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Leising: Bill expanding property owners' rights signed into law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kellyn Harrison, Press Secretary
Kellyn.Harrison@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498

Leising: Bill expanding property owners' rights signed into law

STATEHOUSE (March 14, 2024) — A bill authored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that makes it easier for property owners to clear debris from their land was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Senate Enrolled Act 140 allows property owners to remove logs that are crossways in a stream or river on their property without a permit from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources under certain conditions.

One condition allows property owners to burn the logs unless a local ordinance directs otherwise.

"The Drainage Task Force, which I co-chaired during the 2022 and 2023 interim, found Indiana residents struggle to maintain their own property because of strict drainage laws they can't easily review," Leising said. "This law works to return some rights back to property owners and help them identify state drainage regulations by publishing an updated Indiana Drainage Handbook online."

SEA 140 is a result of the Drainage Task Force's studies. The task force met to:

  • Review the responsibilities of landowners and state and local authorities under current land drainage laws;
  • Consider recommendations concerning drainage and regulatory matters; and
  • Consider whether the balance between state and local authority over agricultural land drainage favors state authority more in Indiana than in neighboring states.

The bill also requires the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to oversee and take actions necessary to prepare and publish an updated version of the Indiana Drainage Handbook.

SEA 140 will go into effect July 1, 2024. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.

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State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) represents Senate District 42, which includes Decatur, Fayette, Ripley and Rush counties, and portions of Franklin, Jennings and Shelby counties.

Click here to download a high-resolution photo.