About
Policy Happenings
With so many bills proposed every legislative session, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when it comes to protecting Indiana’s water supply. We work to gather the key water-related legislation from the Statehouse every year as well as provide updates after the session. Read on to find out how you can make your voice heard to safeguard Indiana’s water future.
State and local policies can dramatically impact the protection or degradation of water resources. Learn more about some of the primary issues from experts through:
- our Collective Tap Podcast episodes,
- our Science & Policy Forums, and
- of course, attend the annual Indiana Water Summit
Bills
HB 1333 Land Use & Development
Bill: HB 1333 Land Use & Development
Author: Rep. Kendell Culp
Referred To: House Committee on Utilities, Energy, and Telecommunications
Among several other things, HB 1333 provides that before a qualified data center user may use a sales tax exemption certificate, the qualified data center user and the local government permitting its development shall enter into a written agreement that commits the qualified data center user to contribute to the local unit an amount equal to at least 1% of the amount of taxes that are not paid on each purchase of qualified data center equipment that is made (1) using the tax exemption certificate and (2) during its duration.
Stance: .
SB 224 Department of Natural Resources
Bill: SB 224 Department of Natural Resources
Author: Sen. Sue Glick
Referred To: Senate Committee on Natural Resources
Among several other things, SB 224 would confer upon the Division of Water in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources the authority and responsibility to conduct hearings, on behalf of the Natural Resources Commission, on the proposed creation of a Watershed Development Commission. (Note: House Bill 1003 directs the Legislative Services Agency to prepare legislation for introduction in 2027 that would eliminate the Natural Resources Commission.)
Stance: Neutral
HB 1348 Regulation of Grease Control Equipment
Bill: HB 1348 Regulation of Grease Control Equipment
Author: Rep. Jim Pressel
Referred To: House Committee on Environmental Affairs
HB 1348 requires commercial facilities and food establishments that discharge fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) to wastewater systems to install and maintain grease intercepting equipment capable of preventing FOGs from entering the flow of wastewater into a sewer system or a nonresidential onsite sewage system. The bill authorizes wastewater utilities to impose higher rates or surcharges on commercial facilities or food establishments that repeatedly fail to intercept and prevent their FOGs from discharging to the utility’s wastewater system. HB 1348 also requires any unit of local government that issues permits for residential or nonresidential sewage systems to allow the septage from those systems to be disposed of at a wastewater treatment facility within that local unit or in a neighboring unit, and requires wastewater treatment facilities to accept septage from a bordering unit.
Stance: Support
SB 187 Region Sewer Districts
Bill: SB 187 Region Sewer Districts
Author: Sen. Mike Bohacek
Referred To: Senate Committee on Environmental Affairs
SB 187 prohibits a district from incurring debt without the approval of the fiscal body of the county containing the majority of the land in the district. It also requires consultation by the district with the district authority designated in IC 13-26-11-15 before the district modifies its plans or purposes. The bill clarifies that appointees by the district authority to a district’s board of trustees serve at the pleasure of the district authority.
Stance: Neutral
SB 241 Utility Service Enhancement Improvement Costs
Bill: SB 241 Utility Service Enhancement Improvement Costs
Author: Sen. Eric Koch
Referred To: Senate Committee on Utilities
SB 241 allows adjustments to account for utilities’ chemical and power costs when those costs have increased or decreased by 3% or more over the past two years. Utilities are allowed but not required to seek such adjustments. This applies only to water or wastewater utilities that are eligible to recover costs for “service enhancement improvements.”
Stance: Neutral
SB 277 Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Bill: SB 277 Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Author: Sen. Rick Niemeyer
Referred To: Senate Committee on Environmental Affairs
Primarily makes technical corrections and updates references to Indiana Code and Indiana Administrative Code sections. Repeals the IDEM Groundwater Quality Clearinghouse.
Stance: Oppose
HB 1204 Natural Resource Entrance Fees
Bill: HB 1204 Natural Resource Entrance Fees
Author: Rep. Dave Hall
Referred To: House Committee on Natural Resources
HB 1204 allows certain counties to add a $1 surcharge to the entrance fee for certain state park and recreation areas, provided the additional revenue is used for public safety or drinking water quality protection and improvement.
Stance: Support