IndianaSB 421First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)SenateWALLET

IURC matters.

Sponsored By: Eric Koch (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends within the Indiana Code chapter governing publication procedures for political subdivisions the provision governing the publication of a notice of a hearing by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to reference the publication procedures for hearings set forth in the Indiana Code chapter governing the IURC. Amends the publication procedures within the statute governing the IURC to provide that if any newspaper of general circulation in which the IURC publishes a notice does not publish a print edition at least three times a week, the IURC may publish the notice in either: (1) the print edition; or (2) an electronic edition; of the newspaper or a locality newspaper that circulates within the county. Adds a definition of "court reporter" to the Indiana Code chapter governing the regulation of utilities. Replaces references to a "stenographer" with references to a "court reporter" throughout that chapter and in other instances in the Indiana Code in which a "stenographer" or "reporter" is referenced in the context of an IURC proceeding. Repeals all remaining provisions in the Indiana Code chapter concerning alternative energy projects by rural electric membership corporations following the repeal by the general assembly in 2024 of other provisions in that chapter that established a fund to provide incentives under a program that is no longer operational. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the state statute or rules governing pipeline safety: (1) from $25,000 to $200,000 per violation per day; and (2) from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations; so as to conform Indiana's civil penalties with those prescribed by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

utilitiesappropriationsthe house

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Clearer recording and fee rules for reporters

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana recognizes court reporters who use shorthand, electronic tape, digital recording, or other court-approved methods. Transcript fees belong to the reporter who prepares the transcript. State-paid transcripts remain available to qualifying parties who cannot pay. Applicants must file a verified application showing an intended appeal and that another party’s transcript request is unavailable to them.

More publication options for utility hearing notices

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana’s utility commission has more options for publishing hearing notices. These options apply when the newspaper used for notice prints fewer than three times a week. The commission can use its print or electronic edition, or a newspaper circulating in the county. Notices must still appear at least 10 days before the hearing.

Higher fines for utility law violations

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana’s utility commission can impose higher civil fines for utility-law violations. The daily maximum rises from $25,000 to $200,000 for each violation. The cap for a related series of violations rises from $1 million to $2 million. The commission cannot assess or collect a fine for a violation already resulting in liability under federal pipeline safety law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Blake Doriot

    Republican • Senate

  • Daryl Schmitt

    Republican • Senate

  • Edmond Soliday

    Republican • House

  • Jim Pressel

    Republican • House

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 9

    3/31/2025Senate
  2. Signed by the Governor

    3/31/2025Senate
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    3/20/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the Speaker

    3/19/2025House
  5. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    3/18/2025Senate
  6. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 269: yeas 95, nays 0

    3/17/2025House
  7. Returned to the Senate without amendments

    3/17/2025House
  8. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    3/13/2025House
  9. Representative Pressel added as cosponsor

    3/13/2025House
  10. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    3/10/2025House
  11. First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications

    3/3/2025House
  12. Referred to the House

    2/12/2025Senate
  13. House sponsor: Representative Soliday

    2/11/2025Senate
  14. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 107: yeas 49, nays 0

    2/11/2025Senate
  15. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/10/2025Senate
  16. Senator Randolph added as coauthor

    2/6/2025Senate
  17. Senator Doriot added as second author

    2/6/2025Senate
  18. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/6/2025Senate
  19. Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

    1/30/2025Senate
  20. Senator Schmitt added as coauthor

    1/28/2025Senate
  21. First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities

    1/13/2025Senate
  22. Authored by Senator Koch

    1/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

  • Senate Bill (S)

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation