The GLLC holds its Annual Meeting in South Bend

State and provincial legislators gathered in South Bend, Ind., in September for the two-day Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) Annual Meeting. Attendees heard updates on policy across the basin, learned about the South Bend smart sewer system and St. Joseph River Basin Commission, and voted on policy resolutions.

The membership approved two resolutions on PFAS and plastic, including encouraging the designation of microplastics as a Chemical of Mutual Concern under the binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The legislators also approved a shared stewardship acknowledgement proposed by the Indigenous Engagement Committee.

A four-member team of Indiana legislators served as hosts of the 2025 GLLC Meeting: Sen. Ed Charbonneau and Reps. David Abbott, Maureen Bauer, and Carolyn Jackson.

The GLLC meets in person once a year. It also holds policy-focused institutes for legislators, tracks state and federal bills on water and Great Lakes policy, holds web-based meetings, and gives members the chance to serve as a voice for the region on federal Great Lakes policy. The 2026 Annual Meeting will be on September 28-29 in Marquette, Mich.

Membership is free and open to all legislators representing the Great Lakes’ eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. If you are interested in getting involved in the caucus, including its work on PFAS, plastic and data centers, please contact Great Lakes program director Jess Lienhardt.