# Indiana HB 1003: Boards and commissions.

Indiana HB 1003, Boards and commissions., is a Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026) House bill sponsored by Steve Bartels (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-12 (Public Law 152); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1003-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Indiana HB 1003
- State: Indiana
- Session: Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)
- Title: Boards and commissions.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-08
- Last action: 2026-03-12, Public Law 152
- Sponsor: Steve Bartels (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Subjects: government and regulatory reform, the senate
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 6 (296 yes, 176 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 41

## Summary

Creates the agricultural promotion and regulation task force to study various agriculture related topics. Makes changes to requirements for the readoption of administrative rules. Repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies. Modifies or establishes various funds. Makes changes to the membership, duties, and operations of various boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies. Expands the applicability of a statute concerning county hospital governance to Perry County, Spencer County, and Orange County. Repeals the fire prevention and building safety commission (commission). Transfers the commission's responsibilities and administrative rules to the department of homeland security. Makes certain changes to the administration of building and safety statutes and building and safety codes. Makes technical corrections. Makes an appropriation.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Agriculture task force members receive allowances: benefit, low. Agricultural Promotion and Regulation Task Force members receive applicable per diem, mileage, travel, and other expense allowances. Payment rules depend on whether members are non-state employees, state employees, or legislators. Legislative Council or Legislative Services Agency appropriations pa…
- Memorial builders no longer need art review: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, people and organizations no longer need memorial art commission review before erecting memorial artwork. The removed requirement covered memorial buildings, monuments, statues, tablets, pictures, arches, and similar works. The law ends the duty to submit plans and obtain the…
- State office decides children’s added coverage: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, Indiana’s office takes over added-coverage decisions from the children’s health policy board. The services are prescription drugs, mental health care, vision, hearing, and dental care. The office must offer them to enrolled children if it finds their actuarial value meets or…
- State-affiliated colleges gain approved school status: benefit, low. Qualifying colleges affiliated with a state educational institution count as approved postsecondary schools under the covered laws. A college must be a degree-granting, credit-bearing public benefit corporation controlled by a state educational institution. It must be authorized to teach in Indiana…
- Academy commission conflict charge is repealed: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the law removes a specified criminal conflict-of-interest provision for Law Enforcement Academy Building Commission members and employees. It covered conflicts involving commission actions under IC 5-2-2-11. The repeal does not establish whether other conflict rules or penal…
- Homeland Security takes over emergency communications: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security manages the statewide public safety voice and data system. It sets user eligibility, approves users, publishes policies, and handles contracts; users choosing the system must sign an agreement. The department cannot stop public safety agen…
- New commission represents underrepresented Indiana communities: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, a 15-member Indiana Cultural Commission studies issues affecting underrepresented and minority groups. Four governor-appointed members represent Black residents, Hispanic/Latino residents, women, and Native American Indians; they cannot be legislators or state employees. The…
- Plate revenue supports Native American nonprofit: benefit, low. Indiana agencies must help Native American community members form a nonprofit for advocacy, events, programs, and services. Once its officers are in place and ready to serve, the Civil Rights Commission director must notify the motor vehicle bureau within 30 days. Remaining Native American Indian p…
- State requires competitive emergency communications purchasing: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana Homeland Security must seek proposals before buying public safety communications systems or equipment. The same requirement applies before issuing a change order. Equipment must work with existing public safety equipment, and proposals must compete under a transparen…
- Local governments can propose broader code changes: benefit, low. Counties, cities, and towns can propose changes to any building code. Proposals are no longer limited to codes adopted or updated after December 31, 2023. The department must review and consider local proposals at least annually. Each proposal needs a local resolution identifying the code language…
- Local governments must review housing barriers: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, local governments must review their development ordinances, zoning, and land development rules to support housing development. Each must hold a public hearing no later than January 1, 2027. The review must consider higher-density housing, reuse of existing buildings, fewer r…
- Nursing programs get accreditation review deadline: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, nursing programs may submit accreditation applications before receiving Indiana Commission for Higher Education authorization. After that authorization, the board must approve or deny the application within 90 days. A program may request additional time.
- Safety training fund can support state staff: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the statewide fire and building safety education fund can also support Homeland Security. Local fire and building inspection departments remain eligible. The department administers the fund and distributes money for department-approved education, training programs, and train…
- Rural Affairs runs Main Street program: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs administers the Indiana Main Street program. It develops policy, coordinates administration, and provides assistance. The office can make contracts and cooperative agreements and receive and spend program money. No appropriation or funding…
- Transportation department reviews county bridge grants: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Indiana Department of Transportation takes over county bridge-grant reviews from the grant board. It evaluates applications using the program's required criteria and report. Grants can cover up to 80% of local bridge construction or reconstruction costs. Counties must pr…
- Some board members lose service payments: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, covered non-state-employee members of the Natural Resources Commission, a council, and the board under IC 22-10-1.5 lose statutory per diem and work-expense reimbursements. Beginning July 1, 2027, covered non-state-employee board members also lose per diem and mileage, trave…
- Tire operators follow homeland security rules: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, registered waste tire storage and processing operators must follow applicable indoor-storage rules from Homeland Security. Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security replaces the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission as the rulemaking authority. The law does not stat…
- Medicaid transportation oversight commission ends: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, Indiana ends its nonemergency medical transportation commission. The commission oversaw rides for Medicaid fee-for-service recipients, including brokers’ payment of transportation providers’ claims. This provision names no replacement oversight arrangement. It does not itsel…
- Disciplined practitioners can face proceeding costs: mixed, low. The department can require a practitioner who receives disciplinary sanctions to pay proceeding costs. Charges are limited to listed expenses, and the department must consider the practitioner's ability to pay. A practitioner cannot be suspended solely because they cannot pay those costs. No dollar…
- Building applicants use state safety exceptions: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the department decides building-rule exception requests instead of the commission. Applicants must pay the required fee and show undue hardship or that compliance prevents preservation of an architecturally or historically important feature. They must also show that the exce…
- State reviews local building safety decisions: mixed, low. The department can review, change, or reverse covered state and local building or fire-safety orders and exceptions. Local building and fire-safety exceptions do not take effect without department approval. An affected person must petition within 30 days to require review of a local order concernin…
- Tank workers face state certification rules: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, Indiana’s department administers underground storage tank exams and certification. Applicants must pass an approved exam unless an out-of-state license or certification has substantially similar requirements and qualifies for recognition. The exam covers relevant state tank…
- Kids First projects need commission approval: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, a commission replaces the board in administering the Indiana Kids First Trust Fund chapter. It takes ownership of the board's property and assets and assumes its obligations and liabilities. The department can request project money only after the commission approves and reco…
- Legal claim rules change for public bodies: mixed, low. The law applies specified tort-claim rules to the motor vehicles commission, its board and employees, and driver education advisory members. It also covers the State Fair Commission, its members and employees, and the State Fair Board. Specified colleges and their association are covered for confid…
- Natural resources appointments lose qualification limits: mixed, low. The law removes two limits on the governor's six citizen appointees to the Natural Resources Commission. At least two no longer need environmental or natural-resource expertise. The rule allowing no more than three appointees from the same political party also ends.
- One state law section is repealed: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the law repeals IC 9-27-6-5. The supplied text does not explain the section's contents. It therefore does not establish who is affected or what practical rights or duties change.
- Veterans department manages memorial sales and ethics: mixed, low. The Department of Veterans' Affairs runs monument souvenir shops and their fund. Sellers need department approval to sell pictures, models, books, or other representations of the monuments or grounds. Shop profits support property upkeep, battle flags, artifacts, and memorabilia. Beginning July 1,…
- Veterans department takes over war memorials: mixed, low. On July 1, 2026, Indiana’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs takes over the War Memorials Commission’s powers and duties. The transfer includes agreements, liabilities, records, property, appropriations, and other funds. After June 30, 2026, references to the commission and its existing rules mean th…
- Child care ministries face safety oversight: mixed, low. Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security handles inspections and applicable fire and building safety rules for registered child care ministries. Ministries remain subject to rules for their building’s main use. At an occupant load of 50 or more, ministries must maintain a compliant fire alarm or g…
- Child care safety oversight shifts with limits: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, Homeland Security takes over specified child care and foster-home licensing advice, migrant-child program inspections, and safety-exception approvals. Exceptions conflicting with building or fire rules need department approval, except those involving foster family home rules…
- Homeland Security takes over equipment safety oversight: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, Homeland Security takes over specified equipment, fire-safety, and permit duties, subject to statutory rulemaking limits. Duties include lifting-device permits and inspections, elevator professional licenses, and boiler permits, exemptions, inspector qualifications, and sanc…
- Local elevator rules need state approval: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, local lifting-device programs and rules need Indiana Homeland Security approval before taking effect. State rules override conflicting local requirements. Local governments may charge lower permit fees, but may issue permits only to applicants who meet state qualifications.…
- State safety rules transfer with new limits: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, existing fire and building safety rules become Department of Homeland Security rules and do not expire for readoption. Changes or repeal require legislative approval, except for technical corrections that do not change policy. The law ends the required review of new national…
- Seven-member hospital boards cover more counties: mixed, low. The specified seven-member county hospital board structure now applies in counties with more than 16,700 and fewer than 20,000 residents. The previous upper limit was fewer than 19,000 residents. The law expands the counties covered by this governance rule, without specifying changes to patient ser…
- Building standards and design exemption repealed: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the law repeals IC 22-13-4. That chapter covers building-rule standards and an exemption from design-release requirements. The supplied text does not identify replacement standards or explain how the repeal affects individual projects.
- Insurance commissioner sets prelicensing training rules: mixed, low. Educational organizations may offer or develop certified insurance producer prelicensing courses with the Indiana insurance commissioner’s certification. The commissioner sets instructor qualifications and required subjects, replacing the prior consultation requirement. Courses must meet the subjec…
- Workplace safety board decides rule exceptions: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Board of Safety Review sets workplace safety standards and decides requests for exceptions. Temporary exceptions require proof that timely compliance is impossible, available worker safeguards, and an effective compliance plan. They last only as long as needed or one yea…
- Agencies must compare rules before renewal: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, agencies reviewing rules for readoption must compare requirements with Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. They must also include states designated by the Indiana Office of Management and Budget. Written findings must address alternatives, complaints, compliance problems…
- Vehicle fees shift between safety funds: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, covered vehicle and watercraft fee distributions move to the Emergency Communications Fund. This includes a stated $1.25 share previously sent to the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund. Covered license, permit, endorsement, and identification-card fees also have th…
- Builders gain self-certification with fees possible: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, eligible Class 1 building projects can voluntarily use self-certification instead of technical plan review. Plans must be signed and sealed by an Indiana registered design professional in good standing with at least five years of registration and five qualifying Indiana proj…
- State handles factory-built structure certification: mixed, low. Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security takes over certification of industrialized building systems and mobile structures, including related fee-setting. Applicants still need proof of a design release, an in-plant compliance inspection, and payment of the required fee. Mobile-structure applicant…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Steve Bartels (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Aaron Freeman (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Chris Garten (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: David Niezgodski (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Doug Miller (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Kyle Pierce (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Randy Maxwell (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Scott Baldwin (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Wendy Dant Chesser (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House | pass | 69 | 28 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | Senate | Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate | pass | 43 | 3 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | Senate | Third reading: passed | pass | 47 | 1 |   |
| 2026-02-02 | House | Third reading: passed | pass | 67 | 29 |   |
| 2026-01-29 | House | Amendment #13 (Campbell) failed | fail | 31 | 62 |   |
| 2026-01-29 | House | Amendment #8 (DeLaney) failed | fail | 39 | 53 |   |

## Actions (45)

- 2026-03-12: Public Law 152 (House)
- 2026-03-12: Signed by the Governor (House)
- 2026-03-05: Signed by the President Pro Tempore (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Signed by the Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-02: Signed by the President of the Senate (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 422: yeas 69, nays 28 (House)
- 2026-02-27: CCR # 1 filed in the Senate (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: CCR # 1 filed in the House (House)
- 2026-02-27: Representative McNamara added as conferee (House)
- 2026-02-27: Representative Pryor removed as conferee (House)
- 2026-02-27: Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 326: yeas 43, nays 3 (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Senate advisors appointed: Bray, Yoder (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Senate conferees appointed: Maxwell, Niezgodski (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: House advisors appointed: Miller D, Pierce K, Lehman, Campbell, DeLaney, Harris, Hatcher (House)
- 2026-02-25: House conferees appointed: Bartels, Pryor (House)
- 2026-02-24: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 224: yeas 47, nays 1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Returned to the House with amendments (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Motion to dissent filed (House)
- 2026-02-24: House dissented from Senate amendments (House)
- 2026-02-24: Senator Niezgodski added as cosponsor (Senate)
- 2026-02-23: Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed (Senate)
- 2026-02-23: Amendment #3 (Maxwell) prevailed; voice vote (Senate)
- 2026-02-19: Committee report: amend do pass, adopted (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: First reading: referred to Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Senate (House)
- 2026-02-02: Third reading: passed; Roll Call 188: yeas 67, nays 29 (House)
- 2026-02-02: Senate sponsors: Senators Maxwell, Garten, Baldwin (House)
- 2026-02-02: Cosponsor: Senator Freeman (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #12 (Campbell) failed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #2 (Bartels) prevailed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-29: Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #7 (Pryor) prevailed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #9 (Harris) prevailed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #3 (Bartels) prevailed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #13 (Campbell) failed; Roll Call 151: yeas 31, nays 62 (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #10 (Harris) prevailed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #8 (DeLaney) failed; Roll Call 152: yeas 39, nays 53 (House)
- 2026-01-29: Amendment #5 (Clere) prevailed; voice vote (House)
- 2026-01-27: Committee report: amend do pass, adopted (House)
- 2026-01-27: Representatives Pierce K, Dant Chesser added as coauthors (House)
- 2026-01-22: Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3 (House)
- 2026-01-22: Committee report: amend do pass, adopted (House)
- 2026-01-08: First reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform (House)
- 2026-01-08: Coauthored by Representative Miller D (House)
- 2026-01-08: Authored by Representative Bartels (House)

## Bill text

- Engrossed House Bill (H): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.06.ENGS?format=pdf)
- Engrossed House Bill (S): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.04.ENGH?format=pdf)
- Enrolled House Bill (H): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.07.ENRS?format=pdf)
- House Bill (H): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.02.COMH?format=pdf), [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.03.COMH?format=pdf)
- House Bill (S): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.05.COMS?format=pdf)
- Introduced House Bill (H): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related bills

- HB 1266: Department of education and education matters. (signed)
- HB 1277: Health and human services matters. (signed)
- HB 1249: Various criminal law matters. (signed)
- HB 1210: Department of local government finance. (signed)
- HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles. (signed)
- HB 1115: Homeowners association governance. (signed)

## Sources
- [Engrossed House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.06.ENGS?format=pdf)
- [Engrossed House Bill (S) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.04.ENGH?format=pdf)
- [Enrolled House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.07.ENRS?format=pdf)
- [House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.02.COMH?format=pdf)
- [House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.03.COMH?format=pdf)
- [House Bill (S) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.05.COMS?format=pdf)
- [Introduced House Bill (H) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/HB1003/versions/HB1003.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related
- [HB 1266: Department of education and education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1266-2026)
- [HB 1277: Health and human services matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1277-2026)
- [HB 1249: Various criminal law matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1249-2026)
- [HB 1210: Department of local government finance.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1210-2026)
- [HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1200-2026)
- [HB 1115: Homeowners association governance.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1115-2026)
- [Indiana bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana/bills)
- [Indiana state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1003-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).