Environmental dereg bill narrowly moves from committee

Businesses say the environmental measure adds regulatory certainty, while natural resources advocates warn it weakens protections.

By: Leslie Bonilla Muñiz

Outlets: Indiana Capital Chronicle

Published: February 12, 2026

Words: 629

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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A contentious overhaul of Indiana’s environmental laws squeaked out of the House’s dedicated committee on Wednesday afternoon, in a 6-5 vote.

Senate Bill 277 would eliminate about a dozen “outdated” references to state and federal law, 40 “needless” reporting or paperwork requirements, 50 references to the state’s administrative rulebook and 250 “unnecessary” mandates, said Sen. Rick Niemeyer, the proposal’s author.

Niemeyer, R-Lowell, said he began working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management …

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