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Legislators with BillsLegislators(192)
Referred Bills (212)
Wake boarding and wake surfing.
Department of natural resources.
Natural resource entrance fees.
Studies relating to natural lands.
Forest management.
Ground water.
Data center water regulation.
Natural resource entrance fees.
Regulation of dams.
Boating issues.
Department of natural resources.
Prescribed burning.
Watershed development commissions.
Deer hunting.
Ground water emergencies.
Clean water Indiana program.
Low head dams.
Natural resource entrance fees.
Restrictions on using nets or traps for minnows.
Little Calumet River basin development commission.
Prevention of chronic wasting disease.
State forest areas restricted from logging.
Free state park admissions for Gold Star families.
Wake boarding and wake surfing.
Water quality.
Free state park admission for non-motorized entry.
Study of the Cardinal Greenway.
Outdoor recreation.
Natural resource entrance fees.
Free state park admission for veterans.
Healthy forests and hardwoods expansion.
Sale of venison.
Carbon sequestration.
Hunting licenses for disabled veterans.
Watershed development commissions.
Natural resources.
Various natural resources matters.
Lake Michigan rescue equipment.
Assessment of wetlands classified as wildlands.
Catastrophically disabled veteran hunting.
Taking bobcats.
Locating and recovering wild game.
Development restrictions on slopes.
Local government permits for shoreline structures.
DNR best available flood hazard data.
Hunting licenses for disabled veterans.
Natural resources matters.
Floodplain mapping.
Watershed development commissions.
Exemption from permitting requirements.
Administrative rules concerning carbon dioxide.
Hunting and fishing license agents.
Watercraft registration renewal fee.
Lake Michigan rescue equipment.
Hunting season for disabled veterans.
Lake Michigan seawalls.
Natural resource entrance fees.
Lifetime fishing license.
Water rights.
Low water crossings.
Wake boarding and wake surfing.
Reduced hunting license fees for seniors.
State park admission to military members and veterans.
Carbon sequestration projects.
Flood plain management.
Regulation of dams.
Department of natural resources.
Natural resources matters.
Department of natural resources.
Direct contact with specified animals.
Carbon sequestration pilot project.
Wake boarding and wake surfing.
Hunting and fishing licenses.
Carbon sequestration pilot project.
Watershed development commissions.
DNR entry onto private property.
Ownership of Kankakee Meanderlands.
Old forest areas in state forests.
Regulation of dams.
Wake boarding and wake surfing.
Lifetime fishing license.
Hunting season for disabled veterans.
Tribal-state compact.
Conservancy district board meetings.
Various natural resources matters.
Natural resource matters.
Direct contact with specified animals.
Wildlife corridors.
Old forest areas in state forests.
Flood control measures.
Wake boarding and wake surfing.
Natural resources.
Low head dams.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the establishment of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Development within the Indiana Destination Development Corporation.
Low head dams.
Golden Hoosier passports for disabled veterans.
Natural resources foundation.
Removal of residence from floodway.
Levee repair and agency wetland coordination.
Wake boating.
Exotic or dangerous wild animals.
Flood control improvement district projects.
Pigeon Creek.
Violations of wildlife protection laws.
Historic bridges.
Duties of motorboat operators.
Underground storage of carbon dioxide. Declares the underground storage of carbon dioxide to be a public use and service, in the public interest, and a benefit to the welfare and people of Indiana. Authorizes the establishment of a carbon sequestration pilot project (pilot project) that will capture carbon dioxide at a proposed ammonia production facility in West Terre Haute and inject the carbon dioxide into underground strata and formations pursuant to a Class VI well permit from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an alternative to releasing the carbon dioxide into the air. Provides that if the operator of the pilot project is not able to reach an agreement with an owner of property to acquire: (1) ownership of underground strata or formations located under the surface of the property; or (2) ownership or other rights to one or more areas of the surface of the property for purposes of establishing and operating monitoring facilities required by the EPA; the operator of the pilot project may exercise the power of eminent domain to make the acquisition. Provides that the pilot project operator's acquisitions by eminent domain must be made through the law on eminent domain for gas storage, which provides that a condemnor, before condemning any underground stratum or formation, must have acquired the right to store gas in at least 60% of the stratum or formation by a means other than condemnation. Amends the law on eminent domain for gas storage to make it applicable to the pilot project operator's acquisitions by eminent domain. Provides that the state of Indiana, upon the recommendation of the director of the department of natural resources and review by the state budget committee, may obtain ownership of: (1) the carbon dioxide stored in the underground strata and formations; and (2) the underground strata and formations in which the carbon dioxide is stored; 12 years after pilot project underground injections begin or, if the underground injections cease in less than 12 years, after the underground injections cease. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee for the 2019 interim the task of studying the geologic storage of carbon dioxide.
Department of natural resources matters. Allows the department of natural resources to adopt emergency rules concerning entomology and pathology. Provides that an individual may not provide hunting guide services without a hunting guide license issued by the director of the department of natural resources. Defines "guide services" to include services by a person who for money or other consideration offers or advertises to transport an individual, transports an individual to a location, offers or advertises to assist, provide direction, or provide advice to an individual, or assists, provides direction, or provides advice to an individual for the purpose of hunting or fishing. Specifies that knowingly or intentionally providing guide services in violation of fish and wildlife laws to take, acquire, receive, transport, or possess wild animals that are protected by law is a criminal violation.
Watercraft accidents. Provides that an operator of a boat who is involved in an accident or collision resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a boat or other property (operator) shall: (1) if it can be done without endangering a person, stop the boat immediately and as close as possible to the scene of the accident; and (2) if it can be done without endangering a person, return to the scene of the accident and remain there until the operator has complied with the statutory requirements concerning watercraft accidents. Specifies that the operator shall notify emergency services in addition to providing reasonable assistance to each person injured. Requires that an operator make a reasonable and good faith effort to assist a person injured in a collision. Provides, however, that an operator is not required to perform an act that would endanger a person.
Department of natural resources. Specifies the use of certain motorboat fees. Provides that the administrator of the underground petroleum storage tank excess liability trust fund (ELTF) is required, not more than 30 business days after a claim on the ELTF is submitted, to: (1) approve the claim; (2) notify the claimant that a correction, a clarification, or additional information is needed; or (3) deny the claim. Provides that an employee drug testing plan is not required to be submitted with a bid for a public works contract. Eliminates both the department of natural resources fee and the lake and river enhancement fee. Sets out the registration and renewal fees for motorboats. Eliminates the mussel license. Removes a provision that exempts an activity in a boundary river floodway from having to acquire a construction permit. Extends the quarry and aggregate permits from two to five years. Allows the department of natural resources to construct, rent, lease, license, or operate public service privileges and facilities for recreation in a state forest. Provides that the department of natural resources ensure certain improvements are made to the Ferdinand and Morgan-Monroe state forests. Creates inspection service fees for land classified as native forest land, a forest plantation, or wildland. Makes conforming changes.
Hunting and trapping of bobcats. Establishes a bobcat hunting and trapping season in an eligible county. Requires the director of the department of natural resources (director) to establish and implement a program under which a bobcat may be taken in an eligible county. Establishes the requirements of the program, including the director's authority not to open a bobcat hunting and trapping season in an eligible county.
Disabled veterans benefits. Provides for an annual pass for nonresident disabled veterans to enter state parks at the same rate as residents of Indiana. Provides for a reduction of any fees charged for facilities, lodging, and recreational activities held or managed by the department of natural resources (department). Allows a nonresident disabled veteran to obtain a hunting and fishing license at an in-state resident rate. Allows the department to establish a deer hunting season for disabled veterans. Allows a nonresident disabled veteran to attend a state educational institution at an in-state tuition rate.
Urging the United States Forest Service to establish an off-road vehicles (ORVs) trail system.
Violations of wildlife protection laws. Makes it a Level 6 felony for a person to knowingly or intentionally take a wild bird or wild mammal that is on the endangered species list. Requires a court to notify the director of the division of fish and wildlife of a person's conviction for knowingly or intentionally taking a wild bird or wild mammal that is on the endangered species list. Requires that the division of fish and wildlife: (1) immediately revoke the convicted person's license to hunt or trap in Indiana; and (2) prohibit the convicted person from receiving a license to hunt or trap in Indiana. Makes it a Level 6 felony for a person to illegally take a deer or wild turkey if the person has at least three prior unrelated convictions for illegally taking a deer or wild turkey in the previous seven years. Increases, for a third or subsequent violation, the amount that a person must reimburse the state for unlawfully taking, possessing, or selling a deer or wild turkey. Increases the amount that a person must reimburse the state for unlawfully taking or possessing wildlife (other than a fish, deer, or wild turkey), and provides for increased reimbursement amounts for second and subsequent violations.
Passenger boat inspection requirements. Allows the owner of a boat that operates upon public water and carries passengers for hire to elect to have the boat inspected by either a dry dock inspection or a dockside inspection with an underwater examination of the exterior portion of the boat that is below the waterline. Requires the owner to pay an additional fee for an underwater examination of the exterior portion of the boat that is below the waterline.
Prohibited use of spotlights. Defines "spotlight" as a projected spot of light used to direct a narrow, intense beam onto a dwelling or livestock. Provides that a person may not knowingly or intentionally shine or cause to be shined a spotlight onto the dwelling or livestock of another. Provides that a person who violates the prohibition added by the bill commits a Class C infraction.
All terrain vehicle safety. Specifies that an individual who is riding in a side by side off-road vehicle with a roll cage, and is properly fastened into and restrained by a child restraint system, is not required to wear a helmet.
Operation and registration of all-terrain vehicles. Requires all-terrain vehicles to be registered with the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau). Provides certain exceptions. Provides that the registration fee for an all-terrain vehicle is $30. Specifies how the fee shall be distributed. Prohibits a city or town from adopting an ordinance that exempts an all-terrain vehicle from being registered with the bureau. Provides that a person may operate an all-terrain vehicle in an unincorporated area of a county. Makes conforming amendments.
Conservation funding. Establishes the Indiana outdoor stewardship program to: (1) protect land, water, and wildlife resources; (2) acquire land, or an interest in land, for the protection of land, water, and wildlife resources; and (3) maintain Indiana department of natural resources (DNR) owned or managed facilities in good condition. Appropriates to the DNR from the state general fund the total amount of state gross retail and use taxes collected under IC 6-2.5 in each state fiscal year that are attributable to establishments classified under the North American Industry Classification Code 451110 (sporting goods stores). Specifies the permitted uses of the appropriated money. Provides for reductions in the amount of money allotted to the DNR from the appropriated amounts if state gross and retail use tax collections decline. Requires annual reports on the program.
Public trust land and private land owner immunity. Defines "Lake Michigan public trust land" as land adjoining Lake Michigan to which the state of Indiana holds legal title in trust for the recreational use of the public. Provides that a property owner is not civilly liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss that a person incurs while passing across the property to reach Lake Michigan public trust land. Provides, however, that a property owner is not immune from civil liability for personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss caused by the property owner's intentional misconduct.
Division of outdoor recreation. Establishes responsibilities for the director of the division of outdoor recreation concerning the following: (1) Coordination of outdoor recreation policy. (2) Promotion of economic development. (3) Recommending to the governor and general assembly policies and initiatives to enhance recreational amenities and experiences in Indiana. (4) Preparation of an annual report on the economic, social, and community impact of the outdoor recreation industry across Indiana. (5) Developing strategies to increase the number of new jobs related to outdoor recreation and to address workforce issues. Creates the outdoor recreation grant program.
Clean water Indiana program. Revises the statement of the purposes of the clean water Indiana program. Provides that the purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to implement conservation practices in accordance with the natural resources priorities of the soil conservation board.
Study of low head dams and riparian rights. Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee the task of studying: (1) low head dams; and (2) riparian rights; during the 2019 interim.
Regulation of mining. Provides that rules adopted by the natural resources commission shall require that all blasting operations involving surface coal mining operations must be monitored with the use of at least three seismic monitors. Provides that a surface coal mining operation may not be located within 1,000 feet of any of the following: (1) An occupied dwelling, unless waived by the owner. (2) A public building. (3) A school. (4) A church. (5) A community or an institutional building. (6) A public park. Specifies that the 1,000 foot requirement shall be measured as follows: (1) From the nearest exterior wall of an occupied dwelling to the surface coal mining operation. (2) From the nearest property boundary to the surface coal mining operation for a public building, school, church, community or institutional building, or public park. Makes a conforming change.
Say's Firefly designated as state insect. Designates Pyractomena angulata, also known as "Say's Firefly", as the official state insect of Indiana.
Improvements in historic districts. Provides that certain requirements for an alteration to a historic site or a historic structure do not apply to a construction project that is funded by the state and that involves the substantial alteration, demolition, or removal of a road or a sidewalk within the boundaries of the property of a historic site or a historic structure. Requires a person who intends to perform a construction project on a road or a sidewalk within the boundaries of the property of a historic site or a historic structure to submit an application for a certificate of approval
St. Joseph River basin commission. Amends the law concerning the St. Joseph River basin commission (commission). Provides that the commission includes the county surveyor of each participating county and a representative of each soil and water conservation district that includes territory in a county participating in the commission and territory in the river basin. Eliminates from the commission the member of a soil and water conservation district appointed by the governor. Repeals the commission's statutory quorum requirement. Authorizes a political subdivision in a participating county to enter into a cooperative agreement with the commission and at least one other legal
State parks. Requires that two (2) of the four (4) legislative members of the White River state park development commission must represent the legislative district that includes the White River State Park. Urges the legislative council to assign to a study committee the task of studying whether counties should be authorized to: (1) adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge on fees collected within a state park; and (2) use the revenue from the surcharge to assist a unit of local government that provides police protection, fire protection, emergency medical services, or road repairs to the state park.
Taking of sand from bed of Lake Michigan. Provides that sand taken from the bed or from under the bed of Lake Michigan pursuant to a permit from the department of natural resources (DNR) may only be deposited on the beach of Lake Michigan and may not be removed to any other place or used for any other purpose. Provides, however, that: (1) if a permittee dredges not more than ten cubic yards of sand from the bed or from under the bed of Lake Michigan within a 30 day period, the permittee is not required to deposit the sand
Department of natural resources. Requires motorboats operated on waters of concurrent jurisdiction with the United States or another state to be equipped with certain combination lights. Exempts employees of a federal wildlife management agency, acting in accordance with a permit and the written consent of the director of the department of natural resources (department), from the prohibition on shooting from or across public highways. Allows the department to adopt rules authorizing the use of rifles on public property. Allows the use of rifles on privately owned land for hunting under certain conditions. Allows for fishing within 200 yards (rather than
Urges the United States Forest Service to establish an off-road vehicles (ORVs) trail system.
Local regulation of natural resource development. Changes the definition of "urban area" for purposes of a land use statute in the area planning law to include any lands or lots used for residential purposes where there are at least 20 residences (instead of eight residences) within any quarter mile square area. Specifies that the statute does not authorize an ordinance or action of a plan commission or a board of zoning appeals prohibited by the remainder of the bill. Provides that the prohibition applies when exercising jurisdiction within the geographic area of a plan commission or board of zoning appeals,
Deer hunting. Authorizes the use of a rifle to hunt deer on privately owned land during: (1) the youth deer season; (2) the firearms season; (3) the special antlerless season where authorized by the department; and (4) the deer reduction season where authorized by the department. Requires the department to adopt rules authorizing the use of a rifle to hunt deer on public property.
Hunting opportunities for disabled veterans. Allows a nonresident disabled veteran to obtain, for use at certain veterans events, a hunting and fishing license at an in-state resident rate.
Fertilizer runoff and Lake Michigan discharges. Amends the water pollution control law effective July 1, 2020, to: (1) eliminate an exception to the prohibition against causing water pollution that applies to fertilizer run off from a field in a storm event if the fertilizer was applied to the land in compliance with rules of the state chemist; (2) eliminate a requirement that the commissioner of the department of environmental management allow for a mixing zone in a permit that involves a discharge into Lake Michigan if the permit applicant can demonstrate that the mixing zone will not cause harm to
Hunting and fishing privileges for disabled veterans. Allows a disabled veteran to obtain a hunting and fishing license free of charge.
Regional water resources planning. Divides Indiana into 18 water resources planning regions, each of which consists of two or more counties. Establishes a regional water management planning group (planning group) for each water resources planning region. Provides that a planning group is a separate body corporate and politic consisting of 10 members. Provides for the appointment of the members of a planning group by the governor. Requires a planning group to: (1) gather and analyze data on the water resources and uses of its region; (2) develop regional water plans to sustainably serve all of the water needs and interests
Passenger boat inspection requirements. Allows the owner of a boat that operates upon public water and carries passengers for hire to elect to have the boat inspected by either a dry dock inspection or a dockside inspection with an underwater examination of the exterior portion of the boat that is below the waterline. Requires the owner to pay an additional fee for a dockside examination of the exterior portion of the boat that is below the waterline.
Say's Firefly designated as state insect. Designates Pyractomena angulata, commonly known as "Say's Firefly", as the official state insect of Indiana.
Regulation of dams. Provides that the laws regulating dams apply only to a structure that meets two or more of the following conditions: (1) Exceeds 20 feet in height. (2) Has a drainage area above the dam of more than one square mile. (3) Impounds a volume of more than 100 acre-feet of water. Requires the department of natural resources (department) to establish a classification system for dams based on: (1) the height of the structure and the volume of water impounded by the structure; and (2) the force of the water and the likely consequences resulting from the uncontrolled
Various natural resources matters. Adds certain structures that are eligible for institutional road fund money on department of natural resources (DNR) properties. Amends the definition of "operate" for purposes of the operation of a motorboat near a shore line. Authorizes the DNR to adopt emergency rules related to the regulation of water recreation. Provides that certain fees concerning fish and wildlife, entomology and plants, water resources, lakes and reservoirs, dams, flood control, mineral extraction, channels, and well drillers and pump installers are considered to be minimum fees. Allows the natural resources commission to set certain license and permit fees above
Regulation of timber sales. Prohibits a unit (a county, city, town, or township) from regulating the sale or removal of merchantable timber from private property. Prohibits a unit from charging a person who sells or removes merchantable timber from private property a fee or requiring a bond for a road cut or other access to a highway that exceeds a fee or bond that the unit requires for new commercial construction.
Flood control public works projects. Creates the water resource development and flood prevention grant fund (fund). Requires the transfer of $10,000,000 of surplus revenue from the Hoosier Lottery per year, in quarterly installments, to the fund. Provides that if the surplus revenue from the Hoosier Lottery is insufficient to make any quarterly installment, the insufficiency shall be made up through a transfer from the postwar construction fund. Provides that the fund shall be administered by the Indiana finance authority (authority) and used to provide grants to towns, cities, and counties for flood control public works projects. Requires that all money
Habitat conservation stamp. Establishes the Indiana fish and wildlife habitat conservation stamp.
Report on underground natural resources. Requires the department of natural resources (DNR) to prepare a report that: (1) presents a comprehensive inventory of underground natural resources present in property belonging to the state; (2) indicates, for each site at which underground natural resources are located, the financial return the state is receiving from the underground natural resources, if any; (3) presents, for each site, options that might enable the state to begin receiving a return or to increase its return on the underground natural resources; and (4) indicates the option that, in the DNR's judgment, would offer the best and
Exotic animals and endangered species. Defines "domestically bred species and subspecies" as any member of a species or subspecies of fish and wildlife appearing on the United States list of endangered foreign fish and wildlife (50 CFR 17, Appendix A) that is bred in the United States or any territory of the United States from parents or stock held in captivity at the time the breeding of the specimen takes place. Specifies that certain domestically bred species and subspecies of fish and wildlife are excluded from certain prohibitions spelled out in fish and wildlife laws.
Hunting and fishing privileges for veterans. Allows a Hoosier veteran to obtain a hunting, fishing, and trapping license free of charge.
Elevation of a building in a flood plain. Prohibits the construction of a building in a flood plain unless the elevation of the lowest floor of the building will be at least one foot above the regulatory flood level. Provides that a rule of the natural resources commission (commission) may not require the elevation of the lowest floor of a building constructed in a flood plain to be greater than one foot above the regulatory flood level. Prohibits the director of the department of natural resources from enforcing, and requires the commission to repeal or amend, a rule of the
Hunting license. Provides that a person without a Social Security number may not be issued a hunting license without providing valid, government issued identification establishing that the applicant is a United States citizen.
Free admission to state parks of veterans with a disability. Provides free admission of certain veterans with a service connected disability to state parks, state museums, playgrounds, and historical sites held or managed by the department of natural resources or the state museum and historic sites corporation.
Say's Firefly designated as state insect. Designates Pyractomena angulata, also known as "Say's Firefly", as the official state insect of Indiana.
Dangerous wild animals. Prohibits a person from possessing, selling, transferring, or breeding a dangerous wild animal. Prohibits a person who owns a dangerous wild animal from allowing a member of the public to come into direct contact with the animal. Establishes requirements that a: (1) zoological park or circus; or (2) person who possesses a dangerous wild animal before July 1, 2017; must meet to continue to possess a dangerous wild animal. Establishes procedures to seize, impound, and forfeit dangerous wild animals. Provides criminal penalties for violations. Allows a city, town, or county to adopt an ordinance or a township
Say's Firefly designated as state insect. Designates Pyractomena angulata, also known as "Say's Firefly", as the official state insect of Indiana.
Regulation of wild animals and hunting preserves. Excludes the wild animal permit from the law requiring notice and hearing on an application for certain permits. Provides that certain fish and wildlife laws do not apply to certain legally owned captive bred cervidae and members of the bovidae family that may be hunted as permitted animals on hunting preserves. Provides for the initial licensing by the state board of animal health of hunting preserves on which permitted animals are hunted. Establishes licensing requirements, inspection requirements, and fees. Exempts licensed hunting preserves and cervidae livestock operations from the licensing requirements for game
Soil and water conservation funding. Specifies that a certain part of the cigarette tax fund money annually appropriated to the department of natural resources under current law shall be appropriated to and used by the division of soil conservation of the state department of agriculture (division) for soil conservation. Provides that the limit on the amount of local government funds received by a soil and water conservation district that the state may be obligated to match must be adjusted if, because of a merger or a change in boundaries, the territory of the soil and water conservation district: (1) is
Mine subsidence. Allows the post-1977 abandoned mine reclamation fund to be used for the restoration of land that has been affected by surface coal mining operations. Removes the requirement that mine subsidence be caused by the collapse of inactive coal mines abandoned before August 3, 1977. Removes the exclusion of public buildings from the definition of structure. Provides that mine subsidence coverage must include coverage of up to $15,000 for additional living expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by an insured who is temporarily displaced as a direct result of damage caused by mine subsidence to the covered structure in which
Various natural resources matters. Removes from the natural resources commission duties to administer parts of the flood control program and the flood control revolving fund. (Current law provides that the Indiana finance authority (authority) administer the program and fund.) Provides that an application to have land classified as native forest land, a forest plantation, or wildlands must be handled by the county assessor. (Current law requires the county auditor to handle the applications.) Provides that a person who operates certain boats that do not have an aft light commits a Class C infraction. Prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles
Deer hunting. Provides that certain rifles may be used to hunt deer on privately owned land during the firearms seasons beginning after June 30, 2016, and ending before January 1, 2020. Requires the department of natural resources (DNR) to report on the impact of the use of rifles to hunt deer. Authorizes the use of a handgun that fires a commercially available bullet of 10 millimeters in diameter to hunt deer.
Say's Firefly designated as state insect. Designates Pyractomena angulata, also known as "Say's Firefly", as the official state insect of Indiana.
Designates the monarch as the state butterfly. Designates the monarch butterfly as the official state butterfly of Indiana.
Violations of wildlife protection laws. Makes it a Level 6 felony for a person to knowingly or intentionally kill a wild bird or wild mammal that is on the endangered species list. Makes it a Level 6 felony for a person to illegally take a deer or a wild turkey if the person has at least three prior unrelated convictions for illegally taking a deer or a wild turkey in the previous seven years. Increases the amount that a person must reimburse the state for unlawfully taking, possessing, or selling a deer or wild turkey for a third or subsequent
Designation of old forest areas in state forests. Requires the department of natural resources, before January 1, 2017, to designate as an old forest area at least one undivided area comprising at least 10% of each state forest. Provides that, wherever possible, the size of a designated old forest area must be at least 500 acres. Sets forth certain purposes that are to guide the department in designating the old forest areas. Prohibits the department from conducting or allowing timber management in the old forest areas. Requires the department to produce and keep on file maps and legal descriptions of
Natural resources matters. Allows the department of administration to sell abandoned railroad corridor property to an adjacent landowner under certain conditions. Adds supplies purchased for resale at properties owned or managed by the department of natural resources (department) to the purchases exempt from the public purchasing requirements. Allows the state forester to use a geographic information system for classified land inspections if a landowner chooses to not accompany the state forester on the inspection. Provides that certain information concerning an endangered species may be kept confidential. Allows the director of the department to issue an order vacating a public highway
Recreational trails guidelines. Requires the division of outdoor recreation of the department of natural resources to develop recreational trails guidelines to address the following issues as they relate to recreational trails: (1) Clear statement of ownership and management of each trail. (2) Right-of-way inconsistencies. (3) Fence line and drainage issues. (4) Tree and brush control. (5) Weed and mowing issues. (6) Law enforcement jurisdiction issues. (7) Signage issues. (8) Conflict resolution procedures. (9) Appeal procedures. (10) Use by public utility facilities.
Hunting guide services. Amends the definition of "guide services" to include: (1) offering to transport; and (2) transporting; an individual to a location for the purpose of hunting or fishing in exchange for money or other consideration. Provides that a person who provides guide service by knowingly or intentionally transporting an individual to private property to hunt or fish without the permission or consent of the owner of the private property commits a Class A misdemeanor.
Mineral estates of unknown or missing owners. Establishes a procedure that allows a person that: (1) is engaged in the production or development of a mineral; and (2) owns or leases a property interest in an area within the boundaries of a proposed production unit established by spacing regulations of the division of oil and gas, which the person seeks to develop, or the mineral estate adjacent to, adjoining, or contiguous to the mineral interest of an unknown or missing owner of the mineral interest; to bring an action in court that allows the person to enter into a lease
Invasive species council. Extends the expiration date of the invasive species council from July 1, 2015, to July 1, 2023. Makes technical changes.
Additional antlered deer licenses. Allows the department of natural resources to establish a lottery system to allow an individual to purchase a license to take more than one antlered deer within a one year period.
Hunting preserves. Provides for the initial licensing and operation of hunting preserves: (1) on which Indiana farm raised and released cervidae are hunted; and (2) that operated during the 2014 calendar year. Establishes licensing requirements, inspection requirements, and fees. Exempts licensed hunting preserves from the licensing requirements for game breeders and shooting preserves. Provides that hunters on hunting preserves are required to have a special hunting license. Specifies that the fee for the special hunting license is equal to the fee for a nonresident annual hunting license. Provides that hunters are not subject to bag limits. Requires that a transportation
Voluntary monitoring of water resources. Requires the department of natural resources (department) to establish a program under which volunteers may monitor the water resource (which, as defined in IC 14-25-7, includes both ground water and surface water) and provide monitoring data to the natural resources commission and the department. Provides that the department shall: (1) train the volunteers participating in the program in the proper collection and transmission of data; (2) determine the location and ensure the adequacy of the monitoring wells used in the program; and (3) conduct water resource monitoring independent of the program to verify the quality
Levees. Provides that a county may pay the costs incurred by a committee in charge of a levee for maintenance or repairs on a levee and later be reimbursed through the assessment of the land benefited by the maintenance or repairs. (Current law requires that the county pay the costs of maintenance or repairs on a levee and later be reimbursed through the assessment of the land benefited by the maintenance or repairs.) Allows a committee in charge of a levee to raise the necessary money to pay the cost of maintenance or repairs on a levee.
Homeland security cease and desist orders. Authorizes the executive director of the department of homeland security to issue a cease and desist order when a political subdivision is taking an action that: (1) constitutes a violation of any state or federal statute or local ordinance, any state administrative rule or federal regulation, or any contract provision or condition of the receipt of any form of federal governmental assistance; and (2) creates an immediate risk that the state will lose grant funds under the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) mitigation grant program or that property owners in any part of Indiana
Wyandotte Cave. Requires that Wyandotte Cave be open to the general public during the summer months of 2016.
Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Requires the department of natural resources to issue to residents of Indiana and nonresidents of Indiana who own land in Indiana lifetime licenses to hunt, fish, or trap. Requires the natural resources commission to adopt fees for lifetime licenses to hunt, fish, or trap.
Natural resources issues. Prohibits a conservation officer from issuing a ticket, summons, or citation for a traffic offense, except for a felony committed in a conservation officer's presence, on property other than property owned or managed by the department of natural resources. Allows a person to possess an alcoholic beverage at a beach while the person is moving or transferring the alcoholic beverage to an area where a person is allowed to possess the alcoholic beverage. Transfers $6,000,000 from the department of natural resources law enforcement appropriation to the division of state parks and reservoirs for capital improvements at certain
Oil and natural gas regulation. Amends the statute concerning home rule for units of local government to specify that such units do not have the power to regulate or prohibit oil and gas exploration, development, or production activities, including activities involving horizontal drilling or hydraulic fracturing.
Regulation of dams. Provides that in determining the hazard classification of a dam, the department of natural resources (department) may consider only the potential consequences resulting from the uncontrolled release of a dam's contents due to a failure of the dam to certain properties that were present at the time the dam was built. Provides that if a dam is later modified to impound a greater volume of water, the department shall determine the dam's hazard classification based on the potential consequences resulting from the uncontrolled release of the dam's contents due to a failure of the dam at the
Designated wild areas. Provides that 13 specified areas within certain state forests are designated wild areas. Specifies certain activities that are prohibited or allowed within a designated wild area. Establishes responsibilities for the department of natural resources and divisions that manage designated wild areas.
Hunting and fishing licenses. Provides that an individual may purchase and request that the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) place a notation on the individual's driver's license or identification card that indicates that the individual has a fishing, hunting, or hunting and fishing license. Requires the department of natural resources to establish fees for the fishing, hunting, or hunting and fishing licenses sold by the bureau.
DNR director authority over dewatering wells. Amends the law concerning the emergency regulation of ground water rights to: (1) include within the definition of "dewatering well" a water well or pump system that is used as part of a mining project to remove water from an area being mined; (2) authorize the director of the department of natural resources (director) to declare a ground water emergency when an investigation discloses that a dewatering well has caused a significant ground water withdrawal facility to fail to produce water in a quantity sufficient for the beneficial use for which the facility owner
Wabash, White, and Ohio Rivers aquifer study. Requires the department of natural resources (department) to: (1) identify, gather, and study information about the aquifers directly connected with the Wabash River, the White River, and the Ohio River; (2) establish and maintain a common data base containing the information gathered about those aquifers; (3) submit a status report concerning the information gathered and the study conducted to the interim study committee on environmental affairs (committee); and (4) identify and develop water conservation measures for the river basins of the Wabash River, the White River, and the Ohio River that are consistent
Large scale discharges into state waters. Makes it a Class C infraction for a person to discharge more than 20 million gallons of water per day into any waters of the state without the approval of the director of the department of natural resources.
Water related study committee responsibilities.
Natural resources matters.
Various natural resource matters.
Special circumstances hunting safety card.
Lewis and Clark expedition commission.
Levee associations.
White River State Park administrative rules.
Sale of seedlings and wildflower seeds.
Local regulation of oil and gas wells.
Wabash, White, and Ohio Rivers aquifer study.
Game preserves.
Back-country areas.
Wild animal permits.
Indiana sportsmen's benevolence account.
Off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.
Natural resources matters.
Motorboat registration.
Levee repair and reimbursement.
Indiana state museum.
Shooting and hunting preserves.
Boundaries of Lake Michigan property.
Purchase of Moon Valley property.
Spotlighting wildlife.
Wild hogs.
Lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus.
Distribution of water resources.
Water management authority.
Boating requirements.
Hunting preserves.
Environmental review of hydraulic fracturing.