ICV Legislative Update: Week of April 25, 2025

The Indiana General Assembly wrapped up its 2025 work in the early morning hours on Friday, adjourning Sine Die after adopting the two-year state budget.

We issued the following statement after lawmakers adjourned:

“Indiana Conservation Voters is proud to have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with advocates, community leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to stand up for clean air, water and energy. 

“Wins and setbacks are part of the process, and this session made clear that when Hoosiers come together, we can change the conversation—and the outcomes. We’re energized, grateful and more committed than ever to protecting our natural environment and all who call our state home.”

Words fail to describe how grateful we are for your engagement and support this session.

You sent thousands of emails. You made phone calls. You showed up at the Statehouse. And we were able to turn that momentum into some wins for Hoosiers! We’ll have a recap next week of all the ups and downs, along with recognition for some Conservation Champions.

One big victory we don’t want to wait to share: In the waning hours of the session, lawmakers overwhelmingly voted down a conference committee report that contained language that would have banned the Thriving Buildings program in Indianapolis and prevented other cities from enacting similar energy and water efficiency programs. That’s because advocates like you spoke up and reached out.

You’ve all been active and engaged because this work matters. We want to personally thank you for everything you do to help our state be a great place to call home, and we look forward to hearing your input on our 2026 legislative agenda over the summer months.

CATCHING UP WITH ICV

Daniela, Desi and Kit had a great time in Evansville at Wesselman Woods’s Earth Day celebration! Even with a questionable forecast the turnout was fantastic and we met a ton of people passionate about the environment down in southwest Indiana! Come hang with us at our last Earth Month event today at Elkhart Earth Day: April 26, 2025, Elkhart.

BILL UPDATES

🛑 OPPOSE: House Bill 1389/Senate Bill 197: Newly added language in this legislation would eliminate the Thriving Buildings program in the City of Indianapolis and any other local governments trying to increase building efficiency. The Thriving Buildings program requires building owners and operators of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet to track and report their utility data to identify ways to reduce energy and water usage, a widely supported local program that takes the burden off tenants and renters. There are even automatic exemptions in place for buildings that cannot access this data and dedicated staff to help guide building owners through the process. This language was in HB 1389. HB 1389’s conference committee report was DEFEATED on the Senate Floor 33 to 17. View the vote sheet here and make sure to follow-up with your Senator to thank them for their NO vote. SB 197 did not move forward this session and died in conference committee.

😐 NEUTRAL: Senate Bill 425 Energy Production Zones. This bill includes language to incentivize land re-use for new energy projects by limiting local control of project siting. Unfortunately, it excludes wind and solar energy from participating in energy production zones. The Conference Committee Report passed both chambers on 4/24, view the vote sheet for the House and Senate. It is now headed to the Governor’s desk.

🛑 OPPOSE: Senate Bill 287: By injecting partisan politics into Indiana school board races, this bill will increase political division in schools and make it difficult for ordinary citizens and members of the military to serve their communities. The Senate passed the concurrence on SB 287, 26 to 24. View the vote sheet here and make sure to thank your Senator if they voted NO.

🛑 OPPOSE: House Bill 1007 shifts costs outdated coal generation costs to ratepayers and taxpayers. The House concurred with the Senate version, view the vote sheet here.

🛑 OPPOSE: House Bill 1680: This sweeping election bill creates additional voting barriers for naturalized citizens, opens the door to increased voter intimidation, burdens houseless people and disenfranchises independent voters by closing Indiana primaries. The Conference Committee Report passed both chambers on 4/23, view the House and Senate vote.

🛑 OPPOSE: House Bill 1037: This bill would remove the ability for localities to require construction stormwater permits more stringent than IDEM’s general permit. This will prohibit permit requirements for sites under an acre. HB 1037 is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.

GOOD NEWS SATURDAY

👏 Governor Braun signed an Executive Order this week ordering the development of a state water inventory and management plan, something ICV and our allies have worked hard to advocate for and elevate to the Governor’s office. We are thrilled to see this step taken as a commitment to protecting our water supply for future generations.

👏 Additionally, Senate Bill 4 was signed into law on Earth Day (Tuesday) as another step towards responsible water stewardship. We are proud to have worked with lawmakers on this as well and are excited to see the bipartisan efforts to protect our water supply from both the legislative and executive branches.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 10: Girls Scouts and League of Women Voters Democracy Day, 9am-12pm CT (Evansville)