STATEHOUSE (March 14, 2017) – The Indiana House of Representatives supported State Rep. Bill Friend’s (R-Macy) legislation providing local governments more options to maintain war memorials Tuesday with a vote of 92-0.
Senate Bill 456 would allow a city or county the flexibility to sell or donate a locally owned war memorial to a non-profit organization to maintain the necessary upkeep.
“This legislation is especially important to Logansport,” Friend said. “The city and county jointly own the Cass County Memorial Center, which has fallen into disrepair. The building does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and is in need of other necessary repairs to remain up-to-code. This legislation would give Logansport and Cass County a chance find an organization with the means to restore, preserve and maintain this historic memorial.”
Under this proposal, a non-profit would take possession of the property, and agree to maintain and improve the property as a war memorial. Friend said this could save taxpayer dollars by removing maintenance expenses from local governments. If the organization ceases to exist or can no longer properly care for the memorial, ownership would revert back to the original local government unit.
This legislation was not amended by the House and can now be considered by the governor for further action. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about Senate Bill 456.
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State 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.
