Conservation Law Clinic students help draft new Indiana prescribed burn legislation

A new Indiana law that expands the state’s prescribed burning capacity was signed by Indiana Governor Mike Braun on April 30, in part due to efforts by Indiana University Maurer School of Law students through the school’s Conservation Law Clinic. The law expands a prescribed fire training program administered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and defines the standard of liability for those certified through the training program. Before the bill was signed, Indiana was one of only a few states nationwide without a certification program or standard of liability clearly defined through legislation. This new law will allow interested members of the public to now take advantage of the training program offered by Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The law is designed to increase the frequency and efficacy of prescribed fire as a land management tool in the state. “This bill marks an important step forward for conservation and private land stewardship in Indiana,” said Jarred Brooke, chair of the Indiana Prescribed Fire Council. “With clearer training standards and liability protections, prescribed fire can continue to be applied safely, effectively, and more widely across the landscape.” Indiana Law students played a major role drafting the initial version of the bill and advising Indiana Prescribed Fire Council throughout the legislative process.