Water protections gaining momentum in Indiana General Assembly

Water rights remain a legislative priority for Indiana Farm Bureau and its members, and its being addressed by the General Assembly.

Director of public policy Andy Tauer says there has progress with Senate Bill 28.

"This would put protections not only for just farmers but all of agriculture," he says. "It did get recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee, so we've been meeting with Chairman Thompson and many of his committee members to make sure we get a hearing so we can keep it moving down the floor."

Associate director of public policy Caitlin Smith says there have been challenges.

"There were some questions about the fiscal associated with the self-report in DNR," she says. "We're getting boots on the ground to investigate those claims that farmers may send to DNR if their wells are negatively impacted. We're working through that."

Smith says there's still more work to be done before this year's legislative session wraps up on April 29th, and the organization remains optimistic for continued movement.