Agriculture

Fertilizer.

Study of community or urban microfarming.

Department of agriculture.

Agricultural programs.

Food matters.

Equine dentistry at horse racing tracks.

Agricultural online portal.

Various food matters.

Indiana grown produce for students program.

Foreign ownership of land.

Horticultural matters.

Canine standard of care.

Inventory of lost farmland.

State fair advisory committee.

Adoption of an animal used in product testing.

Right to food.

Horse racing veterinarians.

Veterinary medicine.

Seed tests.

Equine dentistry.

Provides that the Constitution of the State of Indiana guarantees the right of the people of Indiana to engage in diverse farming and ranching practices. Provides that the general assembly may not pass a law that unreasonably abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ or refuse to employ effective agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices. Provides that the new constitutional provision does not modify any: (1) provision of the common law; (2) statute relating to trespass or eminent domain; or (3) other property right, existing or previously enacted statute, or existing or previously adopted administrative rule.

Right to food.

Urban agricultural zones.

Food purchases from agricultural programs.

Enforcement of pesticide violations.

Agricultural emergency procedures.

Return of lost pets to owners.

Exempts tender vehicles from state gross retail tax.

Annual inspections of CAFOs.

Sale of companion animals.

Regulation of pesticide use and application.

Agricultural matters. Provides that a county, city, town, or township may not adopt or continue in effect any ordinance, rule, regulation, or resolution prohibiting the establishment or maintenance of beekeeping on property that the person owns, rents, or leases. Specifies that a county, city, town, or township may adopt an ordinance, rule, regulation, or resolution that regulates certain aspects of beekeeping.

State fair. Reorganizes the state fair board (board) member districts. Provides for the transition and retention of current board members. Adds: (1) the director of the Purdue University cooperative extension service and an appointed member of the state fair board (board) as voting members of the state fair commission (commission); and (2) the chairperson and vice chairperson of the state fair advisory committee and a community representative as nonvoting members of the commission. Provides that not more than two members of the commission may be from the same district. Provides that the commission and the board shall ensure that the state fair (fair) is held annually. Specifies that the commission is responsible for all contracts related to the fair. Provides that statewide organizations may be certified by the department of agriculture (department) as eligible to vote in a state fair district election. Requires the department to maintain a list of organizations on the department's Internet web site that are certified to vote in a district election. Requires the director or an employee of the department designated by the director to preside over a district convention. Allows certain individuals to act as observers during the counting of the ballots. Requires the department, after the results of the election have been certified, to: (1) destroy the ballots; and (2) preserve the tally papers. Specifies responsibilities for the commission and board concerning the state fair and the fairgrounds. Repeals statutes concerning the center for agricultural science and heritage. Establishes the committee for agricultural science and heritage to advise the commission. Specifies that both the board and commission are state agencies for purposes of the Indiana tort claims act. Makes conforming changes.

Importation of domestic animals from abroad. Provides that any person who transfers a domestic dog or cat from a foreign country into Indiana shall provide the recipient of the domestic dog or cat with a copy of the domestic dog's or cat's certificate of veterinary inspection or official health certificate. Provides that a person who receives a domestic dog or cat that is imported from a foreign country into Indiana shall submit to the state board of animal health a copy of the domestic dog's or cat's certificate of veterinary inspection or official health certificate not more than 30 days after receiving the domestic dog or cat. Permits a person to provide or submit an electronic copy of a domestic dog's or cat's certificate of veterinary inspection or official health certificate.

Raw or unprocessed honey. Exempts raw honey and unprocessed honey from food establishment regulations.

Regulation of confined feeding operations. Amends the law on confined feeding operations (CFOs), which include any confined feeding of at least 300 cattle, 600 swine or sheep, 30,000 fowl, or 500 horses. Provides for the department of environmental management (IDEM) to issue CFO permits instead of "approvals". Provides that a person that owns a CFO, owns the livestock in a CFO, applies for a permit, permit renewal, or permit modification for a CFO, or is otherwise in direct or responsible charge of a CFO is a "responsible party" with respect to the CFO and must disclose certain information. Provides that a person may not start construction or operation of a CFO without obtaining a permit from IDEM and may not modify a CFO without obtaining a permit modification from IDEM. Provides that the application for a permit or permit modification must be accompanied by: (1) plans and specifications prepared or certified by a professional engineer; (2) certain site-specific information; and (3) a site-specific air pollution control plan. Requires IDEM to: (1) provide public access to a permit application through IDEM's virtual file cabinet; (2) publish a notice requesting public comments on the application; (3) allow interested persons to submit written comments; and (4) hold a public hearing on the permit application upon written request. Requires the commissioner of IDEM (commissioner) to deny an application for a permit or permit modification if the proposed activity would substantially endanger public health or the environment. Authorizes IDEM to revoke a CFO permit if necessary to prevent or abate a substantial endangerment to public health or the environment. Requires the environmental rules board (board) to adopt rules establishing: (1) limits on hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, and ammonia emissions; and (2) requirements and prohibitions applying to new CFOs, CFOs proposed for expansion, and other existing CFOs. Provides that the rules must prohibit a new or expanded CFO from being located within one mile of a residence unless the owner of the residence consents to a lesser setback or the commissioner determines that the CFO's air pollution control plan will prevent the CFO from exceeding the limits on hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, and ammonia emissions established by the rules of the board. Makes technical corrections.

Partition fences. Provides that a fence that is used by adjoining property owners as a fence is, unless otherwise agreed upon by the property owners, considered a partition fence and must be repaired, maintained, and paid for by the person who builds the fence or causes the fence to be built. Provides that the existing partition fence law applies to partition fences built and maintained before January 1, 2019. Repeals provisions of the fence law concerning: (1) required payment to the owner for an existing fence when previously unenclosed property becomes enclosed; and (2) application and construction of the partition fence law.

Implementation of federal food safety regulations. Amends the definition of "federal act" in the title governing health to recognize the amendments to the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (federal act). Adds a definition of "produce farm" in the title governing health. Allows the state health commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representative to enter and inspect certain produce farms. Requires certain produce farms to comply with certain federal requirements. Provides that the department may suspend the requirement to comply with the federal act if the federal government does not provide sufficient funds for

Seed commissioner rulemaking. Provides that the state seed commissioner (seed commissioner) shall adopt rules to add the following to the list of restricted noxious weed seeds: (1) Palmer amaranth. (2) Waterhemp. (3) Any pigweed seed. (4) Any Amaranth seed. Specifies that Amaranthus seeds sold for certain purposes are excluded from the seed commissioner's rulemaking.

Seed commissioner and state chemist. Provides that the state seed commissioner or state chemist may adopt emergency rules for a purpose for which the seed commissioner or state chemist is currently authorized to adopt rules under certain horticulture product and control laws. Specifies that any excess funds accumulated from the fees collected under certain pesticide laws must be paid to the treasurer of Purdue University and administered by the board of trustees of Purdue University. Moves uniform provisions concerning the state seed commissioner and state chemist to new chapters. Makes conforming changes.

Equine teeth floating. Provides that an individual who performs only equine teeth floating services is exempt from the veterinary medicine licensing requirements after submitting to the Indiana board of veterinary medical examiners (board) two signed letters of recommendation from previous clients. Requires the board to issue a card that identifies the individual who has submitted the letters of recommendation as a person who is exempt from licensing but may engage in the practice of veterinary medicine only by performing equine teeth floating services.

Adoption of retired research animals. Requires research facilities that use dogs or cats as research animals in experiments for education, research, science, or testing to offer retired research animals that do not have a substantial medical condition for adoption to animal care facilities or to individuals. Establishes immunity for the: (1) research facility's transfer of a retired research animal to an animal care facility; and (2) adoption of a retired research animal by an individual through the animal care facility. Provides the Indiana state board of animal health with rulemaking authority to implement the adoption of research animals.

Storage of agricultural ammonia. Provides for the regulation by the state chemist of facilities for the storage of ammonia or ammonia solutions. Defines "ammonia" to mean anhydrous ammonia that is intended for use as a fertilizer for agricultural purposes. Defines "facility for the storage of ammonia or ammonia solutions" as a facility in which ammonia or ammonia solutions are: (1) stored by a person that manufacturers or distributes ammonia or ammonia solutions; (2) stored in stationary containers; or (3) stored in mobile containers for more than 30 days in a calendar year. Prohibits the installation of a facility for the

Animals. Provides that a military animal rather than a service animal may be buried with a deceased owner. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on agriculture and natural resources or another appropriate interim study committee the topics of: (1) federal and state law concerning service and assistance animals; and (2) the permissible uses of service and assistance animals, including emotional support animals and therapy animals, in public accommodations.

Bovine tuberculosis testing. Provides that expenses related to bovine tuberculosis testing for each calendar year are payable as follows: (1) 50% from the county council. (2) 50% from the Indiana state board of animal health (board). Provides that the board is responsible for paying for the board's share of expenses with funds appropriated to the board in the state board of animal health indemnity fund.

Grain buyers and warehouse licensing. Makes numerous changes to the operations and procedures of the grain indemnity fund board (board) and the grain indemnity fund. Requires that a person applying for or renewing a license who does not conduct business at an Indiana address must appoint a registered agent in Indiana. Provides that violations of certain confidentiality agreements are Class B infractions. Provides that grain that has been delivered to a first purchaser for sale or storage under a bailment to a licensee within 15 months before the date of failure of the licensee may be considered in determining the

Industrial hemp. Removes provisions that: (1) allow a grower to retain seed from an industrial hemp crop for the following year; (2) exempt a grower from obtaining an agricultural hemp seed production license in order to retain seed for future planting; and (3) provide that seed retained by a grower may not be sold or transferred and is not required to meet the state seed commissioner's agricultural hemp seed standards.

Hemp. Allows the state seed commissioner to adopt rules ti implement laws concerning industrial hemp. Encourages Indiana University School of Medicine and other state educational institutions to research the use of cannabidiol oil (CBD) from a hemp plant in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. Provides that an individual who possesses or uses CBD from a hemp plant for the treatment of intractable epilepsy is not subject to criminal penalties for the possession or use of the CBD if certain conditions are met. Provides civil, criminal, and administrative immunity for a physician who recommends, dispenses, possesses, or administers CBD in the

Animals and agriculture. Defines "equine massage therapy". Provides that equine massage therapy is not included in the practice of veterinary medicine. Provides that an individual may not immunize an animal for a fee unless the individual is a veteranarian.

Agricultural matters. Provides that the seed commissioner may keep certain information concerning industrial hemp confidential. Provides that a licensed warehouse and grain buyer is subject to a fine for a delinquent license fee beginning with the first day that the license fee is delinquent. Urges the legislative council to assign to the appropriate study committee a study of issues related to the production and use of hemp oil that is produced from industrial hemp.

Grain buyer and warehouse operators. Increases the fee for inspecting a moisture testing device. Requires the Indiana grain buyers and warehouse licensing agency (agency) to employ all necessary employees to administer the grain buyer and warehouse laws. Defines "daily position record", "grain coproducts", and "seed inventory". Amends the definition of "grain assets". Changes the organization that administers the series 3 examination. Provides that an entity associated with a person with a revoked or suspended license may not operate as a grain buyer or warehouse. Adds seed inventory to the list of a warehouse's or grain buyer's (licensee's) unencumbered assets. Increases

Assessment of agricultural land. Provides that the soil productivity factors used for the March 1, 2011, assessment of agricultural land must be used for assessment dates occurring after March 1, 2014, unless and until new soil productivity factors are approved in a statute enacted by the general assembly. Specifies the manner in which the department of local government finance (DLGF) shall adopt rules to provide a method for determining the true tax value of agricultural land. Provides that the method in effect for the 2014 assessment date must be used until superseded by a method provided in rules adopted by

Soil productivity factors. Provides that the soil productivity factors used for the March 1, 2011, assessment of agricultural land must be used for the March 1, 2015, assessment date. Specifies that new soil productivity factors shall be used for assessment dates occurring after March 1, 2015.