Office of the Governor Docket 25-156 Other

in-20250319-IR-GOV250156EOA: STATE OF INDIANA

Get alerted when the next rule lands

New rules open for comment on their own schedule. Pick how you want to hear about them — we email you when one appears.

Alert me on new Office of the Governor rules or alert me on a subject

Publishing to members? Embed a live rule tracker on your own site — the proposed rules in your area and the comment deadlines closing on them, updating themselves. Free, one line of HTML.

Create a free account & build one →

Summary

FOR: PROHIBITING THE USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN PERMITTING, ENFORCEMENT, OR GRANT DECISIONS WHEREAS, the State of Indiana is committed to ensuring that environmental policies are effective, based on sound science, and uphold the principles of fairness, rule of law, and accountability; WHEREAS, the concept of “environmental justice” has become increasingly politicized and has often led to the introduction of subjective, non-scientific factors into environmental policy and regulation; WHEREAS, there is no legal authority under Indiana law or federal law that requires environmental permitting or enforcement decisions to be made based on social concepts such as “environmental justice,” which consider factors such as race, educational attainment, ethnicity, or other social criteria, rather than objective environmental or economic data; WHEREAS, “environmental justice” can act as a disincentive for investment in disadvantaged communities, as the fear of stricter regulations can result in fewer job opportunities or economic investments; WHEREAS, the State of Indiana believes that the focus of environmental permitting and enforcement decisions should be on the protection of public health, natural resources, and economic growth without favoring or disadvantaging any group based on race, ethnicity, or other social criteria; and WHEREAS, environmental policies and enforcement should prioritize scientifically supported and objective metrics that foster economic development, job...

The agency’s own summary, as published.

The rule, in full

307 words as published, March 19, 2025. View the original →

STATE OF INDIANA EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT INDIANAPOLIS EXECUTIVE ORDER: 25-37 FOR: PROHIBITING THE USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN PERMITTING, ENFORCEMENT, OR GRANT DECISIONS TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME, GREETINGS. WHEREAS, the State of Indiana is committed to ensuring that environmental policies are effective, based on sound science, and uphold the principles of fairness, rule of law, and accountability; WHEREAS, the concept of “environmental justice” has become increasingly politicized and has often led to the introduction of subjective, non-scientific factors into environmental policy and regulation; WHEREAS, there is no legal authority under Indiana law or federal law that requires environmental permitting or enforcement decisions to be made based on social concepts such as “environmental justice,” which consider factors such as race, educational attainment, ethnicity, or other social criteria, rather than objective environmental or economic data; WHEREAS, “environmental justice” can act as a disincentive for investment in disadvantaged communities, as the fear of stricter regulations can result in fewer job opportunities or economic investments; WHEREAS, the State of Indiana believes that the focus of environmental permitting and enforcement decisions should be on the protection of public health, natural resources, and economic growth without favoring or disadvantaging any group based on race, ethnicity, or other social criteria; and WHEREAS, environmental policies and enforcement should prioritize scientifically supported and objective metrics that foster economic development, job creation, and sustainable practices for all citizens of the State of Indiana; WHEREAS, federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin for programs or activities receiving federal funds; and WHEREAS, the State of Indiana drives to provide opportunities for robust, transparent public participation, without regard to social criteria, in the rulemaking and permitting process; NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE BRAUN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of Indiana, do hereby order that:

Don't miss the comment window

One Click Politics alerts you on every deadline, hearing, and rule change.

See all rules with comments due soon →