Senate Bill

SB 277

Indiana department of environmental management.

In plain English

Changes the purpose, structure, and powers of the Indiana department of environmental management and the environmental rules board. Bars the department from basing a decision solely on federal risk values that have not been set through federal rulemaking, and tells it to avoid federal risk values at or below background levels in air, water, soil, or sediment. Also changes water pollution, waste, and permitting laws, and makes other changes.

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

Amends, repeals, or adds certain terms. Makes certain changes concerning the purpose, structure, and powers of the department of environmental management (department) or the environmental rules board. Prohibits the department from basing a decision solely on federal risk values that have not been promulgated through federal rulemaking. Instructs the department to avoid the use of federal risk values that are at or below background concentrations in air, water, soil, or sediment. Makes certain changes to various boards or funds. Eliminates or amends rulemaking provisions. Makes certain changes to hearing and permitting processes. Changes or eliminates certain reporting requirements. Makes various changes to the water pollution statutes. Makes various changes to the solid waste and hazardous waste management statutes. Repeals or amends various sections regarding: (1) hazardous substances; (2) the voluntary remediation programs; (3) regional water districts; and (4) citizen lawsuits. Amends provisions concerning the establishment of certain fees and the use of fee schedules. Repeals the division of pollution prevention and the office of voluntary compliance. Makes conforming, stylistic, and technical changes.

Latest action: Signed by the Governor, March 5, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Rick Niemeyer, Justin Busch, Beau Baird

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Doug Miller

Roll-call votes

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

Senate · Jan 29, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 277 - Niemeyer - 3rd Reading

Passed

29 yes19 no1 did not vote

Republicans: 29 yes, 9 no, 1 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 10 no

How each member voted

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

34 yes56 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 6 yes, 56 no, 7 did not voteDemocrats: 27 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (34)

No (56)

Did not vote (10)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

34 yes60 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 6 yes, 60 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 27 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (34)

No (60)

Did not vote (6)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

29 yes66 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 0 yes, 66 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (29)

No (66)

Did not vote (5)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

35 yes58 no7 did not vote

Republicans: 6 yes, 58 no, 5 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (35)

No (58)

Did not vote (7)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

39 yes55 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 10 yes, 55 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (39)

No (55)

Did not vote (6)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

30 yes63 no7 did not vote

Republicans: 1 yes, 63 no, 5 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (30)

No (63)

Did not vote (7)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

48 yes49 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 19 yes, 49 no, 1 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (48)

No (49)

Did not vote (3)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Passed

50 yes44 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 21 yes, 44 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (50)

No (44)

Did not vote (6)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

29 yes67 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 0 yes, 67 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (29)

No (67)

Did not vote (4)

House · Feb 23, 2026

Second reading: amendment

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 2nd Reading

Failed

29 yes62 no9 did not vote

Republicans: 0 yes, 62 no, 7 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (29)

No (62)

Did not vote (9)

House · Feb 24, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 277 - Baird - 3rd Reading

Passed

53 yes45 no2 did not vote

Republicans: 53 yes, 15 no, 1 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 29 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 0 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

Yes (53)

No (45)

Did not vote (2)

Senate · Feb 25, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 277 - Niemeyer

Passed

26 yes21 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 26 yes, 12 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 0 yes, 9 no, 1 did not vote

How each member voted

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.