By State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper)
If a property is in a floodplain or floodway, the owner of that property can be restricted in what they can do with the land.
Recently, property owners have expressed their frustration with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' process of determining if a piece of land is in a floodplain or floodway.
Being in a floodplain or floodway can also reduce a property's value and require the owner to purchase federal flood insurance.
That's why I supported House Enrolled Act 1401 this year, which requires the state to notify property owners if it determines their land is now in a floodplain or floodway.
This notification to the property owner must take place before the state can submit the information to the federal government.
The new law then gives a property owner 90 days to request the Department of Natural Resources review its determination.
The department will then also have to conduct at least one site visit when a land-owner requests a review and the state must notify a property owner within 90 days if the floodplain or floodway status of their land changes in the Indiana Floodplain Information Portal. This applies if a parcel of land is added or removed from a floodplain or floodway.
I believe House Enrolled Act 1401 adds some much-needed transparency into determining how the state determines if land is in a floodplain or floodway and adds protections for Hoosier property owners.
This law passed unanimously the Indiana General Assembly and went into effect on July 1.
As always, constituents can reach out to me with any questions or concerns they may have by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Messmer website or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) represents Senate District 48, which
includes Crawford, Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike and Spencer counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
