Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) today announced his appointment of former State Sen. Beverly Gard to chair the Alcohol Code Revision Commission established by the General Assembly’s Legislative Council earlier this year.
Gard retired from the Indiana Senate in 2012 after 24 years of service. During her Senate tenure, she chaired the Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Governmental and Regulatory Affairs. Since leaving the Senate, Gard has been appointed by the Governor to Chair the Indiana Environmental Rules Board and has served as a lay member on multiple legislative study committees. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission.
“Bev Gard is a nationally respected former state legislator who brings a wealth of experience in public service to this important role,” Long said. “She is fair-minded and has proven herself to be a smart, effective leader during her extensive service in the Indiana Senate and in several important public roles since leaving office. I’m honored to appoint her, and I look forward to the commission’s efforts getting underway.”
The Alcohol Code Revision Commission is charged with undertaking a comprehensive review of Indiana’s alcohol laws and submitting recommendations to the General Assembly. The commission will divide its work over two years, with a focus this year on reform recommendations for the retail sector of Indiana’s alcohol statutes.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve our state in this new capacity,” Gard said. “I intend to take a comprehensive and unbiased approach to the considerable task this commission has been assigned. I’m hopeful the work we do will result in common-sense reforms that promote public safety and benefit all Hoosiers.”
Once the commission’s remaining members are appointed, Gard will work with the members to schedule the commission’s first meeting. Dates, times and locations for the commission’s meetings will be posted here: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/
