Advocating for Indiana ag policies

INDIANAPOLIS — Farm advocates mingled with lawmakers at the annual Bacon Bar and Brunch Legislative Breakfast at the Indiana Statehouse.

They discussed potential legislation that would regulate the carbon sequestration industry and create opportunities for farmers.

Participants also advocated for Indiana’s livestock producers and supported bills that would make changes to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and the state seed administrator’s office.

The Jan. 26 event was hosted by the Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy Committee.

“Bacon not only smells good and tastes good, but it is also a great example of how Indiana farmers work together,” said Greensburg farmer Mike Koehne, a member of M&P.

“Livestock farmers are very important customers for Indiana corn and soybean growers. A lot of the state’s soybean and corn crops go to feed livestock in Indiana.”

The organizations are paying attention to the following bills this year:

• HB 1249 and SB 265 — Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project: These bills would change the description of the carbon sequestration pilot project that is authorized under current law.

They eliminate the requirement that the operator of a carbon sequestration pilot project must be designated by the director of the Department of Natural Resources.

The proposals define a “carbon sequestration claim” as a civil action alleging actual or potential infringement of, or damage to real or personal property rights. M&P and ICGA oppose these bills due to concerns about private property rights.

• HB 1209 — Carbon Sequestration Projects: This proposal provides for the mechanism of underground storage of carbon dioxide in Indiana, and it makes additional conforming changes. ICGA and M&P support this bill.

• SB 388 — Foreign Business Ownership of Agricultural Land: Beginning July 1, this bill says a foreign business entity may not acquire farmland located in Indiana, unless the land will be used for non-farming business purposes.

The bill prohibits a foreign business entity that owns Indiana farmland from transferring that land to another foreign business entity after June 30. The proposal would require a foreign business entity to report the acquisition, sale or transfer of Indiana farmland to the secretary of state.

The bill says that farmland acquired, sold or transferred in violation of law is subject to forfeiture to the state. M&P and ICGA are monitoring this bill.

• SB 85 — Drainage Task Force: This bill establishes a drainage task force consisting of six members of the Senate, six members of the House of Representatives and six more individuals.

It requires the task force to review the responsibilities of landowners and state and local authorities under current laws relating to the drainage of land and to determine if the balance between state and local authority on the drainage of farmland favors the state more in Indiana than in neighboring states.

The task force must make recommendations and issue a report by Dec. 1, 2023. ICGA and M&P support the bill.

• HB 1147 and SB 129 — Seed Tests: This bill requires the state seed commissioner to charge fees for testing seed for purity and germination that are in line with standard fees in the seed-testing industry.

It repeals some rules for agricultural seed in packages that are not more than one pound. A $25 minimum fee would be required to register pure or mixed cultures of microorganisms and materials with the state chemist. ICGA and M&P support this bill.

• HB 1148 — Veterinary Medicine: This proposal changes the name of the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medicine. The bill states that the state veterinarian would serve as the chief administrative officer of the new board and provide technical advice and assistance.

The bill establishes the Indiana Center for Animal Policy to facilitate the coordination of regulatory duties of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. The bill says the state veterinarian is the chief administrative officer of the center and BOAH. M&P and ICGA support this bill.

Farm To Table

In true farm fashion, the foods served at the legislative breakfast all had ties to Indiana agriculture.

The Indiana Beef Cattle Association provided the beef bacon, Indiana Kitchen offered the pork bacon, Maple Leaf Farms brought the duck sausage, the eggs and turkey bacon were from the Indiana State Poultry Association, and the Indiana Dairy Producers included the milk and yogurt.

Other sponsors include Corteva Agriscience, Farm Credit MidAmerica and Indiana Packers Corp.

Visit www.iga.in.gov to follow all pieces of legislation during this session.