HB 1557 Indiana House · 2025 Regular Session

Prescribed burning.

Summary

Defines "prescribed burn". Provides for the following: (1) Requirements to be met before a person conducts a prescribed burning. (2) That a certified prescribed burn manager and a completed prescribed burn plan must be present during a prescribed burning. (3) Certain civil liability immunities related to conducting a prescribed burn and the prescribed burn certification program. (4) Under certain conditions, exemption of prescribed burning from certain local regulations. (5) That a prescribed burning and the smoke produced by the prescribed burning do not constitute a nuisance. (6) That the division of forestry shall administer the training and certification program for prescribed burning. Limits damages for injuries or losses as result of a prescribed burn to actual damages.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Apr 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Bill (S) → House Bill (H) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove immunity protections for landowners and the Division of Forestry, reducing liability standards from gross negligence to simple negligence. The bill was also updated with new sponsor names and revised dates reflecting Senate passage and final House action.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing broad immunity clauses that previously protected landowners and state officials from civil liability for prescribed burns.

REQUIREMENT

Liability standard for prescribed burn managers changed from gross negligence to negligence, increasing potential legal exposure for harm caused by certified burns.

Removed immunity protections for landowners and their agents who conduct prescribed burning on their property.

Removed immunity protections for Division of Forestry officers, agents, and employees regarding burn planning and certification administration.

TIMELINE

Updated bill dates to reflect Senate action and final House passage in March 2025 instead of January 2025.

TECHNICAL

Added new Senate sponsors (Baird, Karickhoff, Bauer M, Aylesworth) and Senate sponsor Glick to the bill header.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 1, 2025 · House Feb 4, 2025

How they voted

38–9

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 50

Apr 1, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican40

28 Yea 9 Nay 3

70% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President Pro Tempore

upper

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 488: yeas 80, nays 10

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 329: yeas 38, nays 9

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 92: yeas 73, nays 15

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Amended

Amendment #1 (Boy) failed; voice vote

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

lower

2 primary · 3 co-sponsors