LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6787 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 28, 2023
BILL NUMBER: SB 253 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Pol BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill requires the owner of a pier or public access site on Lake Michigan to
install public rescue equipment, including at least one ring life buoy, on the pier or public access site. It
establishes requirements concerning ring life buoys installed on piers and public access sites. It provides that
the end of the buoy line must not be secured to the shore.
The bill requires a unit of local government that owns one or more piers or public access sites on Lake
Michigan, at least twice per year, to publish on the unit's website a report on lakefront drownings that occur
within 50 feet of the unit's piers or public access sites. It provides that if more than one fatal drowning occurs
not more than 50 feet from a particular pier or public access site in a span of five years, the owner of the pier
or public access site shall: (1) disseminate in the area of the pier or public access site a water safety plan
pertaining to the pier or public access site; and (2) upgrade the public rescue equipment installed on the pier
or public access site, such as by installing equipment that automatically contacts the local 911 service in an
emergency.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: The bill would increase expenditures for the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and the Ports of Indiana to install and maintain public rescue equipment, if not already in
place, at any state-owned piers or public access sites on Lake Michigan, and to provide public education
concerning the equipment. The DNR operates a public beach along Lake Michigan at the Indiana Dunes State
Park. The Ports of Indiana is a body both corporate and politic that operates three Indiana ports, which
includes Burns-Harbor on Lake Michigan. Depending on the amount of public rescue equipment needed,
costs could vary.
SB 253 1 The bill requires the Natural Resources Commission to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill,
which is a routine administrative function of the commission.
Additional Information: “Public access site”, as defined by the bill, means a site that is adjacent to the public
trust and intended to facilitate direct public access to the public trust. The public trust refers to the waters
of Lake Michigan (within Indiana’s boundaries), the land under the waters, and the beach up to the ordinary
high water mark. However, the term excludes a private residence or areas on state-owned property where
swimming is prohibited.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: The bill requires counties, cities, towns, and townships located in
Indiana who own a pier or public access site on Lake Michigan to install public rescue equipment and
provide public education concerning the public rescue equipment. Depending on the amount of public rescue
equipment needed, costs could vary.
Local units that own a pier or public access site on Lake Michigan will also be required to compile a report,
at least twice a year and published on their website, that reports any drowning that occurred within 50 feet
of a pier or public access site. If a drowning happens between reports, local units will be required to report
the additional drowning on their website. If more than one drowning occurs within 50 feet within a span of
five years, the owner of the pier or public access site must create a water safety plan, and upgrade the public
rescue equipment.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Department of Natural Resources; Ports of Indiana; Natural Resources
Commission.
Local Agencies Affected: Counties, cities, towns, or townships that own a pier or public access site on Lake
Michigan.
Information Sources: Indiana’s beaches and piers on Lake Michigan:
https://www.southshorecva.com/things-to-do/beaches/;
https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/fishing/where-to-fish-interactive-map/;
https://www.in.gov/dnr/lake-michigan-coastal-program/files/lmcp-lake_michigan_public_trust.pdf;
https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/files/dunes_trail.pdf;
Lake Michigan Drowning Data:
https://apps.michiganseagrant.org/dcd/dcdsearch.php;
https://glsrp.org/statistics/.
Fiscal Analyst: Heather Puletz, 317-234-9484.
SB 253 2