Bills & Legislation

Department of education and education matters.

Makes various changes to education provisions concerning the following: (1) Creating a teaching and learning framework for the implementation of mathematics academic standards. (2) Development of a data science math pathway. (3) Submission of a report to the general assembly concerning recommendations on strategies to support academically and fiscally underperforming schools, and interventions as necessary. (4) Evaluating, approving, and publishing high quality curricular materials time lines. (5) Local board membership for a local centralized school facilities board and local student transportation board. (6) Salary differentiation regarding teachers who possess a literacy endorsement. (7) Amounts expended in participating in an interlocal agreement included in determining amounts school corporations expend on full-time teacher salaries for purposes of teacher salary minimum funding requirements. (8) Summer school program and reimbursement administration. (9) Criteria required for eligibility of a waiver for conducting four day school weeks. (10) Oversight of career and technical education program designation. (11) Uses of teacher appreciation grants. (12) The calculation of operating referendum distributions and school safety referendum distributions to charter schools with regard to virtual instruction. (13) Petitions regarding reconsidering payments of choice scholarships. (14) Membership of the board for proprietary education. (15) The effective date regarding the changes to the definition of "eligible choice scholarship student". (16) Career specialist permit eligibility. Provides that an emergency permit may be renewed up to two times to an individual enrolled in an alternative teacher certification program if the program provides documentation verifying the individual's good standing in the program to the department of education. Creates a new qualification option for a transition to teaching program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in grades 5 through 12. Removes a provision that provides that the department may not release less than 10 items per subject matter level per grade level regarding the statewide summative assessment. Removes a requirement that for a parent or student to use a career scholarship account (CSA) annual grant amount for costs related to transportation a CSA participating entity must pay a matching amount for the transportation costs. Requires each state educational institution that offers a two year graduate degree program in mental or behavioral health to evaluate the graduate degree program to determine the feasibility of providing the program in a specifically structured manner to allow full-time students to complete the program within: (1) one year; or (2) five years if the program is combined with a baccalaureate degree program. Requires the Indiana department of education to elect to participate as a covered state in the federal tax credit scholarship program for elementary and secondary education under Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code (enacted in Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025). Makes conforming changes to the school scholarship tax credit in current law. Requires the governor and the department of workforce development, in consultation with the commission for higher education, to: (1) establish a process to identify eligible workforce training programs; (2) establish a process for institutions and programs to apply for recognition as an eligible workforce training program; (3) coordinate certain workforce training matters; and (4) require eligible workforce training programs to provide certain datasets to the department. Provides that the department of workforce development must maintain alignment with federal rules governing workforce Pell grants. Repeals certain provisions concerning postsecondary career and technical education.

Robert BehningRepublican

State board of accounts.

Provides that the state board of accounts is subject to applicable professional auditing standards. Requires the governor to appoint two deputy examiners, one of whom must be a certified public accountant, and the other of whom must be either a certified public accountant or an attorney licensed in Indiana.

Matt LehmanRepublican

Indiana defense matters.

Adds one voting member to the Indiana defense task force (task force) appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one voting member to the task force appointed by the speaker of the house. Adds the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard or the adjutant general's designee as a nonvoting member of the task force. Provides that, on or before May 1, 2026, and each May 1 thereafter, the task force shall submit a report to the Indiana economic development corporation's office of defense development and the budget committee. Provides that the report shall identify the task force's identified priorities for expenditures for the following state fiscal year. Provides that on or before August 1, 2027, and each August 1 thereafter, the corporation's office of defense development shall submit a report to the task force and the budget committee that details expenditures from amounts appropriated to the corporation's office of defense development for priorities identified by the task force for the previous state fiscal year. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 state fiscal year, and each state fiscal year thereafter, the corporation's office of defense development shall consider and incorporate, to the extent practicable, the task force's identified priorities for expenditures when the corporation's office of defense development formulates its annual budget. Provides that the IEDC and an operating partner shall administer the federal Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site program Indiana.

Steve BartelsRepublican

Payment of health claims.

Requires a hospital to: (1) disclose information concerning payment assistance programs; (2) post signs concerning the programs in specified locations of the hospital; and (3) make information concerning the programs available to individuals through the hospital's patient portal. Requires a hospital to make a reasonable effort to notify individuals of available payment assistance programs before beginning a collection action against the individual. Prohibits the use of downcoding in a specified manner. Prohibits a provider from using an automated process, system, or tool to submit a health benefits claim without the review of a provider or other person involved in the development of the claim for submission. Prohibits an insurer that issues a policy of accident and sickness insurance (insurer) and a health maintenance organization from retroactively reducing the reimbursement rate for any CPT code. Sets forth limitations on the time frame in which an insurer and a health maintenance organization: (1) may request repayment of an overpayment, adjust a subsequent claim, recoup a paid claim, or retroactively audit a paid claim; and (2) is required to correct a payment error to a provider. Provides that if an insurer or a health maintenance organization recoups payment from a provider due to an error in coordination of benefits, the provider may submit a claim for the same services to the appropriate insurer or health maintenance organization.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Requirements for proxy advisors.

Provides that if a proxy advisor makes a recommendation against entity management on an entity proposal or proxy proposal, or makes a default recommendation or policy concerning votes against entity management on entity proposals or proxy proposals, and the proxy advisor does not do so based on a written financial analysis, the proxy advisor shall do the following: (1) At the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure to each interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving the proxy advisory services, that: (A) identifies the services being provided by the proxy advisor; (B) identifies the recommendation at issue; and (C) states that the proxy advisor has made the recommendation without utilizing a written financial analysis regarding the impact that the recommended action would have on entity interest holders. (2) If the proxy advisor provides certain proxy advisory services, then at the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, the proxy advisor must provide to entity management the disclosure provided to each interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder receiving the proxy advisory services. (3) For the entire time that a proxy advisor is providing proxy advisory services to an interest holder of an entity or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder of an entity, prominently display on the home page of the proxy advisor's website a statement that the proxy advisor has made a recommendation: (A) against entity management on an entity proposal or proxy proposal; and (B) without utilizing a written financial analysis regarding the impact that the recommended action would have on entity interest holders. Provides that if a proxy advisor makes a recommendation against entity management on an entity proposal or proxy proposal, or makes a default recommendation or policy concerning votes against entity management on entity proposals or proxy proposals, and the proxy advisor does so based on a written financial analysis, the proxy advisor shall do the following: (1) At the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure to each interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving proxy advisory services, that: (A) identifies the services being provided by the proxy advisor; (B) identifies the recommendation at issue; (C) states that the proxy advisor utilized a written financial analysis regarding the impact that the recommended action would have on entity interest holders in making the recommendation; and (D) states that the written financial analysis is available upon request. (2) Make the written financial analysis available to an interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving the proxy advisory services within a reasonable time after an interest holder or any person acting on behalf of an interest holder, receiving the proxy advisory services requests the written financial analysis. (3) If the proxy advisor provides certain proxy advisory services, then at the time the proxy advisor provides the proxy advisory services, the proxy advisor must provide a copy of the written financial analysis to entity management. Amends the definition of "consumer transaction" for purposes of the deceptive consumer sales act to include the provision of a product or service to a state agency or a local agency in Indiana. Amends the definition of "supplier" for purposes of the deceptive consumer sales act to include an entity that provides a product or service to a state agency or a local agency in Indiana. Provides that an action that arises from a consumer transaction involving the provision of a product or service by a supplier to a state agency may be brought and enforced only by the attorney general. Provides that an action that arises from a consumer transaction involving the provision of a product or service by a supplier to a local agency may be brought and enforced only by an attorney acting on behalf of the local agency, unless the local unit of government served by the local agency requests the attorney general to bring and enforce an action on behalf of the local unit. Provides that in an action that arises from a consumer transaction involving the provision of a product or service by a supplier to a state agency or a local agency, a court may take certain actions.

Kyle PierceRepublican

Insurance mandated gun free zone notices.

Provides that an insurer may not require an insured or prospective insured to post or display a gun free zone notice.

Matt CommonsRepublican

Health and human services matters.

Amends the duties of the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) concerning Medicaid home and community based services waivers (waiver). Requires: (1) a provider of waiver services to provide certain documentation to a waiver recipient; (2) a waiver recipient to review the documentation and report errors or inconsistencies; and (3) the recipient's case manager to provide assistance to the recipient in reviewing the documentation and reporting any errors or inconsistencies. Requires certain Medicaid recipients to choose the recipient's provider of integrated health care coordination. Provides that integrated health care coordination provided by a provider of assisted living services is not duplicative of certain other services. Establishes a time frame in which the bureau of disabilities services must review and approve or deny requests for an increase in service units provided to certain individuals with a disability. Requires the office to apply to the federal government for: (1) a new Medicaid waiver to provide assisted living services; and (2) an amendment to a specific Medicaid home and community based services waiver to establish an individual cost limit of not more than the institutional cost of nursing facility services. Specifies that provisions concerning reimbursement for assisted living services for individuals who are aged and disabled and receiving services under a Medicaid waiver apply to the new assisted living Medicaid waiver. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, an individual is no longer a member of the covered population upon receiving nursing facility services for 100 consecutive days. Provides that on the one hundredth day, the individual is not a member of the covered population and shall receive Medicaid services under a fee for service program. Provides that a provision prohibiting the office from reducing reimbursement for home health services expires June 30, 2027. Requires the office to collaborate with certain entities to develop a new reimbursement methodology for home health services. Specifies that public notice of at least six months (rather than one year) must be provided before a health facility service reimbursement that results in a reduction in reimbursement may be changed. Amends the definition of "bulk drug substance" for provisions concerning drug compounding. Provides that a claim by the estate recovery unit of the office of Medicaid policy and planning (estate recovery unit) is forever barred unless the estate recovery unit files a claim in the court in which the decedent's estate is being administered not later than nine months after the date of death of the decedent.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Nursing matters; education programs.

Requires the Indiana State Nurses Association, any time there is a vacancy or expiration of a term on the board of nursing, to recommend to the governor a list of qualified nurses for appointment. (Current law requires the Indiana State Nurses Association to recommend the list when there is a vacancy on the board.) Allows an institution that has been operating an eligible nursing program for at least five years to increase the enrollment in any eligible nursing program at any rate the institution considers appropriate.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Military protective order.

Specifies that a party to a protective order proceeding has a duty to inform the court of any military protective orders issued by a military commander in effect between the parties. Allows the court to consider evidence of a military protective order in effect against a respondent for the protection of the petitioner. Amends provisions concerning facially valid foreign protection orders to include certain protection orders issued by a Canadian court.

Ryan LauerRepublican

Mental health services.

Requires the secretary of family and social services to certify integrated reentry and correctional support programs. Requires the owner of a recovery residence to register with the division of mental health and addiction (division). Sets forth the requirements for registration. Requires the division to post a list of registered recovery residences on the division's public website and include certain information concerning each recovery residence. Requires the division to adopt rules concerning: (1) the issuance, revocation, and denial of a registration; and (2) any rules necessary to implement these provisions. Allows the division to contract with certain entities to administer the registration of recovery residences.

Garrett BascomRepublican

Various labor and safety matters.

Repeals various provisions concerning the Indiana department of labor employer data base for youth employment. Removes provisions relating to a belt examiner certificate. Makes corresponding changes.

Jake TeshkaRepublican

Sex crimes and child safety.

Specifies the sex offender reporting requirements for persons who are sex offenders or required to register in other jurisdictions. Adds "high risk missing person" to the definition of "missing child". Specifies that the silver alert program applies to missing children. Removes provisions concerning possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM) from the statute containing the offense of child exploitation, and makes a new section for CSAM offenses. Creates a new crime for distribution of CSAM, and generally conforms the sentencing enhancements for possession of CSAM, distribution of CSAM, and child exploitation. Specifies that certain restrictions on CSAM in discovery also apply in civil proceedings (under current law, they only apply in criminal proceedings). Provides a defense in specified circumstances. Removes certain duplicative provisions and makes conforming amendments and technical corrections.

Wendy McNamaraRepublican

Department of child services ombudsman.

Provides that the office of the department of child services ombudsman (ombudsman office) shall (rather than may, under current law): (1) employ technical experts and other employees to carry out the purposes of the ombudsman office; (2) receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints alleging that the department of child services failed to protect the physical or mental health or safety of a child or failed to follow specific laws, rules, or written policies; (3) issue recommendations if: (A) the ombudsman office determines that a complaint has merit; or (B) an investigation by the ombudsman office reveals a problem with an agency, facility, or program; and (4) take other specified actions and undertake other specified initiatives. Provides that if a local child protection team is involved in the initial investigation of a matter, a different local child protection team shall (rather than may, under current law) assist the ombudsman office in the ombudsman office's investigation of the matter.

Alex BurtonDemocrat

Department of local government finance.

Requires a municipal entity that hires or retains a municipal advisor to publish a contract in a prominent location on the municipal entity's website. Modifies the amount of supplemental wagering tax that the treasurer of state is required to pay to the riverboat operating in Gary and the distribution of wagering tax revenue to the city of Gary. Provides that the Lake County Convention Center Authority is established upon the substantial completion of the convention and event center. Establishes an alternative procedure for certain school corporations to issue refunding bonds. Requires state agencies and political subdivisions to cooperate with the state GIS officer in preparing a statewide base map. Eliminates the requirement that the department of local government finance (DLGF) work with the office of technology or another organization that is part of a state educational institution for purposes of posting information on the Indiana transparency website and submitting forms regarding data for local units. Allows a person to satisfy any notice statute by publishing notice in specified forms of media and modifies related provisions regarding notice by publication. Provides that in assessing or reassessing land, the land shall be assessed as agricultural land regardless of who owns the property or who is liable for the property taxes. Modifies procedures as to the reporting of assessment values of real and personal property and parcel level data. Changes the deadline for a county to submit to the DLGF data regarding real property, personal property, and geographic information system information. Requires the purchaser of a mobile home to process the paperwork with the bureau of motor vehicles to transfer the title into the purchaser's name within 90 days of the sale. Specifies eligibility for certain townships to petition for an increase to the maximum property tax levy for the firefighting and emergency services fund. Makes procedural changes for civil taxing units not subject to levy limits. Provides that certain local property tax credits result in a reduction of property tax collections in a political subdivision in which such a credit is applied. Specifies the procedures for the submission of certain forms and related allocation amounts with regard to various allocation areas. Amends various tax increment financing allocation area provisions, including provisions to redefine "residential property" and to require the original owner of certain nonowner-occupied residential property in an allocation area to enter into a written agreement with the appropriate entity to pay the property taxes for the portion of outstanding bonds until the bonds are retired. Changes reporting requirements by governing bodies to the DLGF regarding guaranteed savings contracts and energy efficient programs used by school corporations. Provides that the property tax rate for the levy imposed for the replacement of fire protection territory equipment is considered part of the maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levy and may not exceed $0.0333 per $100 of assessed value. Extends a temporary increase in the capitalization rate percentage under the statewide agricultural land base rate determination. Requires the DLGF to annually publish on the Indiana Register the adjusted cost estimate threshold for certain local public work projects. Provides a real and personal property tax exemption for Indiana nonprofit senior living communities beginning with property taxes that are first due and payable in 2027. Adds the Indiana Historical Society, Inc. to a list of organizations exempt from property taxation. Allows certain taxpayers to retroactively file a property tax exemption application. Increases the amount of the property tax deduction for a model residence and a residence in inventory to 100% of the assessed value of the property for each deduction. Increases the number of model residences and residences in inventory from three to ten that may be claimed for purposes of those property tax deductions. Requires an individual to reside on the real property, mobile home, or manufactured home to be eligible for the over 65 property tax credit. Increases the property tax deduction for a veteran who is totally disabled to 100% of the assessed value of the individual's real property (instead of $14,000). Expires property tax deductions for certain veterans, and instead provides a property tax liability credit. Restores the property tax deduction available to a surviving spouse of a World War I veteran that was limited by SEA 1-2025. Provides, if a taxpayer claims the homestead deduction for property that is not eligible for the deduction, that the taxpayer shall (instead of may) be liable for any additional taxes that would have been due on homestead property plus a civil penalty. Requires the county auditor to include in a notice of tax due a 10% fine as a penalty for claiming the homestead deduction falsely, which is in addition to all other penalties for which the taxpayer is liable. Allows the executive of Miami Township in Cass County to submit a petition to the DLGF requesting an increase in the township's maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levy for property taxes first due and payable in 2027. Requires the Hancock County fiscal body to adopt a resolution to allow a one time transfer of money from the library property tax replacement fund. Provides that for purposes of fixing and reviewing budgets, tax rates, and tax levies, before a county auditor makes an amendment, the county auditor must provide written notice to the county fiscal body, the DLGF, and the fiscal officers of the affected taxing units. Provides that the DLGF may not approve the budget for a political subdivision until an attestation statement concerning the uploading of contracts is submitted. Allows a school corporation to allocate the effects of supplemental homestead credits granted for property taxes first due and payable in 2026 proportionately among all the school corporation's property tax funds. Requires certain qualified data center users to enter into an agreement with local officials before the qualified data center user may use a specific transaction award certificate. Adds a provision regarding repayment in the redevelopment tax credit. Specifies eligibility and procedures for a health reimbursement arrangement income tax credit. Moves the effective date for the local income tax changes enacted in SEA 1-2025 from 2028 to 2029. Makes corresponding changes to move the expiration date regarding a county with a single voting bloc enacted in HEA 1142-2025. Specifies procedures for the imposition of local income taxes and distribution of local income tax revenue. Removes provisions enacted in SEA 1-2025 providing for the expiration of local income tax expenditure rates for counties or municipalities that fail to adopt an ordinance to renew an existing expenditure tax rate. Provides that the county may determine an allocation method for revenue raised from a tax rate for fire protection or emergency medical services. Provides that the county and certain township fire departments must receive an allocation of revenue raised from a tax rate for fire protection or emergency medical services. Provides a formula for the distribution of revenue from the local income tax rate imposed by a county for certain small cities and towns. Specifies procedures for determining population for purposes of a municipal local income tax rate. Specifies that taxing units may deposit distributions of excise tax revenue in any fund maintained by the taxing unit. Allows each county to establish a local strategic taskforce to negotiate and determine certain maximum local income tax rates. Allows the Marshall County jail fund to be used for costs otherwise incurred for the operation of the county jail. Provides that distributions of certain excise tax revenue to a taxing unit may be deposited in any fund maintained by the taxing unit and may be used for any purpose allowed by law. Makes numerous changes and additions to the local innkeeper's tax and food and beverage tax statutes, including new food and beverage tax authorizations, modifications to distributions of innkeeper's tax revenue, and revisions to the composition of various innkeeper's tax boards and commissions. Replaces the definitions of "manufactured home" and "mobile home" throughout the Indiana Code with a singular definition. Subject to an exception, limits voting eligibility in a homeowners association to members of the homeowners association who use their property as a homestead as to certain matters. With certain exceptions, prohibits a unit from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, regulation, policy, or rule that prohibits or restricts an owner of a privately owned residential property from using the property as a rental property. Retroactively amends the definition of "short term rental" to specify that certain private, owner occupied businesses are excluded from that definition. Requires a person appointed to a fire protection district board of trustees to reside in the fire protection district. Sets forth an alternative procedure that may be used to appoint the board of trustees of certain fire protection districts. Specifies maximum property tax rates for certain fire protection territories. Revises a provision of the municipal Barrett Law concerning deferred installments. Amends provisions in the drainage law as to bidding on certain projects and the term of loans. Authorizes the budget agency, subject to budget committee review, to augment the state agency contingency fund appropriations in HEA 1001-2025 through July 1, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $40,000,000 for Indiana office of technology contracts, in addition to the uses for the appropriation authorized in HEA 1001-2025.

Craig SnowRepublican

Professional licensing agency.

Provides that a state agency must determine if an alleged violator has substantially corrected the violation and notify an alleged violator whether the alleged violator is in substantial compliance with a state rule or state statute not more than 90 days after certain occurrences (current law provides for 30 days). Adds certification language for purposes of renewals. Allows certain boards to assess different fines for individuals and businesses for purposes of disciplinary sanctions. Makes various changes to the following boards: (1) The state board of cosmetology and barber examiners. (2) The committee of hearing aid dealer examiners. (3) The respiratory care committee. Provides that certain persons may not own an interest in an appraisal management company. Repeals the Indiana Code chapter relating to the professional licensing agency's duties and merges the agency's duties in another existing Indiana Code chapter.

Doug MillerRepublican

Education reports.

Requires the department of education to: (1) prepare a report compiling certain statewide data on school corporations and charter schools; and (2) submit the report to the legislative council and the interim study committee on education. Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation with the department of education, to conduct a study of the disparities in per student operational funding amounts in school corporations, and submit the report to the legislative council and the state budget committee.

Tim YocumRepublican

Advanced DNA testing for cold cases.

Establishes a process concerning eligibility for advanced DNA testing for cold cases.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Various criminal law matters.

Provides that if a person has one prior OWI conviction, the court shall order that the person be imprisoned for at least 10 days or perform community service, and if a person has two prior OWI convictions, the court shall order that the person be imprisoned for at least 20 days or perform community service. Provides that a person receives good time credit while serving a sentence imposed under this statute (under current law, a person does not receive good time credit). Provides that this statute does not increase the maximum sentence for the offense as provided by either IC 35-50-2 or IC 35-50-3. Specifies that "vehicle", for purposes of the crime of operating while intoxicated, includes a watercraft, and repeals the separate crime of operating a motorboat while intoxicated. Provides that an initial hearing may be waived and allows a person to apply for a specialized driving privilege after an initial hearing. Adds operating while intoxicated due to use of a controlled substance to the habitual traffic violator statute. Requires a law enforcement officer to offer a chemical test that includes a blood test to any person who the officer has reason to believe operated a vehicle that was involved in a fatal accident. Specifies that ignition interlock devices may only be used when the underlying offense is operating while intoxicated resulting from the use of alcohol. Specifies that certain provisions do not prevent an otherwise eligible individual from applying for a specialized driving privilege after the initial hearing. Increases the penalty for battery on certain health care employees and school employees. Specifies that the enhancement for battery committed against a department of child services (DCS) employee applies only to those DCS employees whose responsibilities include personally supervising a child or parent, personally providing services to a child or parent, or personally interviewing a child or parent as part of an investigation. Requires the employer of a health care or school employee who is the victim of battery to make a semiannual report to the department of labor concerning workplace batteries. Provides that certain uses of a drone constitute remote aerial harassment. Specifies that a child charged with dangerous possession of a firearm may be tried by a juvenile court under certain circumstances. Makes dangerous possession of a firearm a Level 5 felony if the child: (1) has a prior conviction for unlawful carrying of a handgun; or (2) possesses the firearm on school property, within 500 feet of a school, or on a school bus. Specifies that certain individuals may not be subject to a county residency requirement, including a public defender (except for the chief public defender), court personnel, and a deputy prosecuting attorney. Prohibits the release of personally identifying information concerning a railroad crew in a public report concerning a railroad fatality. Repeals provisions that require: (1) the department of education to maintain a public data base concerning public school employees who were physically injured on the job by students; and (2) each public school to provide to the department of education information concerning certain public school employees physically injured on the job by a student.

Alex ZimmermanRepublican

Public safety procedures.

Requires the department of correction to electronically notify, at least seven days in advance, the: (1) county sheriff; (2) prosecuting attorney; and (3) chief of police; of the county or municipality into which the department will release a serious violent felon, including a juvenile adjudicated for an act that would be a serious violent felony, and of the county or municipality where the serious violent felon or juvenile committed the offense. Requires the department of correction to notify a registered victim through the department's automated victim notification system. Requires: (1) a court; and (2) the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's victim assistance program; to notify a victim of the automated victim assistance notification program, and provides that a victim has the right to be informed, upon request, about the progress of the criminal case involving the victim. Requires that, before hiring a person as a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement hiring department or agency shall request from prior law enforcement employers all documents relating to disciplinary action or internal investigations that involve the person. (Under current law, a hiring agency must request all findings and orders).

Timothy O'BrienRepublican

Broker companies.

Requires a broker company who refers a client or customer to another broker company to disclose if the broker company may be compensated for referring the client or customer.

Timothy O'BrienRepublican

Various dental matters; respiratory care.

Amends the educational requirements for dental hygienists. Amends the requirements for administration of nitrous oxide by a dental hygienist. Allows the state board of dentistry to establish additional requirements for an applicant who has failed the licensure examination at least three times. Amends the licensure and temporary permit requirements for respiratory care practitioners.

Lori Goss-ReavesRepublican

Child services matters.

Adds four members to the statewide child fatality review committee, one of whom is appointed by each of the following: (1) The speaker of the house of representatives. (2) The president pro tempore of the senate. (3) The minority leader of the house of representatives. (4) The minority leader of the senate. Provides that a court may grant postadoption contact privileges to the birth parent of a child if the child is at least one year of age (rather than two years of age, under current law). Adds information that must be included in the annual report of the department of child services (department) concerning child fatalities or near fatalities in Indiana that are the result of child abuse or neglect. Requires the department to promptly disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities. Allows the department, upon request, to provide additional information regarding cases of child fatalities or near fatalities subject to certain requirements. Provides that the obligation of the department to conduct a detailed assessment of a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect does not apply if the report is screened out and referred to a law enforcement agency. Provides that the department: (1) shall disclose information regarding reported child abuse or neglect to a member of the United States Congress representing Indiana or a member of the Indiana general assembly (state legislator) upon request of the state legislator; (2) may release information to the news media to confirm, clarify, correct, or supplement information concerning reported child abuse or neglect that has been made public by a source other than the department; and (3) shall, upon request by the news media, report to the news media specified information regarding the death of a child whose death is suspected to be the result of child abuse or neglect. Provides that if the information disclosed or released by the department includes a record that is redacted to exclude specified information, the record is not confidential. Provides that the department may provide unredacted reports or material to: (1) a service provider that requires access to the unredacted reports or material to assess whether the service provider's services are suitable for the child; and (2) the attorney general or a prosecutor for purposes of a criminal investigation by the attorney general or prosecutor. Provides that the statutory limit on the department's provision of services to a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child who is the subject of a petition alleging the child to be a child in need of services (CHINS) applies: (1) regardless of whether the child has been removed from the home of the parent, guardian, or custodian; (2) regardless of whether the services are provided at the direction of a court or at the direction of the department; and (3) beginning on the date on which the CHINS petition is filed. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Local government matters.

Provides that individuals who are appointed to certain boards, committees, or other bodies in a county that does not have a consolidated city, serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority as long as: (1) the officeholder who appointed the individual continues to hold the office; or (2) the board, committee, or body that appointed the individual retains all of the same members who served when the individual was appointed. Provides that, in the case of a reorganized political subdivision, the oath of office of the town board of police commissioners is administered by any of the individuals granted notary powers. Staggers the terms of a nine member local board of health. Provides that the county executive, excluding a county containing a consolidated city, may set the salary of a county administrator subject to: (1) salary parameters established; or (2) approval; by the county fiscal body. Provides that each county executive, excluding a county containing a consolidated city and certain employees, shall adopt and maintain a written personnel policy, employee handbook, or equivalent document establishing minimum standards for county employee conduct, performance, and workplace expectations. Requires the executive of a county or municipality (unit) to preapprove any of the following actions of the unit's park and recreation board, if the cost exceeds the lesser of $500,000 or 10% of the park district's annual budget: (1) Exercising eminent domain powers. (2) Entering into a contract. (3) Acquiring real or personal property. (4) Making capital improvements. Adds public defenders to those officials whose home addresses may be restricted from public property data base websites.

Ethan LawsonRepublican

Various animal related matters.

Removes partial liability for damages when a person removes a domestic animal from a motor vehicle. Increases certain penalties for offenses involving animals, and establishes a defense for an uninvolved person attacked by a law enforcement animal. Sets forth new definitions and amends various definitions for offenses relating to animals. Specifies that animal cruelty statutes apply to a rodent that is not a nuisance rodent. Makes certain acts an aggravating circumstance for purposes of sentencing.

Wendy McNamaraRepublican

Child care assistance.

Increases the maximum number of individuals an entity may employ to be eligible for the employer child care expenditure income tax credit. Provides that costs incurred: (1) for the operating costs of a child care facility operated for a taxpayer's employees; or (2) under a contract with a child care facility to provide child care services to employees of the taxpayer, or under a contract with an intermediate entity that contracts with one or more child care facilities for child care services; are qualified expenditures for purposes of the employer child care expenditure income tax credit. Allows a redevelopment commission to use revenue collected in a tax increment financing district to expend money or provide financial assistance to entities for the purpose of encouraging or incentivizing the construction or expansion of child care facilities.

Becky CashRepublican

Towing matters.

Provides that the proceeds from the sale of abandoned vehicles or parts by a city, county, or town shall first be credited against the costs of removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle incurred by the towing company or storage facility. Allows a towing company responding to a summons for an emergency towing to utilize the shoulder of the roadway as necessary to reach the scene of a disabled motor vehicle. Provides that a commercial private property owner that establishes a tow-away zone must post a tow-away zone sign at the location of the tow-away zone that is at a height of more than five feet and less than seven feet from the ground. Prohibits a towing company from towing a motor vehicle from a tow-away zone if the tow-away zone sign is not at the required height. Provides that a towing company or storage facility shall accept a credit card or debit card as a form of payment. Prohibits a towing company or storage facility from charging a credit card service fee of more than three percent (3%). Establishes requirements for the storage of collateral by collateral recovery agencies. Specifies the time within which a self-service storage facility owner may tow or remove a motor vehicle, trailer, or watercraft.

Craig HaggardRepublican

Seed laws.

Incorporates various administrative rules into the Indiana seed law. Repeals certain administrative rules. Makes conforming and technical changes.

Mike AylesworthRepublican

Civil rights commission.

Provides that the civil rights commission (commission) may not represent a private individual in a civil action filed in circuit or superior court. Amends the definition of "discriminatory practice". Requires the commission to first send a complaint received by the commission to another state or federal agency that has jurisdiction over the complaint. Allows the commission to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a state or federal agency if certain conditions are met. Requires the party that elects to have claims asserted in a finding of reasonable cause decided in a civil action to file the civil action. Provides that the commission may only represent the state in a civil action and repeals a provision allowing a court to award monetary damages in those cases. Conforms the circumstances under which the commission may be required to pay attorney's fees to the circumstances under which an agency may be required to pay fees under the administrative orders and proceedings act (AOPA).

Chris JeterRepublican

High school equivalency programs.

Amends Indiana high school equivalency diploma program eligibility requirements for individuals under 18 years of age. Changes the expiration date of the high school equivalency pilot program from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028. Makes conforming changes.

Michelle DavisRepublican

Bureau of motor vehicles.

Allows additional license plates issued by the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) to be designed as a personalized license plate. Provides that a motor vehicle may be equipped with an appropriate, functioning rear view camera that provides the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle instead of a mirror. Prohibits the Indiana department of transportation from implementing variable speed limits or using electronic variable speed limit signs. Amends the information required to be provided by an applicant for a driver's license or permit. Amends the required age an individual must be to obtain a driver's license from 16 years and 90 days of age to 16 years of age. Requires an individual to demonstrate sufficient proficiency of the English language to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Provides that an individual commits a Level 6 felony if the individual: (1) represents that a false record is a valid commercial driver's license; or (2) does not have proper documentation while driving with a commercial driver's license issued by any jurisdiction other than a state, territory, or possession of the United States. Provides that a business enterprise may not educate, train, or otherwise prepare an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle if certain circumstances exist. Makes certain changes to the requirements for the issuance of a nondomiciled commercial driver's license and allows for the revocation of an individual's nondomiciled commercial driver's license in certain circumstances. Allows an applicant for a driver's license or permit to take an examination of the individual's ability to read and understand highway signs and the individual's knowledge of Indiana traffic laws by satisfactorily completing an online examination approved by the bureau. Amends the time that an expired driver's license of an individual temporarily residing outside Indiana because of service in the armed forces remains valid. Changes the time for an individual who is 75 years of age or older and renewing a physical credential to provide proof to the bureau that the individual passed an eyesight examination from 30 days to 60 days. Removes the limitation that a renewal identification card cannot be issued by electronic service if the card expired more than 180 days prior to the date of the application for renewal. Provides that an advertisement that violates the prohibition on advertising certain illegal products must be removed from public circulation not later than October 1, 2026. Amends certain requirements for township capital improvement plans.

Jim PresselRepublican

Various public safety matters.

Requires a vendor or provider of an ignition interlock device to register an ignition interlock device with the department of toxicology. Eliminates a requirement for the director of the state department of toxicology to provide periodic reports to the Indiana criminal justice institute (institute) regarding the number of ignition interlock devices used in Indiana. Provides that a registered ignition interlock device must be installed in a motor vehicle in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for installing the registered ignition interlock device. Codifies administrative rules adopted by the state department of toxicology relating to ignition interlock devices. Provides that prior to being issued an initial license to operate a child care center, the child care center must be inspected and found to be in substantial compliance with applicable building and fire safety laws by the department of homeland security. (Current law provides that a license may be issued only if the child care center is in substantial compliance with the fire and life safety rules as determined by the state fire marshal under rules adopted by the division of family resources (division) or in accordance with a variance or waiver approved by the division.) Provides that prior to being issued an initial registration to operate a child care ministry, the unlicensed child care ministry must be inspected and found to be in substantial compliance with applicable building and fire safety laws by the department of homeland security. Provides that the department of homeland security shall perform inspections of: (1) child care ministries; (2) child care centers; (3) child caring institutions; and (4) group homes. Provides that a license or registration to operate a child care center or child care ministry may be revoked if the division determines that the operator has failed to comply with an order of the department of homeland security. Provides that the operator of an unlicensed child care ministry shall maintain a copy of the most recent department of homeland security inspection findings in a conspicuous place in the unlicensed child care ministry. Provides that the department of child services is not required to consult with the fire prevention and building safety commission when adopting administrative rules pertaining to the licensing and inspection of child care institutions, foster family homes, group homes, and child placing agencies. Provides that administrative rules of the fire prevention and building safety commission must include minimum building and safety requirements applicable for child caring institutions. Provides that prior to being issued an initial license to operate a child caring institution or group home, the child caring institution or group home must be inspected and found to be in substantial compliance with applicable building and fire safety laws by the department of homeland security. Provides that a license or registration to operate a child caring institution or group home may be revoked if the department of child services determines that the operator has failed to comply with an order of the department of homeland security. Provides that in order for an individual to receive a license from the emergency medical services commission, the individual must obtain a national criminal history background check and authorize release of the results of the check to the department of homeland security. Eliminates the requirement for the institute to adopt administrative rules relating to the child restraint system account. Provides that inspections conducted by the department of homeland security shall be conducted periodically in lieu of established periods. Changes a reference, from the department of education to the office of school safety, relating to the duties of a school safety specialist. Repeals: (1) provisions relating to public safety improvement areas; (2) a provision requiring the board of trustees of the institute to adopt rules relating to the law enforcement assistance fund; (3) a provision that authorizes the state fire marshal to charge a child care ministry a $50 fee for processing a registration; (4) a provision requiring the institute to review characteristics of offenders committed to the department of correction over such period of time it deems appropriate and of the offenses committed by those offenders in order to ascertain norms used by the trial courts in sentencing; (5) a provision requiring the bureau of motor vehicles and the institute to enter into a memorandum of understanding to administer the provisions relating to ignition interlock devices; and (6) a provision that requires the institute to adopt rules relating to ignition interlock devices.

Ethan LawsonRepublican

Coverage for certain cancer prescriptions.

Prohibits a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization that provides coverage for advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions from requiring that, before providing coverage for a prescription drug, the insured fail to successfully respond to a different prescription drug or prove a history of failure of a different prescription drug.

Cherrish PryorDemocrat

Homeowners association governance.

Amends the statute governing residential real estate sales disclosures to provide that in the case of a resale or refinance of property covered by the governing documents of a homeowners association (HOA), an HOA or an agent of the HOA providing a statement of unpaid assessments or other charges relating to a property may not charge more than $50 for the statement. (HEA 1152-2026 prohibits an HOA from charging a fee for the statement.) Provides that an HOA member is considered to be in attendance at a meeting of the HOA if the member attends by remote or virtual means in accordance with the statutory procedures for remote meetings of nonprofit corporations. Requires the board of an HOA to provide to HOA members at least four days advance written notice of any meeting of the board. Provides that the meeting notice must include: (1) a meeting agenda; and (2) in the case of a notice for an annual meeting, a statement of the right of HOA members to demand a special meeting of the members, including a statement of the required number of members needed to demand a special meeting. Amends the provision in HEA 1152-2026 that prohibits an HOA, an agent of an HOA, or an HOA management company from charging a homeowner a fee associated with any service provided by the HOA to specify that such services include services that are included in the homeowner's association assessment but do not include any optional service that is offered to a homeowner in connection with the homeowner's individual lot in the subdivision and that the homeowner opts to receive. Provides that a schedule of any optional services offered must be approved by the board and distributed to HOA members on at least an annual basis and whenever there is a change in the fees for any of the offered services. Prohibits an HOA, an agent of an HOA, or an HOA management company from charging a homeowner a fee associated with the production of a statement of account setting forth the amount of any unpaid assessments or other charges due and owing from the homeowner. Requires an HOA or its agent to maintain an account statement for a homeowner and provide the statement to the homeowner upon request. Provides that the governing documents of an HOA may not require that the consent of more than 2/3 of the owners be required to amend the HOA's governing documents. Provides that an HOA's governing documents may not require the consent of more than 2/3 of first lien mortgage holders in order to amend the governing documents. Removes the provision in current law that provides that the governing documents may require the approval of at least 95% of the owners to convey common areas or to dissolve the plan of governance for the HOA. Authorizes an HOA to assess a fine for a member's violation of a covenant if the HOA first: (1) adopts a schedule of fines for specified violations; and (2) provides to the member a notice setting forth the violation, the amount of the fine, and the date on which the fine will be assessed. Requires a schedule of fines to include a maximum aggregate fine amount for any single violation.

Julie OlthoffRepublican

Virtual currency kiosks.

Prohibits the operation of virtual currency kiosks in Indiana. Provides that: (1) a person that violates these provisions commits an act that is actionable by the attorney general under law regarding deceptive consumer sales; and (2) in addition to the penalties prescribed for deceptive consumer sales, a person that knowingly or intentionally violates these provisions may be ordered to forfeit one or both of: (A) the amount of the charges assessed to users of the person's virtual currency kiosks in Indiana during the period of the violation; and (B) any virtual currency kiosk operated by the operator in Indiana. Provides that the attorney general may bring an enforcement action against: (1) the operator of a virtual currency kiosk that gives rise to a violation; and (2) the owner of the premises on which the virtual currency kiosk is located if the owner knowingly or intentionally permitted the violation.

Wendy McNamaraRepublican

Licensed estheticians and electrologists.

Amends the definition of "esthetician" to include certain services. Adds a definition for "microneedling". Requires a person who provides microneedling to provide the professional licensing agency proof of advanced training or certification at the agency's request. Provides that an applicant for an electrologist license does not need to hold a cosmetologist license or esthetician license before applying for an electrologist license. Requires an applicant to complete a combined total of 600 hours of education and experience required under the rules adopted by the state board of cosmetology and barber examiners (board) beginning July 1, 2027. Requires the board to amend the rules for electrology training in a beauty culture school not later than June 30, 2027.

Cory CriswellRepublican

Thirteenth check.

Allows a participant in the state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan to elect a joint and survivor option for the payment of the participant's retirement allowance. Provides for a thirteenth check in calendar year 2026 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.

Michael KarickhoffRepublican

Licensure of certified public accountants.

Provides that an individual is eligible to take the examination for licensure as a certified public accountant if the individual has at least a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in accounting or equivalent as determined by the board to be appropriate.

Heath VanNatterRepublican

Local regulation.

Provides that a homeowners association's governing documents may not include a covenant, policy, or similar measure that: (1) prohibits or restricts the use of; (2) distinguishes between types of; or (3) results in differing standards for different types of; motor vehicles or outdoor equipment based on the fuel source that powers the motor vehicle or outdoor equipment. Provides that a homeowners association's governing documents may not include a covenant, policy, or similar measure that prohibits the display of an American flag.Prohibits a homeowners association from installing, maintaining, or operating an automated license plate reader (ALPR), and prohibits a homeowners association from permitting the installation, maintenance, or operation of an ALPR on the property of the homeowners association unless the ALPR is installed by a law enforcement agency and only the law enforcement agency has access to the ALPR data.Prohibits a county or municipality from adopting or enforcing a utility usage data ordinance. Prohibits a county, municipality, or township from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, order, regulation, resolution, policy, or similar measure that: (1) prohibits or restricts the use, sale, or lease of; (2) distinguishes between types of; or (3) results in differing regulatory standards for different types of; motor vehicles or machines other than vehicles, including outdoor equipment, based on the fuel source that powers the motor vehicle or machine. Requires political subdivisions located within five miles of the end of a runway of a publicly owned, public use airport to adopt an airspace overlay zoning ordinance.

Jim PresselRepublican

Homeowners association matters.

Allows, if certain conditions are met, a homeowners association to increase a budget, without a quorum, in an amount not to exceed 110% of the amount of the last approved budget, within five years after the first sale of a lot or unit from a developer to a person not associated with the developer. Prohibits a homeowners association from charging a fee associated with any service provided by the homeowners association. Allows, if certain conditions are met, a homeowners association to increase an annual budget without a quorum in an amount that does not exceed the lesser of: (1) 105% of the last approved budget; or (2) the average increase of the Consumer Price Index for housing in the Midwest for the prior 12 months. Prohibits a homeowners association from adopting or enforcing a regulation, rule, or other policy that prohibits a person from maintaining an amateur radio antenna. Specifies that a homeowners association may not prohibit or restrict a person from operating a Class I child care home or providing certain child care if the person resides within and owns, rents, or leases the single family residence where child care services are provided.

Ethan LawsonRepublican

Auto dealer matters.

Requires a dealer to collect and retain certain identifying information from a potential purchaser. Beginning July 1, 2026, requires a transport operator to either: (1) have an established place of business with a physical Indiana address; or (2) provide the secretary of state (secretary) with proof of the transport operator's valid registration from the United States Department of Transportation authorizing the transport operator to operate within Indiana; to apply for a registration number. Provides that a dealership that operates without a license from the secretary commits a Class A infraction.

Ethan LawsonRepublican

Traffic enforcement.

Establishes a traffic enforcement on private roads pilot project. Provides that a subdivision: (1) that is subject to governance authority by a homeowners association; (2) that contains at least 1,500 lots; and (3) with at least 15 miles of private road that are owned and maintained by the homeowners association; may establish maximum speed limits and designate intersections at which a vehicle is required to stop. Provides that a law enforcement officer has all police powers necessary to enforce the laws of the state for the regulation and use of vehicles on the private roads within the subdivision governed by the homeowners association. Provides that, with the exception of maximum speed limits and stop signs established by the homeowners association, a law enforcement officer may not enforce other rules or requirements established by the homeowners association. Provides that, with certain requirements, a homeowners association may enter into an agreement with or employ an off duty law enforcement officer. Provides that the pilot program expires July 1, 2028.

Edmond SolidayRepublican

Annexation.

Provides that annexation territory that is divided by railroad tracks satisfies contiguity requirements, if the territory on at least one side of the railroad tracks is contiguous to the municipality.

Gregory SteuerwaldRepublican

Wake boarding and wake surfing.

Specifies restrictions that apply to wake boarding or wake surfing on a public freshwater lake. Establishes a penalty. Specifies restrictions that apply to wake boarding or wake surfing on a small lake.

David AbbottRepublican

Technical corrections.

Addresses technical issues in the Indiana Code, including those related to spelling, tabulation, formatting, grammar, and cross-references. Resolves technical conflicts from the 2025 legislative session. Makes conforming amendments. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the code revision committee.)

Kyle PierceRepublican

Child services matters.

Requires a sports wagering certificate holder and vendor to withhold funds from a person who requests a certain type of withdrawal from the person's mobile sports wagering account if the person is delinquent in the person's child support payments. Requires an order establishing paternity to be obtained without further proceedings if certain conditions are met. Allows the state to approve additional payment facilities for purposes of accepting child support payments. Provides that if a child who is the subject of an adoption petition is also the subject of an open or pending child in need of services (CHINS) or delinquency proceeding, the adoption petition must identify: (1) the court in which the CHINS or delinquency proceeding is open or pending and the cause number; and (2) the case number of the CHINS or delinquency proceeding; if known to the petitioner. Requires a volunteer of an applicant for licensure as a child caring institution to undergo a criminal background check if the volunteer is likely to have unsupervised contact with children in the child caring institution or will have access to a child's medical records. Provides that the department may deny an application for licensure as a child caring institution, group home, or child placing agency if the applicant was previously licensed as a residential child care provider and the license was revoked within one year of the application. Provides that a department caseworker who wishes to interview a child at the child's school must provide the caseworker's department issued credential in order to interview the child alone.

Dale DeVonRepublican

Work based learning liability.

Requires an intermediary and an employer to enter into an agreement that sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the intermediary and the employer when participating in a work based learning program. Repeals provisions relating to the federal School to Work Opportunities Act under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that, subject to certain limitations, a student who performs services for an employer as part of a work based learning program is entitled to benefits under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that any underwriting decision made by an insurer or rating factor applied to a participant must be based on objective risk based criteria that are applied uniformly and without regard to the age of the student to be covered under the policy.

Matt CommonsRepublican

Housing matters.

Revises the allocation of money available for making loans from the residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund. Adds requirements regarding the location of impact zones designated by a county, city, or town (unit) after June 30, 2026. Requires a unit to approve a project that complies with the legal restrictions in effect on the date the project's permit application is submitted. After December 31, 2026, restricts a unit's ability to impose and increase fees related to building approvals and permits. Delays the implementation of building permit increases to 180 days after publication of the ordinance. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires a unit to annually report the unit's housing status to the Indiana housing and community development authority. Requires the department of environmental management to review and update its Indiana Storm Water Quality Manual not later than December 1, 2026. Prohibits the state or local government from requiring a person intending to fill land in a flood plain to provide compensatory storage at a ratio greater than three (mitigated land) to one (filled land). Requires a unit to forfeit or refund regulatory fees if the unit fails to meet statutory deadlines for issuing a Class 2 building permit. After June 30, 2026, prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from requiring the installation of the following: (1) An arc-fault circuit interrupter in Class 2 structure or structure classified as an R-2 building occupancy classification. (2) An emergency responder communications enhancement system in a Class 1 structure. Repeals a provision that would have reinstated on July 1, 2027, the statute in effect before its amendment in the 2023 regular session of the general assembly setting forth the authorization and procedures for establishing a residential housing development program (program). Amends the current statute for establishing a program to provide that a program terminates: (1) 25 years (instead of 20 years) after the date on which the first obligation was incurred to pay principal and interest on obligations payable from tax increment revenues from the program; or (2) on the date on which the bond obligations or lease rentals are satisfied. Requires a unit not later than January 1, 2027 to: (1) review its unified development ordinance in a public hearing with the purpose of increasing housing development; and (2) report to the executive director of legislative services agency. Urges assignment of the topic of housing developments by religious institutions to an interim study committee. Resolves conflicts for IC 36-2-4-8, which was amended by both P.L.22-2021 and P.L.152-2021. Increases the average construction cost allowable for certain housing projects to be completed by a housing authority. Provides that bonds, notes, or warrants of a housing authority may be sold at less than par value at a negotiated sale.

Doug MillerRepublican

Electric utility affordability.

Requires an electricity supplier, other than a municipally owned utility, that is under the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to do the following: (1) Beginning with the first monthly billing cycle that begins after June 30, 2026, apply a levelized billing plan (plan) to all active residential customer accounts: (A) for service provided under the electricity supplier's standard residential tariff to a household that is eligible for and has applied for assistance from the state's home energy assistance program; and (B) to which a plan does not already apply. (2) Not later than April 1, 2026, offer each customer a mechanism by which the customer may opt out of a plan at any time without penalty. (3) Not later than July 1, 2026, for any plan offered by the electricity supplier and applied to an active customer account, amend or design the plan so that plan's account reconciliation mechanism is applied at such times during a calendar year to reflect typical seasonal patterns of electricity usage by residential customers, but not more than two times during a calendar year. Prohibits an electricity supplier from referring to or promoting a levelized billing plan as a "budget billing plan" unless the levelized billing plan also provides other specified forms of relief for customers. Authorizes the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Amends existing law granting the IURC the authority to take certain actions with respect to the rates and services of public utilities during emergency circumstances, as judged by the IURC, to provide instead that the IURC may recommend that the governor declare a disaster emergency or proclaim a state of energy emergency during which the IURC may take such actions. Specifies that the emergency must result from: (1) a national economic depression; (2) an act of war; or (3) a disaster of unprecedented size and destructiveness. Provides that an electric utility, other than a municipally owned utility, may not terminate residential electric service to a customer on any day with respect to which the National Weather Service has forecast, not earlier than 48 hours in advance, a heat index of at least 95 degrees for the location where the customer receives service. Requires an electricity supplier, other than a municipally owned utility, that is under the jurisdiction of the IURC for the approval of rates and charges to report to the office of utility consumer counselor (OUCC) on a quarterly basis certain data concerning residential customer accounts. Requires the OUCC to annually compile and summarize the information contained in the reports and include the summary in the OUCC's annual report to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications. Provides that an investor owned electricity supplier that is under the jurisdiction of the IURC for the approval of rates and charges must petition the IURC for approval of any change in its basic rates and charges through the submission of a three-year multi-year rate plan (MYRP). Beginning in 2026, requires each electricity supplier to file its first petition with the IURC for approval of an MYRP according to a prescribed schedule. Provides that the base rates for the first rate year of an MYRP shall be established by the IURC in the same manner that base rates would be established in a proceeding for a change in basic rates and charges that occurs outside an MYRP. Specifies that in a petition to the IURC for a multi-year plan, an electricity supplier must include certain information in its case in chief. Provides that for each rate year in an electricity supplier's MYRP, the following apply: (1) A customer affordability performance metric and an associated performance incentive mechanism (PIM) that: (A) is based on the electricity supplier's performance in meeting the customer affordability performance metric; and (B) provides financial rewards or penalties to the electricity supplier based on that performance. (2) A service restoration performance metric and an associated PIM that: (A) is based on the electricity supplier's performance in meeting the service restoration performance metric; and (B) provides financial rewards or penalties to the electricity supplier based on that performance. Sets forth the methods by which the IURC must calculate the prescribed performance metrics and determine the associated PIMs. Sets forth specified findings the IURC must make in approving an electricity supplier's MYRP. Provides that at any time before the expiration of an electricity supplier's approved MYRP, the IURC may, upon its own motion, or at the request of the OUCC or the electricity supplier: (1) examine the electricity supplier's rates under the MYRP; (2) conduct periodic reviews with opportunities for public hearings and comments; and (3) adjust the base rates or PIMs under the MYRP. Beginning in 2029, requires the IURC to include in its annual report certain information about: (1) the status of electricity suppliers' MYRP filings and current MYRPs; (2) electricity suppliers' calculated performance metrics for the current rate year; and (3) the impact of all applicable PIMs on customer rates. Requires the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Requires an electricity supplier, other than a municipally owned utility, that is under the jurisdiction of the IURC to offer, not later than July 1, 2026, a low income customer assistance program (program) that provides financial assistance to low income residential customers for the payment of monthly bills for utility service. Requires an electricity supplier to annually fund its program in an amount equal to: (1) at least 0.2% of the electricity supplier's jurisdictional revenues for residential customers; plus (2) any contributions from governmental agencies or programs or from other third parties. Provides that if a customer who applies for assistance is eligible for assistance under the program, the electricity supplier shall enroll the customer in the program. Provides that an electricity supplier may, but is not required to, petition the IURC for approval to recover eligible program costs. Provides that "eligible program costs" do not include costs recovered by the electricity supplier through contributions that are provided at no cost to the electricity supplier. Beginning in 2027, requires the IURC to include each year in its annual report specified information concerning each electricity supplier's program with respect to the most recently concluded state fiscal year. Requires the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions.

Alaina ShonkwilerRepublican

Boards and commissions.

Creates the agricultural promotion and regulation task force to study various agriculture related topics. Makes changes to requirements for the readoption of administrative rules. Repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies. Modifies or establishes various funds. Makes changes to the membership, duties, and operations of various boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies. Expands the applicability of a statute concerning county hospital governance to Perry County, Spencer County, and Orange County. Repeals the fire prevention and building safety commission (commission). Transfers the commission's responsibilities and administrative rules to the department of homeland security. Makes certain changes to the administration of building and safety statutes and building and safety codes. Makes technical corrections. Makes an appropriation.

Steve BartelsRepublican