All Roll Calls
Yes: 268 • No: 14
IndianaSB 256Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)SenateWALLET
Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries.
Sponsored By: Chris Garten (Republican)
Became Law
judiciarythe house
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on property ownership by foreign adversaries
Beginning July 1, 2026, prohibited persons cannot buy Indiana real estate or mineral, water, or riparian rights. They also cannot sign new leases, except a home lease of 24 months or less used only as a residence. A person with a valid nonimmigrant visa may buy a single‑family lot of 0.5 acre or less if the visa stays valid 12+ months and the person is not an agent of a foreign adversary. For owners who held property on July 1, 2026, a court can order a sale only after written findings and clear and convincing proof the owner is an agent of a foreign adversary. The law repeals older rules that let some foreign entities hold or lease agricultural land.
Security checks for some foreign students
Beginning August 15, 2026, schools must finish a foreign influence and research security review before admitting a foreign student from a foreign adversary into a qualifying program. Schools may not enroll an applicant the review shows is an agent, or one who will not provide required information. Admitted students must attest before enrollment that they have not and will not accept funding from a foreign adversary; schools must unenroll a student who did. Enrolled students must immediately disclose certain changes and any contact with an agent; students admitted or enrolled as of August 14, 2026 are exempt from these ongoing disclosures. The higher education commissioner may label fields as qualifying programs with six months’ notice to schools.
Foreign agent registration and terror-affiliate bans
For activity after December 31, 2026, agents of covered foreign principals must register within 30 days, update within 90 days, pay $500 to start, and $100 for each supplemental filing. Foreign‑supported political organizations must file by February 1 each year and pay $500. The attorney general can investigate, sue, and seek penalties up to $500 per violation, or up to $10,000 for intentional or repeat violations. The governor may designate affiliates of foreign terrorist organizations; designated affiliates cannot receive state funds, tax benefits, or state contracts. A designation stays in effect until the governor rescinds it under narrow rules, and the attorney general may set rules to carry out this chapter.
State tech contracts bar prohibited vendors
Beginning July 1, 2026, new state tech contracts must include a clause that the contractor and any subcontractors are not prohibited persons. Amendments and renewals must include this starting July 1, 2027. A breach is a material breach, and the state may end the contract.
Local bans on sister city deals
Beginning July 1, 2026, local governments cannot enter sister city or cooperative agreements with a prohibited person. Any such agreement is void and unenforceable.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris Garten
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Aaron Freeman
Republican • Senate
Andrew Ireland
Republican • House
Blake Doriot
Republican • Senate
Chris Jeter
Republican • House
Chris Judy
Republican • House
Daryl Schmitt
Republican • Senate
Eric Koch
Republican • Senate
Gary Byrne
Republican • Senate
Justin Busch
Republican • Senate
Liz Brown
Republican • Senate
Matt Commons
Republican • House
Randy Maxwell
Republican • Senate
Ron Alting
Republican • Senate
Scott Baldwin
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 316 on SB0256.05.ENGH.CCS001
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
Roll Call 412 on SB0256.05.ENGH.CCH001
Yes: 82 • No: 13
House vote • 2/19/2026
Roll Call 292 on SB0256.04.COMH
Yes: 93 • No: 1 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Roll Call 82 on SB0256.03.ENGS
Yes: 44 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Public Law 131
3/5/2026SenateSigned by the Governor
3/5/2026SenateRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 316: yeas 49, nays 0
2/27/2026SenateCCR # 1 filed in the Senate
2/27/2026SenateSenator Baldwin added as conferee
2/27/2026SenateSenator Taylor G removed as conferee
2/27/2026SenateSenator Baldwin removed as advisor
2/27/2026SenateSenator Alting added as coauthor
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the President of the Senate
2/27/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker
2/27/2026HouseSigned by the President Pro Tempore
2/27/2026SenateCCR # 1 filed in the House
2/27/2026HouseRules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 412: yeas 82, nays 13
2/27/2026HouseRepresentative Garcia Wilburn removed as conferee
2/26/2026HouseRepresentative Judy added as conferee
2/26/2026HouseRepresentative Judy removed as advisor
2/26/2026HouseSenate advisors appointed: Randolph Lonnie M, Baldwin, Koch
2/25/2026SenateSenator Brown L added as coauthor
2/25/2026SenateSenate conferees appointed: Garten, Taylor G
2/25/2026SenateMotion to dissent filed
2/24/2026SenateSenator Maxwell added as coauthor
2/24/2026SenateHouse advisors appointed: Judy, Jeter, Ireland, Burton
2/24/2026HouseHouse conferees appointed: Commons, Garcia Wilburn
2/24/2026HouseSenate dissented from House amendments
2/24/2026SenateReturned to the Senate with amendments
2/20/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed Senate Bill (H)
Engrossed Senate Bill (S)
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
Introduced Senate Bill (S)
Senate Bill (H)
Senate Bill (S)