IndianaHB 1557First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)House

Prescribed burning.

Sponsored By: Beau Baird (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Defines "prescribed burn". Provides for the following: (1) Requirements to be met before a person conducts a prescribed burning. (2) That a certified prescribed burn manager and a completed prescribed burn plan must be present during a prescribed burning. (3) Certain civil liability immunities related to conducting a prescribed burn and the prescribed burn certification program. (4) Under certain conditions, exemption of prescribed burning from certain local regulations. (5) That a prescribed burning and the smoke produced by the prescribed burning do not constitute a nuisance. (6) That the division of forestry shall administer the training and certification program for prescribed burning. Limits damages for injuries or losses as result of a prescribed burn to actual damages.

natural resourcesthe senate

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Landowners gain burn rights and duties

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana landowners have the right to use planned fires for forestry, fuel reduction, habitat improvement, and plant management. The Division of Forestry runs the burn-manager certification program and sets written burn-plan standards; certified managers must complete its training. Before burning, burners need a written plan prepared and approved by a certified manager, plus the owner's written consent if burning someone else's land. They must notify the nearest local fire department and county 911 dispatcher at least 24 hours before burning. During the burn, a certified manager must be on site, and the burner must carry a completed copy of the plan.

Burners gain protections; damage claims narrow

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana protects certified burn managers, landowners, and authorized agents from civil liability for burn or smoke harm when they meet the planning, written-consent, 24-hour notice, and on-site supervision requirements described above. This protection excludes harm caused by negligence or willful and wanton misconduct. Burns meeting those requirements are also exempt from county or municipal vegetation-burning bans, including bans under local disaster emergency declarations. Prescribed burns and their smoke are not legal nuisances, and recovery for burn injuries or losses is limited to actual damages. Division of Forestry officers, agents, and employees also receive civil liability protection under state law for planning, conducting, or helping with burns and administering certification, including revocations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Beau Baird

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Maureen Bauer

    Democratic • House

  • Michael Karickhoff

    Republican • House

  • Mike Aylesworth

    Republican • House

  • Susan Glick

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 191 • No: 34

House vote • 4/17/2025

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 80 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 38 • No: 9

House vote • 2/4/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 73 • No: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 124

    4/30/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    4/30/2025House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/22/2025Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    4/21/2025House
  6. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 488: yeas 80, nays 10

    4/17/2025House
  7. Motion to concur filed

    4/14/2025House
  8. Returned to the House with amendments

    4/2/2025Senate
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 329: yeas 38, nays 9

    4/1/2025Senate
  10. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    3/31/2025Senate
  11. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    3/25/2025Senate
  12. First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources

    2/19/2025Senate
  13. Referred to the Senate

    2/5/2025House
  14. Representatives Karickhoff and Bauer added as coauthors

    2/4/2025House
  15. Representative Aylesworth added as coauthor

    2/4/2025House
  16. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 92: yeas 73, nays 15

    2/4/2025House
  17. Senate sponsor: Senator Glick

    2/4/2025House
  18. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/3/2025House
  19. Amendment #1 (Boy) failed; voice vote

    2/3/2025House
  20. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/30/2025House
  21. Authored by Representative Baird

    1/21/2025House
  22. First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources

    1/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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