SB0278: Indiana geological and water survey advisory council.

Legislative Summary

Indiana geological and water survey advisory council. Establishes, rather than allows the president of Indiana University to appoint, a geological and water survey advisory council (council). Increases the number of members from nine to 11 and specifies who shall serve on the council. Requires the state geologist to serve as secretary of the council. Provides that the state geologist may cast the deciding vote to break a tie. Requires the council to meet quarterly. Establishes the center for water within the Indiana geological and water survey (survey) at Indiana University for the purpose of: (1) carrying out the survey's statutory duties concerning Indiana's water resources; (2) supporting long term studies of the state's water resources; and (3) upon request, providing resources to state agencies, municipalities, and soil and water conservation groups. Establishes the center for energy within the survey for similar purposes with respect to Indiana's natural energy resources. Allows the Indiana board of licensure for professional geologists (board) to elect a secretary who is not a member of the board. (Current law requires that the secretary of the board be elected from among the members of the board.) Increases the number of times the board is required to meet to at least two times each year. Allows a licensed professional geologist to request an informal review not more than 30 days after receiving a complaint. (Current law requires the request for an informal review to be made within 20 days.) Provides that if the board compels a licensed professional geologist to respond to a complaint or charges, the notification must be sent by certified mail and the response must be in writing. Allows a geologist who is licensed in another state to be licensed in Indiana if the other state's standards are substantially equal to Indiana's requirements. Requires a licensed professional geologist to obtain continuing education in the geological sciences as a condition of license renewal. Specifies that these continuing education requirements do not apply to a person who is not licensed as a professional geologist under Indiana law. Makes technical changes.