While HEC watches many pieces of environmental legislation during the Indiana General Assembly, not all of it advances in the legislative process. Here are summaries of some of the bills we watched that did not move on this legislative session. To see active legislation in the General Assembly, visit our Bill Watch 2023 Page.
Bill Watch 2023
Bills that Did Not Advance in 2023
Support
SB 221: Energy audit of state government campus
SB 221 would have required 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 (4/14/23)
SB 221 did not receive a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee and, therefore, did not advance. We are hoping this language could be added to another bill.
Take Action
Contact your state legislators, and encourage them to support this an energy audit of the Indiana Statehouse and Indiana Government Center. See how your state senator voted:
Support
HB 1515: Wetland Preservation
HB 1515 would have lowered property taxes for property owners who preserve 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 expanded 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 assessment, acknowledging the benefits wetlands provide to the broader community.
Update (2/24/23)
Since HB 1515 has not had a hearing and did not advance in the House, HEC is working with legislators who are interested in amending this language into another bill.
Take Action
Contact your state representative and senator and urge them to support incentives for wetland protection.
Oppose
HB 1404: Lake Michigan Seawalls
HB 1404 would have restricted local authority over seawall permitting along Lake Michigan; and the regulatory framework proposed for permit review of seawalls conflicts with the physical reality, natural function, and legal definition of Indiana’s Lake Michigan natural Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM), the boundary between private property and public trust shoreland. It would have promoted confusion and impose illogical and unnecessary regulatory burdens, potentially harming the State’s public trust shoreline and uses.
Why it did not advance
HB 1404 did not pass the House Natural Resources committee.
Oppose
SB 245 & HB 1588: Public Transportation
Support
HB 1305: Wake boarding and wake surfing
HB 1305 would have reduced the negative impacts wakeboards can have on lakes.
Why it did not advance
HB 1305 did not receive a hearing in the House Natural Resources Committee.
Support
SB 335: Climate Solutions Task Force
SB 335 would have established 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 have worked to reduce Indiana’s greenhouse gas emissions, develop a sustainable economy for all, and improve quality of life. Learn more about the need for climate action.
Why it did not advance
While SB 335 was heard in the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee, it was not voted on.
Support
SB 91: CFO inspections
Factory farms contribute nutrient pollution into our waterways and noxious gases into the air. SB 91 required 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 would have conducted an annual onsite inspection to verify information contained in the report. This legislation would have helped hold factory farms accountable and reduced the level of pollution caused through these operations.
Why it did not advance
SB 91 did not receive a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Support
HB 1190 & SB 399: Coal combustion residuals surface impoundments
HB 1190 and SB 399 would have improved the safety of coal ash disposal. Check out a webinar on this legislation featuring HEC’s Dr. Indra Frank.
Why they did not advance
Both HB 1190 and SB 399 were assigned to the Environmental Affairs Committees in their respective chambers. Neither received a hearing.
Support
HB 1218: Environmental scrutiny before property transfer
HB 1218 would have reduced the number of failing septic systems and thus helped to protect Indiana’s waterways.
Why it did not advance
HB 1218 did not receive a hearing in the House Environmental Affairs Committee.
