The 2023 Indiana General Assembly ended on April 28th, 2023. Check out our Bill Watch 2024 page for information for the 2024 Legislative Session.
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Indiana General Assembly
Bill Watch 2023
Oppose
HEA 1623: Administrative Rulemaking
Indiana lawmakers are again proposing far-reaching changes to the way that state agencies adopt regulations that implement state or federal laws. House Enrolled Act 1623 includes revisions to the process for adoption of emergency rules, shortens the time period when rules must be readopted from seven to five years, and requires agencies to prepare a detailed regulatory analysis for proposed rules. Instead of streamlining the rulemaking process, these provisions could make it more burdensome. The bill has a few positive elements, including adding an additional public comment period during the rulemaking process and requiring better notice of agency rulemakings.
In a committee in the House, legislators added language to prevent IDEM from adopting coal ash disposal rules more stringent than the EPA coal ash rule. The EPA rule, adopted in 2015, greatly strengthened oversight requirements for coal ash ponds and landfills, but does have gaps and weaknesses that electric utilities have exploited.
In the Senate, HEA 1623 went from bad to worse when a 54-page amendment was introduced to the bill just hours before a committee vote. This new amendment puts restrictions on state agencies' ability to limit pesticides and herbicides, in addition to coal ash. On second reading, there were bipartisan efforts to remove the dangerous coal ash language from the bill, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.
Final Update (5/4/23)
Despite advocacy efforts by HEC and our partners, HEA 1623 has been signed into law by Governor Holcomb. Thank you for joining us in taking action.
Take Action
See how your state legislators have voted, and thank them if they voted against this legislation:
HEA 1623 House Vote Sheet (2/20/23), HEA 1623 Senate Vote Sheet (4/17/23)
HEA 1623 House Committee Report Vote Sheet (4/27/23), HEA 1623 Senate Committee Report Vote Sheet (4/27/23)
Support
2023-2025 Indiana State Budget: Funding for Conservation
Working with the Indiana Conservation Alliance, HEC sought robust new state investment in conserving our forests, rivers, wetlands, and our native fish and wildlife who depend on these habitats. Learn more about the value of Conservation Funding.
Final Update (5/8/23)
Governor Holcomb signed the state budget bill! The final version of the budget includes $10 million for the President Harrison Conservation Trust and $30 million for trails.
Support
HEA 1639: Watershed Development Commissions
HEA 1639, authored by Rep. Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron), co-authored by Reps. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Boonville), Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), and David Abbott (R-Warsaw), and sponsored by Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange) creates 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. In the House, HEA 1639 was strengthened with second reading amendments on the size of the watershed and on water resource planning
Final Update (5/8/23)
HEA 1639 has been signed by Governor Holcomb!
Take Action
See how your state legislators voted, and thank them if they voted for this legislation:
HEA 1639 House Vote Sheet (2/20/23), HEA 1639 Senate Vote Sheet (4/17/23)
HEA 1639 House Committee Report Vote Sheet (4/27/23), HEA 1639 Senate Committee Report Vote Sheet (4/27/23)
Neutral
SEA 242: DNR best floodplain mapping data
In the final days of the Indiana legislative session, the authors of SEA 242 on floodplain maps, Senator Jean Leising (R- Oldenburg) and Representative Beau Baird (R-Greencastle), worked diligently with stakeholders and significantly improved the bill. This bill concerns floodplains, which are similar to wetlands in that they slow and store excess stormwater, purify water, recharge groundwater, and provide productive wildlife habitat. The final version allows use of the state’s updated floodplain maps, but also puts in place options for property owners to get their portion of the floodplain professionally surveyed or to request a review of potential errors in the state’s maps. The bill also requires training for local floodplain administrators beginning in 2025.
We opposed the initial version SEA 242 because it created a risk that additional buildings would be built in floodplains. It no longer creates that risk, so we dropped our opposition. This legislation prevents construction in floodplains, reduces the risk of flooding, and keeps our rivers and streams healthier.
Final Update (5/8/23)
SEA 242 has been signed by the Governor.
Take Action
Please join us in thanking Senator Leising and Representative Baird for their work on this bill.
Oppose
HEA 1420: Electric transmission facilities
Indiana’s energy transmission grid will require billions of dollars in investment to keep up with Hoosier’s growing energy needs and meet the demand for clean renewable energy. HEA 1420 will increase costs on electric transmission projects by reducing competitive bidding and giving monopoly utilities even more control over our energy.
Final Update (5/4/23)
HEA 1420 has been signed into law by Governor Holcomb.
Take Action
See how your state legislators voted, and thank them if they voted against this legislation:
Oppose
Reduced Protections for Indiana’s Wetlands
NOTE: The Senate has removed this dangerous language from SB 414, citing it as nongermane.
SB 414 dealt with the storage of residential sewage, but it was amended in the House Environmental Affairs Committee to further reduce protections for Indiana's wetlands. “The amendment [on SB 414] clearly demonstrates a continued lack of understanding of the value of wetlands among legislators,” said HEC’s Dr. Indra Frank. Check out this article on the amendment. Similar legislation was defeated in 2021 but the Indiana Builders Association has worked to put it back into legislation without time for public comment.
Wetlands are critically important for the health of our water resources in Indiana. Wetlands:
- Store excess stormwater, helping to reduce flooding
- Filter and purify water
- Help recharge groundwater
- Provide critical wildlife habitats
Ironically, this amendment also comes only a few months after the Indiana Wetlands Task Force issued its report, which emphasizes that Indiana could not afford to lose any more wetlands.
Final Update (4/28/23)
This dangerous language was removed from SB 414 and did not reappear in the final days of session!
Take Action
See how your state rep. voted on this harmful language:
Oppose
HB 1647 / HEA 1402: Residential onsite sewage systems
NOTE: The language about septic systems from HB 1647 has removed from the bill and added to HB 1402.
HEA 1402 (formerly HB 1647) could increase pollution from failing septic systems. Currently, our local health departments are responsible for determining if a site is adequate for installing a septic system and ordering corrective measures if a septic system is failing. This bill allows property owners to overrule local health department decisions by hiring a consultant that will declare the system operable.
The public health professionals in our local health departments make their decisions based on protecting the public health. While there are many excellent private consultants for septic design and installation, they should not have the final say in septic decisions since they have a financial stake in those decisions, so there is the potential for a financial conflict of interest. Decisions regarding septic systems should remain in the hands of our public health professionals.
While this bill was improved slightly in the conference committee process, it still takes away authority of local health departments and could increase pollution from failing septic systems.
Final Update (5/8/23)
HEA 1402 has been signed by the Governor.
Take Action
See how your state legislators voted, and thank them if they opposed this legislation:
HB 1647 House Vote Sheet (2/27/23), HB 1647 Senate Vote Sheet (4/3/23)
HB 1402 House Committee Report Vote Sheet (4/27/23), HB 1402 Senate Committee Report Vote Sheet (4/27/23)
Support
HEA 1138: Preschool & child care facility drinking water
This bill helps reduce young children's exposure to lead.
Authored by Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Indianapolis) and co-authored by Reps. Mike Aylesworth (R-Hebron), Sue Errington (D- Muncie), and Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) HEA 1138 requires 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.
Final Update (4/28/23)
HEA 1138 has been signed by the Governor! See how your state legislators voted and thank them if they voted for this bill:
Support
HEA 1219: PFAS biomonitoring
Authored by Rep. Maureen Bauer (D- South Bend), HEA 1219 sets up a program to study blood levels of PFAS chemicals in Indiana firefighters and whether they have caused any health effects.
PFAS are a family of chemicals that have been used heavily in firefighting foams, but have also been used in many consumer products, for example nonstick pans and stain resistant fabrics. They can cause liver or immune system changes, high cholesterol, and kidney or testicular cancer. Once the PFAS chemicals are released to the environment or get into the human body, they are very persistent, which increases their potential for harm. Learn more about the health effects of PFAS.
Final Update (5/4/23)
HEA 1219 has been signed by Governor Holcomb! See how your state legislators voted, and thank them if they voted for this legislation:
Support
HEA 1304: Watercraft registration renewal fee
This bill increases funds available for DNR's Lake and River Enhancement grants.
Authored by Rep. David Abbott (R) and co-authored by Rep. Ethan Manning (R), Rep. Michael Karickhoff (R), and Rep. Rita Fleming (D). HEA 1304 increases 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.
Final Update (4/28/23)
HEA 1304 has been signed by the Governor! Contact your legislators and thank them for their vote, if they voted for it. See how your state legislators voted:
Support
SEA 155: IDEM Air Pollution Control
Air pollution fees and enforcement have led to reductions in harmful emissions in Indiana. IDEM needs a fee structure that will allow this program to continue. SEA 155 enables the Environmental Rules Board to update air permit fees. If the fees are not updated, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will not have sufficient funds to continue operating the air permit program and air permitting might fall to EPA.
Final Update (4/28/23)
SEA 155 has been signed by the Governor! Please thank your state legislators if they voted for this legislation. See how your state legislators voted:
Support
SEA 33: Solar panel and wind power equipment disposal study
This bill directs 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. SEA 33 supports responsible development and proactively addresses recycling, decommissioning, and disposal of solar and wind systems.
Final Update (4/28/23)
SEA 33 has been signed by the Governor! See how your state legislators voted, and thank them if they voted for this legislation: