Legislation extending Invasive Species Council signed into law

Jim Baird

Legislation authored by District 44 State Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) -- House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1501 --- allows the Invasive Species Council to continue to operate until July 2023.

The Council will potentially be able to make a greater impact on the control of invasive species of Indiana now as HEA 1501 passed unanimously out of the Indiana House and Senate and was recently signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence.

"The Invasive Species Council monitors invasive aquatic and terrestrial species and pathogenic organisms impacting the ecological systems in our state," Rep. Baird said. "This bill extends the life of this council to address issues posed by invasive species, which could not only affect our crops, but our state and local economies as well. I am pleased this bill was signed into law."

The Invasive Species Council is made up of various state agencies, public sector experts and academia. Its goal is to create a larger conversation about invasive species in Indiana in order to track and combat them if necessary.

The council also created an app for smartphones, Great Lakes Early Detection Network, to make reporting invasive species of plants or wildlife easy for the public.

"This legislation will help the council continue to search for ways to control species that are harmful to their surrounding environment as well as various industries," Baird said.

For more information on HEA 1501, persons may visit iga.in.gov.

Rep. Baird represents all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.