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Committee hears bill to codify Hoosier Homestead program and allow homestead farms a remonstrance against condemnation
Summary
House Bill 1265 would codify the Hoosier Homestead Farm program in statute and create a limited remonstrance process that lets qualifying century-plus family farms request local review before a fee-simple condemnation. The committee heard testimony and agreed to hold the bill for technical amendments.
The House Agriculture Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1265, which would place the Hoosier Homestead Farm program into statute and create a narrow local remonstrance process for family farms that have held title for at least 100 years.
Representative Kyle Greene (sponsor) described the bill as recognizing multi‑generational farms and giving them a final local forum to object to a fee‑simple condemnation. Greene said the program, which began as an administrative award in 1976, recognizes farms that have been in a family for 100, 150 or 200 years and that the statute would establish a registry and a notice-and-review process at the local legislative body level.
Under the proposal, a Hoosier Homestead Farm facing a fee‑simple taking could trigger a notice to the local legislative body (typically a county board of commissioners or a city/town council). That body would review whether a feasible and prudent alternative to the proposed taking exists; the bill would not create an absolute exemption to eminent domain and would not apply to easement acquisitions, leases, voluntary sales, or good-faith negotiations.
Linda Norton, an eighth‑generation farm owner, and Jason Abel, a fourth‑generation farm owner and Shelby County commissioner, testified in support of the bill, describing the ceremonial and historic value of the Hoosier Homestead designation and urging statutory recognition. Quentin Hayes, legislative director for ISDA, testified the department was neutral on the bill and recommended that the legislature consider adding administrative details—such as ensuring property taxes are current and recording application requirements—into statute.
Committee members cited the scale of farmland loss and the cultural value of long-running family farms while also noting the bill’s limited scope. Representative Greene told the committee technical changes were under discussion with ISDA and that an amendment was likely to appear on a future agenda.
The chair announced the bill would be held to allow technical amendments; no committee vote was taken on final passage.
