Residents warn HB1333 could limit county control as commission examines solar rules

Public comment at the meeting included a sustained critique of a state bill (HB1333) that an attendee said would remove county control over decisions such as large solar installations and limit who may speak at county meetings.

The commenter said HB1333 had passed the House after three readings and was under consideration in the Senate; they described the proposal as an effort to shift decisions to the state level. The presiding officer reported he had spoken with the bill’s author and said the author had requested the bill be pulled after it was amended in committee and did not reflect the author’s original intent.

Separately, commissioners and staff discussed solar amendments and agreed to circulate research on ordinances from neighboring counties (Harrison County among them) and to review county agricultural‑land statistics before the next meeting. One commissioner announced a Purdue webinar on solar leases and permitting for March 6 and offered flyers to attendees.

No county regulation was adopted tonight on solar; the commission scheduled further review and comparison of other counties’ ordinances at a future meeting.