The Indiana General Assembly must adjourn by law before the end of April. Legislative leaders have let it be known they would like to wrap up a week early. Considering some of the most important action for agriculture happened in the last hour before adjournment as set by deadline in 2016, that may or may not happen.

Last year’s flurry of action at the end resulted in true property tax relief for farmers. Katrina Hall, director of policy for Indiana Farm Bureau, says last year’s passage and ensuing enactment of property tax relief was a major step forward.

At first glance, there may not seem to be as much at stake for agriculture as this session heads into the final turn. However, Hall notes that what happens with the roads funding bill and other issues will be extremely important to agriculture going forward.

Here are 10 key things to watch for in agriculture as the session heads down the home stretch.

1. Will all sales tax on gasoline be directed toward road funding? Last year’s session directed a portion of gas sales tax to road funding. The House bill passed by the House would send the rest of it to road funding, too.     

2. Will an additional tax on gasoline also be passed for road funding? One other mechanism that could increase the amount of money for road funding would be increasing the gas tax in addition to redirecting the sales tax money on gas to roads.

3. Will increased road funding be directed toward rural counties? How the additional money generated is designated to be used is critical, Hall says. Indiana Farm Bureau is hopeful that if this legislation passes, a sizable share of the money will help rural counties with road issues.

4. Will bonding authority for roads be included in the final roads bill? Farm Bureau is not supportive of this idea, based on its policy directive. However, Hall notes that it could appear in the road funding bill before the session ends.

5. Will Clean Water Indiana receive additional money in the final budget? Sources report that soil conservation leaders asked that money for Clean Water Indiana be doubled from $1 million to $2 million in the new budget. At last report, it was in the budget at the same $1 million level as in the past.

6. What will the mid-April state revenue forecast show? Whether or not some items make it into the final budget may depend heavily upon what the state revenue forecast says when it is issued in mid-April. Groups hoping for funding, if the report is favorable, include the Indiana Grown program and the Indiana FFA Leadership Center.

7. Will Indiana Grain Indemnity Fund rule changes be enacted? Both the House and Senate easily passed bills that would clear up some confusion in the grain indemnity fund. However, Hall notes there are still differences in the versions that must be worked out.

8. Will the confined animal feeding bill see the light of day? A relatively no-brainer bill that would allow livestock producers to avoid starting the entire permit process over when making additions or changes to their livestock operation became controversial. It passed the House, but is currently tied up in a committee in the Senate. Its fate is uncertain, Hall says.

9. What will happen to the broadband easement bill? This is a particularly complex bill that currently contains provisions that would not uphold certain property rights of landowners, Hall says. Farm Bureau is working to seek changes in this bill so it would be more favorable to landowners with easements on their property.

10. Will the renewable energy bill pass? With more interest in alternative energy, especially solar and wind power, this bill impacts that industry. Originally controversial, amendments have made it more appealing to some. Negotiations continue on this bill, Hall reports.