IndianaHB 1355Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)House

Confined feeding operations.

Sponsored By: Kendell Culp (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Creates a preapplication process for the approval of confined feeding operations. Provides that the department of environmental management (department) must refund a confined feeding operation application fee under certain circumstances. Provides that certain confined feeding operations do not need to use certain equipment for solid manure produced by livestock. Prohibits the department from requiring an existing confined feeding operation permit holder, who is applying to expand an operation, to update a previously approved facility or structure. Establishes certain requirements for earthen berms at manure storage facilities. Requires the department to: (1) designate an employee as the point of contact for information on confined feeding operation applications; and (2) distribute the contact information of the designated employee to all operating confined feeding operations.

environmental affairsthe senate

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Manure storage berms face upkeep rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, installers must stabilize earthen berms at manure storage facilities with vegetation or other erosion controls. Berms must be maintained so inspectors can see conditions that could weaken them. Trees, shrubs, and other vegetation must stay outside, at least 16 feet from the berm’s interior. Vegetation on or near berms cannot block inspections or threaten their strength.

Farm applicants get deadline refund rights

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana must decide complete confined feeding applications within 90 days, unless both sides agree to more time. Complete applications must include required supplemental information. The department can pause processing for incomplete or legally inconsistent applications identified within 30 days; incompleteness requires mailed notice listing deficiencies. Applicants can request their application fee back after a missed deadline; refunds are due within 25 working days of the request. Review must continue, with a decision as soon as practicable. Denials require separate findings stating the ultimate facts and supporting facts, though some specified cases do not require explaining denial factors.

Farm design reviews get clear deadlines

Beginning July 1, 2026, farm applicants can request an early review of engineered manure treatment, control, or animal feeding facility designs. Indiana’s environmental department must review designs and schedule a meeting within 30 days of receiving them. Applicants must submit requested revisions within 45 days; the department must decide within 90 days of the meeting or resubmission. Early approval does not replace the formal application or other legal requirements. The department must also name an application contact and share that employee’s details with all operating confined feeding operations.

Farms gain design protections, retain safeguards

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana cannot impose liquid-manure design standards on solid manure facilities using strawpack or dry pack bedding. These facilities must still control runoff where rain or surface water touches manure. The department cannot require changes to lawful designs certified by an Indiana-registered, licensed professional engineer. It also cannot demand changes to an approved facility through a new application when the new facility does not affect it. The department can still set manure-handling and operating conditions to meet water pollution laws. It can amend or revoke approvals for noncompliance or to prevent manure discharges that threaten water quality.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kendell Culp

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Beau Baird

    Republican • House

  • Daryl Schmitt

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Aylesworth

    Republican • House

  • Rick Niemeyer

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 48

House vote • 2/19/2026

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 73 • No: 22

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0

House vote • 1/28/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 69 • No: 26

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    2/26/2026House
  2. Public Law 42

    2/26/2026House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/25/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/24/2026Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    2/23/2026House
  6. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 299: yeas 73, nays 22

    2/19/2026House
  7. Motion to concur filed

    2/19/2026House
  8. Returned to the House with amendments

    2/18/2026Senate
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 191: yeas 44, nays 0

    2/17/2026Senate
  10. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/12/2026Senate
  11. Amendment #1 (Niemeyer) prevailed; voice vote

    2/12/2026Senate
  12. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/9/2026Senate
  13. First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs

    2/2/2026Senate
  14. Referred to the Senate

    1/29/2026House
  15. Senate sponsors: Senators Niemeyer, Schmitt

    1/28/2026House
  16. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 117: yeas 69, nays 26

    1/28/2026House
  17. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    1/27/2026House
  18. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/22/2026House
  19. Representative Baird added as coauthor

    1/22/2026House
  20. Representative Aylesworth added as coauthor

    1/12/2026House
  21. First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs

    1/8/2026House
  22. Authored by Representative Culp

    1/8/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (H)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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