NEWS RELEASE
06.29.05

Contact: Jamie Jorczak (317)232-9524
jjorczak@iga.state.in.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Garton Appoints Members to 4 Study Committees

(STATEHOUSE) Senate President Pro Tempore Robert D. Garton (R-Columbus) has appointed members to four legislative interim study committees. Senate Minority Floor Leader Richard D. Young (D-Milltown) made recommendations to Garton regarding the appointments of Senate Minority Caucus members.

Senator Brent Steele (R-Bedford) will chair the Interim Study Committee on Motor Vehicle Issues. This panel was created by the Legislative Council in response to questions raised after the Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced two dozen license branch closings. The committee will study license branch siting criteria required by state law and the administration of those criteria when a branch is closed. Members also will review the procurement and implementation criteria for the State Tracking and Record System (STAR) information technology by the BMV, as well as staff hiring patterns and other BMV personnel management issues. Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn), Sen. Gary Dillon, M.D. (R-Pierceton), Sen. Allie Craycraft (D-Selma), Sen. Earline Rogers (D-Gary) and Sen. Connie Sipes (D-New Albany) also will serve on the committee.

Sen. Richard Bray (R-Martinsville) will serve as vice-chairman of the Interim Study Committee on Eminent Domain. This committee was created in House Enrolled Act 1063-2005. Members will study the use of eminent domain, especially where the proposed use of the property being acquired by eminent domain does not relate directly to providing a governmental service or fulfilling a governmental responsibility but is, rather, a commercial use. Sen. Jeff Drozda (R-Westfield), Sen. Vic Heinold (R-Kouts), Sen. Anita Bowser (D-Michigan City), Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) and Sen. Frank Mrvan (D-Hammond) also will serve on the committee.

Sen. Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake) will serve as vice-chair of the Interim Study Committee on Fire Safety Issues. The committee will review building, fire and equipment laws, as well as fire safety in dorms and senior care facilities. Sen. Marvin Riegsecker (R-Goshen), Sen. Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood), Sen. Larry Lutz (D-Evansville), Sen. Glenn Howard (D-Indianapolis) and Sen. Allie Craycraft (D-Selma) also will serve on the committee.

Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne) will chair the Interim Study Committee on Public Security and Regulatory Matters. This committee will study Boxing Commission regulations; public safety, homeland security and identification issues; and identity theft. Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield), Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson), Sen. Sam Smith (D-East Chicago) and Sen. Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) also will serve on the committee.

Appointments to other commissions, committees and task forces will be announced over the next few weeks.

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Jamie Jorczak
Communications Director
Indiana Senate Majority Caucus
 
ph: (317)232-9524 or 1-800-382-9467
fax: (317)232-9664
 
www.in.gov/senate_republicans