As the legislative session continues, there are a few issues that I have been working to address. I authored a number of bills that I think would provide benefits to not only the people in our community, but Hoosiers across the state.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is derived from industrial hemp, which is a part of the cannabis family, but contains extremely low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. It is effective as a treatment for seizures in about 80 percent of cases. Unfortunately, parents are unable to pursue this option under current law. Right now, parents can be prosecuted because CBD oil is not legal under federal statute. House Bill 1148 would allow parents with an epileptic child to use CBD oil to treat seizures and be free from prosecution. My goal with this legislation is to assist desperate parents who have exhausted traditional options that often have dangerous side effects.
To be clear, I am not trying to legalize marijuana. My bill would only allow parents and physicians to treat children who suffer from seizures without fear of arrest and prosecution. Because there is such a low amount of THC, CBD oil cannot be used as a recreational drug. I strongly believe House Bill 1148 should pass, so parents who often feel they are in a hopeless situation have additional options to choose from. Many members of the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code were in agreement, and the bill has passed out of committee. This legislation can now be considered by the full House of Representatives.
On a separate issue, last year, the Indiana Hardwood Lumber Association (IHLA) came to me with concerns about transporting wood products in Indiana. I proposed House Bill 1447 to adjust the weight allowed in trucks hauling logs, sawdust, shavings or woodchips. This legislation would align the statute with the requirements already in the Indiana Code regarding the transport of agricultural commodities. Under current law, farmers are able to transport wheat, corn and beans 10 percent over the weight limit if a scale is not readily available. My legislation would treat wood products the same way.
You may be asking, “Why would a log truck likely be overweight?” The answer is simple. Oftentimes, a truck is loaded from the woodlot where there is no scale to weigh the truck. The same thing can happen when loading sawdust, woodchips or bark. Most trucks are close to the weight limit; however, without a scale, there is no way to be 100-percent accurate. The bill does not let overweight vehicles off the hook; it simply gives a small amount of leeway to trucks traveling from locations without scales. I have worked with IHLA, Indiana State Police, the railroads and the Indiana Motor Truck Association to find a compromise. Thank you to all these groups for their cooperation.
I also authored House Bill 1607 to improve the financial health of the state’s Recreational Trail Maintenance Fund. The fund would receive 10 percent of state sales tax collections on the first Saturday in June—which is National Trails Day. I am not a huge trail enthusiast, but I am an advocate for proper stewardship of assets developed in Indiana. The trail system is here in our community, and it is in need of maintenance. Trails are operated by multiple entities, and they have a common characteristic throughout the state: a lack of funds for maintenance and repairs.
My bill is as much a measure for trails and those who use them as it is for adjacent landowners and the wider community. Properly maintained trails benefit the surrounding neighborhoods and raise property values. A common complaint I receive is that the trails have no money for fixing fences, tiles or removing brush and trees on trails. With an ongoing funding source, the state’s trail maintenance fund can help address these issues. All of the trails eligible under the fund must be open to the general public. Ultimately, this measure will better ensure Indiana trails are safe, are not an eyesore but rather an asset for communities and, finally, that their maintenance is on a fiscally sound footing.
You can learn more about these bills and follow them through the legislative process online at iga.in.gov. You can also contact my office at 317-232-9981 or h23@iga.in.gov with any questions.
Stay in touch,
Bill
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Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
