Witnessing the Statehouse legislative process was an interesting experience 

By Brian Warpup, Chair, ISA’s Membership & Policy Committee 

I have been on the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee for a few years now. Since being the chairman for 2025, I was able to visit the Indiana Statehouse multiple times and see first-hand the process of legislation. The people and resources that are representing the farmers of Indiana, are contributing on your behalf. 

Again, it’s important to keep agriculture’s voice within policy because new laws and mandates will always affect how we, as farmers, do business.  Whether that is herbicide compliance, water rights or even how county roads funded, we need to be aware of new or introduced bills that affect us moving forward. 

This last legislative session, I observed those individuals speaking and representing on your behalf to ensure that our best interest in agriculture is being heard. 

Now that spring planting is over, or at least close to finished, we can look back to see how we could have done things differently or adjusted to the weather or field conditions more prudently. Each spring is different, and it seems we always have that one day, that we should’ve just stayed in the barn. 

Looking back is always good because that helps us prepare for the next unforeseen circumstance that may show up another year. This spring has been a struggle in most of Indiana, but we still managed to put the crop in the ground. Most days never go as planned in farming.  It is impossible to foresee the future with certainty, yet retrospect often reveals opportunities with more strategic planning. 

This brings me to Senate Bill 461 Grain Indemnity which was signed by the governor on April 30. SB461 provides stricter oversight of licensees to protect farmers, who deliver grain for storage or deferred pricing. This bill also strengthens the Indiana grain indemnity corporation board structure to ensure a fair claims process in the event of a grain buyers license being revoked. 

This new law doesn’t seem relevant to most, but when you, a family member, a neighbor or even an entire community sells grain to a local elevator or mill, it can have a negative economic impact to many. There have been a few elevator foreclosures in Indiana in the last several years, and this fills the gaps that were learned over those unfortunate business failures. 

We have learned from our past and hopefully this new law makes those unforeseen hardships better in the future. Many Indiana farmers and representatives stood beside this bill because they saw the need. 

Senate bill 254 and House bill 1127 both biofuel tax credits, had good traction this year in the Statehouse. Although the bills fell short in their efforts, we were able to share the success of the biofuels industry here in Indiana and show the positive impact corn and soybean farmers have on the state. 

Continuing forward, farmer representation still needs to be heard because biofuels is one of Indiana’s strongest outputs. Ethanol and biodiesel will again be integral in the discussions moving forward for legislative sessions to come. The more we talk to people of its importance, the easier it is to show its positive impacts on the environment and the economy of Indiana. 

This summer, growers can voice concerns and have the opportunity to engage in discussions with legislatures. Please don’t miss this chance.