STATEHOUSE (Jan. 5, 2026) — A bill authored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that would transfer the management of historic sites from the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources unanimously today
Senate Bill 57 would create a division of historic sites as part of the DNR which would be tasked with managing Indiana’s historic sites. Leising filed a similar bill during the 2025 legislative session. The DNR previously managed Indiana’s historic sites until 2011.
“Our historic sites are incredibly important to our state’s economy and history. It is imperative that sites like the Whitewater Canal are taken care of properly, and the DNR can provide that care for these sites,” Leising said. “I look forward to working with my fellow legislators on this bill as it continues through the legislative process.”
The bill now moves to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for further consideration.
Leising encourages residents of Senate District 42 to contact her with any questions or comments they may have. Leising can be reached by filling out a “Contact Me” form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Leising or by phone at 800-382-9467.