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Lawmakers consider codifying Hoosier Homestead recognition and narrow remonstrance right against eminent domain
Summary
House Bill 1265 would put the Hoosier Homestead Farm Program into statute, create an electronic registry of eligible homestead farms and give qualifying farms a limited opportunity to remonstrate locally against a fee-simple taking by eminent domain. Committee members asked for technical edits and held the bill for amendment.
Lawmakers in the House Agriculture Committee considered House Bill 1265, which would codify the Hoosier Homestead Farm Program, require ISDA to maintain an electronic registry of qualifying homestead farms and give registered homestead farms a limited right to seek local legislative review before a fee-simple taking by eminent domain.
The bill's author said the measure complements other farmland preservation efforts and highlighted the scale of farmland loss in Indiana. "We learned that the state of Indiana lost 345,682 acres, to be exact, between 2010 and 2022," the sponsor said, referring to the Inventory of Lost Farmland. The bill would allow a homestead farm's owners to remonstrate to the local legislative body (typically county commissioners or city/town councils) if an entity seeks to condemn all or part of a homestead farm in fee simple.
Supporters including Hoosier Homestead recipients and county officials described the program's symbolic value and how statutory recognition could provide more visibility and a formal process. "It's a symbol of generational grit to them," said Linda Norton, who identified her family farm as an 8th-generation operation and said the Hoosier Homestead recognition matters to many families facing development pressure.
Jason Abel, a fourth-generation farmer and county commissioner, testified that statutory recognition and measures like HB 1234 would be part of a broader approach to preserving farmland and agricultural heritage in counties experiencing rapid growth.
Quentin Hayes of ISDA testified neutrally on HB 1265 and suggested technical clarifications ISDA would like considered, including adding property tax compliance and application details into statute and clarifying that the protection applies to the parcel designated as a Hoosier homestead. Committee members indicated staff and sponsors will work on technical amendments.
Representative Green, who closed the bill's hearing, said he would hold the measure until staff and ISDA reconcile technical language; the committee agreed to delay further action until those edits are prepared.
