HB 1036

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Provides that the executives of one or more counties may adopt ordinances designating their counties as members of a proposed watershed development commission and that the proposed watershed development commission is established as a legal entity with the counties as its members if it is recognized by the natural resources commission. Requires the natural resources commission, in deciding whether to recognize a proposed watershed development commission, to answer certain questions. Provides that a nonmember county may become a member of an established watershed development commission if its membership is accepted by the member counties and recognized by the natural resources commission. Requires the department of natural resources (department), with the approval of the natural resources commission, to certify the area of a member county that is within a watershed development commission's designated watershed. Sets forth certain flood control and drainage purposes for which a watershed development commission may be established. Requires a watershed development commission to develop a flood control and drainage plan for its designated watershed and grants a watershed development commission exclusive authority to perform drainage and flood control activities within the channel of the river that is the surface water outlet of the commission's designated watershed. Provides for a watershed development commission to be governed by a board that includes the director of the department (or the director's designee) and one representative of each member county. Establishes an advisory committee for each watershed development commission to provide counsel to the board. Provides for the funding of a watershed development commission through an annual special assessment against each taxable parcel of real property that is located: (1) in a member county; and (2) within the designated watershed of the watershed development commission. Authorizes a member county to adopt any of three alternative methods of funding the watershed development commission. Authorizes a watershed development commission to give preference to an Indiana business over an out-of-state business in contracting for public works. Allows the Maumee River basin commission, the St. Joseph River basin commission, or the Upper Wabash River basin commission to be transformed into a watershed development commission if the county executives of all participating counties, by vote of at least two of the three members of the county executive, approve the proposed transformation.