the Water Resources Study Committee. The committee has been charged with studying the development of continuing education programs and uniform rules to preserve ground water by well drilling, pump installations, and well abandonment operations.

Additionally, Lewis serves on the Tobacco Farmers and Rural Community Impact Fund Advisory Board, State Fair Advisory Committee, Rail Corridor Safety Committee, Natural Resources Study Committee, Indiana Heritage Trust Committee, Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission, Joint Study Committee on Mass Transit and Transportation Alternatives, Military Base Planning Council and Advisory Council to the Bureau of Lands and Cultural Resources and Water and Resource Regulation.

Other topics assigned for review this year by the General Assembly include the following:

Education: The Interim Study Committee on Education will address issues including early school start dates, the need for after-school programming, and the funding and availability of state-sponsored, locally administered adult education programs.

School funding: A separate Interim Study Committee on the School Funding Formula has been formed to review the existing formula and make determinations on how the formula could be adapted to better accommodate the needs of Indiana's schools.

Unemployment fund oversight: The Unemployment Insurance Oversight Committee was established this year to provide legislative review and recommendations to improve the solvency of the trust fund for the state's unemployment benefits.

Gaming: The Interim Study Committee on Gaming will review a number of issues including land-based gaming, the relocation of Gary riverboats, and non-smoking accommodations in riverboat casinos and racinos.

Victim's compensation: The Sentencing Policy Study Committee has been assigned, among other topics, with the review of the delayed payment of claims from the Victim Compensation Fund administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Alcohol sales: The Interim Study Committee on Alcoholic Beverage Issues will review the sale and distribution process of alcohol in Indiana, presumably including the debate over Sunday sales.

Recommendations from these committees are often the basis for future legislation. More information about committee topics, schedules and agendas is available online at www.in.gov/legislative/interim.

For more information on Sen. Lewis, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business, call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.IN.gov.

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