By Andi Anderson
Indiana Farm Bureau marked the end of the 2026 Indiana General Assembly by celebrating several important policy wins for farmers and rural communities. This year’s legislative session moved faster than usual, creating challenges for organizations trying to keep pace with rapidly advancing bills.
INFB President Randy Kron emphasized how unusual the process felt, saying, “This was a truly unique legislative session for Indiana across the board, and the fastest I’ve experienced in my decades of advocating for agriculture at the Statehouse.” He noted that the shortened timeline required quicker action and closer attention.
Kron praised the organization’s public policy team for preventing harmful legislation from moving forward and for mobilizing grassroots members across the state. One major priority was protecting farms from unauthorized drone use.
Although the original bill stalled, INFB successfully worked to include the protective language in another measure. The final version of House Bill 1249 prevents drones from flying through barns, spraying without permission, or harassing livestock and crops.
Township reform was another major issue this year. INFB engaged throughout the process to ensure rural representation remained protected.
Public policy director Katie Nelson explained, “We were concerned about representation for rural communities when engaging in the township reform conversations and making sure our members would still have a voice in local government.” She noted that the final compromise in Senate Bill 270 aligned with INFB’s policy goals.
The Department of Local Government Finance bill, House Bill 1210, also included key provisions advocated by INFB.
These measures clarified how agricultural land should be assessed and corrected the effective date for the capitalization rate, resulting in an estimated $50 million in property tax relief for 2028.
INFB also worked on several other bills, including: improving the structure of residential TIF policies, creating the Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force, opposing the ban on various food ingredients, protecting local zoning authority in farmland preservation discussions, and expanding opportunities for home‑based vendors.
INFB further strengthened outreach efforts through a new event, Coffee at the Statehouse, allowing members to meet directly with lawmakers. Kron thanked members for their involvement, stating, “Thankfully, our members showed up and used their voices at the Statehouse.”
Photo Credit: indiana-farm-bureau
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy