*SB0280.1*
January 28, 2025
SENATE BILL No. 280
_____
DIGEST OF SB 280 (Updated January 27, 2025 11:37 am - DI 140)
Citations Affected: IC 14-22.
Synopsis: Deer hunting. Provides that, for a hunting season beginning
after June 30, 2025, rifles may be used to hunt deer on public property
subject to certain restrictions. Removes certain rifle cartridge and case
length limitations. Prohibits the department of natural resources from
adopting rules regarding rifle cartridge or case length limitations.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Baldwin, Garten
January 13, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
January 27, 2025, reported favorably — Do Pass.
SB 280—LS 6837/DI 143 January 28, 2025
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. 280
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 14-22-2-8, AS AMENDED BY P.L.164-2020,
2 SECTION 53, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a hunting season
4 beginning after June 30, 2016. 2025.
5 (b) A hunter may use a rifle to hunt deer on privately owned land or
6 on public property subject to the following:
7 (1) The use of a rifle is permitted during hunting seasons
8 established by the department.
9 (2) The rifle must be chambered for a cartridge that fires a bullet
10 that is two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) of an inch in
11 diameter or larger.
12 (3) The rifle must fire a cartridge that has a minimum case length
13 of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches, but is no longer than
14 three (3) inches.
15 (4) (2) A hunter may not possess more than ten (10) cartridges for
16 the rifle while hunting deer under this section.
17 (5) (3) Except as provided in subsection (d), the rifle must meet
SB 280—LS 6837/DI 143 2
1 any other requirements established by the department.
2 (c) The use of a full metal jacketed bullet to hunt deer is unlawful.
3 (d) The department shall report on the impact of the use of rifles to
4 hunt deer under this section to the governor and, in an electronic format
5 under IC 5-14-6, the general assembly before February 15, 2020.
6 (d) The department may not adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that
7 include rifle cartridge or case length limitations for subsection (b).
8 (e) The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to authorize the
9 use of rifles on public property.
SB 280—LS 6837/DI 143 3
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources, to
which was referred Senate Bill No. 280, has had the same under
consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the Senate with
the recommendation that said bill DO PASS.
(Reference is to SB 280 as introduced.)
GLICK, Chairperson
Committee Vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0
SB 280—LS 6837/DI 143