Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1512
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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 5-33.
Synopsis: Outdoor recreation. Establishes the outdoor recreation
development program within the Indiana destination development
corporation to coordinate tourism development activities with outdoor
recreation business opportunities.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Pfaff, Hamilton
January 21, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
2025 IN 1512—LS 6687/DI 153 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
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 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1512
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
natural and cultural resources.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 5-33-3-3, AS ADDED BY P.L.78-2019, SECTION
2 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
3 2025]: Sec. 3. (a) The corporation may do the following:
4 (1) Cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and
5 agencies in the coordination of programs to promote tourism.
6 (2) Receive and expend funds, grants, gifts, and contributions of
7 money, property, labor, and other things of value from public and
8 private sources, including grants from agencies and
9 instrumentalities of the state and the federal government. The
10 corporation:
11 (A) may accept federal grants for providing planning
12 assistance, making grants, or providing other services or
13 functions necessary to political subdivisions, planning
14 commissions, or other public or private organizations;
15 (B) shall administer these grants in accordance with the terms
16 of the grants; and
17 (C) may contract with political subdivisions, planning
2025 IN 1512—LS 6687/DI 153 2
1 commissions, or other public or private organizations to carry
2 out the purposes for which the grants were made.
3 (3) Request assistance, information, and advice regarding the
4 duties and functions of the corporation from an officer, agent, or
5 employee of the state. The head of any other state department or
6 agency may assign any of the department's or agency's employees
7 to the corporation on a temporary basis, or may direct a division
8 or agency under the department's or agency's supervision and
9 control to make a special study or survey requested by the
10 director.
11 (4) Disseminate information concerning and advertise or contract
12 to advertise the cultural, recreational, quality of life, and tourism
13 advantages of Indiana.
14 (5) Plan, direct, and conduct research activities.
15 (6) The corporation is authorized to accept and expend such
16 moneys as may be received from any source, including income
17 from the corporation's operations, for effectuating its corporate
18 purposes including, without limitation, the payment of the initial
19 expenses of administration and operation.
20 (b) The corporation shall do the following:
21 (1) Assist in the development and promotion of Indiana's tourist
22 resources, facilities, attractions, and activities.
23 (2) Administer the outdoor recreation development program
24 under IC 5-33-7.
25 SECTION 2. IC 5-33-7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS
26 A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
27 1, 2025]:
28 Chapter 7. Outdoor Recreation Development Program
29 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the outdoor
30 recreation development program established by section 2 of this
31 chapter.
32 Sec. 2. The outdoor recreation development program is
33 established to do the following:
34 (1) Coordinate tourism development activities with outdoor
35 recreation businesses, including:
36 (A) opportunities for rural economic development; and
37 (B) the identification of funding sources to assist in the
38 development of outdoor recreation opportunities.
39 (2) Promote tourism and economic development by
40 coordinating with individuals or entities involved in the
41 outdoor recreation industry to:
42 (A) improve Indiana's outdoor recreation activities; and
2025 IN 1512—LS 6687/DI 153 3
1 (B) cultivate outdoor recreation businesses.
2 (3) Recommend to the board policies and initiatives to
3 enhance tourism and recreational amenities and experiences
4 in Indiana and help implement those policies and initiatives.
5 (4) Prepare an annual report to be submitted to the governor
6 and the general assembly on the economic, social, and
7 community impact of the outdoor recreation industry across
8 Indiana. The report to the general assembly must be
9 submitted in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
10 (5) Develop strategies to increase the number of new jobs
11 directly or indirectly related to outdoor recreation and to
12 address workforce issues.
13 Sec. 3. The corporation shall administer the program.
2025 IN 1512—LS 6687/DI 153