Bill > HB1265

This bill establishes the Hoosier Homestead program, a state initiative to recognize and protect long-standing family farms in Indiana. The program creates a registry for farms that have been continuously owned by the same family for at least 100 years, with the primary purposes of honoring Indiana's agricultural heritage and providing special protections during potential condemnation proceedings. Specifically, for a farm to qualify as a Hoosier Homestead, it must be an agricultural property owned by the same family for at least 100 years through direct familial lineage (including adopted family members), have at least 20 acres or one acre producing at least $1,000 in agricultural products annually, and have all property taxes paid up to date. When a Hoosier Homestead is subject to potential condemnation, the bill requires additional steps, including notifying the local legislative body, holding a public hearing where the property owner can testify, and obtaining legislative body approval before proceeding with condemnation. The program will be administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, which will maintain an electronic registry, issue commemorative certificates and yard signs, and provide different designations based on the length of continuous family ownership (centennial, sesquicentennial, and bicentennial). The registry will be established by January 1, 2026, and registration must be renewed every two years to maintain the Hoosier Homestead status.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1265/details