Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB224: Department of natural resources.
Status: Signed into law, March 5, 2026
Defines various terms. Amends and removes various definitions. Makes various changes to natural resources commission procedures. Makes various changes to the department of natural resources (department) powers and duties. Removes the hometown Indiana grant program. Amends various boating and wakeboard regulations. Raises the financial threshold for certain actions in a boating accident from $750 to $2,000. Raises the financial threshold for certain actions in an off-road vehicle accident from $750 to $2,500. Establishes various restrictions on landowner liability to recreational users. Provides that various restrictions on landowner liability do not apply to a parcel of land assessed as residential land. Removes the penalty for a person who acts as a hunting guide without a guide license. Allows the division of water to perform certain functions on behalf of the natural resources commission. Requires the natural resources commission to coordinate with the department for purposes of a reporting requirement regarding conservancy districts. Establishes a consolidated chapter for river basin commission administration. Repeals existing, separate chapters for the Maumee River basin commission, the St. Joseph River basin commission, and the Upper Wabash River basin commission. Creates a new chapter for a river basin commission's conversion into a watershed development commission. Makes technical and conforming changes.
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources. SECTION 1. IC 14-8-1-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 1. Except as otherwise provided, the definitions in this article apply throughout this title and 312 IAC. SECTION 2. IC 14-8-2-20, AS AMENDED BY P.L.99-2025, SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 20. "Basin" has the following meaning: (1) For purposes of IC 14-13-9, the meaning set forth in IC 14-13-9-1. (2) For purposes of IC 14-25-1, the meaning set forth in section 1.2 of IC 14-25-15-1. (3) For purposes of IC 14-25-17, the meaning set forth in IC 14-25-17-3. (4) For purposes of IC 14-30-2, the meaning set forth in IC 14-30-2-1. (5) For purposes of IC 14-30-3, the meaning set forth in IC 14-30-3-1. (6) For purposes of IC 14-30-4, the meaning set forth in IC 14-30-4-1. SECTION 3. IC 14-8-2-48, AS AMENDED BY P.L.251-2023, SEA 224 -- Concur SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 48. (a) "Commission", except as provided in this section, refers to the natural resources commission. (b) "Commission", for purposes of IC 14-13-1, has the meaning set forth in IC 14-13-1-1. (c) "Commission", for purposes of IC 14-13-2, has the meaning set forth in …
Sponsors
- Susan Glick (R, SD-013) · primary sponsor
- James Tomes (R, SD-049)
Latest actions
- : Public Law 123
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Rules Suspended. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 313: yeas 45, nays 4
- : Motion to concur filed
- : Dissent rescinded
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : House conferees appointed: Lindauer, Burton
- : House advisors appointed: Abbott, Hostettler, Jackson C, Novak
Votes
- SB0224.04.ENGH.CON01 (February 27, 2026): 45 yea, 4 nay, passed
- SB0224.03.COMH (February 24, 2026): 85 yea, 11 nay, passed
- SB0224.02.COMS (January 29, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: STATE GOVERNMENT; History, Culture, and Preservation, ENVIRONMENT; Water Pollution, NATURAL RESOURCES; Rivers, Streams, and Waterways, ANIMALS; Generally, Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, NATURAL RESOURCES; Dams and Levees, NATURAL RESOURCES; Fish and Wildlife, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Common questions
- What is SB224?
- SB224 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Department of natural resources.
- What does SB224 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.
- What is the status of SB224?
- Signed into law as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 123 (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB224?
- Susan Glick (R, SD-013), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB224?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/224
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.