in-20260729-IR-312260201RAA: Regulatory Analysis — 312 IAC (LSA #260201)

TITLE 312 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Regulatory Analysis LSA Document #26-201 I. Description of Rule II. Fiscal Impact Analysis III. Impacted Parties IV. Changes in Proposed Rule - Specific temporary changes in the proposed provisional rule are as follows: Subsection Temporary Changes for the time the provisional rule is effective Reason for the Change Added subsection (a) Adds superseding language so the provisional rule supersedes 312 IAC 9-3-4 Corresponding conforming change of renumbering all subsections Provisional rule format New subsection (b) Conforming change of “section 2 of this rule” to “312 IAC 9-3-2” Provisional rule format New subsection (c)(1) Conforming change of “subsection (g)” to “subsection (h)” Provisional rule format New subsection (c)(2)(A) through (c)(2)(C) Conforming changes of Provisional rule format New subsection (g)(3) Substantive change to the bag limit for Bartholomew County from three (3) to two (2) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Bartholomew County due to EHD New subsection (g)(36) Substantive change to the bag limit for Jackson County from four (4) to two (2) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Jackson County due to EHD New subsection (g)(39) Substantive change to the bag limit for Jefferson County from four (4) to two (2) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Jefferson County due to EHD New subsection (g)(40) Substantive change to the bag limit for Jennings County from four (4) to one (1) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Jennings County due to EHD New subsection (g)(51) Substantive change to the bag limit for Martin County from three (3) to one (1) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Martin County due to EHD New subsection (g)(64) Substantive change to the bag limit for Porter County from three (3) to two (2) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Porter County due to EHD New subsection (g)(72) Substantive change to the bag limit for Scott County from four (4) to two (2) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Scott County due to EHD New subsection (g)(78) Substantive change to the bag limit for Switzerland County from three (3) to two (2) Substantive change regarding the deer population in Switzerland County due to EHD Removes subsection (d)(21) Substantive change by repealing Porter County reduction zone Substantive change regarding the deer population in Porter County due to EHD Adds SECTION 2 Provides for an expiration date for the provisional rule Provisional rule format Code Cite Direct Effects Indirect Effect Fiscal Impact to the department Business Impacts Temporarily amends 312 IAC 9-3-4(g) to reduce the number of antlerless deer in Bartholomew, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Martin, Porter, Scott and Switzerland Counties Deer hunters will have fewer antlerless deer to harvest, but the deer population will be more likely to withstand the loss due to EHD Hunters may have fewer deer to harvest, and deer processors may have fewer deer to process Indiana maintains a healthy deer population The department continues to sell stable numbers of licenses Local businesses that sell gas, food, and other supplies to deer hunters in these counties may see a slight decline in sales $8,970.00 in license revenue. Administrative expenses are in the ordinary course of business for the department so this is not considered a significant impact. Commercial deer processors may have fewer deer to process, but they will be more significantly impacted by not taking action now and having a deer population that is more significantly impacted and has fewer deer because of not limiting the harvest Local businesses that sell gas, food, and other supplies to deer hunters in these counties may see a slight decline in sales Temporarily repeals 312 IAC 9-3-4 (d)(21) Deer hunters will have fewer deer to harvest in Porter County, but the deer population will be more likely to withstand the loss due to EHD Hunters may have fewer deer to harvest, and deer processors may have fewer deer to process Indiana maintains a healthy deer population The department continues to sell stable numbers of licenses Local businesses that sell gas, food, and other supplies to deer hunters in these counties may see a slight decline in sales $18,954 in license sales, but considered insignificant because only 486 deer reduction zone licenses were harvested in Porter County prior to removing this county from the reduction zones in 2025. Commercial deer processors may have fewer deer to process, but they will be more significantly impacted by not taking action now and having a deer population that is more significantly impacted and has fewer deer because of not limiting the harvest Local businesses that sell gas, food, and other supplies to deer hunters in these counties may see a slight decline in sales V. Benefit Analysis VI. Cost Analysis VII. Sources of Information VIII. Regulatory Analysis IX. Contact Information of Staff to Answer Substantive Questions Provisional Rule: 20260729-IR-312260201ERA Notice of Determination Received: June 9, 2026