“A Win for Hoosier Farmers” — Governor Braun signs Freedom & Opportunity Bill HEA 1149 into Law

Today, Governor Mike Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1149 into law. This bill helps Hoosier farmers by creating a new online portal, giving them a one-stop shop for tools to communicate with the state government and get information they need to be successful.

“This new online portal was part of my Freedom and Opportunity agriculture agenda and is a win for Hoosier farmers. It’s a one-stop-shop to help Hoosier farmers navigate state and federal agencies, avoid red tape, and communicate with the state government what we can do better to help them be successful.” — Governor Mike Braun

HEA 1149 was authored by Rep. Kendell Culp, and co-authored by Rep. Mike Aylesworth, Rep. Dave Heine, Rep. Justin Moed. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jean Leising, Sen. Daryl Schmitt, Sen. Gary Byrne, Sen. Susan Glick, and Sen. Shelli Yoder.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture will create and maintain this new online portal, with features like:

1. Helping Hoosier farmers navigate agriculture-related issues across state and federal agencies.
2. Centralizing funding information, including a searchable database of grants with deadlines and eligibility.
3. Offering regulatory checklists to help farmers avoid violations when entering new markets.
4. Connecting users to tools like data visualizations and technical support.
5. Tracking lost farmland.
6. Collecting public comments on federal regulations affecting Indiana’s rural economy.
7. Gathering user feedback from farmers to improve the portal and government services.