(INDIANAPOLIS) – A bill authored by a Northeast Indiana lawmaker has moved on to the desk of Governor Mike Braun for final consideration.

Senate Enrolled Act 28, authored by Republican State Senator Sue Glick of LaGrange, would help protect farmers from future groundwater emergencies. The bill would set out a procedure where the Department of Natural Resources would be required to investigate, after being notified of an issue with a well impairment or failure. The DNR could then work through a process to require the entity that impaired the function of a well to remedy the issue, including reasonable compensation for damages or restoration of former withdrawal capabilities.

The bill takes the necessary steps to protect farmers from future groundwater emergencies.

Glick says Indiana is seeing an increase in water-intensive industries, so it is important to have these safeguards in place to protect agricultural land.