As summer kicks off in Indiana, local lawmakers want Hoosiers to know about a wide range of new state laws taking effect July 1.
State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) said most new laws passed during the 2024 legislative session take effect July 1, including honoring first responders. Indiana will recognize firefighters, emergency medical responders, law enforcement and other first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty through the creation of the Hoosier First Responder Medal of Honor. The award could also be presented to the families of first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice for our state.
“Whether it’s one of Indiana’s firefighters, law enforcement or other first responders, these Hoosiers put their lives on the line to help in an emergency,” said Lucas, who authored the new law. “To honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, this award will serve as a way to help give these heroes the recognition they deserve.”
State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) said lawmakers took action on a wide range of hot-button issues this year like protecting Hoosier farmland. To help protect Indiana’s farmland and food supply chain, individuals or entities associated with foreign adversaries like Russia and China will be banned from purchasing or leasing agricultural land, and mineral, water or riparian rights. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran will also be prevented from purchasing or leasing land within a 10-mile radius of military installations.
“Recently, more and more of our adversaries have bought up vital farmland, raising legitimate concerns for Indiana’s agriculture industry and food supply,” Engleman said. “This measure simply ensures our land is protected.”
Local lawmakers also highlighted the following new laws:
Supporting Veterans, Military Members
A new public notification like Indiana’s Amber Alert and Silver Alert will soon help first responders locate missing and at-risk veterans and military members. A Green Alert could be issued by the Indiana State Police for veterans, service members, Indiana National Guard members and reservists within 48 hours of the individual being reported missing.
Food truck operators raised concerns about the patchwork of regulatory ordinances and costly fees from county to county, which can make it difficult to operate and expand their mobile businesses. To simplify permitting for food trucks, counties will be required to create a permit that follows universal state standards and is capped at a $200 fee.
“We need to continue making it as simple as possible for businesses of all sizes to grow in our state,” said State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford). “Capping fees and streamlining the permitting process for food trucks can help these entrepreneurs flourish without having to jump through so many hoops.”
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws.
