Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1417
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 15-11-9-1.2; IC 36-9-27.2.
Synopsis: Agricultural matters. Directs the state department of
agriculture (department) to conduct an economic impact study based
on the findings of the lost farmland report prepared by the department.
Requires the department to oversee and take all actions necessary for
the preparation and publication of an updated version of the Indiana
Drainage Handbook. Authorizes the department to select a contractor
to draft the updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook.
Requires the secretary of agriculture and rural development to appoint
an advisory board to advise the contractor and the department and to
review and comment on the structure and the text of drafts of the
updated Indiana Drainage Handbook. Provides that the advisory board
must include representatives of certain organizations and state agencies
and may include other members appointed by the secretary of
agriculture and rural development.
Effective: July 1, 2024.
Baird, Aylesworth, Culp
January 16, 2024, read first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture and Rural
Development.
2024 IN 1417—LS 7063/DI 92 Introduced
Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1417
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
agriculture and animals.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 15-11-9-1.2 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
3 1, 2024]: Sec. 1.2. (a) The department shall conduct an economic
4 impact study based on the findings of the lost farmland report
5 described in section 1.1 of this chapter (before its expiration).
6 (b) The economic impact study must include an analysis of the
7 economic losses to communities based on every acre of lost
8 farmland previously used for agricultural purposes.
9 (c) The department shall issue a report to the legislative council
10 containing the department's findings and recommendations in the
11 economic impact study, including any recommended legislation, in
12 an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 not later than July 1, 2025.
13 (d) This section expires December 1, 2025.
14 SECTION 2. IC 36-9-27.2 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
15 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
16 JULY 1, 2024]:
17 Chapter 27.2. Indiana Drainage Handbook
2024 IN 1417—LS 7063/DI 92 2
1 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "department" refers to the
2 Indiana state department of agriculture.
3 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "Indiana Drainage Handbook"
4 refers to the publication "Indiana Drainage Handbook: An
5 Administrative and Technical Guide for Activities within Indiana
6 Streams and Ditches", which was prepared by the Christopher B.
7 Burke Engineering company in accordance with P.L.329-1995,
8 published in 1996, and revised and republished in 1999.
9 Sec. 3. (a) The department shall oversee and take all actions
10 necessary for the preparation and publication of an updated
11 version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook.
12 (b) The department may select a contractor to draft the updated
13 version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook. The contractor
14 selected under this subsection shall be subject to the supervision of
15 the department, and the text developed by the contractor shall be
16 subject to review and comment by the advisory board established
17 by section 4 of this chapter.
18 Sec. 4. (a) The secretary of agriculture and rural development
19 shall appoint an Indiana Drainage Handbook advisory board to:
20 (1) advise the contractor and the department on the
21 preparation of the updated version of the Indiana Drainage
22 Handbook; and
23 (2) review and comment on:
24 (A) the structure of; and
25 (B) the text of drafts of;
26 the updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook.
27 (b) The advisory board must include the following:
28 (1) A representative of the department.
29 (2) A representative of the Indiana County Surveyor's
30 Association.
31 (3) A representative of the Indiana Association of County
32 Commissioners.
33 (4) A representative of the Indiana Association of Soil and
34 Water Conservation Districts.
35 (5) A representative of the American Council of Engineering
36 Companies.
37 (6) A representative of the department of natural resources.
38 (7) A representative of the department of environmental
39 management.
40 (8) A representative of the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc.
41 (c) The secretary of agriculture and rural development:
42 (1) shall appoint one (1) member of the advisory board as
2024 IN 1417—LS 7063/DI 92 3
1 chairperson; and
2 (2) may appoint to the advisory board other individuals and
3 representatives of other organizations who, in the judgment
4 of the secretary of agriculture and rural development, have
5 knowledge and interests appropriate to membership on the
6 advisory board.
7 (d) A member of the advisory board serves until:
8 (1) the updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook is
9 published on the website of the department of natural
10 resources or the state department of agriculture; and
11 (2) the secretary of agriculture and rural development
12 declares that the work of the advisory board is concluded.
13 (e) The advisory board shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
14 After the contractor is selected under section 3 of this chapter, the
15 advisory board:
16 (1) shall meet at least two (2) times to review the work of the
17 contractor; and
18 (2) may meet at other times at the call of the chairperson as
19 the contractor's work on the updated Indiana Drainage
20 Handbook progresses.
21 (f) The department shall staff the advisory board.
22 (g) The expenses of the advisory board shall be paid from funds
23 appropriated to the department.
24 (h) Each member of the advisory board who is not a state
25 employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by
26 IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement
27 for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other
28 expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties
29 as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the
30 Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget
31 agency.
32 (i) A vacancy on the advisory board shall be filled by
33 appointment by the secretary of agriculture and rural
34 development.
2024 IN 1417—LS 7063/DI 92