Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, on the recommendation of Senate Democrat Leader Richard D. Young, has appointed state Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, to serve on several state study committees and commissions.

Lanane was selected to serve on:

- The Annexation Study Committee, which will study various annexation issues, including impact of allowing municipal annexation of whole or partial parcels of land, certain agreements between landowners and heirs concerning authority to remonstrate, establishment of boundaries for annexations, county court jurisdiction to decide whether territory is needed, extension of services to annexed territories, and process for approval of annexation.

- The Commission on Courts, which will review all requests for new courts or changes in jurisdiction of existing courts and make recommendations regarding the requests to the General Assembly for the upcoming legislative session.

- The Forensic Diversion Study Committee, which will evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the forensic diversion programs in Indiana and review the adequacy of funding for those programs. Forensic diversion programs ensure that adults with mental illnesses or addictive disorders who have been convicted of crimes receive adequate community-based treatment or other services instead of incarceration.

- The Indiana Public Defender Commission, which makes recommendations regarding indigent legal defense services.

- The Interim Study Committee on Mortgage Lending Practices and Home Loan Foreclosures, which will study a number of issues, including possible state licensure of mortgage lenders, loan brokers and other individuals, the cause of home loan foreclosures in Indiana and whether legislative or regulatory solutions exist to prevent or reduce the number of home foreclosures in Indiana and to prevent or reduce the occurrence of fraudulent practices in the home loan industry.

- The Interim Study Committee to Define health insurance, which will analyze and make recommendations regarding the definitions of accident and sickness insurance policies, self-insured plans and health maintenance organization contracts that provide coverage for health care in the Indiana Code.

- The Rail Corridor Safety Committee, which will study the safety of rail corridors and methods of encouraging cooperation between railroads and various government entities to enhance the safety of railroads in Indiana.

For more information on Lanane, his legislative agenda or other state Senate business call (800) 382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.