Adds a definition of "used tire", for purposes of the law governing solid waste management. Adds requirements for the adoption of administrative rules concerning the regulation of waste tire storage sites and waste tire processing operations.
Revises references to federal regulations relating to variances from water quality standards. Provides that a variance from a water quality standard issued for a period of more than five years must be reevaluated in accordance with the requirements of the federal rule on variances from water quality standards. Provides that a variance relating to an NPDES permit may be submitted at any time before or after the issuance, renewal, or modification of the NPDES permit. Eliminates the requirement that the department itself, at least once per year, administer a certification examination for operators of water treatment plants, water distribution systems, and wastewater treatment plants. Requires instead the department to ensure that the examination is administered at least once per year, and allows the examination to be administered by independent third parties authorized by the commissioner of the department.
Requires each person or entity having authority over a school building to test the drinking water in the school building before January 1, 2023, to determine whether the drinking water equals or exceeds the action level for lead of 15 parts per billion. Provides that the testing requirement is satisfied if the drinking water of a school building: (1) was tested during the lead sampling program for school buildings conducted by the Indiana finance authority (IFA) in 2017 and 2018; (2) is tested in the lead sampling program conducted by the IFA in 2019 and 2020; or has otherwise been tested for compliance with the federal drinking water standards at least once since 2016. Requires that drinking water in school buildings located in Lake County be tested at least once in each period of two calendar years beginning in 2023. Provides that if a test of the drinking water of a school building indicates the presence of lead in the water equal to or greater than 15 parts per billion, the person or entity having authority over the school building is required to take action to reduce the lead levels in the drinking water to less than 15 parts per billion. Provides that the person or entity having authority over a school building that is subject to drinking water testing is required to seek state and federal money that is available for lead sampling or testing.
Provides that a permit is not required from the Indiana department of environmental management for the maintenance or reconstruction of a regulated drain in accordance with certain best management practices for purposes of the law concerning state regulated wetlands, as long as the work takes place within the current easement and the reconstruction does not substantially change the characteristics of the drain to perform the function for which it was designed and constructed.
Allows a conservancy district to be established as a "reservoir conservancy district" if: (1) the conservancy district will be established for certain purposes; (2) the boundaries will encompass part or all of a reservoir located partly within a consolidated city; and (3) at least 25% of the surface of the reservoir is owned by a utility governed by a board of directors for utilities of a consolidated city. Requires the board of directors of a reservoir conservancy district and the utility that owns the reservoir (utility owner) to enter into an operating agreement that describes all works of improvement and maintenance that the reservoir conservancy district proposes to perform. Requires that all such works be approved by the utility owner before the work begins. Provides that a reservoir conservancy district has all of the powers granted to other conservancy districts with certain exceptions, including: (1) a reservoir conservancy district does not have the power of eminent domain; and (2) the utility owner is exempt from all assessments, taxes, and fees imposed by the reservoir conservancy district. Imposes a limit on the special benefits tax levy of a reservoir conservancy district. Authorizes a reservoir conservancy district to impose and collect fees for the recreational use of watercraft on the reservoir, but provides that a one year use fee for a nonresident may not be 50% greater than the one year use fee for a resident, and that a one-day use fee may not exceed 17% of a one year use fee. Authorizes a reservoir conservancy district to establish rules concerning safety and resource conservation but provides that the rules shall not interfere with state rules or with the use of the reservoir for water supply purposes, shall not impair the commercial license of the commercial licensee of the utility owner, and shall not discourage uses of the reservoir for activities allowed under the fish and wildlife laws. Authorizes a reservoir conservancy district to: (1) install catch basins and filtration systems; (2) implement erosion control measures; (3) dredge; and (4) take other actions; with authorization from state and federal agencies. Provides that the utility owner has sole authority to control the water level and water quality of the reservoir. Provides that, except in a case of intentional or willful and wanton misconduct, the utility owner is not liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss that an individual incurs while present on or in the reservoir. Includes provisions concerning the potential civil liability of the utility owner, the state, the reservoir conservancy district, and owners of property located in a reservoir conservancy district for personal injury, death, or property damage occurring within the reservoir conservancy district.
Requires a conveyance, a mortgage, or an instrument of writing to be recorded to be: (1) acknowledged by the grantor; and (2) proven before certain specified individuals; in certain instances. Requires the summons accompanying a complaint for condemnation to include language regarding the defendant's right to object to the condemnation within 30 days from the date notice is served. Requires a court to award reasonable costs and attorney's fees to a defendant whose objection to a complaint for condemnation is sustained. Caps the amount of attorney's fees a court may award if an objection to a condemnation is sustained at $25,000. Exempts a condemnation action brought by a public utility or by a pipeline company from the bill's provisions requiring a court to award a defendant in a condemnation action the defendant's reasonable costs and attorney's fees if the defendant's objections to the proceedings are sustained in the proceedings or upon appeal. Requires a municipality to provide notice by mail to affected owners, both residents and nonresidents of the municipality, of a condemnation. Permits an affected owner to file an objection that a municipality does not have the right to exercise the power of eminent domain for the use sought. Amends the time for a remonstrance hearing for a municipal condemnation and the defendant's right to judicial review of the decision made at the hearing to 30 days. (Current law requires a remonstrance hearing to be set no less than 10 days after notice and the defendant to appeal the decision within 20 days.) Provides parties the right to appeal a court's judgment in the judicial review of a municipal condemnation. Revises the statute allowing a municipality to condemn property for economic development to require a 3/4 affirmative vote of the municipality's legislative body to exercise the power of eminent domain. (Current law requires a 2/3 affirmative vote of the municipality's legislative body.) Allows a property owner to challenge a condemnation for economic development purposes by providing clear and convincing evidence that the owner's parcel is not necessary for the project.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring Sister M. Elise Kriss upon her retirement as President of the University of Saint Francis.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing dyslexia in Hoosier youth.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the United States Forest Service to establish an off-road vehicles (ORVs) trail system.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the creation of a Medal of Honor Memorial Highway in Indiana.
