Committee approves amendment requiring utility asset-management plans, adds relief for small systems

A committee approved Amendment No. 4 to a bill that requires water and wastewater utilities to begin filing asset-management reports on Jan. 1, 2026, and to submit those reports on a quadrennial basis. The committee voted 9–0 to pass the measure as amended.

The amendment also sets a date for required board training beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and allows that training to be held in person or online. It directs that training may be offered through IURC workshops, an online program developed by Purdue University's water and wastewater infrastructure research and extension program, or a statewide nonprofit association for rural water and wastewater utilities, including the Alliance of Rural Water.

The amendment requires reports to include information about implementation of asset-management plans so they are not merely “a binder on a shelf,” and it provides two compliance alternatives for small utilities: (1) utilities that have already filed an asset-management plan (AMP) with the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) may submit that existing plan in lieu of creating a new one; and (2) utilities serving 1,000 customers or fewer may use a simplified alternate reporting form to reduce cost and administrative burden.

The amendment delegates initial technical review of submitted plans to IURC staff, and it preserves due process by allowing an appeal of staff reviews to the full Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Luke Wilson of the IURC told the committee the commission and staff worked with stakeholders over the summer to reduce potential staff workload and to focus on helping smaller utilities take incremental steps toward asset management. "We're trying to mitigate any staff impacts on these reviews and really trying to focus in on what can we do to help smaller utilities with this while minimizing staff impact," Wilson said.

Senator Ford questioned whether a single agency "quarterback[s]" state water policy, noting concerns raised in his district about local water resources. Ford asked whether one agency oversees water policy; Wilson replied that responsibilities are interwoven and described three distinct agency lenses: the IURC reviewing value to ratepayers, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) reviewing environmental compliance, and the IFA reviewing financing and cost estimates. "There really isn't any 1 person or 1 agency or 1 commission that's kind of quarterbacking the water issues," Senator Ford said.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded nine votes in favor, zero opposed. Recorded ayes: Senator Hundley, Senator Ford, Senator Buchanan, Senator Zay, Senator Byrne, Senator Dierry, Senator Lising, Senator Donato, Chairman Cook. Senators Spencer and Dorio were excused.

The committee chair called the roll after a motion to adopt the amendment was moved and seconded and the panel approved the bill as amended. The meeting concluded after the vote.

The amendment also contains language permitting the IURC to work with IDEM and IFA on future implementation; committee members noted the need for interagency coordination and possible further adjustments in subsequent legislative sessions if inefficiencies emerge.