LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7755 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 15, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1610 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Onsite Wastewater Industry Registry.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Criswell BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: State
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill provides that beginning January 1, 2026, an individual may not engage
in onsite sewage system service of a residential onsite sewage system in Indiana unless the individual
registers with the Board of Registration for Onsite Wastewater Professionals as an onsite wastewater
professional. The bill requires the Board to adopt management rules to implement the registration program
and to maintain a public registry of registered onsite wastewater professionals.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Board– The Board would have five members. Members that are not
state employees would be entitled to receive per diem. Additionally, non-state employee members would
receive reimbursement for mileage, travel, and other expenses directly related and incurred with the
member’s duties as approved by the State Budget Agency. State employee members would receive
reimbursement for travel and other expenses directly related and incurred with the member’s duties as
approved by the State Budget Agency. These expenditures would be paid from the Onsite Wastewater
Professional Registration Fund (Fund) established by the bill.
Attorney General– The bill would increase the workload of the Attorney General to be legal advisor to the
Board and provide legal assistance needed to complete Board duties.
Additional Personnel– The Board would have the authority to employ private counsel. The cost would
depend on the hourly rate, number of hours of services provided per year, and the amount of monies from
within the Fund to pay for private counsel services. The Board would have the option of entering into a
contract with the Department of Environmental Management or a private third party for the following
services:
1. Clerical
2. Fund administration
3. Record keeping services
HB 1610 1 4. Office space
Any expenditures for these four items would depend on the contract details reached with either the
Department or a third party provider. Contracted staff would likely administer the Fund, attend meetings of
the Board, including keeping minutes, and possible rules development for registration standards
Registry– The registry, if not incorporated with an existing state database or registry, would require a “from
scratch” build. The estimated expenditures could range from $0.11 M to $0.24 M to develop and construct,
based on the anticipated complexity of the registry, and about $15,000 in annual ongoing maintenance and
update costs. However, any actual expenditure would depend on agreed to contracted costs with the registry
design vendor and the availability of resources with the Fund.
Fund– The Onsite Wastewater Professional Registration Fund would consist of registration renewal fees for
registered onsite wastewater professionals. Money within the Fund would not revert to the State General
Fund at the end of a fiscal year.
Explanation of State Revenues: Registrations– The Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association
currently has 807 members. Registrations would be valid for three years after being granted by the Board.
If all 807 members joined the proposed registry, the fee would need to be set at approximately $105 to cover
the estimated ongoing costs of maintaining the registry, providing administration/records, board member
meeting compensation, and legal services for three years.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Governor’s Office; potentially IDEM.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: OFMA’s New License Cost Estimator, FY 2025;
https://iowpa.org/search;
https://mlsdev.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-website;
https://medium.com/@companyindianwebsite/cost-analysis-of-building-a-dynamic-website-37404f632074.
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Baker, 317-232-9851.
HB 1610 2