When Indiana’s part-time legislature is not in session, lawmakers serve on interim study committees that meet to review the state’s top issues, as identified by the General Assembly during the prior legislative session.
Study committee topics are assigned by the bipartisan Legislative Council, comprised of 16 voting members — eight from the Senate and eight from the House of Representatives.
Interim study committee hearings, which typically occur at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, can be viewed live online at iga.in.gov. This site also provides committee calendars and meeting agendas. Members of the public are welcomed to attend and testify. More information about topics that will be examined can be found here.
STATE SENATOR RANDY HEAD
State Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport) will serve on the following study committees, commission and council during the summer and fall months to help prepare for the 2018 session of the General Assembly:
- Interim Study Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
- Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary
- Executive Officers Compensation Advisory Commission
- Military Base Planning Council
“It is an honor to be a part of these committees, as they help my colleagues and I better understand issues facing our state,” Head said. “I am eager to address concerns related to government regulation in zoning and public safety, in addition to continuing to improve our business climate.”
Head represents District 18, which includes Cass, Fulton, Miami and portions of Carroll, Kosciusko and Marshall counties.
DISTRICT 17: State Rep. Jack Jordan
State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) was recently selected to serve on the Interim Study Committee on Education.
The committee will examine assigned topics, gather testimonies and recommend potential legislation for the 2018 legislative session.
“As a member of the Interim Study Committee on Education, I look forward to exploring educational opportunities that will help our Hoosier children continue to develop and succeed,” Jordan said. “This summer, lawmakers will also discuss opportunities on how to better prepare future educators for the classroom.”
This year Jordan served on the House Committee on Education, where he focused on passing a new law ensuring local school districts have more flexibility in managing their finances. Indiana invests over half of the state’s budget in K-12 education. By allowing transfers between an education fund and an operations fund, schools will now be able to direct more dollars where needed.
State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) represents House District 17, which includes all of Marshall County and a large portion of Fulton County.
DISTRICT 23: State Rep. Bill Friend
State Rep. Bill Friend
State Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) was recently named to two summer study committees, which examine assigned topics, gather testimonies and recommend potential legislation.
Friend is assigned to the Interim Study Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Interim Study Committee on Environmental Affairs.
“Study committees are the driving force behind many bills at the Statehouse,” Friend said. “Oftentimes we come across a situation or topic that needs to be studied over the course of several meetings to find the best solution, which can lead to proposed legislation. As agriculture continues to evolve, we must find ways to ensure Hoosier farmers can continue to responsibly compete nationally and globally.”
Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23, which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
SOURCE: News releases from Senator Randy Head, State Rep. Bill Friend and State Rep. Jack Jordan