Indiana Senate approves measures on emissions testing, CAFO inspections and gambling courier rules

The Indiana Senate on an unspecified date approved a package of concurrence motions and conference committee reports that included a plan to seek federal relief from vehicle emissions testing in northwest Indiana, a change to the timing of CAFO (confined-animal feeding operation) inspections, and new language about lottery courier services.

The measures matter because they affect local drivers in Lake and Porter counties, farm operations with manure storage permits across the state and the regulatory framework the state will use if broader lottery services are permitted. Several items passed by recorded roll call; others were adopted by voice vote.

Senator Niemeyer presented the concurrence on Senate Bill 103, describing it as "a plan how we can petition the federal government, ask them to get out of it." He said the provision removes an earlier senior-citizen exemption and pursues ending the region's required emissions testing tied to an approximately $24,000,000, four‑year contract the state currently pays through the budget. The Senate adopted the motion to concur by roll call, 49 ayes, 0 noes.

Also presented by Senator Niemeyer, a separate concurrence on a bill addressing inspections of waste and manure storage at CAFOs clarifies that an initial physical inspection takes place 45 days after a permit is issued and that a renewal inspection occurs within a 45‑day window before or after the five‑year renewal date. Niemeyer said the bill "also deal[s] with a biosecurity issue" and that if public‑health authorities or other circumstances require limiting access to a CAFO, the state will delay the scheduled inspection but will continue to respond to complaints. That motion passed on roll…