BCA will follow these bills and others as over the course of the 2017 session and will update you accordingly. For a complete list of the introduced bills, see the Indiana General Assembly Website (http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/).

SENATE BILL 28 – LOCAL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY CONTRACTS (AUTHOR: SEN. LONNIE RANDOLPH)

Local air pollution control agency contracts. Authorizes a county, city, or town to establish or designate an agency to act for the county, city, or town as a local air pollution control agency. Requires the commissioner of the department of environmental management (department) to enter into a contract with a county, city, or town air pollution control agency that is willing to enter into the contract. Provides that a contract between the department and a county, city, or town air pollution control agency must: (1) require the department to advise, cooperate with, and provide technical assistance to the air pollution control agency; (2) authorize the air pollution control agency to undertake air pollution control activities on behalf of the department or in enforcement of ordinances of the county, city, or town; and (3) provide for the payment of fair monetary compensation for the air pollution control activities performed by the air pollution control agency. Requires that the compensation paid to the air pollution control agency be at least sufficient to cover the agency’s staffing and operating costs and that the rate of compensation be adjusted each year according to changes in the Consumer Price Index. Sen.

SENATE BILL 129 – CONSTRUCTION PERMITS AND PLAN REVIEW (AUTHOR: SEN. MARK MESSMER)

Construction permits and plan review. Amends the definition of “project” for purposes of construction permits and plan review.

SENATE BILL 421 – ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANKS (AUTHOR: SEN. ERIC BASSLER)

Above ground storage tanks. Repeals the law requiring owners of certain above ground storage tanks to register their tanks with the department of environmental management. Authorizes the person responsible for the operation of a public water system to gather information from potential sources of contamination for the purpose of developing or updating the public water system’s threat minimization and response plan. Provides that, depending on the circumstances, the information gathered from potential sources of contamination may be excepted from inspection and copying under the public records law. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on environmental affairs for study during the 2017 interim the topic of public water supply protection, including: (1) the potential creation of a central repository for all information about above ground storage tanks that is reported to various agencies by the owners and operators of the above ground storage tanks; and (2) resources available to the operators of public water systems for developing and maintaining emergency plans for responding to threats to the drinking water supply.

HOUSE BILL 1432 – UNDERGROUND PETROLEUM STORAGE TANK LIABILITY FUND (AUTHOR: REP, SEAN EBERHART)

Underground petroleum storage tank liability fund. Requires the administrator of the department of environmental management (IDEM) to reimburse a claimant from the underground petroleum storage tank excess liability fund (ELTF) for compensation paid by the claimant to technicians for services performed in preparation of the claimant’s ELTF claim. Prohibits IDEM from issuing or using a nonrule policy document that interprets or supplements the rules of the underground storage tank financial assurance board concerning the ELTF. Requires IDEM to permanently withdraw a particular nonrule policy document concerning ELTF claims. Requires IDEM to establish a system through which underground storage tank registration fees may be paid by a tank owner or a tank owner’s representative through a secure connection over the Internet or through other electronic means.

HOUSE BILL 1127- NULLIFICATION OF EPA REGULATIONS IN INDIANA (AUTHOR: REP. CHRIS JUDY)

Nullification of EPA regulations in Indiana. Nullifies all regulations imposed in Indiana by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Provides that the department of environmental management shall provide environmental protection for the citizens of Indiana.