News Releases

Donato: Bill to allow conservancy district boards to meet electronically passes committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jesse Cordray, Press Secretary
Jesse.Cordray@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498

Emma Balzer, Press Secretary Intern
Emma.Balzer@iga.in.gov

Donato: Bill to allow conservancy district boards to meet electronically passes committee

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 28, 2021) — A bill authored by State Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) that would allow conservancy district boards to meet electronically unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Local Government today.

Under current law, a conservancy district grants land owners the ability, through a circuit court process, to organize a special taxing district to solve specific local issues related to water resource management; however, the conservancy district's board of directors is required to meet in person.

Senate Bill 68 would allow a conservancy district board of directors to adopt rules that would allow directors joining a meeting virtually to be considered present, vote at the meeting and participate in any final action taken at the meeting electronically.

"Conservancy districts across the state have been forced to adapt due to COVID-19, and SB 68 makes those adaptations lawful," Donato said. "My hope is that SB 68 will encourage and ease participation in conservancy districts, further incentivizing land owners to enter into agreements that address their needs. In addition, I hope SB 68 increases transparency and accountability between boards of directors and their members."

SB 68 will now be considered by the full Senate. To learn more about SB 68, click here.

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