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SB67 • 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.

Land
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Senator Shelli Yoder
Last action
2026-01-29
Official status
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on funding or deadlines for completing and publishing reports.

Indiana Land Study Act

This act requires the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to study ways to use public lands for better health, create a system for collecting visitor fees at wildlife areas, and plan how to deal with natural disasters that affect these lands.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the department to study opportunities to leverage public land to improve public health outcomes.
  • Asks the department to find options for a consistent visitor fee collection system at state fish and wildlife areas.
  • Needs the department to make a plan to mitigate and recover from natural disasters affecting public land.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Indiana Department of Natural Resources
  • People who visit state fish and wildlife areas

Terms To Know

Natural Disaster
A serious event like a flood, tornado, or wildfire that can harm people and damage property.
Visitor Fee Collection System
A way to charge visitors for entering certain areas, like parks or wildlife reserves.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the studies will be funded.
  • It is unclear when the reports must be completed and made public.

Amendments

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

SB0067.02.COMS.AMS001

Filed Senate Bill (S) • Senator Shelli Yoder

Passed

Plain English: This amendment changes the Indiana Code to include new requirements for reporting and managing invasive species.

  • Adds a new section requiring state agencies to develop and implement programs to prevent, control, and manage invasive species.
  • Requires landowners to report sightings of certain invasive plant species on their property.
  • The amendment text does not specify which invasive plant species must be reported by landowners.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-29 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Natural Resources

  2. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Referred to the House

  3. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Third reading: passed; Roll Call 90: yeas 29, nays 17

  4. 2026-01-27 Senate

    House sponsor: Representative Genda

  5. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Cosponsors: Representatives Hall, Jackson C

  6. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Reread second time: amended, ordered engrossed

  7. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Amendment #1 (Yoder) prevailed; voice vote

  8. 2026-01-15 Senate

    Placed back on second reading

  9. 2026-01-08 Senate

    Second reading: ordered engrossed

  10. 2026-01-08 Senate

    Senator Leising added as third author

  11. 2026-01-08 Senate

    Senator Randolph added as coauthor

  12. 2026-01-08 Senate

    Senators Spencer, Pol, Clark, Doriot added as coauthors

  13. 2026-01-05 Senate

    Committee report: do pass, adopted

  14. 2026-01-05 Senate

    Senator Glick added as second author

  15. 2025-12-08 Senate

    Authored by Senator Yoder

  16. 2025-12-08 Senate

    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.
Studies relating to natural lands.

Current Bill Text

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

Studies relating to natural lands.

Requires the department of natural resources to study and issue a report on the following topics: (1) opportunities to leverage public land to improve public health outcomes; (2) options for a consistent visitor fee collection system at state fish and wildlife areas; and (3) a plan to mitigate and recover from natural disasters affecting public land.