Noxious weed seeds? Green jobs galore? Some environmental bills are still alive at the Indiana statehouse

From protecting the state's forests to regulating confined livestock farms to establishing renewable energy standards, there were many bills that environmental advocates watched introduced and then quickly die.

That said, there are still a few bills before the legislature that green Hoosiers may want to pay attention to. Sure, they might not be as flashy as Sunday beer sales or the CBD oil debate, but they could have implications for the health and safety of Hooisers — assuming they can make it to the governor's desk.

Here's a quick look:

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►Dead or alive: Where more than 40 proposed laws stand at the Indiana legislature.

►Poll: Hoosiers choose environment over economy

Green jobs study

How do we learn if we don't know what we don't know? That's the essence of SB 286, which would require the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs to conduct a study to determine growth potential for low-carbon and green industries in Indiana. Nationwide, renewable energy sectors are among the fastest growing industries — solar jobs alone grew 168 percent since 2010 — so it's no surprise that the legislature might be wondering how much Indiana could be capitalizing on the growth.

►More: Indiana added 93 percent fewer solar jobs in 2017.

Homeowners associations and solar power

It's a phenomenon happening quietly all over Indiana: Homeowners will finally take the plunge and make plans to install solar panels on their roofs, only to be waylaid by their homeowner's association's rules. SB 207 would prohibit HOAs from imposing new rules regarding solar energy systems after June 30.

►Background: HOAs rain on homeowners' solar parade, residents' property rights

Water task force

Both the house and the senate have proposed the creation of a water infrastructure task force. The bills are slightly different, but both would require the task force to study drinking and wastewater systems in Indiana and to develop a long-term plan to address water quality and management issues. A main difference between the bills is the size of the task force. The senate's version would consist of nine members — two from each chamber and five governor's appointees. The house version outlines a 15-member task force, with two members from each chamber, six governor's employees, and five ex officio members, who are typically members of the public with a particular expertise or interest.

►Contaminants in Indy water raise some concern, new report shows

►Toxic coal ash is leaking into Indiana's water

Bad weeds

Another one-two punch from both chambers takes aim at weeds. The senate version would add waterhemp, palmer amaranth and other types of amaranth seeds to the seed commissioner's list of restricted noxious weed seeds. The house version would likewise add palmer amaranth and waterhemp, as well as marestail and poison hemlock. While it may seem odd as a legislative priority, these plants can spread quickly and can pose major problems for farmers.

►Also invasive: Meet the Asian longhorned beetle

Taking sand from the bed of Lake Michigan

This bill is for those who, with permission from the DNR, take sand from the bed or from under the bed of Lake Michigan. The legislation would prohibit the permit-holder from depositing the sand anywhere except for the beach of Lake Michigan — that is, unless the permittee dredges fewer than 10 cubic yards (or 10 to 12 tons) within a 30-day period. In that case, the sand can be removed to another place and used however the permittee pleases.  

Underground storage tanks

Underground storage tanks can hold some nasty substances, which is why they're regulated by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. This bill, among other things, authorizes IDEM's commissioner to close an underground storage tank if the owner of the tank has failed to take corrective action from previous IDEM orders or if the tank has been subjected to multiple, consecutive actions from IDEM.

►Danger zone: Indiana ranks sixth in the nation for toxic chemical production.

St. Joseph River Basin commission

This commission, which was established by the general assembly in 1988, overseas water quality and conservation issues in the most northeast tip of the state. HB 1089 provides some framework for how the commission can function, including authorizing it to employ staff. It also authorizes the commissioners or someone authorized by the commission to inspect private property for any suspected violations of flood control laws if the land is within the 100-year flood plain of any watercourse in the basin — but not before the landowner has received three-weeks notice. It would also allow the owner to appeal before the inspection took place, and would require the commission to hold a hearing on the appeal.

Emily Hopkins covers the environment for IndyStar. Contact them at (317) 444-6409 or emily.hopkins@indystar.com. Follow them on Twitter: @_thetextfiles.

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.