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Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has announced the interim director of the Office of Environmental Adjudication as the longtime director and chief environmental law judge retires.
Jefferson Garn, currently deputy director and general counsel in the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings, will provide oversight of the OEA while legislation is pursued to consolidate the office with OALP.
The consolidation of the two agencies will provide administrative efficiencies, further modernize case record documentation, and provide resources to support the review of environmental cases, according to the Governor’s Office.
OEA was created in 1995 to serve as an independent agency tasked with reviewing action of the Indiana Department of Environmental management.
OALP was created in 2019 to provide a central and independent review of agency disputes of more than 24 state agencies.
Further details on the transition will be announced after legislation is considered.
Judge Mary Davidsen, who served as OEA director for 20 years, retired Friday.
“Judge Davidsen has had an incredible tenure dealing with often complex cases involving environmental concerns,” Holcomb said in a previous statement announcing her retirement. “She dedicated her career to this important work and it’s an honor to recognize her as a colleague.”
Prior to starting in his role at OALP in March, Garn most recently worked as section chief of administrative and regulatory enforcement litigation for the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, according to LinkedIn.
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