All Roll Calls
Yes: 244 • No: 180
IndianaSB 239Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)SenateWALLET
Various education matters.
Sponsored By: Linda Rogers (Republican)
Became Law
education and career developmentappropriationsthe houseeducation
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Caps on 2024 and 2025 school taxes
The law limits some voter‑approved school operating referendum levies for 2024 and 2025. For 2024, a district’s levy cannot be more than its 2023 maximum times 1.03 or the usual 2024 maximum, whichever is less. For 2025, it cannot be more than the prior year’s adjusted maximum using the statute’s STEP SEVEN math, with multipliers between 1.06 and 1.12, or the usual 2025 maximum. Levies approved while a district was designated distressed are excluded, and certain newer referenda do not use these caps. This can reduce property tax growth for many homeowners and renters in affected districts.
Mandatory K-8 math help for students
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, schools must provide targeted, evidence‑based math help to K–8 students flagged as at risk by a state‑approved screener or through‑year test. The support follows a multitiered system that adds intensity as needed and aligns with core instruction. Schools must track progress and adjust support. Parents must be notified within 15 days after a student is identified.
More state funding follows charter students
Beginning July 1, 2027, school corporations that sign innovation network charter deals must pass at least 100% of state tuition support tied to those students to the charter school. Administrative fees are capped at 1% of tuition support: for single‑board agreements entered or renewed after June 30, 2023, and for multi‑board agreements entered or renewed after June 30, 2027. For students who live outside all partnering districts, the state treats the school as a charter when calculating tuition support. Earlier agreements follow the statute’s transition rules. These changes keep more state dollars with the students’ school.
New charter enrollment and lottery rules
Starting July 1, 2027, innovation network charter schools must enroll any eligible student who applies on time, unless a listed exception applies. If more students apply than seats, each timely applicant gets an equal chance through a public random drawing or a publicly verifiable random process. Schools may set narrow limits, like keeping local‑area students, continuing students, siblings, approved preschool‑to‑kindergarten pathways, and approved preferences for free or reduced‑price lunch. Founder, board, and employee child preferences are capped at 10% of the school’s total students. Some limits apply, such as first‑year admissions restricted to current students and siblings at a converting school, and narrow denials for study‑abroad programs (fewer than 22 credits for grade‑11 cohort, or serious discipline in the last 12 months).
Building reporting, reversion, and reclaim rules
Enrollment for building‑use reviews now counts students in ADM on the first count date and removes some innovation‑network charter students from a corporation’s totals. Starting July 1, 2027, each school corporation must file yearly reports on every school building’s designed capacity, use, and in‑person enrollment. The reversion window for a sold building extends to three years to allow use or renovations. A school corporation can ask to get a building back after five years if in‑person enrollment averages below 50% of classroom design capacity and the move fits its strategic plan. If it reclaims the building, it must reimburse the charter for capital improvements minus depreciation.
Faster decisions on school building transfers
The law speeds building‑closure and transfer cases. School corporations have 30 days to respond to a petition and 30 days for replies, and the Department decides within 120 days after replies. Appeals to the State Board must be filed within 60 days, and the State Board must issue a final decision within 45 days. After a final unappealable decision, the corporation must complete a lease or sale to the selected charter or state institution within 30 days. If a corporation appeals to the court of appeals and loses, it must pay the prevailing party’s reasonable attorney fees.
New poverty index for school funding
Starting July 1, 2027, the state recalculates the complexity index that adjusts school funding. The baseline is the percent of students on SNAP, TANF, or in foster care as of October 1, 2025 (or the first year of operation). For districts with innovation‑network charters, the law uses a multi‑step method that excludes and reallocates those enrollments as specified. Conversion charters use their sponsor corporation’s percentage. Any special transition rules end June 30, 2027.
New rules to convert and govern charters
Beginning July 1, 2026, a public school can convert to a charter if the school board approves and files a proper proposal. The board cannot also be the authorizer, and nonprofit organizers must have independent boards. Starting July 1, 2027, charter agreements must let the state include the charter’s student results in the sponsoring corporation’s performance rating, including for multi‑board deals where students live inside that corporation’s boundaries. From July 1, 2027, a board cannot change a charter agreement without the organizer’s written approval. These rules expand conversion options but add guardrails and accountability.
Annual list of employers with student incentives
Beginning July 1, 2027, the state posts a yearly list of employers that guarantee incentives for students who earn the honors employment plus seal. The list is updated by each July 1. Families can use it to find employers that promise incentives for these students.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Linda Rogers
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Blake Doriot
Republican • Senate
Brian Buchanan
Republican • Senate
Jake Teshka
Republican • House
Jeff Raatz
Republican • Senate
Julie McGuire
Republican • House
Robert Behning
Republican • House
Stacey Donato
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 330 on SB0239.06.ENGH.CCS001
Yes: 31 • No: 16 • Other: 3
House vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 431 on SB0239.06.ENGH.CCH001
Yes: 65 • No: 29
House vote • 2/24/2026
Roll Call 350 on SB0239.05.COMH
Yes: 66 • No: 31 • Other: 2
House vote • 2/23/2026
Roll Call 321 on SB0239.05.COMH.AMH001
Yes: 43 • No: 51 • Other: 3
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Roll Call 121 on SB0239.04.ENGS
Yes: 30 • No: 18
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Roll Call 65 on SB0239.03.COMS.AMS001
Yes: 9 • No: 35
Actions Timeline
Public Law 151
3/12/2026SenateSigned by the Governor
3/12/2026SenateSigned by the President Pro Tempore
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
3/3/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
3/2/2026SenateRepresentative Behning removed as advisor
2/27/2026HouseRepresentative DeLaney removed as conferee
2/27/2026HouseCCR # 1 filed in the House
2/27/2026HouseSenator Qaddoura removed as conferee
2/27/2026SenateSenator Buchanan added as conferee
2/27/2026SenateRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 431: yeas 65, nays 29
2/27/2026HouseRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 330: yeas 31, nays 16
2/27/2026SenateCCR # 1 filed in the Senate
2/27/2026SenateRepresentative Behning added as conferee
2/27/2026HouseSenate advisors appointed: Donato, Ford J.D., Raatz, Doriot
2/25/2026SenateSenate dissented from House amendments
2/25/2026SenateSenate conferees appointed: Rogers, Qaddoura
2/25/2026SenateMotion to dissent filed
2/25/2026SenateHouse conferees appointed: Teshka, DeLaney
2/25/2026HouseReturned to the Senate with amendments
2/25/2026HouseHouse advisors appointed: Behning, Payne, Klinker, Pfaff, Smith V
2/25/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 350: yeas 66, nays 31
2/24/2026HouseSecond reading: amended, ordered engrossed
2/23/2026HouseAmendment #2 (Behning) prevailed; voice vote
2/23/2026HouseAmendment #1 (DeLaney) failed; Roll Call 321: yeas 43, nays 51
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
Engrossed Senate Bill (S)
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Senate Bill (H)
Senate Bill (S)