One of the critical bills I followed throughout the 2026 Indiana General Assembly Session was HB 1003 Boards and commissions. There were two things in particular that were of concern – it proposed to eliminate the Indiana State Egg Board (ISEB) and move their regulatory functions to BOAH; and it proposed to move the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC) under the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), and similarly eliminate all the industry advisory boards associated with it (Fertilizer Review Board, Pesticide Review Board, Seed Arbitration Council). With the assistance of Rep. Ed Clere and Sen. Susan Glick, the ISEB and OISC were removed from the bill, and it was amended to create the Agriculture Promotion and Regulation Task Force (AgPRTF). The mission of the temporary AgPRTF was to study the following:
Whether changing ISDA into a regulatory agency compromises the department's advocacy role for the agriculture industry.
Whether changes are needed to the ISDA or to any other state entity that promotes, regulates, or provides advice concerning agriculture in Indiana to improve the state's future promotional and regulatory functions in the agricultural industry.
Current and future challenges and opportunities in the agricultural industry.
The interrelationship of all agricultural state entities, including any informational or regulatory gaps or overlaps between the state entities.
The AgPRTF included one member engaged in poultry production, and Joe Miller, General Counsel, Rose Acre Farms, was selected to serve in that position. Joe is a longtime member of the ISPA Board of Directors, and he also serves on an OISC advisory board. Many thanks to Joe for his service and active participation.
The AgPRTF met three times during the summer and fall. I testified on behalf of ISPA at the second meeting. In its final report, the AgPRTF recommended ISEB and OISC remain at Purdue University with each agency retaining its current functions. The report had 18 recommendations in total, and it can be reviewed here: Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force Final Report. Some additional recommendations of particular interest to poultry producers include:
#2 That the General Assembly should increase the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency's funding and provide augmentation authority to the agency.
#5 That the General Assembly should increase funding for the Board of Animal Health to ensure the agency can retain employees as the agency responds to disease incidents and other challenges in support of animal agriculture.
#6 That the General Assembly should consider increasing funding for the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) to further safeguard animal health and ensure the state can effectively detect, manage, and respond to future animal diseases.
#13 That the General Assembly should consider lowering the circuit breaker cap on agricultural structures and develop additional novel tax exemption strategies for Indiana farmers.
#18 That the General Assembly should consider recommending that the governor create a formal agriculture vertical within Indiana’s executive branch that contains all agriculture related agencies and is led by a cabinet-level Secretary of Agriculture who is appointed by and reports directly to the Governor.
As the 2027 Session of the Indiana General Assembly approaches, I will monitor proposed legislation that incorporates these recommendations. Legislation to lower the circuit breaker cap on agricultural structures from 3% to 2% is already being developed and has a sponsor. As always, if you become aware of potential legislation of interest to poultry or have suggestions for possible legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact me so I can be sure to monitor and advocate as appropriate. Becky Joniskan
