IndianaHB 1052Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET

Various administrative law matters.

Sponsored By: Ethan Manning (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Adds conditions for which the horse racing commission (HRC) may revoke or suspend a license or deny a license application. Adds a reference to wagering on horse racing in a provision prohibiting certain individuals from wagering at a licensed facility. Provides that appeals of certain decisions of the HRC may be appealed to the office of administrative law proceedings. Adds sports wagering certificate holders to the voluntary exclusion program. Defines and establishes civil penalties for conducting a "sweepstakes game". Allows the holder of a beer wholesaler's permit to possess, transport, sell, and deliver beer to a food manufacturer that is registered with the federal Food and Drug Administration for the purpose of adding or integrating the beer into a product or recipe. Provides that a wine retailer whose wine sales represent at least 60% of the annual gross income from the premises may allow customers to obtain sealed bottles of wine by self-service for consumption off the licensed premises. Allows the holder of a temporary wine permit to purchase, receive, and sell mixed beverages. Establishes requirements for the wholesale sale and distribution of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Adds additional information an applicant must provide to the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) when applying for a tobacco sales certificate. Provides for the suspension of a certificate if the certificate holder's employees violate employee identification requirements three or more times in one year. Allows the commission to issue to the city of Gary not more than 10 new three-way permits. Allows the commission to issue: (1) a beer dealer's permit, wine dealer's permit, and liquor dealer's permit to a drug store operated in the city of Westfield; and (2) a beer dealer's permit and wine dealer's permit to a convenience store operated in the town of Sellersburg. Provides that certain requirements regarding the sale, rental, trade, or transfer of a handgun do not apply to an item defined as an antique firearm.

public policythe senate

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

17 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 7 costs, 2 mixed.

Tobacco sellers risk suspensions and shutdowns

Beginning July 1, 2026, tobacco sales employees must have valid photo ID available on hand or on file. After a request, they have five days to prove valid ID existed at the time of sale. Three employee ID violations within one year trigger a five-day certificate suspension; the fourth and fifth each add five days. Six or more violations in that year trigger revocation. The commission cannot issue a retail location another certificate for one year after revocation, unless its real estate transfers to an independent third party.

Gary restaurants gain costly alcohol permits

Qualifying Gary restaurants can seek beer, wine, and liquor permits, with no more than 10 active under this program. Restaurants must be in qualifying redevelopment or economic development areas within the city's downtown redevelopment or revitalization districts. Each initial permit costs $40,000, stays at its premises, and generally cannot be transferred. It returns to the commission without compensation if operations stop there for more than six months. Gary can also require a formal written commitment through an ordinance.

Two towns gain costly store permits

Beginning July 1, 2026, a qualifying Westfield drug store can get beer, wine, and liquor dealer permits. A qualifying Sellersburg convenience store can get beer and wine dealer permits. The combined initial permit cost is $40,000 for either authorized package. Permits stay at the original premises, and ownership transfers need commission approval. Each permit remains subject to its permit-type requirements.

Alcohol security workers need permits

Beginning July 1, 2026, security workers and bouncers for alcohol retailers must receive the appropriate permit before working. Knowingly or intentionally working without that permit brings statutory penalties. The provision does not state a permit fee.

Tobacco sellers face certificate fees

Beginning July 1, 2026, tobacco sellers need a separate certificate for each sales or distribution location. Wholesale certificates cover tobacco products and electronic cigarettes supplied to Indiana certificate holders for resale. The application fee is $100 for wholesale and $200 for retail; certificates last one year and three years, respectively. Applicants must submit an owner's government-issued photo ID showing birth date; businesses with multiple owners must name a managing owner. Intentional false statements or hidden important facts in an application can lead to denial or revocation.

Antique firearm transfers have fewer requirements

Beginning July 1, 2026, specified Indiana dealer handgun-transfer requirements do not apply to federally defined antique firearms. These include a completed federal Form 4473, a federal background-check request, and background-check authorization. The exception covers only items meeting the federal antique-firearm definition.

Qualifying restaurants gain access for minors

Beginning July 1, 2026, two state restrictions concerning minors do not apply at restaurants meeting the required gross food-sales level. This expands access for minors at those qualifying restaurants.

Racing licensees gain penalty appeal protections

Beginning July 1, 2026, people can appeal covered racing suspensions and civil penalties to the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings. The commission must show that a violation was more likely than not. Licensees can also appeal sanctions for refusing a breath test. A refusal appeal pauses the sanction until further commission action and must be heard within 30 days after filing.

Voluntary gambling exclusion gains broader protections

Indiana's voluntary gambling exclusion program also covers wagering with licensed sports-wagering certificate holders. Covered operators must make reasonable efforts to stop direct marketing to enrolled people and cannot cash their checks or extend credit. Operators can still collect debts from before enrollment. The exclusion list includes names and the last four Social Security digits, which the commission can share for enforcement. Commission rules can allow exceptions to entry, wagering, and readmission-petition restrictions.

Charitable activity workers can receive pay

Beginning July 1, 2026, qualified organizations can pay eligible non-full-time operators, workers, or volunteer ticket agents up to $50. Recipients must conduct or help with an allowable activity. Organizations can also provide meals, recognition dinners, or social events for operators and workers when the expense is not unreasonable. Payment is optional, and the provision does not specify how often it can occur.

Beer wholesalers can supply food makers

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana beer wholesalers can sell, transport, and deliver beer to federally registered food manufacturers. The manufacturer must use it in a product or recipe. The beer must already be in the wholesaler's on-site inventory before invoicing and delivery.

Wine sellers gain more sales options

Beginning July 1, 2026, wine retailers can offer self-service sealed bottles for off-site use when wine supplies at least 60% of annual gross income. Displays must be in a room with the bar or on-site alcohol storage, preparation, or dispensing. That room cannot have a separate package-sales register or a section mainly partitioned for package sales. Temporary wine permit holders can also buy mixed beverages from lawful suppliers and sell them for on-site use. Wholesale and takeout sales remain barred, except for events authorized by the law.

Police can donate flavored nitrous oxide

Law enforcement agencies can dispose of flavored nitrous oxide by donating it to nonprofit organizations. This is a narrow exception to the flavored nitrous oxide ban, not general permission to sell or distribute it.

Alcohol violations face stronger criminal enforcement

Recklessly blocking enforcement of an Alcohol and Tobacco Commission permit or certificate suspension or revocation order is a Class C misdemeanor. Beginning July 1, 2026, selling alcohol without a permit also counts as racketeering activity. The definition covers committing, attempting, conspiring to commit, or helping commit a listed offense. A racketeering pattern requires at least two related incidents within five years, subject to the law's timing rules.

Racing officials face wagering limits

Racing commission members, judges, and specified senior staff cannot bet on gambling games or horse races at Indiana's licensed racetrack casinos. Covered staff include the executive and assistant executive directors, security director, general counsel, and deputy general counsel. Their spouses face the same ban.

Racetracks must repay oversight staffing costs

The racing commission must provide judges at each recognized, permitted race meeting. Track permit holders must repay their salaries and other expenses at the track. Beginning July 1, 2026, the commission must also provide veterinarians, technicians, and testing-barn staff to help secure biological samples. Permit holders must repay those staff costs when personnel serve at their testing barns. The law sets no reimbursement amount.

Racing license holders face tighter oversight

The racing commission can deny, suspend, or revoke licenses to protect racing and wagering when a listed ground applies. Grounds include conduct that harms racing or track operations and important false claims about Indiana-owned, sired, or bred horses. The law also defines a standardbred breeder by ownership or lease of the dam at breeding, and a thoroughbred breeder at foaling. The commission must recognize the thoroughbred breeder named on the Jockey Club registration; quarter-horse rules refer to the dam's commission registration.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ethan Manning

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Garrett Bascom

    Republican • House

  • Justin Moed

    Democratic • House

  • Peggy Mayfield

    Republican • House

  • Ron Alting

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 271 • No: 99

House vote • 2/26/2026

Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House

Yes: 68 • No: 21

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate

Yes: 46 • No: 4

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 37 • No: 8

House vote • 2/2/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 86 • No: 12

House vote • 1/29/2026

Amendment #6 (Burton) failed

Yes: 34 • No: 54

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/12/2026House
  2. Public Law 153

    3/12/2026House
  3. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    3/5/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    3/2/2026Senate
  5. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 398: yeas 68, nays 21

    2/26/2026House
  6. Signed by the Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  7. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 304: yeas 46, nays 4

    2/26/2026Senate
  8. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    2/25/2026Senate
  9. CCR # 1 filed in the House

    2/25/2026House
  10. House conferees appointed: Manning, Miller K

    2/19/2026House
  11. House advisors appointed: Mayfield, Bascom, Johnson B

    2/19/2026House
  12. Senate advisors appointed: Jackson L, Busch

    2/19/2026Senate
  13. Senate conferees appointed: Alting, Niezgodski

    2/19/2026Senate
  14. House dissented from Senate amendments

    2/18/2026House
  15. Motion to dissent filed

    2/18/2026House
  16. Returned to the House with amendments

    2/18/2026Senate
  17. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 177: yeas 37, nays 8

    2/17/2026Senate
  18. Amendment #2 (Walker K) prevailed; voice vote

    2/16/2026Senate
  19. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/16/2026Senate
  20. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/12/2026Senate
  21. First reading: referred to Committee on Public Policy

    2/5/2026Senate
  22. Referred to the Senate

    2/3/2026House
  23. Senate sponsor: Senator Alting

    2/2/2026House
  24. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 190: yeas 86, nays 12

    2/2/2026House
  25. Amendment #6 (Burton) failed; Roll Call 155: yeas 34, nays 54

    1/29/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (H)

  • Engrossed House Bill (S)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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