State Rep. Matt Pierce appointed to 2015 legislative study committees

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) has been appointed to several legislative study committees that will meet in the coming months.

STATE REP. MATT PIERCE, Indiana House District 61, will be a member of the Interim Study Committee on Corrections & Criminal Code; the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications; the Interim Study Committee on Environmental Affairs; the Judicial Technology Oversight Committee; and the Lewis & Clark Expedition Commission.

The Interim Study Committee on Corrections & Criminal Code will review problems faced by offenders who are released from prison. In particular, the challenges of finding employment will be examined as will programs to encourage employers to hire offenders. In addition, adult protective services and other issues will be studied.

The Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications will study alternative energy production and broadband services in under-served areas.

The Interim Study Committee on Environmental Affairs will examine solid waste management districts and state laws affecting them. Water distribution systems in the Ohio, Wabash and White river basins will be studied to determine what is necessary to develop a plan to create a stable grid linking existing water distribution systems.

The Judicial Technology Oversight will conduct a continuous study of information technology applications for the state’s judicial system as well as develop a long-range strategy for technology and automation. The committee will then make recommendations to the Indiana Supreme Court about implementation of policies, rules and standards in order to make the most effective use of technology and automation in Indiana’s courts.

The duties of the Lewis & Clark Expedition Commission include educating Indiana citizens about the state’s important role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition as well as assisting in the planning and implementation of events commemorating the expedition’s bicentennial.