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HB1414 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.

Budget Land
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Beau Baird
Last action
2026-01-27
Official status
House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on recreational fees, old and young forest requirements, or landowner liability restrictions.

Indiana Forest Management Act

This act requires Indiana's Department of Natural Resources to manage state forests by setting fees for their use and ensuring that a portion of the forest consists of old and young trees.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Natural Resources to charge fees for people who use state forest land.
  • Ensures that at least 10% of state forest land is made up of forests that are 100 years or older, and another 10% consists of forests that are 20 years or younger.
  • Keeps money collected from forestry activities in a special fund instead of sending it back to the general budget.
  • Sets rules limiting when forest landowners can be held responsible for accidents or injuries on their property.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who use state forests for recreation
  • The Department of Natural Resources
  • Landowners with forested properties

Terms To Know

state forestry fund
A special account where money from forestry activities is kept.
landowner liability
The responsibility of landowners for accidents or injuries on their property.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify the exact amount of recreational fees.
  • Does not detail what happens if there is insufficient old or young forest to meet the requirements.
  • Does not provide specific details about all restrictions on landowner liability.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1414.01.INTR.AMH06

Committee Introduced House Bill (H) • Representative Shane Lindauer

Filed

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to the Indiana Code that limits liability for certain actions related to natural and cultural resources.

  • Adds a new section to the Indiana Code that sets conditions under which individuals or entities are not held liable for specific actions concerning natural and cultural resources.
  • The amendment text does not specify what exact actions or circumstances would be covered by this liability limitation, making it unclear how broadly this provision will apply.
  • Further details about the conditions under which liability is limited are not provided in the given amendment text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-27 House

    Representative Karickhoff added as coauthor

  2. 2026-01-22 House

    Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  3. 2026-01-22 House

    Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3

  4. 2026-01-15 House

    Representatives Bartels, Jackson C added as coauthors

  5. 2026-01-08 House

    Authored by Representative Baird

  6. 2026-01-08 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.
Forest management.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning natural and cultural resources.

Forest management.

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.