COUNT US!  County Under New Terrain I=69
House Bill 1022 
(The final sentence of this bill is: "SECTION 8. An emergency is declared for this act."  We assume this means this bill is on the fast track.)

We present the bill below, but first we share this letter that we wrote to our State Senator:

January 14, 2005

Dear Senator John Waterman,

    As an Indiana Businessman of 30 years who was offended by INDOT's targeting of my home by one of the non-selected I-69 routes.  I have spent the past 2-1/2 years documenting I-69 as an Economic Boondoggle.  I hope you might visit the COUNT US! website that I have helped develop in those years, http://www.i69tour.org

    Those who refuse to grant a hearing to the opposition, as was the case with Joe Kernan, are destined to be ignorant.  A business approach to government should include listening to opponents as well as highway boosters.  Perhaps you can convince others to become more widely informed.

    I am writing to you because I am very upset about HB1022 regarding Crane encroachment.    I hope you will consider these facts as the HB 1022 makes it your way. 

    You will surely be aware of this bill as it would include in your duties a new 17 person county level homeland security position.

    We have to wonder, does the Crane Brass really want to be a week to week power of veto over every county zoning / building proposal, with the focused anger of land owners "denied" on an ongoing basis, or are we overlooking something bigger and more obvious?.... I-69.

    We find the State's interest in preserving Crane disingenuous given the State's/ INDOT's own proposal to build I-69 some thousands of yards from the two most vulnerable sides of the base.  http://www.i69tour.org/cranezone.html

Please consider.

Regarding encroachment:


I-69, 3 was the route that was developed to maximize development to Crane at a time when we all thought bringing development to the Crane Base gates would be "good".  This is a stated reason for choosing 3C in the conclusion of the TIER 1 EIS/ ROD for  the Evansville to Indianapolis I-69 study.

Enlightenment regarding BRAC concerns of encroachment have lead to a Band-Aid repair of this mistaken route selection.  I-69 will be the encroachment engine, but the county government and county residence are being regulated out of their property value while the State of Indiana refuses to even consider that perhaps Alternative 1, US-41 and I-70 is again proving to have been the wiser choice.
  •  The more popular US41/I70 and this less expensive routing of I-69, would serve a regional planning section of the state with far lower income per capita.  http://www.i69tour.org/greedy.html 
  • It could be built faster with less court fighting and eminent domain issues.  It could be built cheaper with a documented construction savings of $800 million to $1Billion.  Reduction in duplication of roads would result in more long term savings.


Regarding Terrorism:


I-69 aka Corridor 18 is already designated a NAFTA corridor if built.   As such, based on current implementation of the NAFTA treaty, it would be subject to the shared regulations of all three member states, the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The United States of America is currently in a Declared State of War on Terrorism as a result of 9-11.

One-Hundred percent of the 9-11 Terrorists entered the USA through Canada.

Crane is our nations largest storage facility for weapons. 

One nightmare scenario: Perhaps a nuclear weapon delivered by truck to the Crane base and detonated could result in a 9-11 like multiplying effect, creating a mid-America, "Dirty Bomb".

Surely post 9-11 some conversation of the wisdom of the 3C routing of I-69 is in order and necessary.  Regardless of the assurances of long standing proponents of I-69, almost anybody should be able to see the wisdom of one more step back to look over the scene.

Mitch Daniels has said of the INDOT that brought us the Record of Decision for I-69:
"We believe it (INDOT)  is one of Indiana's more troubled agencies, perhaps one of the worst-run in state government, and we were looking for somebody who brings unique business and operational skills and financial creativity for the big job ahead."
"
Daniels said he believed (new INDOT Commissioner) Sharp's business background would help bring order to an agency he described as plagued by excessive spending on consultants and non-construction related activities."

Among the department's other problems, Daniels noted, are chaotic management conditions and giving road and bridge projects priority based on politics rather than economic impact on the state.

Sharp, a Navy-trained civil engineer with 26 years of business management experience, said he has made a career of taking on big project challenges.

from The Indianapolis Star, Jan. 1, 2005: http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/206300-2296-098.html

Surely we don't have to continue to tow the O'Bannon line. 

As we look for State assets to sell, one of your constituents a Hoosier humorist sent this joke.

Dear Governor Daniels,

I have read with interest your proposals to sell State assets to raise needed funds.

I would go for a plan to offer Hoosiers a chance to invest in the opportunity to make I-69 simply go away. The state could sell an interstate without having to build it.  Anti-interstate bonds would be extremely popular in my neck of the woods, I’d buy $1,000 worth today if they existed. 


It also has better PR value than “Hoosier Garage Sale”.

Attached a possible promo.

Brian


To see the image that he provided, visit our I-69 joke page:  http://www.i69tour.org/jokes.html

Thank you,

John Smith
COUNT US!
and Bikesmiths bicycle shop
(contact information included)
END of Letter



So now, here is House Bill 1022.  Read it and get on the phone and call your legislator.  The House of Representatives is working on this bill now.
Who is your legislator?

House Bill 1022

2005 Regular Session

01/13/2005 10:25:21 PM EST

Latest Information

 
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL

Military base protection act. Establishes the military base planning council. Requires the council to study and report on issues related to military bases. Requires the department of environmental management to give priority to permit applications concerning operations that involve ordnance and other explosive materials at military bases. Provides immunity from civil liability for military bases for damages relating to: (1) noise that results from the operation of the military base that may be heard within two miles of the military base; and (2) interference with telecommunications that results from the operation of the military base and occurs within five miles of the military base. Requires a unit of local government to notify the commander of a military base located in the unit before the unit takes action concerning planning or zoning. Prohibits a unit of local government from taking action concerning planning or zoning that would have an adverse impact on the operation of a military base.

Current Status:
  Representative Welch, Borders and Woodruff added as coauthor
Latest Printing (PDF)




Action List: House Bill 1022

2005 Regular Session

01/13/2005 11:51:12 PM EST

Authors:  Koch, Borders, Welch, Woodruff

Date Chamber     Action
01/04/2005 H     Authored by Representative Koch
01/04/2005 H     First reading: referred to Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
01/06/2005 H     Representative Welch, Borders and Woodruff added as coauthor



Introduced Version






HOUSE BILL No. 1022

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 4-3-21; IC 13-11-2-129.6; IC 13-15-3-1.3; IC 34-6-2; IC 34-30-21; IC 36-7-30.1.

Synopsis: Military base protection act. Establishes the military base planning council. Requires the council to study and report on issues related to military bases. Requires the department of environmental management to give priority to permit applications concerning operations that involve ordnance and other explosive materials at military bases. Provides immunity from civil liability for military bases for damages relating to: (1) noise that results from the operation of the military base that may be heard within two miles of the military base; and (2) interference with telecommunications that results from the operation of the military base and occurs within five miles of the military base. Requires a unit of local government to notify the commander of a military base located in the unit before the unit takes action concerning planning or zoning. Prohibits a unit of local government from taking action concerning planning or zoning that would have an adverse impact on the operation of a military base.

Effective: Upon passage.





Koch




    January 4, 2005, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.







Introduced

First Regular Session 114th General Assembly (2005)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2004 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

HOUSE BILL No. 1022



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning military bases.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 4-3-21; (05)IN1022.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 4-3-21 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]:
     Chapter 21. Military Base Planning Council
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "council" refers to the military base planning council established by section 3 of this chapter.
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter,
"military base" means a United States government military installation that:
        (1) has an area of at least sixty thousand (60,000) acres; and
        (2) is used for the design, construction, maintenance, and testing of electronic devices and ordnance.

     Sec. 3. The military base planning council is established.
    Sec. 4. The council consists of the following members:
        (1) Each member of the house of representatives whose house district includes all or part of a military base.
        (2) Each member of the senate whose senate district includes all or part of a military base.

        (3) The lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's designee.
        (4) The adjutant general or the adjutant general's designee.
        (5) The commissioner of the department of environmental management or the commissioner's designee.
        (6) The commissioner of the Indiana department of transportation or the commissioner's designee.
        (7) The director of the state emergency management agency or the director's designee.
        (8) The following local government representatives:
            (A) One (1) member of the county executive of each county that contains all or part of a military base, appointed by the county executive.
            (B) One (1) member of the county fiscal body of each county that contains all or part of a military base, appointed by the county fiscal body.
            (C) One (1) member:
                (i) who is the executive of the municipality having the largest population in each county that contains all or part of a military base if that municipality is a city; or
                (ii) who is appointed from the membership of the fiscal body of that town, if a town is the municipality having the largest population in the county.
            (D) One (1) member of the legislative body of the municipality having the largest population in each county that contains a military base, appointed by the legislative body of that municipality.

    Sec. 5. (a) Each member of the council who is not a state employee is not entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is, however, entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
    (b) Each member of the council who is a state employee but who is not a member of the general assembly is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.

    (c) Each member of the council who is a member of the general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to legislative members of interim study committees established by the legislative council. Per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid under this subsection shall be paid from appropriations made to the legislative council or the legislative services agency.
    Sec. 6. The governor shall designate a member of the council to serve as chairperson of the council.
    Sec. 7. The council shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
    Sec. 8. The governor shall provide staff assistance as the council may require.
    Sec. 9. A member of the council who is a member of the general assembly is a nonvoting member.
    Sec. 10. The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting members of the council are required for the council to take action on any measure, including reports required in section 12 of this chapter.
    Sec. 11. The council shall do the following:
        (1) Identify the public infrastructure and other community support necessary:
            (A) to improve mission efficiencies; and
            (B) for the development and expansion;
        of military bases in Indiana.
        (2) Identify existing and potential impacts of encroachment on military bases in Indiana.
        (3) Identify potential state and local government actions that can:
            (A) minimize the impacts of encroachment on; and
            (B) enhance the long term potential of;
        military bases.
        (4) Identify opportunities for collaboration among:
            (A) the state, including the military department of the state;
            (B) political subdivisions;
            (C) military contractors; and
            (D) academic institutions;
        to enhance the economic potential of military bases and the economic benefits of military bases to the state.
        (5) Review state policies, including funding and legislation, to identify actions necessary to prepare for the United States Department of Defense Efficient Facilities Initiative scheduled

to begin in 2005.
        (6) Study how governmental entities outside Indiana have addressed issues regarding encroachment and partnership formation described in this section.
    Sec. 12. The council shall submit a report to the:
        (1) governor; and
        (2) legislative services agency;
not later than July 1 of each year. The report submitted to the legislative services agency must be in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.

SOURCE: IC 13-11-2-129.6; (05)IN1022.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 13-11-2-129.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 129.6. "Military base", for purposes of IC 13-15-3-1.3, means a United States government military installation that:
        (1) has an area of at least sixty thousand (60,000) acres; and
        (2) is used for the design, construction, maintenance, and testing of electronic devices and ordnance.

SOURCE: IC 13-15-3-1.3; (05)IN1022.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 13-15-3-1.3 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1.3. The department shall give priority to permit applications that concern:
        (1) military bases; and
        (2) the destruction, reclamation, recycling, reprocessing, or demilitarization of ordnance and other explosive materials.

SOURCE: IC 34-6-2-82.6; (05)IN1022.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 34-6-2-82.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 82.6. "Military base", for purposes of IC 34-30-21, means a United States government military installation that:
        (1) has an area of at least sixty thousand (60,000) acres; and
        (2) is used for the design, construction, maintenance, and testing of electronic devices and ordnance.

SOURCE: IC 34-6-2-142.6; (05)IN1022.1.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 34-6-2-142.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 142.6. "Telecommunications", for purposes of IC 34-30-21, means the transmission of any document, picture, datum, sound, or other symbol by television, radio, microwave, optical, or other electromagnetic signal.
SOURCE: IC 34-30-21; (05)IN1022.1.6. -->     SECTION 6. IC 34-30-21 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE

UPON PASSAGE]:
     Chapter 21. Military Bases: Immunity for Noise Pollution and Telecommunications Interference
    Sec. 1. This chapter does not grant immunity from civil liability to a person who commits an act that:
        (1) amounts to gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct; or
        (2) does not comply with an applicable federal law.
    Sec. 2. A military base, a person employed by a military base, or a person otherwise authorized by a military base to conduct operations on or use the military base is not liable for civil damages relating to noise or noise pollution that:
        (1) results from the normal operation or use of the military base, including the destruction of ordnance; and
        (2) may be heard within two (2) miles of the perimeter of the military base.
    Sec. 3. A military base, a person employed by a military base, or a person otherwise authorized by a military base to conduct operations on or use the military base is not liable for civil damages relating to interference with telecommunications that:
        (1) results from the normal operation or use of the military base; and
        (2) occurs within five (5) miles of the perimeter of the military base.

SOURCE: IC 36-7-30.1; (05)IN1022.1.7. -->     SECTION 7. IC 36-7-30.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]:
     Chapter 30.1. Planning and Zoning Affecting Military Bases
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "military base" means a United States government military installation that:
        (1) has an area of at least sixty thousand (60,000) acres; and
        (2) is used for the design, construction, maintenance, and testing of electronic devices and ordnance.
    Sec. 2. (a) Before a unit may take action to:
        (1) plan or regulate the:
            (A) use, improvement, and maintenance of real property; or
            (B) location, condition, and maintenance of structures and other improvements; or
        (2) regulate the platting and subdividing of real property;
in a zoning district, a zoning classification, or, if the unit does not have a plan commission, an area in which a military base is

located, the unit must notify the commander of the military base of the unit's intent to take action to ensure the action will not have an adverse impact on the operation of the military base.
     (b) The notice provided under subsection (a) must request that the commander of the military base respond to the notice:
        (1) with written recommendations and supporting facts concerning the action and its impact on the operation of the military base; and
        (2) not more than sixty (60) days after the date the commander receives the notice.
    (c) If the commander does not submit a response to the notice provided under subsection (a) not more than sixty (60) days after the date the commander receives the notice, the unit may presume that the action will not have an adverse impact on the operation of the military base.
    Sec. 3.
A unit may not take action to:
        (1) plan or regulate the:
            (A) use, improvement, and maintenance of real property; or
            (B) location, condition, and maintenance of structures and other improvements; or
        (2) regulate the platting and subdividing of real property;
in a zoning district, a zoning classification, or, if the unit does not have a plan commission, an area in which a military base is located, if the action will have an adverse impact on the operation of the military base.

SOURCE: ; (05)IN1022.1.8. -->     SECTION 8. An emergency is declared for this act.


Here is the likely model for this bill: The Establishment of  "a Maryland Military Installation Strategic Planning Council"
A Word file of that proposed bill, RTF or  Ch_335_hb0888E,
The html version of the proposed Maryland bill.