February 17, 2018
HEC enews winter trees
What the HEC is Happening in the Statehouse?
CALL TO ACTION SUMMARY
As Senate bills get heard in the Indiana House, and House bills get heard in the Indiana Senate, HEC remains your watchful eyes: Please be sure to call key State Reps. below to support redistricting reform (SB 326) & a solar energy reform bill (SB 207), and to call key State Senators to oppose a bill that undermines our lakes & rivers (HB 1096). There are also still opportunities to speak up for old growth forests!
1.) In the Senate: Protect Our Lakes and Rivers From Stormwater Pollution
I-69 Construction
HB 1096 would increase sediment pollution -- a major source of contamination of our rivers & lakes -- by reducing requirements to control construction site run-off. Please view our fact sheet here .

Status: HB 1096 will be heard in the Senate Environmental Committee on Monday, February 19th.

TAKE ACTION:

Find out if your State Senator is on the Senate Environmental Committee .  If your Senator is, please urge them to oppose the bill. If they are not on the Committee, then contact the Committee Chair Doug Eckerty and urge Sen. Eckerty to oppose HB 1096.
2.) In the House: Help Make Redistricting Reform and Solar Policy Reform a Reality

SB 326 enacts first-ever standards for writing legislative maps , and it is a bill that HEC supports.

Status : SB 326 will be heard in the House Elections Committee on Wednesday, February 21st at 3:30 pm ET. Please attend this special hearing to show your support for reform!

SB 207 replaces heavy-handed prohibitions by Homeowner Associations on solar panels with reasonable standards ; it strikes the right balance between the authority of Homeowner Associations and the rights of property owners.

Status : It is uncertain if SB 207 will be heard; the last possible date for a hearing is February 26th.

TAKE ACTION:

Right now, we really need your help with a small group of State Representatives.  

a.) On SB 326, find out if your State Rep is on the House Elections Committee .  If your Rep is, please urge them to support the bill. If they are not on the Committee, then contact the Committee Chair Milo Smith and urge Smith to support SB 326 and an independent redistricting commission.

b.) On SB 207, find out if your State Rep is on the House Judiciary Committee .  If your Rep is, please urge them to support the bill. If they are not on the Committee, then contact the Committee Chair Greg Steuerwald and urge Steuerwald to hear and support SB 207.

c.) On SB 207, we also need your help in a different way. Please let us know if your family, your relatives, your friends, your acquaintances, etc. have had any Indiana-based Homeowner Association-related headaches in your (or your networks') efforts -- or potential efforts -- to install solar panels.  We want to hear your stories! They will be crucial to share with lawmakers. Please contact us at comments@hecweb.org .
3.) Keep Speaking Up for Old Forests with Both Your Reps and Senators

Legislative champions for protection of old forest areas in Indiana's State Forests are still considering options for moving forest protection legislation this session. 

TAKE ACTION:

Please continue contacting your state senator and state representative and urge their support for this critically-important legislation.  

The legislature is expected to conclude its 2018 session by March 14th if not earlier, so your emails are needed during the Feb. 17th-18th weekend, and your calls and emails are needed during the week of Feb. 19th. And if you're attending a Third House or Meet Your Legislators event, please thank the legislators who have co-sponsored or voted for old forest legislation, and urge those who didn't to vote YES at their next opportunity.   
4.) Learn about Some of the Other Bills We Are Engaged On

HB 1289 seeks to eliminate local control of timber harvesting and mining on private land.  HEC's Position : Opposed. Status of the Bill: No Committee Meeting Scheduled as of Feb. 16th.

HB 1318 seeks to eliminate a longstanding protection against landfills being built within a half-mile of residential areas. HEC's Position : Opposed. Status of the Bill: No Committee Meeting Scheduled as of Feb. 16th.

Thank you for your calls and emails, in weeks past, to oppose these two bills! We will keep you informed on what is going on, and will let you know of future opportunities to take action!
5.) Take Part in Upcoming Trainings, Workshops, and Town Hall Meetings
Want to magnify your impact for Indiana's environment, but not sure how to do it? 

a.) Hear HEC speak at the following workshops!


b.) You can also talk with your legislators by attending town hall meetings (called "Third House" events); these are happening across Indiana in the coming weeks! Please be sure to talk about the issues that we have been raising in our weekly e-blasts (i.e., "What the HEC is Happening at the Statehouse?"), from forests to solar to redistricting to protecting our rivers & streams from factory farm waste and stormwater pollution.

Feb. 16 Fort Wayne
Feb. 16 South Bend
Feb. 17 Lafayette
Feb. 17 Garrett
Feb. 19 Columbus
Feb. 23 Kokomo
Feb. 24 Logansport
Feb. 26 Columbus
Feb. 26 Danville
Feb. 26 Anderson

Please let us know if you encounter Third House meetings in your communities -- by looking at your newspaper, e-news from your local Chamber or local Farm Bureau, etc. -- and contact our  Outreach Coordinator so that we can add these to our website's calendar.

c.) If you would like to learn more about anticipated bills this upcoming legislative session and would like to read talking points to help you engage with your representative and senator, please visit our  Bill Watch 2018 page .
 
Hoosier Environmental Council | 317-685-8800 | comments@hecweb.org | www.hecweb.org