2025 Bill Tracking Information
The Indiana General Assembly commenced the 2025 Legislative Session on January 8, marking a pivotal budget year. These budget sessions, occurring during odd-numbered years, are lengthier and primarily dedicated to shaping the state's two-year financial plan while addressing pressing legislative priorities.
This year’s session has brought heightened attention to water resource management and groundwater protection. Senate Republicans are prioritizing the responsible oversight of Indiana's water resources, proposing requirements for permits on basin-to-basin water transfers and large-scale water pipeline projects. These measures aim to ensure sustainable water use and prevent unnecessary depletion. Meanwhile, the Indiana Farm Bureau is championing expanded groundwater protection rights and advocating for a statewide groundwater well-monitoring network. This initiative seeks to safeguard groundwater supplies critical to agriculture and other essential needs.
The Alliance of Indiana Rural Water has been deeply engaged in this process, advocating for resources, policies, and legislative measures to support rural utilities and the communities they serve.
Here is the latest report as of 3/20/2025 from our lobbying firm, Bose Public Affairs Group, on the bills we are tracking this session. Check it out HERE!
[Check out last year's Legislative Recap from Executive Director, Kristin Bean! Discover insights on key legislative outcomes in 2024, including passed bills, failed measures, and more. Check it out HERE
House Bills
- HB1001 - State Budget.
Summary: Appropriates funds for state operations, including K-12 and higher education, Medicaid services, and various other distributions. Notably, it establishes tax credits for capital investments in rural funds and the Hoosier workforce investment tax credit for certain training costs.
Status: Referred to Senate Appropriations
- HB1052 - Onsite sewage systems.
Summary: Establishes standards and regulations for the installation and maintenance of onsite sewage systems to protect public health and the environment.
Status: Referred to Senate Environmental Affairs
- HB1126 - Watershed development commissions.
Summary: Authorizes the creation of watershed development commissions to manage water resources and address issues such as flooding and water quality within specific regions.
Status: Referred to Senate Natural Resources
- HB1190 - Water quality.
Summary: Implements measures to monitor and improve water quality across the state, including setting standards and providing resources for pollution control.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1268 - DNR study of groundwater resources.
Summary: Directs the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a comprehensive study of the state's groundwater resources to inform future water management policies.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1286 - PFAS chemicals.
Summary: Addresses the regulation and mitigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water supplies to protect public health.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1316 - Sewer and stormwater fees incurred by tenants.
Summary: Establishes guidelines for the responsibility and payment of sewer and stormwater fees incurred by tenants, clarifying the obligations of property owners and renters.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1366 - PFAS water safety standards.
Summary: Sets safety standards for PFAS levels in drinking water to ensure public health protection.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1421 - Septic grant program.
Summary: Establishes a grant program to assist homeowners in repairing or replacing failing septic systems to improve environmental and public health outcomes.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1446 - Sales tax exemption for utility service.
Summary: Provides a sales tax exemption for certain utility services, potentially reducing costs for consumers.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1459 - Water and wastewater utility asset management.
Summary: Mandates non-IURC-regulated water and wastewater utilities to submit asset management reports, including federal orders. The IURC will set reporting requirements and review compliance every four years. Repeated deficiencies trigger increasing oversight, including rate regulation and potential receivership. The IURC may collaborate with state agencies to enforce these provisions.
Status: Referred to Senate Utilities
*We have provided testimony on this bill and have been actively working behind the scenes with legislators to strengthen its position in support of our rural and small utilities.
- HB1460 - Drainage systems.
Summary: Addresses the maintenance and improvement of drainage systems to prevent flooding and promote effective water management.
Status: Third reading passed on 3/18/2025
- HB1477 - Mobile home community matters.
Summary: Regulates aspects of mobile home communities, including infrastructure standards and resident protections.
Status: Referred to Senate Local Government.
- HB1553 - PFAS biosolids testing.
Summary: Mandates testing of biosolids for PFAS contamination before their application to land, aiming to prevent environmental pollution.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1610 - Onsite wastewater industry registry.
Summary: Creates a registry for professionals in the onsite wastewater industry to ensure compliance with standards and facilitate communication.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1628 - Property development matters.
Summary: Addresses various issues related to property development, including zoning, land use, and infrastructure requirements.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1645 - Rural utility infrastructure.
Summary: Provides funding and support for the development and maintenance of utility infrastructure in rural areas to enhance service delivery.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1673 - Tracking of municipal utility costs.
Summary: Requires municipalities to report utility service costs to promote transparency and inform policy decisions.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
- HB1674 - Tracking of statewide utility costs.
Summary: Mandates the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to annually report on utility service costs across the state, aiming to enhance transparency and inform policy decisions.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by House 3rd reading deadline
Senate Bills
- SB4 - Water matters.
Summary: Requires a permit from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for constructing, purchasing, selling, or leasing long-haul water pipelines and for transferring water between different basins. The bill aims to regulate large-scale water usage to protect Indiana’s water resources while supporting economic development.
Status: Referred to House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications
- SB28 - Ground water emergencies.
Summary: Establishes protocols and provides resources for responding to groundwater contamination emergencies to protect public health and the environment.
Status: Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means
- SB134 - Water management authority.
Summary: Proposes the creation of a centralized authority to oversee water resource management, aiming for more coordinated and efficient policies.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB211 - Clean Water Indiana program.
Summary: Enhances funding and support for the Clean Water Indiana Program, which focuses on reducing nonpoint source pollution through conservation practices.
Status: Senate Bills on Third Reading
- SB235 - Limitations on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Summary: Proposes limitations on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within state agencies and public institutions.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB251 - Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Summary: Modifies the structure and responsibilities of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to enhance economic growth strategies.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB256 - Ground water.
Summary: Focuses on the protection and sustainable use of groundwater resources, including monitoring and regulatory measures.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB349 - Environmental remediation.
Summary: Establishes procedures and funding mechanisms for the remediation of contaminated sites to protect public health and the environment.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB394 - Various tax and fiscal matters.
Summary: Addresses multiple tax policies and fiscal issues, including adjustments to tax rates and the allocation of state funds.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB421 - IURC matters.
Summary: Relates to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), including changes to its regulatory authority and procedures.
Status: 3/18/2025 - Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- SB426 - Water utility infrastructure.
Summary: Expands IURC oversight to include water utilities that, like certain wastewater utilities, are not under IURC rate jurisdiction but have received enforcement orders from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Additional enforcement orders trigger increasing regulatory actions, including rate reviews, rate regulation, and potential receivership. The bill also requires IURC to consider mechanisms for integrating and investing in acquired utilities and allows utilities to recover certain infrastructure improvement costs. It limits liability for water utilities if their supplied drinking water meets federal and state standards and restricts the Department of Natural Resources from ordering the removal of certain dams if doing so would impact public or private water supplies.
Status: Senate Bills on Third Reading
- SB427 - Nonjurisdictional water utilities.
Summary: Defines and sets guidelines for nonjurisdictional water utilities, focusing on their operation and oversight.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB458 - Extension of water services.
Summary: Establishes procedures for the extension of water services to unserved or underserved areas, aiming to improve access to clean water.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
- SB459 - Environmental matters.
Summary: Allows the Environmental Rules Board to establish regulations for the reclamation and reuse of treated wastewater. It also mandates that certain entities conduct annual cybersecurity vulnerability assessments for public water systems, designate a primary cybersecurity incident reporter, submit annual certification to the Department of Environmental Management, and report any actual or suspected cybersecurity breaches to the Office of Technology.
Status: Referred to House Environmental Affairs
- SB538 - PFAS chemicals.
Summary: Proposes regulations to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, including testing and remediation requirements.
Status: 2/20/2025 - DEAD BILL; Fails to advance by Senate 3rd reading deadline
Stay up to date!
Stay up to date and read more about each of these bills here:
IGA | Bills for 2025 Session (in.gov).
Also, be sure to contact us if you have questions or would like to share your utility's concern or support of a particular bill. If you would like to attend the session, we welcome you to join us!
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