IndianaSB 230Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Department of agriculture.

Sponsored By: Jean Leising (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Makes various amendments to the role of supervisors on soil and conservation boards. Removes a requirement that an individual who conducted an inspection of a landfill in a soil and conservation district (district) submit a copy of the report to the division of soil conservation. Provides that a district that fails to provide a copy of each annual financial statement of the district to the soil conservation board by March 31 shall have its funding withheld until the requirements are satisfied. Repeals the Indiana land resource council.

agricultureappropriationsthe houseagriculture and rural development

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Required Appointments Fill Soil District Vacancies

Beginning July 1, 2026, the board must fill soil district vacancies when three or more unexpired terms become vacant together. The board fills these seats by appointment.

Expanded State Support for Farm Businesses

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana’s Department of Agriculture administers livestock and agriculture marketing grants and leads agricultural development work. Its duties include international marketing and promoting farm resources processed into higher-value products. It also supports business partnerships with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and seeks private funding for selected development and trade efforts. The department helps develop biomass and algae systems for renewable energy. The law assigns related statutory duties but sets no grant amounts.

Indiana Ends Its Land Resources Council

Effective July 1, 2026, the law repeals the chapter establishing the Indiana Land Resources Council. The repeal provision names no replacement body or funding change.

Stricter Rules for Soil District Leaders

Beginning July 1, 2026, elected and appointed soil district supervisors must complete state training within one year of joining. District chairmen must appoint election committees by October 31 and send members’ names to the board by November 1. Each committee includes a supervisor as chair and two county residents. Associate supervisors and Division of Soil Conservation staff cannot serve. If the committee fails its required duties, affected seats are filled through vacancy procedures instead of an election.

Soil District Matching Funds Require Reports

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana matches eligible soil district funding dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 per district yearly. Districts must certify prior-year funding in their annual financial statements and spend matched money on district purposes. Statements are due March 1; matching funds are withheld until the board receives any missing statement. Payments are due by July 15 each year. If available state funding falls short, each district’s payment is reduced by the same percentage.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jean Leising

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Beau Baird

    Republican • House

  • Gary Byrne

    Republican • Senate

  • Kendell Culp

    Republican • House

  • Mike Aylesworth

    Republican • House

  • Scott Alexander

    Republican • Senate

  • Susan Glick

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/27/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    2/24/2026Senate
  2. Public Law 14

    2/24/2026Senate
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/19/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the Speaker

    2/18/2026House
  5. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/12/2026Senate
  6. Returned to the Senate without amendments

    2/11/2026House
  7. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 233: yeas 95, nays 0

    2/10/2026House
  8. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/9/2026House
  9. Representative Baird added as cosponsor

    2/5/2026House
  10. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    2/5/2026House
  11. First reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

    1/29/2026House
  12. Referred to the House

    1/28/2026Senate
  13. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 114: yeas 45, nays 0

    1/27/2026Senate
  14. Cosponsor: Representative Culp

    1/27/2026Senate
  15. House sponsor: Representative Aylesworth

    1/27/2026Senate
  16. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    1/26/2026Senate
  17. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/22/2026Senate
  18. Senator Alexander added as coauthor

    1/20/2026Senate
  19. Senator Byrne added as third author

    1/15/2026Senate
  20. Senator Glick added as second author

    1/15/2026Senate
  21. Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

    1/13/2026Senate
  22. First reading: referred to Committee on Agriculture

    1/8/2026Senate
  23. Authored by Senator Leising

    1/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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