Chairing the Senate Ag Committee
This week, the Senate Committee on Agriculture met for the final time for the 2026 legislative session. During the meeting, we passed two bills.
House Bill 1192, which I sponsored, would transfer some of the seed commissioner’s administrative rules into state law. When something is codified in Indiana law, then an agency can’t unilaterally change it. Instead, it would have to be changed by the legislature.
House Bill 1361, which I co-sponsored, would place current administrative rules regarding commercial fertilizer registration, application and storage into Indiana code. The goal is to place all regulations into one place for ease of use by commercial applicators and sellers.
Thank you to everyone who came to speak on these bills.
Chairing Rural Caucus
This week, I chaired the second Rural Caucus meeting of the 2026 legislative session.
We discussed utilities, including energy supply, rural electric companies and the challenges of providing electricity for data centers.
We heard from speakers like Eric Augustus of Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Michael Charbonneau of Indiana Electric Cooperatives, Brian Bergsma of Indiana Michigan Power and Jeff Cummins of AES.
It was a very informative meeting, and I appreciate everyone who came to speak to us.
Four Bills Pass House of Representatives
This week, four bills I authored passed the House of Representatives and will now move to the governor’s desk.
Senate Enrolled Act 55 would create a state soybean marketing development program and a pork marketing development program in the unlikely event that the federal programs go away.
Senate Enrolled Act 56 would help address the shortage of large animal veterinarians by giving out-of-state veterinary professionals the opportunity to care for animals in Indiana.
Senate Enrolled Act 230 would require soil and water conservation district boards to appoint individuals to fill supervisory roles if three or more vacancies occur.
Senate Enrolled Act 249 would adopt existing animal food administrative rules and put them into law.
