SB 271 Summary

• Legislature directs the legislative council to assign an appropriate committee to conduct a 2014 interim study on Indiana's water resources management, effective April 1, 2014.

• Committee must receive testimony from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission regarding its findings and recommendations on water resources.

• Committee must examine water resource availability's impact on state and regional economic development, and ways state and local government agencies can better coordinate water management activities.

• Committee must address unique water challenges facing rural Indiana and agriculture, including aquifer withdrawals, surface water concerns, and inter-basin transfers.

• Committee must study key elements for a state water plan and evaluate potential creation of a water institute and water management authority; all study responsibilities expire December 31, 2014.