Wetlands bill passes the Senate, now head to the Governor's desk

Thieke.

And i'm jeff smith.

Thanks for joining us.

Our top story at six -- a controversial bill is headed to indiana governor eric holcomb's desk.

It has opposition from a number of home owners associations in our viewing area.

News 18's meredith hackler shows us how the contentious wet lands bill played out on the senate floor today.

Ll: senate bill 389 which would allow certain wetlands to be developed passed the senate on wednesday 31-19.

However, it wasn't without debate which caused some republicans to vote against party lines.

Take vo several republican lawmakers feel that the amendments to the bill help strike an even ground.

They say it only frees up- regulations on class 1 wetlands which are defined awete standing water or significant hydrologic functions.

However, democrats argue that this gives builders free rein to build on most wetlands.

Republican senator ron alting voted against party lines.

He feels wetlands should be left alone.

"i've been consistent in voting against the wetlands bill.

I think it's one of god's creations that is sacred.

Not to mention, the fact that it keeps our water tables where they should be they also preserve our drinking water not to mention the habitat for our wild life."-alting the bill also creates a cropland exemption for farmers, which they say have been negatively affected by current regulations that are in place.

The author of the bill, senator chris garten, argues that indiana is still the 8th most restrictive state in the country when it comes to wetland regulation.

Ll tag: the bill also creates a task force that would make recommendations on which wetlands could be built on and which could not.

However, many argue that the recommendations should be made first before building can begin.

The bill now heads to the governor's desk.

Reporting from the indiana state capitol meredith hackler news 18.

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