All Roll Calls
Yes: 177 • No: 8
IndianaSB 241Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)SenateWALLET
Utility service enhancement improvement costs.
Sponsored By: Eric Koch (Republican)
Became Law
utilitiesthe house
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Lower tap fees for workforce housing
Utilities cannot charge capacity or tap fees to eligible not‑for‑profit builders of workforce housing when the new connection adds a positive 20‑year contribution to service costs and the terms are in a special contract. If the 20‑year contribution is not positive, the fee is reduced to the difference between the standard fee and that contribution. Utilities may limit how many special contracts they allow to avoid unreasonable subsidies by other customers.
Most upgrade costs added to bills now
Beginning July 1, 2026, when a service‑enhancement plan is approved (or approval is not required), 80% of approved improvement costs go into a rider for timely recovery now. The remaining 20% is deferred to the next general rate case. If actual costs exceed the plan’s projection by more than 25%, the utility must justify the extra and get commission approval before charging it in the next rate case.
Quicker updates for chemical and power costs
Beginning July 1, 2026, certain chemical and power costs count as service enhancements when they protect health, safety, or the environment. For these costs, the rider is a fixed monthly charge by meter size and must recover the full amount now, with no 20% deferral. If two years have passed since the last base rate order and average costs changed at least 3%, the rider is recalculated; increases are added, and decreases are credited. A utility with an approved rider must file for changes every 12 months (within 30 days after each 12‑month period), and the commission rules within 60 days.
Faster rate decisions for small utilities
Starting July 1, 2026, the commission can change rates for public or municipal utilities with fewer than 8,000 customers (or a qualifying division under 5,000) without a formal public hearing. More small conservancy districts are covered when they provide water to under 3,000 customers. The commission must issue a final order on plan preapproval within 210 days. Outside the annual chemical or power process, a utility can seek to change its initial rider amount only once every 12 months.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Eric Koch
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrea Hunley
Democratic • Senate
Blake Doriot
Republican • Senate
Dave Hall
Republican • House
Edmond Soliday
Republican • House
Jim Pressel
Republican • House
Randy Maxwell
Republican • Senate
Spencer Deery
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Roll Call 284 on SB0241.03.COMH.CON01
Yes: 44 • No: 3 • Other: 2
House vote • 2/9/2026
Roll Call 210 on SB0241.03.COMH
Yes: 91 • No: 3
Senate vote • 1/22/2026
Roll Call 59 on SB0241.02.COMS
Yes: 42 • No: 2 • Other: 3
Actions Timeline
Public Law 127
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Governor
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/27/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateSenate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 284: yeas 44, nays 3
2/25/2026SenateMotion to concur filed
2/16/2026SenateReturned to the Senate with amendments
2/10/2026HouseThird reading: passed; Roll Call 210: yeas 91, nays 3
2/9/2026HouseSecond reading: ordered engrossed
2/5/2026HouseRepresentatives Hall, Pressel added as cosponsors
2/3/2026HouseCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
2/3/2026HouseFirst reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications
1/28/2026HouseReferred to the House
1/23/2026SenateHouse sponsor: Representative Soliday
1/22/2026SenateThird reading: passed; Roll Call 59: yeas 42, nays 2
1/22/2026SenateSecond reading: ordered engrossed
1/20/2026SenateSenators Doriot, Maxwell added as coauthors
1/15/2026SenateCommittee report: amend do pass, adopted
1/15/2026SenateSenator Hunley added as third author
1/15/2026SenateSenator Deery added as second author
1/15/2026SenateAuthored by Senator Koch
1/8/2026SenateFirst reading: referred to Committee on Utilities
1/8/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Senate Bill (H)
Senate Bill (S)