House Bill

HB 1557

Prescribed burning.

In plain English

Sets rules for prescribed burning, requiring a certified prescribed burn manager and a completed burn plan to be present during a burn. Gives certain protections from civil liability, exempts burns from some local regulations under certain conditions, and says a burn and its smoke are not a nuisance. Has the division of forestry run the training and certification program, and limits damages to actual damages.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Defines "prescribed burn". Provides for the following: (1) Requirements to be met before a person conducts a prescribed burning. (2) That a certified prescribed burn manager and a completed prescribed burn plan must be present during a prescribed burning. (3) Certain civil liability immunities related to conducting a prescribed burn and the prescribed burn certification program. (4) Under certain conditions, exemption of prescribed burning from certain local regulations. (5) That a prescribed burning and the smoke produced by the prescribed burning do not constitute a nuisance. (6) That the division of forestry shall administer the training and certification program for prescribed burning. Limits damages for injuries or losses as result of a prescribed burn to actual damages.

Latest action: Public Law 124, April 30, 2025Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Beau Baird, Sue Glick

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Mike Karickhoff, Maureen Bauer, Mike Aylesworth

Roll-call votes

3 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

House · Feb 4, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1557 - Baird - 3rd Reading

Passed

73 yes15 no12 did not vote

Republicans: 49 yes, 10 no, 11 did not voteDemocrats: 22 yes, 5 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (73)

No (15)

Did not vote (12)

Senate · Apr 1, 2025

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: HB 1557 - Glick - 3rd Reading

Passed

38 yes9 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 28 yes, 8 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 10 yes, 0 noNot matched to a current member: 0 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

House · Apr 17, 2025

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: HB 1557 - Baird

Passed

80 yes10 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 58 yes, 6 no, 6 did not voteDemocrats: 20 yes, 4 no, 4 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 noNot matched to a current member: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (80)

No (10)

Did not vote (10)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.