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Committee hears bill to codify Hoosier Homestead program and add remonstrance right; measure held for amendment
Summary
House Bill 1265 would put the Hoosier Homestead Award program into statute, create an electronic registry and allow a remonstrance at the local level against fee‑simple eminent domain takings of qualifying farms; the committee heard testimony and the author said technical changes are forthcoming, and the bill was held for amendment.
A committee member introduced House Bill 1265, saying it would place the Hoosier Homestead Farm Program into statute and create a process allowing qualifying homestead farms to make a final appeal — a remonstrance — to their local legislative body before a fee‑simple condemnation. The sponsor noted the measure is intended to protect multi‑generational farms and described the ISDA inventory that found about 345,682 acres of farmland lost between 2010 and 2022.
The proposal would require the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to maintain an electronic registry of Hoosier Homestead farms and limit the remonstrance right to fee‑simple takings; it would not apply to acquisition of easements, voluntary sales, leases or good‑faith negotiations under eminent domain. The sponsor said the process would notify the local legislative body where a majority of the homestead farm resides — typically the county board of commissioners — and allow that local body to determine whether a feasible and prudent alternative exists to using the homestead farm for the condemnation purpose.
Linda Norton, who testified she comes from an eighth‑generation farm, said the Hoosier Homestead Award is an important recognition and supported putting the program into statute so it is more up to date and trackable. Jason Abel, a fourth‑generation farmer and county commissioner, also supported the bill and described local growth pressures in his county. Quentin Hayes, legislative director for ISDA, testified he was neutral on House Bill 1265 and described the program as “ceremonial in nature,” noting statutory details the agency suggested: adding property‑tax payment status and codifying application requirements, and clarifying that the protected parcel is the one designated as the Hoosier Homestead.
Committee members discussed timing and possible partisan balance on boards referenced in related bills; the sponsor said technical drafting changes were being prepared. Representative Green closed the public testimony and said the bill would be held until the technical language is prepared for a future meeting.
