Bill To Limit Local Regulation Of Private Property Logging Revived

A measure that would stop local governments from regulating logging and mineral extraction on private property received new life this week.

Rep. Jeff Ellington (R-Bloomington) authored a bill earlier this year that would prohibit county and local governments from regulating natural resource extraction on private property.

The measure failed, but similar language resurfaced during the final days of the session.

Local governments say it’s important to be able to regulate some of those activities on private property because they could negatively impact things like water and quality of life.

Sen. Ron Alting (R- Lafayette) says the bill is an example of overreach. 

“I have worked diligently to kill this,” Alting says. “I have killed it. That amendment and this bill is dead.  It’s been offered by a couple of house members not once, but twice I’ve killed it this session.”

Ellington was not available for comment.

Lawmakers will wrap up the legislative session Wednesday.