Activists say farm bill would have ‘chilling effect’ on rural Indiana

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Updated: February 21, 2012 11:29PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A bill advancing in the Legislature that would require people who sue a livestock farm to pay the farm’s legal fees if a judge declares their lawsuit frivolous is being condemned by activists who say it would send a “chilling effect” throughout rural Indiana.

The legislation passed the House earlier this month on a 57-39 vote and goes before a Senate committee Wednesday for a hearing.

Republican State Rep. Bill Friend of Macy says Indiana’s agricultural operations need protection from groundless lawsuits.

But Kim Ferraro of the Hoosier Environmental Council says if the bill passes, it would have a “chilling effect” on people with legitimate grievances against sprawling, factory-style livestock farms. She says some people might choose not to sue out of fear a judge would declare their suit frivolous.