Bill > SB0256

This bill establishes a temporary Ground Water and Aquifer Preservation Task Force to study and make recommendations about Indiana's water resources. The task force will consist of 13 members, including state legislators, a member with agricultural experience, an economic development expert, and a water conservation professional. The task force is required to meet multiple times in 2025 and 2026, and will investigate critical water-related issues such as protecting ground water from excessive removal, improving water monitoring, exploring interstate water resource agreements, and balancing water conservation with economic development opportunities. Additionally, the bill creates a two-year moratorium (from May 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027) on establishing major ground water withdrawal facilities in the Wabash River basin, which includes parts of six counties. The moratorium has some exceptions, such as allowing county executives to permit such facilities if they unanimously agree, and not restricting existing facilities from modest expansions. The task force must submit a report with recommendations to the legislative council by December 1, 2026, and the entire initiative will expire on July 1, 2027. The bill defines specific terms like "ground water withdrawal facility" and "major ground water withdrawal facility" to provide clear parameters for the moratorium and future water resource management.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/256/details