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Committee hears bill to codify Hoosier Homestead program and add remonstrance against eminent domain; held for amendment
Summary
House Bill 1265 would place the Hoosier Homestead Farm recognition program into statute and create a limited local remonstrance process for family farms facing fee‑simple condemnation. The committee heard testimony from long‑time farm families and ISDA, and the bill was held so technical changes can be drafted.
The House Agriculture Committee heard House Bill 1265, a measure to place the Hoosier Homestead Farm recognition program into statute and to create a limited local remonstrance process for qualifying family farms facing fee‑simple condemnation.
Representative Green, the bill’s sponsor, said the Hoosier Homestead Awards recognize family farms that have been in the same family for at least 100 years and that the bill would codify the program and create an electronic registry at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). “House Bill 1265 first puts the Hoosier Homestead Farm Program into statute,” Representative Green said, adding the registry and a remonstrance process would allow a homestead farm to make one local appeal if an offer to acquire all or part of a homestead farm is rejected by the family.
The bill, as described by the sponsor and ISDA’s testimony, limits the remonstrance to a fee‑simple taking; it would not apply to acquisition of an easement, leases, voluntary sales or good‑faith negotiations in an eminent domain process. Representative Green said the process would notify the local legislative body (usually the county board of commissioners in unincorporated areas) to review whether there is no feasible and prudent alternative to using the homestead farm for the project that seeks condemnation.
Linda Norton, who said her family farm is an eighth‑generation operation and a past Hoosier Homestead award recipient, testified in support and described the genealogical and documentary process families undertake for the award. Jason Abel, a fourth‑generation farmer and county commissioner, also testified in support, describing local growth pressures.
Quentin Hayes, legislative director for ISDA, testified neutral and described the Hoosier Homestead Award as ceremonial and suggested technical statutory clarifications the department would recommend if the program is codified — including that parcels meet specified acreage or gross income thresholds and that property taxes be current. Hayes said the program has administrative rules and enrollment requirements and that codifying certain elements would help maintain an up‑to‑date registry.
Committee discussion focused on statutory details and board/administration mechanics. The sponsor and staff said they were working with ISDA on technical changes. The committee held the bill for amendment and indicated the chair’s office expected an updated draft for the next meeting.
No committee vote on final passage occurred; the bill was held to allow insertion of agreed technical changes.
