The 2025 Indiana Legislative Session begins on Wednesday, January 8th. For additional resources, click the images below.
Indiana General Assembly
Bill Watch 2025
Support
- SB 4: Water Utilities
- SB 193: Annual Inspection of CFOs
- SB 211: Clean Water Indiana Program
- SB 422: Advanced Transmission Technologies
- SB 477: Low Head Dams
Oppose
- HB 1007, SB 424, & SB 423: Small Modular (nuclear) Reactors
- SB 178: Natural Gas as a Clean Energy Source
- SB 197: Various Property Matters
- SB 254: Biofuel Tax Credits
- SB 425: Energy Production Zones
- HB 1037: Stormwater Management
Following
- HB 1001: State Budget
following
HB 1001: State Budget
The legislative vehicle for Indiana’s biennial budget always originates in the House and is labeled HB1001. This year’s bill was flavored by Governor Braun’s input, with new priorities and a tight fiscal projection. HEC worked closely with our conservation allies on the budget for DNR in general, as well as for State Parks and for the President Harrison Conservation Trust.
Update
- In the final week of the session legislators worked, then re-worked, the state budget for 2026 and 2027 after a last-minute revenue forecast on April 16 that severely impacted funding plans. The result was disappointing for many reasons, but especially for the environment. In particular, there's no new money for the Harrison Conservation Trust, which is a vital source of partner funds so that land trusts and the Division of Nature Preserves can protect remnants of the state’s natural heritage. There is a significant reduction to the Division of State Park’s construction budget . The final bill simply lumps together funds for construction, renovation and repairs and directs all state agencies to apply for and share the total amount allocated, which appears to be $60million less than in the draft budget. Thus, there will continue to be unmet maintenance needs at State parks and other properties. Other HEC budget priorities, except for Clean Water Indiana Fund, were also excluded from the budget. There was no additional money for State Park operations, State Park trials (or for that matter, any trials), and no additional funds for DNR divisions for operating expenses. In fact, all agencies must reduce expenses by at least 5% to meet this budget. At a time when bipartisan and general public support for outdoor recreation, trails, natural spaces and forest preservation is at an all-time high, it seems short-sighted to cut investments in conservation.
oppose
HB 1007, SB 424, & SB 423: Small Modular (nuclear) Reactors
HB 1007, authored by Representative Edmond Soliday (R -Dist. 4), SB 424 authored by Sen. Eric Koch (R - Dist. 44), Sen. Brian Buchanan (R -Dist. 7) and Sen. Jean Leasing (R -Dist. 42), and SB 423, authored by Sen. Eric Koch (R -Dist. 44), Sen. Stacey Donato (R -Dist. 18), and Sen. Spence Deery (R- Dist. 23) are similar bills concerning Small Modular (nuclear) Reactors (SMRs). SMRs are not only expensive, but they’re risky investments. Each of these bills allows utilities to pass along expenses, with an additional guaranteed rate of return, for speculative costs like planning, design, and permitting of SMRs. These expenses, which can cost $200-$300 million, will be charged to ratepayers even if a planned SMR is never built! Costs associated with project delays, budget overruns, and cancelled projects will also fall on ratepayers if this legislation passes.
Recent history offers corroborating evidence that SMRs - and nuclear power in general - are risky. One example is Georgia, Southern Co., which recently completed the first new nuclear plant built in the US in decades. The project finished 7 years behind schedule and cost more than $30 billion – more than double the cost projections. In Idaho, an ambitious effort by NuScale to deploy SMRs was cancelled after the project’s price tag ballooned from $5 billion to $9 billion.
We have written extensively about this issue. In addition to financial issues, of course, are the environmental related problems associated with nuclear technology. For example, this country still has not solved the problem of how to safely and permanently store the radioactive waste produced by nuclear power facilities, nor have we adequately accounted for the benefit versus risk factors. While it may be true that nuclear is on par with wind and solar if the standard is human fatalities caused, it is equally true that permanent disruptions to human and wildlife systems resulting from meltdowns, radiation leaks and cooling water discharges are vast.
As our friends at Solar United Neighbors say, “When there’s a huge solar spill, it’s just called a nice day.”
Write to your legislators to tell them to oppose HB 1007, SB 424, and SB 423 today.
Updates
HB 1007 was amended and ordered engrossed on the Senate floor on 4/10. On 4/15, the bill passed its third reading and Sen. Daryl Schmidt (R-48) and Sen. David Niezgodski (D-10) were added as cosponsors. On 4/16, HB 1007 was returned to the House with amendments. On 4/21, the House filed a motion to concur with amendments, and on 4/22, the House concurred with Senate amendments. On 4/23, it was signed by the Speaker, and on 4/24, it was signed by the President Pro Tempore.
The House passed SB 423 on 4/15, and was returned to the Senate with amendments on 4/16. On the same day, the Senate filed a motion to concur, which passed on 4/17. On 4/22, it was signed by the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker. On 4/23, it was signed by the President of the Senate.
SB 424 was signed by the governor on 4/10. It is now Public Law 48.
support
SB 4: Water Utilities
HEC supports SB 4, authored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-44), Sen. Chris Garten (R-45), and Sen. Susan Glick (R-13) as a first step toward a comprehensive approach to protecting Indiana’s water resources. Water is vital to our economy, agriculture, and daily life. While Indiana is water-rich, uncertainty exists about supply, particularly with the growth of data centers and advanced manufacturing. Climate change and the loss of natural infrastructure, such as wetlands, also contribute to concerns over groundwater and supply. Two-thirds of Indiana’s drinking water comes from groundwater, and farmers depend on it for irrigation.
While we support the new permitting process for water transfers, we question the exemption for groundwater. The bill excludes transfers unless they significantly affect surface water, but groundwater depletion may not immediately impact surface water. We also appreciate the bill’s requirement for environmental impact assessments and ongoing reviews, which recognizes the importance of natural infrastructure services. Additionally, encouraging water conservation through required conservation programs is a positive step. However, the bill overlooks the critical issue of water quality. Impaired waters can require expensive purification before being used in industries like chip manufacturing, and the bill fails to address this. As John Ketzenberger of TNC noted, 80% of people believe Indiana needs a comprehensive water policy, and 81% prioritize water protection in state elections.
HEC sees this bill as an important first step, but additional actions are needed to safeguard Indiana’s water resources.
Update
SB 4 passed its third reading in the House on 4/1. On the same day, Reps. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-29) and Dave Hall (R-62) added as cosponsors. On 4/2, it was returned to the Senate with amendments. The Senate filed a motion to concur on 4/4. On 4/8, the Senate voted to concur with House amendments. On 4/9, it was signed by the President Pro Tempore and Speaker. On 4/15, it was signed by the President of the Senate, and on 4/22, it was signed by the Governor.
oppose
SB 178: Natural Gas as a Clean Energy Source
SB 178 states that natural gas is a "clean" or "green" energy source for state and federal funding purposes. While it’s true that burning natural gas or methane releases less emissions than coal or oil, the process of drilling, extracting, and transporting it generates significant methane leaks. Methane is 34 times stronger than CO2 at trapping heat over a 100-year period and is a major contributor to climate change. HEC suspects this bill’s aim is to attract new federal and state funding towards expanding the use of methane. New investment in fossil fuel resources risks becoming stranded investments because of the dramatic growth in lower cost clean energy technologies.
Update
SB 178 was signed by the Governor on 4/10. It is now Public Law 46.
support
SB 193: Annual Inspection of CFOs
SB 193, authored by Senator Rick Niemeyer (R-6), requires owners of CFOs (Confined feeding Operation) to submit an annual report to the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management (IDEM). IDEM will follow up with an inspection of the CFO to verify the report, ensuring that air and water pollution laws and environmental management laws are followed. This system would create greater accountability for CFO operations in Indiana.
Update
After passing the Senate, SB 193 was referred to the House Committee on Environmental Affairs. On 4/2, the House Environmental Affairs Committee heard the bill, adopted amendment #9, and passed the bill out of committee. The latest amendment does three main things, all of which improve the bill: it increases flexibility in the timing of the required inspections, provides for compliance with needed biosecurity measures, and allows IDEM to appear on-site without advance notice for complaint-driven inspections. HEC continues to support this bill.
The House passed SB 193 on 4/8. It was returned to the Senate with amendments on 4/9, and the Senate filed a motion to concur on the same day. On 4/22, the Senate concurred with House amendments. On 4/23, it was signed by the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker.
oppose
SB 197: Various Property Matters
Amendment alert: new language has been slipped into SB 197 (Various Property Matters), authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-32) and Sen. Blake Doriot (R-12) that will block cities and towns from lowering energy costs and improving our environment through building efficiency programs. Indianapolis’s Thriving Building Program is an example of a program that relies on electricity and water usage data to understand how to lower costs for all ratepayers.
If this bill passes, the city will no longer be able to require this information be shared by large commercial buildings. You may be surprised to know this type of data collection is one of the key ingredients in reducing pollution and utility costs for all Hoosiers. Ask your State Senator and Representative to vote “NO” on SB 197 and help make Indiana clean and affordable here.
Updates
The House passed SB 197 on 4/14, and it was returned to the Senate with amendments on 4/15. On the same day, the Senate filed a motion to dissent from House amendments. Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-32) and Sen. Andrea Hunley (D-46) were appointed as Senate conferees. Sen. Shelli Yoder (D-40) and Ron Alting (R-22) were appointed as Senate advisors. Reps. Andrew Ireland (R-40) and Maureen Bauer (D-6) were appointed as House conferees, and Reps. Chris Jeter (R-88), Chris May (R-65), Alex Burton (D-77), Mitch Gore (D-88), and Vanessa Summers (D-99) were appointed as House advisors. All House and Senate advisors and Conferees were appointed on 4/16. On 4/24, Senator Andrea Hunley (D-46) was removed as a conferee, and Senator Blake Doriot (R-12) was added. Rep. Chris Jeter (R-88) was removed as a House advisor, and added as a conferee on the same day, and Rep Maureen Bauer (D-6) was removed as a House conferee.
support
SB 211: Clean Water Indiana Program
SB 211 authored by Sen. Susan Glick (R -Dist. 13), Senator Jean Leising (R -Dist. 42), and Senator Brett Clark (R -Dist. 24) authorizes funding from the Clean Water Indiana fund to manage invasive plant species. This bill would provide financial assistance to protect native species and control invasives to subdivisions of state government that handle soil and water conservation, nongovernmental conservation organizations, and entities and people who occupy land that they’re trying to conserve. Managing invasive species and protecting native plants can safeguard and improve water quality and biodiversity, reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting natural resources and fostering healthier ecosystems for future generations.
Latest Update
This bill was signed by the governor on 4/1, and is now Public Law 12. HEC considers this a conservation WIN. The legislation allows county soil and water conservation districts to use more money from the Clean Water Indiana Fund for control of invasive plants to enhance local land management practices.
oppose
SB 254: Biofuel Tax Credits
SB 254 authored by Sen. Brian Buchanan (R -Dist. 7) provides increased tax credits for higher blends of biofuel in gasoline and diesel fuel, such as ethanol. Biofuels are energy sources that are typically created from plant matter, like corn and soybeans. Blending with gasoline or diesel fuel is a common practice to reduce emissions from tailpipes. However, ethanol and other biofuels are not climate-friendly solutions. Ethanol blends and biofuel produce harmful emissions that affect air quality in rural communities and reduce fuel efficiency. Ethanol production is also energy-intensive and therefore is not a cost-effective alternative to other fuels. Plug-in hybrid vehicles and EV’s offer a much cleaner alternative to subsidizing the production of biofuels.
Update
SB 254 was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on 3/3, but has not yet been scheduled to a hearing.
support
SB 422: Advanced Transmission Technologies
Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) offer the most cost effective, time efficient and environmentally friendly ways to get more productivity from our existing electric grid infrastructure. While building new grid infrastructure is still needed, some estimates suggest we can get up to 40% more transmission capabilities within our current infrastructure through enhanced data that comes from dynamic line rating, heat resistant cables that can bear heavier weights and carry more electrons under stressful circumstances, and more. For renewables to contribute at their full capacity, our electric grid needs to be enhanced and expanded. SB 422, authored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-44), recognizes the importance of GETs in meeting our energy needs and opens the door to more access to affordable clean energy.
Updates
SB 422 passed its third reading on 3/17. It was returned to the House without any amendments on the same day. On 3/18, it was signed by the President Pro Tempore. On 3/19, it was signed by the Speaker, and on 3/20, it was signed by the President of the Senate. Finally, on 3/31, it was signed by the Governor and became Public Law 10.
oppose
SB 425: Energy Production Zones
HEC opposes SB 425 - Energy Production Zones, in its current amended form. Authored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-44), this bill allows new coal, gas powered and nuclear energy production facilities to be approved by the IURC without local governing approval, if the projects are located on land previously used for mining or power generation above 80 megawatts. SB 425 has essentially become a vehicle for easier SMR, coal, and natural gas siting but excludes clean and affordable renewable energy. This is problematic because solar and wind paired with energy storage are both cheaper and faster to build than their fossil fuel counterparts.
Indiana needs new energy resources to support a growing economy and companies considering locating or growing in Indiana are demanding clean energy. This bill will significantly delay new energy development because new fossil fuel generation will take at least five years to bring online and nuclear will take ten to fifteen years or more. Solar and wind developers are ready to build now and can do so quickly. However, they are beginning to wonder if Indiana is closed to renewable energy. This bill tells them that we are. Tell your legislators to support wind and solar siting today!
Update
On 4/23, Conference Committee Report (CCR) # 1 was filed in the House and Senate. On 4/24, it was adopted by the House and Senate, and on 4/25, it was signed by the Speaker.
support
SB 477: Low Head Dams
With the passage of SB 477, authored by Senators Justin Busch (R-16) and Susan Glick (R-13), Indiana waterways are now safer and healthier for all Hoosiers. A true bipartisan effort, SB 477 reduces a serious threat to public safety and to the state’s fish and invertebrate stream life by easing restrictions on the removal of low-head dams. Colloquially known as "washing machines," low head dams create turbulent currents that are extremely difficult to escape from and pose life-threatening hazards to swimmers, boaters, and other recreationalists. They also impair the ecology of a river, so their removal will improve the state’s waterways.
Update
SB 477 was signed by the Governor on 4/1, and became Public Law 14.This is a conservation WIN.
oppose
HB 1037: Stormwater Management
HB 1037, authored by Rep. Doug Miller (R-48), is a bill authored by and for the benefit of homebuilders. It will allow builders to sidestep local erosion control rules with the result that more pollutant-laden sediment will run off from bare ground construction sites. The bill specifically provides that local units of government may not have any rules or ordinances that are more stringent than the general construction permits under the state rule, which itself can be no more stringent than the federal (EPA) rule. The bill passed the House Natural Resources committee on Jan. 29 and will be considered by the full House on second reading Feb. 3. HEC, as well as all organizations that care about clean water, opposes this bill and David Van Gilder testified against it in committee. Write to your legislators to oppose HB 1037 today.
Update
The Senate Environmental Affairs Committee voted the bill out of committee on 4/8, with an amendment that made minor improvements. HEC strongly opposes this bill despite amendment. By 4/15, the Senate passed the bill and returned it to the House with amendments the next day, on 4/16. The House filed a motion to concur on 4/16 and concurred with Senate amendments on 4/17. This bill was signed by the Speaker on 4/21, the President Pro Tempore on 4/22, and the President of the Senate on 4/23.