FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacob Stewart, Press Secretary
Jacob.Stewart@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498
Elijah Roberson, Press Secretary Intern
Elijah.Roberson@iga.in.gov
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 14, 2025) — State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) is authoring a Senate Republican agenda bill to protect Indiana's water resources. It was unveiled during a press conference last Wednesday led by the Indiana Senate Republican Caucus leadership reviewing their caucus's priorities for the 2025 legislative session.
Senate Bill 4 would require a permit for basin-to-basin water transfers and other large, long-distance water pipeline projects
Entities applying for a basin-to-basin permit with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources would need to provide hydrologic and environmental impact assessments of the source area, and alternate water sources that could be used in place of the proposed source.
For long-haul water pipelines, even if the water is staying within the same geological basin, a permit would be required from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
“Indiana is blessed with the number of natural resources we have at our disposal,” Koch said. “This bill would protect Indiana’s water sources and ensure they’re used responsibly as the state continues to grow in years to come.”
Senator Koch serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Utilities, ranking member of the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Commerce and Technology, and member of the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law.
As the 2025 session gets underway, Koch encourages residents of Senate District 44 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Koch can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Koch or by phone at 800-382-9467.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Sen. Koch (R-Bedford) details Senate Bill 4 during a press conference in January.
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State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) represents Senate District 44,
which includes Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Orange counties,
and portions of Monroe County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
