Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB277: Indiana department of environmental management.
Status: Signed into law, March 5, 2026
Amends, repeals, or adds certain terms. Makes certain changes concerning the purpose, structure, and powers of the department of environmental management (department) or the environmental rules board. Prohibits the department from basing a decision solely on federal risk values that have not been promulgated through federal rulemaking. Instructs the department to avoid the use of federal risk values that are at or below background concentrations in air, water, soil, or sediment. Makes certain changes to various boards or funds. Eliminates or amends rulemaking provisions. Makes certain changes to hearing and permitting processes. Changes or eliminates certain reporting requirements. Makes various changes to the water pollution statutes. Makes various changes to the solid waste and hazardous waste management statutes. Repeals or amends various sections regarding: (1) hazardous substances; (2) the voluntary remediation programs; (3) regional water districts; and (4) citizen lawsuits. Amends provisions concerning the establishment of certain fees and the use of fee schedules. Repeals the division of pollution prevention and the office of voluntary compliance. Makes conforming, stylistic, and technical changes.
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law. SECTION 1. IC 4-22-2-28.1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.249-2023, SECTION 28, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 28.1. (a) The following definitions apply throughout this section: (1) "Coordinator" refers to the small business regulatory coordinator assigned to a rule by an agency under subsection (b). (2) "Director" refers to the director or other administrative head of an agency. (3) "Small business" has the meaning set forth in IC 5-28-2-6. (b) For each rulemaking action and rule finally adopted as a result of a rulemaking action by an agency, the agency shall assign one (1) staff person to serve as the agency's small business regulatory coordinator with respect to the proposed or adopted rule. The agency shall assign a staff person to a rule under this subsection based on the person's knowledge of, or experience with, the subject matter of the rule. A staff person may serve as the coordinator for more than one (1) rule proposed or adopted by the agency if the person is qualified by knowledge or experience with respect to each rule. The first public comment period notice published under section 23 of this chapter must include the name, address, telephone number, and electronic mail address of the small business coordinator for the …
Sponsors
- Rick Niemeyer (R, SD-006) · primary sponsor
- Justin Busch (R, SD-016)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Public Law 135
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 296: yeas 26, nays 21
- : Motion to concur filed
- : Returned to the Senate with amendments
- : Third reading: passed; Roll Call 356: yeas 53, nays 45
- : Amendment #6 (Novak) failed; Roll Call 323: yeas 39, nays 55
Votes
- SB0277.06.ENGH.CON01 (February 25, 2026): 26 yea, 21 nay, passed
- SB0277.05.COMH (February 24, 2026): 53 yea, 45 nay, passed
- SB0277.05.COMH.AMH017 (February 23, 2026): 30 yea, 63 nay, failed
- SB0277.05.COMH.AMH015 (February 23, 2026): 29 yea, 67 nay, failed
- SB0277.05.COMH.AMH014 (February 23, 2026): 35 yea, 58 nay, failed
- SB0277.05.COMH.AMH010 (February 23, 2026): 34 yea, 56 nay, failed
Subjects: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COUNCILS; Generally, ENVIRONMENT; Water Pollution, AGENCIES; Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), CIVIL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Liabilities, Damages, and Penalties, ENVIRONMENT; Recycling, ENVIRONMENT; Hazardous Waste, ENVIRONMENT; Solid Waste and Trash, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Generally
Common questions
- What is SB277?
- SB277 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Indiana department of environmental management.
- What does SB277 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning environmental law.
- What is the status of SB277?
- Signed into law as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB277?
- Rick Niemeyer (R, SD-006), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB277?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/277
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.