Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 32
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 14-22-34.5.
Synopsis: Prevention of chronic wasting disease. Requires the
department of natural resources to establish a pilot program to combat
chronic wasting disease in deer.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Glick
January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
2025 IN 32—LS 6231/DI 150 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.
SENATE BILL No. 32
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 14-22-34.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
2 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]:
4 Chapter 34.5. Chronic Wasting Disease Pilot Program
5 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "chronic wasting disease" means
6 a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that infects deer and
7 causes a deer to develop lesions in the brain and experience:
8 (1) the loss of body condition;
9 (2) behavioral changes;
10 (3) excessive salivation;
11 (4) increased drinking and urination;
12 (5) depression; and
13 (6) death.
14 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "genomically estimated breeding
15 value (GEBV)" means a statistically generated number or score
16 that estimates the total genetic potential of an animal with respect
17 to heritable trait.
2025 IN 32—LS 6231/DI 150 2
1 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "pilot program" means the
2 chronic wasting disease pilot program established under section 4
3 of this chapter.
4 Sec. 4. Not later than December 31, 2025, the department shall
5 establish the chronic wasting disease pilot program to enhance the
6 genetic durability of Indiana's white-tailed deer population.
7 Sec. 5. The department shall do the following:
8 (1) Collect DNA samples to establish a baseline of average
9 genetic codon markers and genomic breeding values for
10 native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer.
11 (2) Establish a testing location for DNA samples collected
12 from native, free-range Indiana white-tailed deer.
13 (3) Create and operate a captive breeding program for native,
14 free-range Indiana white-tailed deer that:
15 (A) identifies white-tailed deer genetically resistant to
16 chronic wasting disease by assigning white tailed deer a
17 genomically estimated breeding value (GEBV);
18 (B) breeds the genetically resistant white-tailed deer to
19 increase the population's genetic resistance to chronic
20 wasting disease; and
21 (C) releases the bred female and male white-tailed deer
22 between February and April 2027.
23 (4) Take any additional action necessary to establish and
24 operate the pilot program.
25 Sec. 6. (a) The department may sell white-tailed deer bred from
26 the pilot program for five hundred dollars ($500) per deer.
27 (b) The department shall not sell more than fifty percent (50%)
28 of the bred white-tailed deer from the pilot program.
29 Sec. 7. Funds collected from the sale of white-tailed deer bred
30 from the pilot program shall be deposited in the fish and wildlife
31 fund.
32 Sec. 8. The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to
33 implement this chapter.
34 Sec. 9. This chapter expires January 1, 2028.
2025 IN 32—LS 6231/DI 150