Indiana Farm Bureau members were in Indianapolis Wednesday for their annual legislative forum to discuss policy priorities for the year and specific bills they’re keeping a close eye on.
INFB President Randy Kron says there is one bill in particular that is getting a lot of attention early in the session. House Bill 1064 is authored by INFB Vice President Kendell Culp, also a representative for district 16. The bill would make repeated operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, over private real property a nuisance, with both civil and criminal penalties.
“If you’re around the Jay County area, there’s been a lot this past year when avian influenza broke out and drones were flying around. People were questioning did they carry that in or not. I’m not saying one way or another; I don’t know. But somebody with drones shouldn’t be flying over our private property without permission.”
There’s also House Bill 1315 that could potentially dissolve townships.
“What’s being proposed will eliminate a lot of rural townships, the very small rural ones. Our membership is interested. We’ve always said, ‘No, we want to maintain township government,’ but our policy changed in August and said we’re willing to have discussions and look at how do you do it efficiently. But we want to make sure that we’re not moving some of the costs from our cities and larger townships to the small rural ones.”
Kron says the best way to make your voice heard on these issues and others is to show up at the statehouse and speak directly with your legislator.
“I always say every day is Farm Bureau Day at the Statehouse. We generally have some members there every day talking about the issues that are important to them. The lobbyists can back them up and help and reinforce and get to the details, but if they see constituents there and they care and they can explain how it impacts their farm, that makes the most difference. That’s critical, and that’s how we get things done for Indiana Farm Bureau and for agriculture here in Indiana.”
If you’re interested in going to the Statehouse, Kron encourages you to reach out to your county Farm Bureau or your Farm Bureau regional manager.
Hear the full HAT interview with Kron below.
