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INDIANAPOLIS – The debate over confined feeding operations returned to the Statehouse on Tuesday when the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee gave initial approval to a bill tightening authority over the facilities.
Last year, the General Assembly negotiated for months before the bill fell apart in the waning hours of the session.
There are about 2,200 confined feeding operations in the state, of which 625 are large enough for a separate distinction of confined animal feeding operations. Generally, these facilities are the result of industrializing agriculture operations in the state.
But neighbors have concerns about odor, the effect on real estate values and health risks related to large amounts of manure stored and spread on land.
House Bill 1168 contains five major provisions:
•Requires operators to disclose “good character” information, including violations in other states or pending legal action. It allows the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to consider this information before granting a permit.
•Requires operators to provide evidence of financial assurance, or a bond, to ensure they stay in compliance with environmental laws.
•Increases initial license fees slightly and establishes a range of annual fees based on the size of the operation. IDEM also is to pass rules establishing fees for modifications to the facilities.
•Requires IDEM to inspect the operations at least once a year. Currently, the inspections occur about once every five years or when complaints are received. The bill also allows IDEM to revoke a permit if three violations of confined feeding or water pollution control laws occur at the operation in any two-year period.
•Creates a manure hauler certification program administered by the state chemist.
“I think we could all get along much better with a bill like this,” said Barbara Sha Cox of Richmond.
But Nicholas Ellis of Jefferson County pointed out that the bill does not contain a setback limiting where confined feeding operations can locate.
“It’s the pink elephant in the room – location, location, location,” he said.
The seven Democrats on the committee approved the bill while the five Republicans opposed it.
Several GOP members had concerns about additional regulations on the industry possibly driving up food prices.
“This bill is very troubling,” said Rep. Eric Gutwein, R-Rensselaer, who along with others wanted to wait until an agricultural regulatory task force established by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman finalizes its recommendations.
“We believe now is not the time to start adding additional pieces,” said Michael Platt, executive director of the Indiana Pork Producers Association.
He noted that his members, too, care about air and water quality, especially because they and their families live and work on these operations.
The bill next goes to the full House for possible amendment.
nkelly@jg.net
