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SB0277Introduced in the Senate

Indiana department of environmental management.

Passed

Introduced by Rick Niemeyer, District 6

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Indiana department of environmental management. 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.

Where it stands

Public Law 135

March 5, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

11 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

2 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate - Senate concurred with House amendments · February 25, 2026

26

Yes

21

No

3

Absent or Not Voting

50 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Dan Dernulc1Yes
Lonnie Randolph2No
Mark Spencer3No
Rodney Pol4Absent
Ed Charbonneau5Yes
Rick Niemeyer6Yes
Brian Buchanan7No
Mike Bohacek8Yes
Ryan Mishler9Yes
David Niezgodski10No

Bill history

  1. Authored by Senator Niemeyer

  2. First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs

  3. Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

  4. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  5. Amendment #5 (Niemeyer) prevailed; voice vote

  6. Amendment #1 (Qaddoura) failed; voice vote

  7. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  8. Senator Busch added as second author

  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 141: yeas 29, nays 19

  10. House sponsor: Representative Baird

  11. Referred to the House

  12. Representative Miller D added as cosponsor

  13. First reading: referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs

  14. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  15. Amendment #27 (Baird) prevailed; voice vote

  16. Amendment #22 (Cash) prevailed; voice vote

  17. Amendment #12 (Errington) failed; Division of the House: yeas 37, nays 54

  18. Amendment #14 (Jackson C) failed; Roll Call 324: yeas 35, nays 58

  19. Amendment #6 (Novak) failed; Roll Call 323: yeas 39, nays 55

  20. Amendment #8 (Errington) failed; Roll Call 325: yeas 34, nays 60

  21. Amendment #3 (Bauer) failed; Roll Call 326: yeas 48, nays 49

  22. Amendment #17 (Jackson C) failed; Roll Call 327: yeas 30, nays 63

  23. Amendment #5 (Bauer) prevailed; Roll Call 328: yeas 50, nays 44

  24. Amendment #2 (Bauer) failed; Roll Call 329: yeas 29, nays 62

  25. Amendment #10 (Errington) failed; Roll Call 330: yeas 34, nays 56

  26. Amendment #15 (Jackson C) failed; Roll Call 331: yeas 29, nays 67

  27. Amendment #9 (Errington) failed; Roll Call 332: yeas 29, nays 66

  28. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  29. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 356: yeas 53, nays 45

  30. Returned to the Senate with amendments

  31. Motion to concur filed

  32. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 296: yeas 26, nays 21

  33. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

  34. Signed by the Speaker

  35. Signed by the President of the Senate

  36. Signed by the Governor

  37. Public Law 135

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