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IndianaSB 233Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Powers and duties of the election commission.

Sponsored By: Mike Gaskill (Republican)

Became Law

electionstax and fiscal policythe houseelections and apportionment

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Stiffer fines for campaign finance violations

The law raises and standardizes civil fines for campaign finance violations. Late reports cost $50 per day, up to $1,000 per report. Late fixes after notice cost $10 per day, up to $100. The commission can fine up to $1,000 for improper spending, straw donations, commingling, misuse, and similar acts. Each ad or mailer that breaks disclaimer rules can draw up to $1,000, but ordinary printers and broadcasters are not fined. Some items need a unanimous vote and carry up to $500, including certain violations and serving as treasurer when not allowed. A candidate who breaks the named statute owes the greater of twice the contributions or $1,000. Corporations or labor groups that exceed limits may pay up to three times the excess, and failing to designate a contribution costs the greater of twice the amount or $1,000. If the state had to enter your report by hand, you must repay those data‑entry costs. The commission may add documented investigative costs. Cases follow state administrative procedure, and fines go to the campaign finance enforcement account.

State can close inactive campaign committees

The Election Commission handles dissolving state‑level committees, and county boards handle local ones. Reviews each year can close a committee that is inactive. Closure can start after 3 years with no spending reports and $1,000 or less cash on hand. For state‑filed committees, it can also start after 1 year with no report if mail or email to the committee failed and the last report showed $1,000 or less, or none was ever filed. Officials must send certified mail to the chair and treasurer and find no current fundraising or spending, and that closing will not harm contracts, debt collection, or a criminal case. Orders take effect at once unless a later date is set, and the state or county must publish a notice. When winding down, any surplus must go to allowed recipients, like party or candidate committees, the election division, a 501(c)(3), or back to donors pro rata. Dissolution does not erase debts or crimes, but officials may waive unpaid civil penalties if collecting them would be wasteful or unfair.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Gaskill

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daryl Schmitt

    Republican • Senate

  • Kyle Pierce

    Republican • House

  • Timothy Wesco

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 136 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Roll Call 291 on SB0233.05.COMH

Yes: 92 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 1/26/2026

Roll Call 80 on SB0233.04.COMS

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 47

    3/3/2026Senate

  2. Signed by the Governor

    3/3/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/26/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker

    2/25/2026House

  5. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/24/2026Senate

  6. Returned to the Senate without amendments

    2/20/2026House

  7. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 291: yeas 92, nays 0

    2/19/2026House

  8. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/18/2026House

  9. Representative Wesco added as cosponsor

    2/18/2026House

  10. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    2/12/2026House

  11. First reading: referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment

    1/28/2026House

  12. Referred to the House

    1/27/2026Senate

  13. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 80: yeas 44, nays 0

    1/26/2026Senate

  14. House sponsor: Representative Pierce K

    1/26/2026Senate

  15. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    1/22/2026Senate

  16. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    1/20/2026Senate

  17. Pursuant to Senate Rule 68(b); reassigned to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy

    1/13/2026Senate

  18. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/13/2026Senate

  19. Senator Schmitt added as second author

    1/12/2026Senate

  20. Authored by Senator Gaskill

    1/8/2026Senate

  21. First reading: referred to Committee on Elections

    1/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

    PDF

  • Senate Bill (H)

    PDF

  • Senate Bill (S)

    PDFPDFPDF

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