Indiana’s New Asset Management Plan Law: An Update to What Utilities Need to Know
Indiana has taken a major step to strengthen water and wastewater infrastructure. On April 16, 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1459 (HEA 1459) into law. Beginning July 1, 2025, utilities across the state – both regulated and unregulated – are facing new requirements to develop and maintain Asset Management Plans (AMPs) under the oversight of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
What HEA 1459 Does
The law requires all water and wastewater utilities to submit AMPs to the IURC. These plans will help ensure that utilities are maintaining accurate system maps, inventories of assets, inspection and maintenance programs, and financial plans to support long-term sustainability.
The IURC now has clear authority to enforce compliance. It can issue correction notices, increase regulatory scrutiny, and, in cases of repeated noncompliance, require rate reviews or even pursue receivership. In addition, starting in 2027, utility governing boards must complete continuing education at least once every four years. Smaller utilities serving fewer than 1,000 customers will have access to a simplified reporting process.
Timeline and Process
The IURC released a draft administrative order in August 2025, which is open for public comment until September. The first AMPs will be due beginning July 2026. Utilities will resubmit plans every four years, with schedules based on utility type and name.
Reports will be filed through an online questionnaire on the IURC website. The process is intended to be straightforward, particularly for small utilities without large administrative teams.
Phased Compliance
The law introduces compliance in stages. From 2026 through 2029, the only deficiency that will be noted is failure to submit a plan. By the next cycle (2030–2033), utilities must have completed system maps and asset inventories, verified their operational capacity, and ensured their boards have completed required training. At that stage, utilities must also demonstrate improvements in their asset management practices.
Preparing Now
For utilities, the message is clear: start preparing early. Developing system maps, compiling asset inventories, and reviewing financial and managerial practices will ease the transition into compliance. Utilities that delay may face increased scrutiny or penalties in later years.
HEA 1459 sets a higher bar for infrastructure accountability in Indiana. While it creates new responsibilities, it also encourages utilities to plan and build resilience into their systems—ultimately benefiting customers and communities across the state.
For more information on creating your AMP, contact Theresa Criss-Hartwig.