All Roll Calls
Yes: 178 • No: 15
IndianaSB 224Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)SenateWALLET
Department of natural resources.
Sponsored By: Susan Glick (Republican)
Became Law
natural resourcesthe house
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 7 mixed.
Tighter reviews near burial grounds
Beginning July 1, 2026, development plans that could affect a burial ground must include a signed cover letter, project details, precise maps for any work within 100 feet, a detailed description, and recent photos. If boundaries are not documented, the division may require remote sensing or archaeological work to find them. The law also removes DNR’s prior duty to notify the Native American Indian affairs commission when Native American burial grounds are found or remains are removed.
Clearer DNR permits; no new fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law clarifies which licenses and projects fall under DNR’s permit chapter for lakes, dams, flood control, certain Lake Michigan structures, removing stream materials, and building channels. DNR may not use rulemaking to set fees for its programs, facilities, licenses, or inspections. Developers and owners must follow the chapter’s procedures for listed permits, but are protected from new fees being created by rule.
New regional river basin commissions
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state creates Maumee, St. Joseph, and Upper Wabash river basin commissions as municipal corporations. Counties may choose to participate, and commissions meet at least four times a year, can hire staff, receive grants, and acquire land or easements for flood control and water quality. Commissions may require onsite stormwater impoundment and limit building in 100‑year flood plains. Old basin commission statutes are repealed, and commissions or counties may reimburse member expenses as allowed.
More open DNR and NRC meetings
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Natural Resources Commission holds at least four regular meetings each fiscal year. The chair can call special meetings, and five members can require one. Meetings and hearings must follow Indiana’s open‑meetings law. If you seek judicial review of a Title 14 action, you must serve listed people and agencies at addresses posted on agency websites. DNR, the state geologist, and the state chemist must publish their office addresses online.
Grants for Wabash River corridor
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Wabash River heritage corridor fund provides grants for sustainable property development and pays costs to carry out the master plan. The DNR director manages the fund. Money can cover member expenses, administration, multicounty projects, and education or marketing to fulfill the plan. Fund dollars do not revert at year‑end and cannot be used for the Upper Wabash River basin commission.
Hometown Indiana grant program ends
On July 1, 2026, the Hometown Indiana Grant Program is repealed. After that date, grants under that statute are no longer available.
Boating and DNR accident reporting rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, if you tow a person or watersports object, you must have a spotter watching and keep your full attention on driving. The boating rules apply whether or not you tow, and they apply to each towed person or object. After a boat accident with injury, death, or $2,000+ in damage (or the BARD amount), you must tell law enforcement right away and mail a written report to DNR within 24 hours. On DNR lands, you must immediately report vehicle crashes that cause serious injury, death, or $2,500+ in damage. Breaking a rule under this chapter is a Class C infraction unless another law sets a different penalty.
Commission entry on floodplain land
Beginning July 1, 2026, commissions may enter land in the 100‑year flood plain, and when needed adjacent land, to investigate flood issues or suspected violations. They must give 21 days’ written notice and tell you how to appeal. You can appeal within that time, and the commission must hold a hearing. Entry must avoid damage to crops, fences, and buildings. Entry under this law is not criminal trespass.
Liability rules for recreation and burns
Beginning July 1, 2026, if people use your land for recreation, hunting, or fishing, you generally are not responsible for their injuries. This does not apply to residential parcels, and you are still liable for malicious or illegal acts. Business invitee and attractive nuisance rules still apply. Certified burn managers, landowners and their agents, and forestry officers are immune from civil lawsuits for prescribed burns and smoke when they follow section 6, except for negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.
Hunting and trapping rule changes
Effective July 1, 2026, acting as a hunting guide without a hunting guide license is no longer a Class B infraction. Trappers must check capture‑only traps and remove animals within 24 hours, and check kill‑design traps within 48 hours. You may not tend or remove animals from traps you do not own without the owner’s permission. DNR will publish a best‑practice recommending 24‑hour tending.
Path to watershed development commissions
Beginning July 1, 2026, basin commissions may convert to watershed development commissions if all member counties pass matching ordinances and the commission and DNR approve. The NRC and Division of Water hold public hearings with notice and check territory size and watershed studies before recognizing a new commission or a new member county. The law allows Maumee, St. Joseph, and Upper Wabash conversions despite general overlap limits. Assets and records must transfer to the new commission within 60 days after the new executive director is appointed. In court‑referred district cases, the commission reports findings within 120 days, with possible 30‑day extensions.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Susan Glick
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
David Abbott
Republican • House
James Tomes
Republican • Senate
Shane Lindauer
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 313 on SB0224.04.ENGH.CON01
Yes: 45 • No: 4
House vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 348 on SB0224.03.COMH
Yes: 85 • No: 11 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Roll Call 139 on SB0224.02.COMS
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Law 123
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Governor
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/27/2026HouseRules Suspended. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 313: yeas 45, nays 4
2/27/2026SenateMotion to concur filed
2/27/2026SenateDissent rescinded
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateHouse advisors appointed: Abbott, Hostettler, Jackson C, Novak
2/26/2026HouseHouse conferees appointed: Lindauer, Burton
2/26/2026HouseSenate advisors appointed: Tomes, Yoder
2/25/2026SenateSenate conferees appointed: Glick, Spencer
2/25/2026SenateMotion to dissent filed
2/25/2026SenateSenate dissented from House amendments
2/25/2026SenateReturned to the Senate with amendments
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 348: yeas 85, nays 11
2/24/2026HouseAmendment #2 (Lindauer) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026HouseSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
2/23/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/12/2026HouseRepresentative Abbott added as cosponsor
2/9/2026HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources
2/2/2026HouseReferred to the House
1/29/2026SenateSenator Tomes added as second author
1/29/2026SenateHouse sponsor: Representative Lindauer
1/29/2026SenateThird reading: passed; Roll Call 139: yeas 48, nays 0
1/29/2026Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed Senate Bill (S)
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Senate Bill (H)