summary
Introduced
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
In Committee
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/24/2025
04/24/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
State forest areas restricted from logging. Requires the department of natural resources (department), before January 1, 2026, to designate at least one undivided area comprising at least 10% of each state forest as an old forest area. Provides that, wherever possible, the size of a designated old forest area must be at least 500 acres. Sets forth certain purposes to guide the department in designating the old forest areas. Prohibits the department from conducting or allowing timber management in the old forest areas. Requires the department to produce and keep on file maps and legal descriptions of the designated old forest areas. Provides that the designation of the old forest areas may not affect hunting, fishing, trapping, and other recreational uses of the state forests, the maintenance of access roads in the state forests, or rights of access through the state forests.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new framework for creating "old forest areas" within Indiana's state forests, requiring the Department of Natural Resources to designate at least 10% of each state forest as an undivided area of at least 500 acres where no timber management activities will be permitted. By January 1, 2026, the department must identify these areas guided by specific purposes, including preserving native tree life cycles, providing wildlife habitat, protecting ecological and geological sensitive zones, safeguarding water resources, maintaining recreational opportunities, and creating control areas for scientific research on forest dynamics. The bill defines "timber management" broadly to include activities like harvesting, planting, fertilizing, thinning, and weeding trees. Importantly, the designation of these old forest areas will not impact existing recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or access rights, nor will it interfere with emergency services, invasive species monitoring, or road maintenance. The department is required to create and maintain maps and legal descriptions of these designated areas, with the new regulations taking effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Representative Pierce M added as coauthor (on 01/27/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1447/details |
| Fiscal Note #2: Introduced | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1447/fiscal-notes/HB1447.01.INTR.FN002.pdf |
| BillText | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1447/HB1447.01.INTR.pdf |
| Fiscal Note #1: Introduced | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1447/fiscal-notes/HB1447.01.INTR.FN001.pdf |
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