2026 Environment & Natural Resources Bill Watch List

Updated 1/19/2026 ~ 2026 Indiana General Assembly

Bad Bills ~ Good Bills ~ Bills we're watching

Bad Bills

SB277: Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Authors: Sen. Rick Niemeyer (R)

Status: in the Senate

Position: CAC opposes this bill

Votes:

1/12/26: The Senate Environmental Affaris Committee passed SB277 by a vote of 5-3.
1/22/26: The Senate Appropriations Committee amended SB277 by consent, failed an amendment by a vote of 3-7, then passed it out of committee by a vote of 9-4.

Description:

SB258 and SB277 will make it harder for Hoosiers to be informed and engaged when nuclear power plants want to locate in their communities.

The bills do this by taking away the authority of the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to conduct public hearings about the environmental effects of the operations of proposed nuclear reactors. SBs 258 & 277 also reduce state oversight of nuclear facilities by removing the current authority of IDEM to adopt rules and standards to protect Hoosier communities and residents from the hazards of radiation, and to issue permits related to those rules and standards.

Making it harder for the public to be informed and engaged about nuclear projects slated for their communities is the wrong direction for Indiana, especially right now. State politicians have spent the past few years paving the way for risky and expensive Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) by passing a series of bills aimed to help companies overcome the serious technological challenges facing SMRs that have resulted in no company figuring out how to successfully build and operate an SMR in the United States.

Reducing the state’s ability to regulate nuclear power plants and radioactive waste at the same time politicians want to increase nuclear power generation puts Hoosier communities at risk.

Good Bills

HB1110: PFAS Chemicals

Authors: Rep. Becky Cash (R), Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R), Rep. Maureen Bauer (D)

Status: in the House Environmental Affairs Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

HB1124: Testing Drinking Water For Lead In School Buildings

Authors: Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D), Rep. Mike Aylesworth (R)

Status: in the House Public Health Committee

Position: CAC supports this bill

HB1239: PFAS Water Safety Standards

Authors: Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D), Rep. Carey Hamilton (D)

Status: in the House Environmental Affairs Committee