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Statehouse advocacy is another important member benefit
Membership in Indiana Farm Bureau provides direct benefits such as discounts and leadership development opportunities, but members also benefit from the organization’s advocacy efforts with regulators, Congress and the Indiana General Assembly.
INFB established four priority issues for the 2018 session of the General Assembly. Thanks to the efforts of INFB volunteers and lobbyists, the organization reached some important goals:
Early in the session, INFB members were instrumental in stopping the momentum of HB1005, which would have forced more than 300 townships with a population of less than 1,200 people to merge with a neighboring township.
Protect livestock farmers and their operations
Because of Farm Bureau’s efforts, two bills that would have placed unreasonable regulations on livestock farms did not receive a hearing during session.
Strengthen rural quality of life
The legislature passed House Enrolled Act 1065, which authorizes the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to study broadband expansion and tools that may be used to assist in its deployment and establishes a grant program for broadband deployment.
Ensure assessment uniformity
Indiana law already supports this concept, so rather than seeking legislation, INFB discussed the issues with the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, which agreed to review and address any instances as they occur.
Limit annexation
Early in the session, INFB members were instrumental in stopping the momentum of HB1005, which would have forced more than 300 townships with a population of less than 1,200 people to merge with a neighboring township.
A bill that would have consistently limited annexation remonstrance waivers passed the Senate but was one of the bills that was not brought to a vote in the House before the legislature adjourned.
