State Senator Lonnie M. Randolph (D-East Chicago) has been appointed to serve on the following interim study committees: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Commerce and Economic Development; Courts and the Judiciary; Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications; Fiscal Policy; and Public Policy.
One topic in particular being discussed in the Interim Study Committee on Commerce and Economic Development is of specific interest to Sen. Randolph.
“This summer we’ll be looking at how to maximize the underutilized economic resources of Gary, Indiana,” Sen. Randolph said. “This is of course something I am excited about as I know that whatever the legislature comes up with will surely help enrich the lives of Hoosiers not only in my district, but across the state.”
Sen. Randolph is also glad that the Interim Study Committee on Fiscal Policy will be looking over ways in which the legislature can ensure the integrity of the 529 college savings plan.
“When the legislature came back for the special session in May, we passed a few tax bills that may have had some implications on our state’s college savings plan,” Sen. Randolph said. “I am encouraged that we will be taking a closer look at just how much the 529 plan was affected and what steps can be taken to ensure families are able to continue to prepare financially for their children to attend a post-secondary institution.”
The Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary will be studying issues within the Department of Child Services, amongst other topics.
“With the independent report on the Department of Child Services being released, I am interested in reviewing the recommendations set out by the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group,” Sen. Randolph said. “Specifically, we need to look at the rate of DCS cases that are ending up in the court system and the lack of diversity of the court magistrates.”
Aside from legislative interim committees, Sen. Randolph has also been appointed to serve as a member of the following committees, commissions and councils: Alcohol Code Revision Committee; Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations; Courts and the Judiciary Probate Subcommittee; and the Tourism Coun cil.
Every summer the Indiana General Assembly forms study committees and commissions to explore a variety of topics concern- ing the bills and laws from the past session. The recommendations from these studies are likely to be a blueprint for bills proposed in the upcoming session.
