Environment

Provides that if a proposed economic development project includes proposed construction or establishment of a facility that will consume an average of at least 500,000 gallons of water per day in ordinary operation (water intensive facility), the Indiana finance authority (IFA) may not approve a bid for the project, the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) may not grant a job creation incentive for the project, and a local unit may not provide financing for the project unless the IFA, IEDC, or local unit: (1) provides notice of the proposed water intensive facility to the water utility that provides water utility service to the proposed location of the water intensive facility; (2) receives from the water utility a plan for provision of water utility service to the water intensive facility; (3) determines that the water utility's plan adequately ensures that: (A) the water utility can reliably meet both the ordinary and peak water demand of the water intensive facility; and (B) incremental costs of supplying water to the water intensive facility will be allocated to and paid by the water intensive facility; and (4) provides the water utility's plan to the local plan commission.

Authorizes alkaline hydrolysis as a lawful method of animal remains disposal in Indiana. Requires the state board of animal health to adopt standards for construction, operation, and biosecurity of alkaline hydrolysis. Requires the Indiana department of environmental management to adopt various regulations on alkaline hydrolysis. Defines zoning powers of a local unit regulating the disposal plant performing alkaline hydrolysis.

Provides that after December 31, 2025, a permit authority may not establish in a unit a zoning overlay district in which one or more commercial solar energy projects (CSE projects) will be located unless each underlying zoning district across which the proposed overlay district will extend is zoned for a use that, under the unit's existing zoning ordinance at the time the overlay district is proposed, permits the location of a CSE project within that underlying district. Provides that if one or more underlying zoning districts across which the proposed overlay district will extend is not zoned for a use that permits the location of a CSE project within that underlying district, each such underlying zoning district, or part of the zoning district, must be rezoned for a use that permits the location of a CSE project within all or part of the underlying zoning district.

Adds a purpose for which money in the clean water Indiana fund may be used. Renames the value added research fund to the agricultural market development fund and makes various changes to the purposes for which money in the agricultural market development fund may be used. Allows the agricultural market development fund to accept grants, donations, and money received from any other source. Requires the division of soil conservation to work in collaboration with state and federal agencies and research institutions in the installation and maintenance of mesonet sites. Allows money in the grain buyers and warehouse licensing agency license fee fund to be used to augment and supplement funding for the implementation of the Indiana grain buyers and warehouse licensing and bonding law subject to approval by the budget agency. Makes conforming changes.

Requires each board of county commissioners to adopt an ordinance to allow landowners to apply to have land included in an agricultural resource area within the county. Specifies certain procedures and requirements for the agricultural resource area programs. Provides provisions that apply to land within a program, including eminent domain provisions, a prohibition against annexation for nonagricultural purposes, certain priority provisions for specified funding, and authorization for a county option property tax deduction for land located within agricultural resource areas in the county. Authorizes the Indiana state department of agriculture (department) to receive and hold agricultural conservation easements acquired by gift, bequest, or devise and to enter into agreements with nongovernment entities to monitor those easements. Establishes the farmland advisory board for the purpose of advising the department on developing standards for accepting, monitoring, and enforcing agricultural conservation easements it may hold, creating a model agricultural resource area ordinance, collecting feedback on agricultural resource areas, and supporting education and outreach about agricultural resource areas.

Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) to establish state maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in water provided by public water systems. Provides that maximum contaminant levels established by the state department: (1) must be protective of public health, including the health of vulnerable subpopulations; and (2) may not be less stringent than any maximum contaminant level or health advisory promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Requires the department of natural resources (department) to establish recreational fees for the access and use of state forest land. Provides that the department shall ensure that at all times: (1) 10% of state forest land consists of forests that are 100 years or older; and (2) 10% of state forest land consists of forests that are 20 years or younger. Provides that money in the state forestry fund does not revert to the state general fund. Establishes various restrictions on landowner liability to recreational users.

Defines "decision", "PFAS chemicals", and "state prioritized PFAS chemicals". Prohibits the department of environmental management (department) from basing a decision primarily 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. Provides that the department shall focus on state prioritized PFAS chemicals when PFAS chemicals are relevant to carrying out the department's duties.

Establishes the ground water and aquifer preservation task force to recommend water regulations to the legislative council. Creates a two year moratorium on the establishment of certain major ground water withdrawal facilities during the period beginning May 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028. Provides an exception to the moratorium.

Provides that a retailer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale a covered battery or battery containing product unless: (1) the producer joins a battery stewardship organization; and (2) the battery is approved under a battery stewardship plan. Provides that a battery stewardship organization shall submit a battery stewardship plan (plan) to the Indiana department of environmental management (department) for approval. Sets out certain requirements with respect to a plan. Establishes the battery stewardship fund to cover the department's expenses in administering this act. Requires the department to publish certain information regarding battery recycling on the department's website. Provides that a battery stewardship organization may recover, under certain circumstances, all costs associated with collecting a covered battery from the producer. Allows fee based and nonfee based collection and recycling programs to operate under certain conditions. Prohibits a person from improperly recycling a covered battery. Defines certain terms. Provides that a producer and battery stewardship organization are exempt from state antitrust law with respect to planning, reporting, or operating a battery stewardship program.