The 2024 Legislative Session is right around the corner and discussions are already happening about how we can be in the conversations about how to positively affect your business. If you are interested in getting involved in conversations on legislation affecting the septic industry, please contact Julia at info@iowpa.org to be added to our legislation update list. In addition, you can share feedback with the organization by emailing info@iowpa.org or by completing our online feedback form.
Check back on this page for pertinent updates throughout the session.
Important General Assembly Dates to Know
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 21, 2023 | Organization Day for the 2024 Session (IC 2-2.1-1-3). Representatives may begin filing bills. |
| Friday, January 5, 2024 | Senators may file only two bills per business day beginning today. |
| Tuesday, January 9, 2024 | Deadline for filing Senate bills not later than 4:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, January 11, 2024 | Deadline for filing House bills not later than 2:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, January 16, 2024 | Last day Senate bills may be assigned to Senate committees. |
| Monday, January 22, 2024 | Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-3) |
| Monday, February 5, 2024 | Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in House. |
| Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate. |
| Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval. |
| Monday, March 4, 2024 | Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in House. |
| Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | Last day for Senate adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval. |
| Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in the Senate. |
| Thursday, March 14, 2024 | Last day for adjournment of both houses (IC 2-2.1-1-3). |
BILLS THAT IOWPA IS TRACKING
The following bills are on the IOWPA tracking list.
HB 1329 – Local government matters
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1329/details
Author: Jim Pressel | Co-Author: Doug Miller
SUMMARY: Authorizes the solid waste management district of Vanderburgh County to make grants and loans for certain purposes. Prohibits a governmental entity from requiring that a Class 2 structure or a residential onsite sewage system be inspected in connection with or as a condition of the sale of or transfer of title to the property containing the Class 2 structure or residential onsite sewage system. Provides, for purposes of posting a license bond, that a political subdivision may not impose any requirement for the political subdivision to be identified as an obligee on the license bond other than the requirement in statute. Provides that an obligor may initiate a civil action against a political subdivision that does not recognize or does not allow an obligor to post a license bond that satisfies certain requirements and that, if the obligor prevails in the action, the obligor shall be awarded an amount equal to: (1) 300% of the cost of obtaining the license bond; (2) compensatory damages; and (3) reasonable attorney’s fees. Provides that if a contractor: (1) has posted a license bond to obtain one license from a political subdivision; and (2) is required to obtain another license from the political subdivision to perform work that the contractor intends to perform; the contractor may not be required to post a second license bond as a condition of obtaining the second license if the type of work that the first license authorizes the contractor to perform is so closely related to the type of work that the second license will authorize the contractor to perform that both types of work are typically involved in a single residential construction project. Provides that a city, town, or county that requires a building permit for the construction of a Class 2 structure may provide for the inspection preceding the issuance or denial of the building permit to be conducted by: (1) an individual employed by the city, town, or county, or by another city, town, or county, as a building inspector; (2) a registered architect; (3) a registered professional engineer; (4) a certified building official; or (5) a licensed home inspector.
HB 1352 – Inspection of residential onsite sewage systems
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1352/details
Author: Bob Morris | Co-Authors: Chris Judy, Jim Pressel
Bill Passed House Committee 12-0
SUMMARY: Prohibits a local health department and other local officers or employees from inspecting a residential onsite sewage system unless the manufacturer of the system requires inspection of the system multiple times a year. Allows a nonresidential onsite sewage system to be installed in a lot if at least one site on the lot is determined to be suitable for the installation of the nonresidential onsite sewage system. Provides that a county onsite waste management district may not assess a periodic inspection fee against an owner of an onsite sewage disposal system for a particular period if the district does not inspect the owner’s system during that period.
SB 288 – Extension of water service to schools
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/senate/288/details
Author: Rick Niemeyer
SUMMARY: Allows a water or wastewater utility to extend service, without a deposit or other adequate assurance of performance from the customer, a distance of not more than three miles to a: (1) public school, including a charter school; or (2) nonpublic school that employs one or more employees; that is connected to a well or septic system on July 1, 2024, for the purpose of enabling the public school or nonpublic school to disconnect from the well or septic system.
HB 1060 – Environmental scrutiny before property transfer.
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1060/details
Author: Mike Aylesworth
SUMMARY: Requires a qualified inspector to inspect a residential onsite sewage system (residential system) before a sale of a dwelling connected to the residential system. Requires that the sales disclosure form must disclose if the inspection indicated that the residential system is failing. Provides that a failure of the owner of the dwelling to satisfy the notice requirement makes transfer of ownership of the dwelling voidable at the election of the buyer even after the closing. Requires a qualified inspector to inspect a commercial onsite sewage system (commercial system) before a transfer of the nondwelling structure connected to the commercial system. Requires that the results of the inspection must be disclosed to the local health department, the county recorder, and the transferee. Requires that the transferee must present to the county recorder an affidavit stating that the cause of the commercial system failure has been eliminated or will be eliminated before the transferee uses the nondwelling structure for the transferee’s intended purpose. Provides that the county recorder may not record a deed transferring the nondwelling structure unless certain requirements are satisfied. Provides that the failure of the nondwelling structure owner to provide the required documents is a complete defense to an action for breach of contract to purchase the nondwelling structure and is a breach of a legal duty for which the transferee may bring civil action for compensatory damages. Requires water from a water well to be tested by a qualified tester before transferring a lot containing both a water well and a dwelling connected to a residential onsite sewage system. Requires that the test results must be disclosed to the local health department, the county recorder, and the transferee. Provides that the county recorder may not record a deed transferring the lot unless certain requirements are satisfied. Provides that the failure of the lot owner to provide the required documents is a complete defense to an action for breach of contract to purchase the lot and is a breach of a legal duty for which the transferee may bring civil action for compensatory damages. Makes certain exceptions. Requires the Indiana department of health to adopt rules to: (1) establish requirements and standards for inspections of residential onsite sewage systems and commercial onsite sewage systems and testing of water wells; and (2) establish qualifications for inspectors of residential onsite sewage systems and commercial onsite sewage systems and testers of well water.