Bill Text: IN SR0066 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urging study of mineral extraction and severance in the state of Indiana.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-24 - First reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources [SR0066 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SR0066-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION to urge the legislative council to
assign to the Natural Resources Study Committee the subject of
mineral extraction and severance in the state of Indiana.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
A SENATE RESOLUTION to urge the legislative council
to assign to the Natural Resources Study Committee the subject
of mineral extraction and severance in the state of Indiana.
Whereas, Indiana enjoys a rich history of minerals such
as coal, aggregate, gypsum, peat, methane, petroleum, oil,
and natural gas;
Whereas, There has been an increased volume of
extraction and severance of Indiana minerals;
Whereas, 38 states have some extraction and severance
tax in law, including Indiana which enacted a petroleum
severance tax in 1947;
Whereas, Indiana has approximately 57 billion tons of
unmined coal, of which nearly 17 billion tons is recoverable
using current technology. Based on current production rates,
Indiana's 17 billion tons of available coal could last more
than 500 years;
Whereas, Every state with mineral wealth, except
Pennsylvania, imposes a severance tax to compensate
residents for the removal of nonrenewable resources;
Whereas, The severance tax is an important source of
state and local revenue to support services such as
education, health care, environmental protection, early
childhood education, and support for persons with
disabilities;
Whereas, Each natural gas well drilled requires 800 to
2,000 heavy truck trips to transport heavy drilling rigs and
water tankers to the site. This increased traffic requires
frequent road reconstruction and bridge repair. Extraction
industries are historically nomadic and boom-like, imposing
social costs on rural communities including increased
demand for public safety services and rapidly rising housing
costs; and
Whereas, The standing committee responsible for natural
resource policy requires a clear and comprehensive
understanding of the regulatory process and the challenges
faced by Indiana counties and their constituents: Therefore,
SECTION 1. The Indiana Senate urges the legislative council to
assign to the Natural Resources Study Committee the subject of
extraction and severance of minerals in the state of Indiana.
SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to
transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Executive Director of the
Legislative Services Agency.
