Indiana House endorses DNR reforms championed by Kersey

INDIANAPOLIS – Through the extensive efforts of State Rep. Clyde Kersey (D-Terre Haute), the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be able to make various changes to their current statutes.

The Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1307, coauthored by Kersey, which offers a series of updates to current DNR laws.

“This is the big bill that the DNR brings to us each year that has all of the corrections in the law that needs to be changed, based on the events of the previous year,” said Kersey.

“It’s an all-encompassing bill that addresses numerous issues in our environment, including a provision that addresses invasive species and allows people to take Asian carp from the Wabash River.”

The bill also looks to make minor corrections in the law involving registering motor boats on Lake Michigan to make sure Indiana is in line with other states and their laws.

Kersey has also coauthored House Bill 1050, which looks to award special circumstance hunting safety cards to individuals with developmental disabilities.

“Since young people with developmental disorders are not able to take the test that others are required to have a hunting license, this card enables them to hunt with their parents or another adult, as long as they are closely supervised,” Kersey said.

The bill mandates that the supervising individual must be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid hunting license in addition to remaining in close enough proximity to monitor the special circumstance hunter’s activities at all times.

“We are here to help people and this bill helps people,” said Kersey. “A parent who has a child with developmental disabilities who wants to hunt with them wouldn’t be able to under current law, so this allows for families to participate in this activity together.”

Both bills now move to the Senate for further action.