The 2023 Indiana General Assembly began on Monday, January 9th, 2023. Return here often for the latest news on the 2023 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Take a look back at HEC’s Bill Watch 2022.
Indiana General Assembly
Bill Watch 2023
Support
2023-2025 Indiana State Budget: Funding for Conservation
Working with the Indiana Conservation Alliance, HEC is seeking robust new state investment in conserving our forests, rivers, wetlands, and our native fish and wildlife who depend on these habitats. On Dec. 27, Hoosier Environmental Council policy team met with the Governor’s office to request that land conservation funding be included in the Governor’s draft budget to the Indiana General Assembly. Learn more about the value of Conservation Funding.
Update (1/27/23)
The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee is reviewing the Governor’s budget request and will vote on the budget as soon as next week. HEC has learned of significant bipartisan support for this funding but we need to keep the momentum going.
TAKE ACTION
If you care about our parks, natural spaces, and wildlife habitat, please join in this effort by calling and/or emailing Representative Jeff Thompson (R- Lizton) and his fellow members of the House Ways and Means Committee and asking that land conservation be prioritized in the budget. When you call or email your representative, here are some talking points you can use.
Our Indiana parks and natural spaces are a Hoosier treasure. In fact, outdoor recreation adds nearly $13 billion annually to our Indiana economy and provides employment to 107,000 Hoosiers. Use of the parks has grown dramatically since the pandemic and at the same time, wildlife habitat is shrinking. Please include investment in land conservation in your 2023-2025 budget.
Oppose
SB 242: DNR best floodplain mapping data
This bill could interfere with efforts to reduce flood risk. Read the full text of SB 242.
SB 242 would interfere with efforts to reduce flood risk in Indiana and to protect floodplains. It would repeal part of the Indiana Flood Control Act that requires local floodplain administrators to use the best available floodplain maps when considering a permit for construction in a floodplain.
The floodplain is the area next to a stream or river at risk for flooding once per hundred years or more. There are federal maps from FEMA for many of Indiana’s floodplains, but not for all of them. Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has produced floodplain maps for an additional 18,500 miles of streams, which were combined with federal maps to produce the Best Available Flood Hazard Area map. It is the best resource for identifying flood-prone areas. Local floodplain administrators use it to reduce construction in the floodplain, which helps keep rivers and streams healthier by allowing them space to spread out. When they spread out during flooding, the water doesn’t rise as high and it flows more slowly so there is less erosion. If SB 242 passes and local permit decisions are made with just the federal maps, then more buildings may be built in flood-prone areas leading to flooded buildings and less healthy rivers and streams. Read more about SB 242.
Take Action (2/2/23)
SB 242 has passed third reading in the Senate – it now moves to the House. See how your state senator voted:
Support
SB 335: Climate Solutions Task Force
This bill will establish a climate task force to study and make recommendations on climate and clean energy solutions. Climate change impacts are felt throughout Indiana’s economy, public health, and infrastructure. This task force would work to reduce Indiana's greenhouse gas emissions, develop a sustainable economy for all, and improve quality of life. Read the full text of SB 335.
Some of the solutions under review would include:
- A carbon credit market for agriculture and forestry based sequestration and conservation practices
- Climate resilient agriculture technology
- Job training and transition assistance for affected fossil fuel energy professionals
- Funding for a state climate action plan
- Expanding regional mass transit
This bill (and related bills on climate change – HB 1453, HB 1604, and HB 1193) would look at ways the state can play a role in preparing for and mitigating climate change including electric grid reliability, the electric vehicle transition, agricultural impacts, emergency planning, and collecting emissions data on our state and local policies. The movement is building and we need your voice to take steps in addressing climate change in Indiana.
UPDATE (1/27/23)
HEC is very hopeful that SB 335 will receive a hearing in the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee soon. Now is the time to talk about climate change with your legislator and encourage others to join you.
TAKE ACTION
If your Senator serves on the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee, contact them and urge them to support SB 335 by telling them how the bill's climate solutions would impact you and your community.
Support
HB 1304: Watercraft registration renewal fee
This bill will increase funds available for DNR's Lake and River Enhancement grants. Read the full text of HB 1304.
Authored by Rep. David Abbott (R-Warsaw) and co-authored by Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Peru), HB 1304 would increase funding for the DNR’s Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program by modestly raising boat registration fees dedicated to this program. LARE protects fish and aquatic wildlife by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution.
Update (as of 2/2/23)
HB 1304 passed the House Natural Resources committee and was referred to House Ways & Means.
TAKE ACTION
If your state representative is a member of the House Ways & Means committee, let them know you support HB 1304.
Support
HB 1515: Wetlands Preservation Tax Credit
HB 1515 would provide a tax incentive to property owners for preserving wetlands. Authored by Rep Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) and co-authored by Rep. Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Rep. Sue Errington (D- Muncie), HB 1515 expands the DNR's existing Classified Wildlands Program to include smaller wetlands. The portion of a property that qualifies for the program receives a lower property tax rate, acknowledging the benefits wetlands provide to the broader community.
Take Action
Contact your state representative, especially if they serve on the House Ways & Means Committee, and urge them to support this legislation.
Support
HB 1639: Watershed Development Commissions
HB 1639, authored by Rep. Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and co-authored by Reps Ledbetter (R-Newburgh), Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), and Abbott (R-Rome City), would create an option for Indiana counties to join together to form Watershed Development Commissions. These commissions could work on both water quantity and water quality issues in their watershed using small assessments on the properties in the watershed. Watersheds are the natural boundaries for water movement in the landscape. Our efforts at water resource management stand a much better chance of success when we work with these natural boundaries, as these commissions will do. HEC is working with our allies to ensure the bill does not open up options for harmful practices.
This bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee and was referred to House Ways & Means.
Take Action
Contact your state representative, especially if they serve on the House Ways & Means Committee, and urge them to support this legislation.
Support
HB 1138: Preschool & child care facility drinking water
This bill will help reduce young children's exposure to lead. Read the full text of HB 1138.
Authored by Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Indianapolis) and co-authored by Rep. Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Rep. Sue Errington (D- Muncie), HB 1138 would require childcare centers and preschools to test their drinking water for lead and take action if lead is found. Lead is toxic especially for young children. Learn more about the impacts of lead poisoning.
Take Action
Contact the Chairman of the House Environmental Affairs Committee, Rep. Alan Morrison (R- Brazil), and ask him to give HB 1138 a hearing.
Support
SB 221: Energy audit of state government campus
SB 221 would require the Indiana Department of Administration to issue a contract for an energy audit of the Indiana Statehouse and Indiana Government Center. This bill is the first step to addressing the Statehouse's energy efficiency which looks to save taxpayer money and reduce the state government's greenhouse gas emissions.
UPDATE (1/27/23)
SB 221 passed out of Senate Utilities and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Support
SB 33: Solar panel and wind power equipment disposal study
This bill would direct the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission (IURC) to conduct a study on the decommissioning (removal and retirement) and disposal of solar panels. SB 33 supports responsible development and proactively addresses recycling, decommissioning, and disposal of solar and wind systems.
Update (1/27/23)
SB 33 passed third reading in the Senate and now moves onto the House. See how your state senator voted:
SB 33 Senate Vote Sheet (1/24/23)
Support
SB 91: CFO inspections
This bill will improve oversight of large animal feeding operations and change their inspections from every 5 years to every year. Read the full text of SB 91.
Factory farms contribute nutrient pollution into our waterways and noxious gases into the air. SB 91 requires the owner and operator of a confined feeding operation to submit annual reports to IDEM concerning their operation and any manure storage structures resulting from the operation. In addition, IDEM will conduct an annual onsite inspection to verify information contained in the report. This legislation will help hold factory farms accountable and reduce the level of pollution caused through these operations.
Take Action
Contact your state senator and urge them to support this legislation.
Support
HB 1190: Coal combustion residuals surface impoundments
This bill will improve the safety of coal ash disposal. Read the full text of HB 1190.
Support
HB 1218: Environmental scrutiny before property transfer
This bill will help reduce the number of failing septic systems and thus help protect Indiana's waterways. Read the full text of HB 1218.
Support
HB 1305: Wake boarding and wake surfing
This bill will reduce the negative impacts wakeboats can have on lakes. Read the full text of HB 1305.
Support
HB 1219: PFAS biomonitoring
This bill will track exposure to PFAS chemicals among firefighters. Read the full text of HB 1219.
Update (as of 2/2/23)
HB 1219 passed the House Environmental Affairs Committee and was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee.
