INDIANAPOLIS — The Senate Public Policy Committee endorsed House-approved legislation Wednesday that could allow alcohol sales at the Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion.
House Bill 1247, a proposal authorizing the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to obtain “state park” alcohol permits without being subject to local review and approval, was incorporated into House Bill 1386 and advanced to the full Senate.
The committee vote was 7-2. State Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, supported the plan; state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, voted no.
It’s not uncommon for multiple pieces of legislation, especially alcohol-related measures, to be merged into one proposal.
That maneuver generally gives lawmakers plenty of reasons to support the combined proposal, even if they object to some parts of it.
Altogether, seven bills (1247, 1274, 1118, 172, 294, 169 and 177) were packed into House Bill 1386, which almost certainly will go to a House-Senate conference committee if approved next week by the Republican-controlled Senate.
The potential for alcohol sales at a renovated Dunes pavilion has provoked outrage among some Region residents who fear alcohol will destroy the family-friendly beach atmosphere and lead to additional development in the state park.
Many also object to the Legislature seemingly doing an end-run around the local alcohol permit review board, which twice denied an application from developer Pavilion Partners.
Project supporters say alcohol is needed to ensure the renovated pavilion becomes a dining and wedding destination for tourists and residents alike.