Dvorak amendment promotes better Hoosier rivers

A successful amendment authored by State Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) improves a bill written to develop regional watershed commissions in Indiana by requiring scientific study, consideration for recreational uses of rivers, and preserving membership in the successful St. Joseph River Basin Commission. 

House Bill 1639 allows for the establishment of regional watershed development commissions, as well as the conversion of existing river basin commissions into WDCs. Dvorak’s amendment was accepted by the full House of Representatives on second reading.  

“The General Assembly created the St. Joseph River Basin Commission in 1988, and it has a solid track record of working to improve local water quality,” Dvorak said. “With todays amendment of House Bill 1639, our local river basin commission will be able to continue their good work with more resources than ever before. 

Dvorak’s amendment ensures the municipalities along the St. Joseph River will continue participation in watershed management.  It also ensures that watershed development commissions must encompass entire watersheds - not just fragments, and requires a scientific basis for any improvement efforts undertaken to address the rivers, including water quality, drinking water systems, stormwater management, flood control, drainage and recreation.

“The rivers of Indiana are an irreplaceable natural resource,” Dvorak said. “This step forward today will help ensure that the next generation will be able to enjoy watersheds that are even healthier than the ones we have now.”

Dvorak amendment sanctioning Russia for Ukraine invasion headed to governor

Indiana could become the first American state to ban purchases of property by Russian-controlled businesses after the passage of State Representative Ryan Dvorak’s (D-South Bend) amendment to Senate Bill 388, which passed both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly on Tuesday.

Dvorak’s amendment prohibits businesses organized in, or controlled by citizens of, the Russian Federation from purchasing real estate in Indiana for one year. It unanimously passed the House of Representatives last month. The language was clarified in conference committee this week to specify that the moratorium does not apply to Russian citizens who are already legal residents of the United States.

“With this legislation, Indiana has taken the lead in fighting back against the global reach of Russian money laundering which props up a corrupt oligarchy that threatens violence across the world,” Dvorak said. “There is more work to be done, but denying the criminals a place to hide their assets is an important first step. Indiana will not be a safe haven for Vladimir Putin’s ill-gotten gains.”

Dvorak thanked legislators from both parties and both chambers for their bipartisan work on the legislation: “I was very happy to witness the bipartisan commitment to stopping Russian criminality and doing our small part to help to defeat the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“This important step is not the end,” Dvorak said. “I hope that other states will follow suit and that we are able to work together in the next legislative session to create permanent systems that stop the corrosive influence of state-based money laundering.”

If signed by Governor Eric Holcomb, the law will go into effect on July 1, 2022, and ban Russian-controlled entities from purchasing real property in Indiana. It is scheduled to expire in one year but could be extended if necessary.  

The final conference committee report for SB 388 passed the House 96-0 and passed the Senate 49-1 on Tuesday.

Dvorak amendment to punish Russia for Ukraine invasion passes

Several hours after the commencement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, State Representative Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) today offered two amendments to Senate Bill 388, which deals with foreign gifts and ownership of agricultural land. 

Dvorak’s amendment to prohibit businesses associated with the Russian Federation from purchasing real estate in Indiana unanimously passed the House of Representatives. 

"The Russian Federation is a kleptocracy that launders its money through real estate transactions all over the world," said Dvorak. "Our message today is that Indiana will not be a safe haven for ill-gotten Russian funds, nor for its oligarchs trying to find financial shelter in the wake of Putin's unconscionable invasion of Ukraine."

A second amendment offered by Dvorak would have required the State of Indiana to divest all pension assets from Russian-controlled businesses, but it was ruled out of order by a vote on procedural germaneness to the bill.

"Indiana invests nearly $40 billion dollars in public pension assets – and not one cent of that money should go toward propping up Russia's tyrannical regime," said Dvorak, a long-time critic of Putin's policy in Ukraine, who first filed language to divest pensions funds from Russia in 2017.

"While I am disappointed that the House did not pass divestment legislation today, I am encouraged that I have received bipartisan support for working on new legislation going forward. And the amendment that did pass with unanimous support barring Russian real estate investment in Indiana sets an important precedent that I hope other states will soon follow."