Bills & Legislation

Use of SNAP benefits.

Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from using SNAP benefits to purchase accessory foods, including: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) soft drinks; (4) corn or potato chips; and (5) prepared desserts, including cookies, candy, ice cream, cakes, and pies. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to apply for a waiver or authorization to implement the prohibition if a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is required, and allows a delay in implementation until the waiver or authorization is received. Requires the Indiana department of health (department) to include promotion of healthy eating as part of the department's promotion of health and wellness activities, including by developing and making available materials that provide guidance on purchasing and preparing healthy foods on a limited budget.

Ryan LauerRepublican

Property tax deferral program.

Authorizes a county fiscal body to adopt an ordinance to establish a property tax payment deferral program (program). Provides that a qualified individual participating in the program may defer the payment of part of the property taxes that would otherwise be due on a homestead. Defines "qualified individual". Provides that property taxes deferred under the program are due after the occurrence of a deferral termination event. Provides that the maximum amount of taxes that may be deferred cumulatively year over year may not exceed $10,000.

Linda RogersRepublican

Definition of sex and gender; birth certificates.

Defines "sex" and "gender" for the purposes of the Indiana Code. States that the definition of "sex" and "gender" are meant to be synonymous in the Indiana Code unless specifically defined otherwise and is clarifying language. Requires the bureau of motor vehicles and the Indiana department of health (state department) to update the definition of sex used by the agencies. Requires the state department to: (1) identify birth certificates issued with a change in sex classification by court order; (2) change the sex on the birth certificate back to the originating sex and reissue the birth certificate; and (3) void the superseded document.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Irretrievable breakdown of marriage.

Provides that if the parties to a petition for dissolution of marriage are the parents of one or more minor children for whom the parties have legal and physical custody, and the sole ground for dissolution of the marriage asserted in the petition is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, a court may enter a dissolution decree only if: (1) at least one party to the petition presents a witness at the final hearing on the petition who testifies to affirm the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage; or (2) the parties can show cause as to why the petition should be granted. Specifies the individuals who may provide testimony as to the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and provides that an individual other than a licensed counselor may not have received any form of compensation for acting as a witness.

Timothy WescoRepublican

Services for the aged and disabled.

Allows the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to reimburse a Medicaid provider for providing functional assessments if the provider completed training approved by the office. Prohibits the office from restricting access to certain assisted living services by establishing a Medicaid waiver wait list or any other method if there are available waiver slots. Requires the office to apply for additional waiver slots when the slots are all filled in a manner that is sufficient to complete the state fiscal year without implementing a wait list. Requires the office to reimburse for home and community based services from the date of the individual's application. Requires the office to apply to the federal government for: (1) an amendment to the aged and disabled Medicaid waiver concerning functional eligibility determinations and reimbursement within a specified time; and (2) a new Medicaid waiver to provide assisted living services. Repeals language concerning reporting of the development of a long term care risk based managed care program (program). Requires the office to include certain provisions in a contract for the program. Specifies requirements of an entity contracting with the office to participate in the program. Requires the office to develop and implement clinical and quality of life measures and allow provider owned entities to participate in the program. Allows the office to audit claims or data concerning the program and post the audit findings on the office's website. Allows the office to take administrative action against a contracted entity for violations. Sets forth claim submission and processing requirements for the program. Repeals the temporary emergency financial assistance program.

Brad BarrettRepublican

State and local tax capture areas.

Amends provisions concerning the designation of an innovation development district to add certain qualification requirements (grandfathers in those districts established under current law). Requires the Indiana economic development corporation to establish a maximum sales tax increment amount and state income tax increment amount that may be allocated for each innovation development district, which may not exceed a specified amount per state fiscal year. Adds related procedural provisions. Makes conforming changes.

Ryan MishlerRepublican

Bullion depositories.

Defines "bullion" as refined silver or gold that has certain specified characteristics. Defines "specie" as bullion that is fabricated into products that are suitable for, or customarily used as, currency or a medium of exchange. Defines "specie legal tender" as: (1) specie coin issued by the United States government; or (2) any other specie that a federal court determines to be within state authority to make or designate as legal tender under the Constitution of the United States. Provides that bullion is not subject to assessment and taxation under Indiana's property tax statute. Provides that the exchange of one type or form of legal tender for another type or form of legal tender is exempt from the state gross retail tax. Provides that: (1) specie legal tender; and (2) electronic currency; are recognized as legal tender in Indiana. Provides that except as otherwise specifically provided by law or contract, a person may not compel any other person to tender or accept specie as legal tender. Provides that a prevailing party in an action for breach of any contract provision that expressly designates a type or form of specie as tender is entitled to specific performance of the contract provision.

Shane LindauerRepublican

Suspension of prosecuting attorney.

Authorizes the governor to suspend a prosecuting attorney from office for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony, and allows the governor to fill the office by appointment for the period of suspension.

Andrew IrelandRepublican

Prior authorization for opioid use disorder care.

Provides that a utilization review entity may not impose prior authorization requirements on medication for opioid use disorder.

Joanna KingRepublican

Licensed professional music therapists.

Provides for the licensure of professional music therapists by the medical licensing board. Establishes a music therapy advisory council to advise the medical licensing board. Establishes requirements and procedures for an individual to be licensed as a professional music therapist. Prohibits a person who is not licensed as a music therapist from using certain titles or certain words in a title.

Vaneta BeckerRepublican

Burglary and robbery of a gun retailer.

Increases the penalty for burglary and robbery if the offense is committed on the premises of a firearm retail establishment. Makes conforming amendments.

Aaron FreemanRepublican

Alcohol misuse prevention and treatment fund.

Changes the name of the addiction services fund to the alcohol misuse prevention and treatment fund (fund) and makes corresponding changes. Provides for the transfer of the first 6% of the excise taxes collected on alcoholic beverages to the fund before the allocation and distribution of that alcoholic beverage excise tax revenue to the state general fund and to cities and towns. Provides for the transfer of the first 6% of the excise taxes collected on certain alcoholic beverages to the fund before the transfer of that excise tax revenue to the state construction fund. Specifies that the division of mental health and addiction (division) shall set aside the transfers of alcoholic beverage tax revenue deposited into the fund for use in making grants to local coordinating councils for substance use prevention and treatment and mental health related purposes. Requires the division to adopt guidelines and standards for awarding grants, prescribe the form used to apply for a grant, establish a maximum grant amount, and establish annual reporting requirements.

Ben SmaltzRepublican

Adoption incentive programs.

Creates the Indiana adoption services authority (authority) and establishes the board of directors of the authority. Sets forth the duties and powers of the authority and the board. Establishes the zero cost adoption fund (fund) to provide financial assistance, benefits, services, or other assistance for specified purposes pertaining to foster care, adoption, and postadoption assistance, including assistance with college savings and arrangements for reduced college tuition for an adopted child. Provides that money in the fund may not be used to pay the general operating, administrative, and capital expenses and establishes a separate, general operating fund for the authority to pay those expenses. Specifies that assistance provided from the fund is supplemental to adoption assistance payments or an adoption subsidy. Provides a tax credit for contributions made to the fund in an amount equal to 50% of the contribution. Specifies that the total amount of tax credits allowed may not exceed $18,500,000 for each state fiscal year. Makes conforming changes. Makes an appropriation.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Pharmacy benefit administration.

Requires the attorney general to designate or appoint a pharmacy benefit compliance officer if certain prescription drug benefit public-private partnership contracts are entered into by the state. Establishes the pharmacy benefit compliance fund. Authorizes: (1) the state personnel department, for purposes of the state employee health plan; and (2) the office of the secretary of family and social services (office), for purposes of the Medicaid program; to issue a request for proposal to enter into a public-private partnership to administer prescription drug benefits. Sets forth certain requirements for a request for proposal and establishes the competitive proposal procedure. Allows the budget committee to review a contract before the state personnel department or the office awards a final contract for the public-private partnership. Requires that, if the state personnel department or the office enter into a contract for the public-private partnership, the attorney general conduct a state employee health plan audit or a Medicaid audit at least three years after the implementation of the contract. Makes an appropriation.

Andy Zay

Automated external defibrillator requirements.

Provides that certain funding provided to a local board of health may be used to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to school corporations, charter schools, and state accredited nonpublic schools. Revises the definition of "venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest" (plan) and revises the requirements of a plan. Requires the department of education to develop a plan for certain schools and provide support for the plan, if requested by the school. Requires the department of education to conduct a statewide survey of school corporations, charter schools, and state accredited nonpublic schools concerning: (1) plans developed prior to July 1, 2025; and (2) AEDs.

Linda RogersRepublican

Payment for Medicaid physician services.

Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning (office) or a managed care organization to promptly cover physician services rendered in a hospital emergency department by a physician who has entered into a provider agreement with the office or managed care organization, without limiting what constitutes an emergency medical condition. Specifies considerations that must be made in determining whether the prudent layperson standard has been met. Prohibits any delay in or denial of compensation to the physician unless the cause of the delay or denial is specifically provided for in: (1) the Medicaid managed care law; (2) an administrative rule adopted under the Medicaid managed care law; (3) the federal administrative rules on Medicaid managed care; or (4) the provider agreement. Prohibits a managed care organization from denying an emergency services claim solely because the claim code is not listed on the autopay list.

Tyler JohnsonRepublican

Licensing of collateral recovery services.

Renames the private investigator and security guard licensing board as the private investigator, security guard, and collateral recovery agency licensing board, and adds two additional members to the board. Establishes licensure for a collateral recovery agency. Requires a person to be licensed as a collateral recovery agency to repossess collateral, attempt to repossess collateral, hold one's self out as being in the business of repossessing collateral, or use license plate recognition. Provides certain requirements: (1) for an applicant seeking licensure as a collateral recovery agency; (2) for a licensee to maintain licensure; and (3) for a legal owner when personal effects are in or on the collateral at the time of repossession. Requires equipment used to repossess collateral to meet certain criteria. Provides that threatening a collateral recovery agency's employee is a crime under certain circumstances. Makes conforming changes.

Blake DoriotRepublican

Reservist tuition supplement program.

Establishes the reservist tuition supplement program fund (fund). Requires the commission for higher education to administer the fund and use money in the fund to award scholarships to eligible applicants.

Julie McGuireRepublican

Cosmetology licensure compact.

Establishes the cosmetology licensure compact (compact). Provides the requirements states must follow in order to participate in the compact. Provides that a cosmetologist may practice in member states so long as the cosmetologist meets certain criteria. Establishes a governing commission and sets out its powers, duties, financing, and liability. Provides various mechanisms for the member states and the governing commission to regulate the interstate practice of cosmetology. Provides for various contingencies, including the process to effect, amend, enforce, withdraw from, or terminate the compact.

Doug MillerRepublican

K-12 education funding.

Requires each school corporation to establish a minimum salary of $65,000 for each full-time teacher not later than July 1, 2027. Increases the income cap of a family that may participate in the On My Way prekindergarten program from 150% to 185% of the federal poverty level. Provides that a child who is otherwise eligible for participation in the federal CCDF voucher program may continue to participate unless the child's family income exceeds 300% of the federal income poverty level. Increases school funding by 6% in 2026 and 6% in 2027 for the following categories: (1) Foundation amount. (2) Complexity. (3) Academic performance grants. (4) Special education. (5) Career and technical training. Appropriates approximately $50,000,000 in both 2026 and 2027 for non-English speaking program grants. Appropriates (and increases from the previous budget) funding for the following programs each year of the biennium beginning July 1, 2025: (1) $35,000,000 each year for Indiana secured school safety grants. (2) $30,000,000 each year for summer school programs. (3) $200,000,000 each year to the curricular materials fund for purposes of the fund. Establishes the student support services and teacher retention grant program (program) and fund (fund) to be administered by the department of education. Provides that the purpose of the program is to address the ongoing challenges with teacher attraction and retention and shortages in critical student support service areas. Appropriates $50,000,000 to the fund for purposes of the program and for recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies for educators and support staff. Requires the program to be administered in conjunction with the: (1) school intervention and career counseling development program; (2) elementary school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists program; and (3) grants for mental health counselor licenses for school counselors; in a manner that streamlines these under the overall purposes of the program. Provides that a school employer may discuss certain items with the exclusive representative of certificated employees with regard to expenditures for education service centers of a public school corporation and expenditures from the Indiana secured school fund for school safety purposes.

Fady QaddouraDemocrat

Limitations on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Establishes prohibitions and requirements on state agencies, recipients of state contracts or grants, state educational institutions, and health profession licensing boards regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Allows the attorney general to bring an action concerning noncompliance against a state educational institution. Establishes: (1) requirements regarding a standardized admissions test; and (2) requirements regarding altering academic standards; for postsecondary educational institutions that offer certain health education programs.

Tyler JohnsonRepublican

Hospitality taxes.

Prohibits the civic center authority in Delaware County, which is established to receive and administer tax revenue from the county's food and beverage tax, from delegating any of its authorities under the food and beverage statute or from transferring any food and beverage tax revenue to governmental, not-for-profit, or other private entities under a lease or contractual arrangement for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and promoting the use of a civic center. Provides that if the fiscal body of Delaware County does not fix the budget, tax rate, and tax levy for the ensuing budget year as required, the most recent annual appropriations and annual tax levy are continued for the ensuing budget year.

Scott AlexanderRepublican

Closed primary elections.

Allows an individual to affiliate with a political party while registering to vote. Requires the text: "Would you like to choose your political party? If you wish to vote in a primary election, you must first choose your political party affiliation and may only vote that party's ballot in the primary election." and a blank space for the applicant to list a party affiliation to be included on a voter registration form. Provides that a voter may only vote at a primary election if the voter has affiliated with a political party not later than 119 days before the date of the primary election. Requires a voter to vote at the primary election held by the political party with which the voter is affiliated. Provides an exception to allow an individual who: (1) has moved to Indiana later than 119 days before the date of the primary election from another state; and (2) is 17 years of age but will be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next general, municipal, or special election; to register to vote and affiliate with a political party later than 119 days before the primary election, and vote at a primary election. Allows a voter to change party affiliation less than 119 days before the primary election and vote in a primary election if the voter has moved to a new election district less than 119 days before the primary election and the voter transfers the voter's registration record. Requires a county voter registration office to automatically affiliate certain voters with a political party and to allow all voters to affiliate or change political party affiliation. Allows a voter to affiliate with a political party when transferring the voter's registration record. Requires a voter who casts a provisional ballot to make an affidavit identifying the voter's political party affiliation.

Mike GaskillRepublican

Funding for family recovery courts.

Establishes the family recovery court fund and provides that money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the purpose of funding family recovery courts. Provides that family recovery courts: (1) target cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders; and (2) are certified as problem solving courts by the office of judicial administration.

Victoria Garcia WilburnDemocrat

Carbon sequestration.

Amends the Indiana Code chapter governing eminent domain for the pipeline transportation or underground storage of carbon dioxide as follows: (1) Defines a "carbon dioxide transmission pipeline company" (company) for purposes of the chapter. (2) Specifies that a company that seeks to construct, operate, and maintain a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline in Indiana must apply to the department of natural resources (department) for a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate of authority (certificate). (3) Provides an exemption from the requirement to obtain a certificate under certain circumstances based on the route of the pipeline and the location of the surface property. (4) Requires the department to deposit filing fees for certificate applications in the carbon sequestration project program administrative fund (instead of in the oil and gas environmental fund, under current law) established by the bill's provisions. Amends the Indiana Code chapter governing the underground storage of carbon dioxide as follows: (1) Amends the definition of "UIC Class VI permit" to specify that the term means a permit that allows specified entities to construct or operate (instead of operate, under current law) a carbon dioxide injection well. (2) Provides that the department may issue an involuntary order requiring two or more pore space owners to integrate their interests to develop an underground carbon dioxide storage facility if the department finds that a storage operator has filed a complete application for a UIC Class VI permit with the United States Environmental Protection Agency. (Current law requires the department to find that a storage operator has been issued a UIC Class VI permit.) (3) Provides that the filing fee for an application for a permit for a carbon sequestration project (project) is to be: (A) determined based on the metric tons of carbon dioxide proposed to be injected into the storage facility during the first 10 years of the project's operation; and (B) deposited in the carbon sequestration project program administrative fund (administrative fund) established by the bill's provisions. (Current law provides for a flat $1,000 filing fee.) (4) Makes technical changes to provisions governing: (A) the department's review of submitted applications for projects; and (B) the designation of information as confidential. (5) Requires a storage operator to pay two fees, not later than March 1 of each year, to the department for the amount of carbon dioxide injected for storage during the immediately preceding calendar year. (Current law requires a storage operator to pay one annual fee for the amount of carbon dioxide injected, based on a prior estimate of the amount to be injected that is made at the time of application for a permit.) (6) Redesignates the "carbon dioxide storage facility trust fund" as the "carbon dioxide storage facility fund", removes the requirement that the fund must be maintained as a special fund, and provides that annual appropriations from the fund to the department are subject to review by the budget committee. (7) Establishes the administrative fund for the purpose of defraying the department's administrative costs in managing and operating the carbon sequestration project program (program) and annually appropriates to the department from the fund an amount sufficient to defray costs, subject to review by the budget committee. (8) Prohibits a person from: (A) drilling or operating a nonproduction well to investigate the suitability of underground formations for carbon sequestration; or (B) converting a well for oil and gas purposes (as defined in the Indiana Code) for use in carbon dioxide investigations; without a permit and establishes procedures by which a person may apply for and the department may issue a permit. (9) Provides that once the department has issued a certificate of completion for a project, the department may, with advance notice to the surface property owner, enter property on which an injection well or monitoring well for the storage facility is located to inspect or maintain the well or storage facility. (10) Provides that the state may assume ownership and accept transfer of a storage facility for which an interest in or rights to property are conveyed by a lease only if the lessor and lessee agree in the lease agreement to transfer the storage facility to the state. (11) Requires the department to report to the budget committee not later than: (A) July 1, 2030; and (B) July 1, 2035; the amounts collected and the costs incurred by the department in administering the program. (12) Provides that a person that violates the statutes governing the pipeline transportation or underground storage of carbon dioxide is subject to specified civil penalties and cessation orders issued by the department.

Edmond SolidayRepublican

Mental health and substance abuse coverage.

Requires the department of insurance (department) to implement and enforce applicable provisions of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 (act). Requires the department to: (1) before July 1, 2026, submit a report to the general assembly regarding compliance with the act; (2) make the report available to the public; and (3) before November 1, 2026, make a presentation to the interim study committee on financial institutions and insurance regarding the contents of the report. Sets forth certain standards regarding reimbursement rates for providers of mental illness or substance abuse services.

Cindy LedbetterRepublican

Mental health coverage by third party.

Provides that if an insurer contracts with a third party for coverage of services related to the treatment of a mental illness or substance abuse, the insurer and third party shall deem a provider providing mental illness or substance abuse services as: (1) an in network provider for purposes of calculating cost sharing for a covered individual if the provider is in network for medical or surgical services under the health plan; and (2) credentialed for mental illness or substance abuse services if the provider is credentialed for medical or surgical services under the health plan.

Cindy LedbetterRepublican

Access to birth control program.

Establishes the access to birth control program (program) administered by the Indiana department of health for the purpose of increasing access to birth control and information concerning fertility awareness based methods by Indiana residents who are eligible for Medicaid. Sets forth requirements of the program.

Jim LucasRepublican

Public defender benefits.

Allows an attorney who: (1) performs court appointed legal services on a full-time or full-time equivalent basis; (2) regularly performs court appointed legal services in more than one county that receives reimbursement from the Indiana commission on court appointed attorneys; and (3) is not eligible to join an employee health plan in any state or local unit; to participate in the state employee health plan. Establishes eligibility, enrollment, and coverage requirements. Provides that the cost of coverage shall be shared between the Indiana commission on court appointed attorneys and the eligible attorney. Establishes the public defender health benefit fund. Makes conforming changes.

Garrett BascomRepublican

Time observance in Indiana.

Exempts Indiana from daylight saving time.

Lorissa SweetRepublican

State employee health plan payment limits.

Limits the amount that a state employee health plan may pay for a medical facility service provided to a covered individual to: (1) the lesser of the amount of compensation established by the network plan or 200% of the amount paid by the Medicare program for that type of medical facility service or for a medical facility service of a similar type, if the medical facility service is provided by an in network provider; and (2) 185% of the amount paid by the Medicare program for that type of medical facility service or for a medical facility service of a similar type, if the medical facility service is provided by an out of network provider. Prohibits a provider from charging a covered individual an additional amount for a medical facility service, other than cost sharing amounts authorized by the terms of the state employee health plan. Requires a medical facility that provides drugs to a covered individual, in billing a state employee health plan for the cost of the drugs, to include in the billing the same "TB" or "JG" modifier that the medical facility would include in the billing if the medical facility were billing the Medicare program for the drugs.

Julie McGuireRepublican

School age child care.

Provides that the division of family resources (division) may waive contribution requirements for certain approved applicants of the school age child care program. Requires the division to adopt rules specifying cost and expense standards for transporting a child to a facility where the child does not attend school. Makes an appropriation.

Dale DeVonRepublican

Parental support services.

Requires the governing body of a school corporation to adopt rules establishing a safety plan that provides steps for the school corporation to request assistance from the department of child services (department) to ensure a student is receiving appropriate intervention. Requires a preventative services provider to immediately report to the department if: (1) an individual to whom the preventative services provider is providing preventative services is not substantively participating in the services; and (2) the individual presents an immediate risk to the safety of a child. Requires the department to initiate an assessment not later than five days after receiving a report from school personnel regarding alleged child abuse or neglect. Allows the department to release unredacted reports to a school's designated liaison under certain circumstances. Adds bullying or abusive behavior as a factor for finding a child to be a child in need of services if other specified circumstances are met.

Dale DeVonRepublican

Local government reorganization.

Provides that on January 1, 2027, in all counties except Marion County, the following occur: (1) Township government is dissolved. (2) The county executive assumes the powers and duties of township trustees with regard to fire protection and emergency services (fire services). (3) An elected county trustee assumes the powers and duties of township trustees regarding township assistance. Specifies that, on January 1, 2027, the following occur: (1) All fire protection districts and fire protection territories are dissolved. (2) Fire services are provided in accordance with a county fire protection and emergency medical services plan (county plan). (3) The county emergency management director is responsible for the day to day operations of administering the county plan. Provides that all incorporated towns with a population of less than 1,000 are required: (1) to report not later than November 1, 2025, and every November 1 every four years thereafter as to the services provided to residents, and operating costs; and (2) to be dissolved by the county legislative body if the town's operating costs exceed the expenditures for delivery of services to residents.

Karen EnglemanRepublican

Sentencing of aliens unlawfully present.

Makes it a sentencing aggravator that the person is or has been an alien unlawfully present in the United States.

Andrew IrelandRepublican

Property tax matters.

Amends the property tax exemption for property used by a for-profit provider of early childhood education, including by requiring the provider to offer age appropriate curriculum and by excluding from the exemption tangible property that has been granted a homestead standard deduction. Provides a partial property tax exemption for an employer that provides child care on the employer's property for the employer's employees, and for the employees of another business if the employer and the other business enter into an agreement that outlines the terms under which the child care is to be provided. Specifies the conditions that must be met to obtain the partial property tax exemption. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services, in consultation with the early learning advisory committee, to: (1) evaluate and make recommendations; and (2) submit a report; regarding child care. Amends the maximum levy growth quotient to base the six year average calculation on the yearly wage growth for state and local government employees in Indiana and the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index. Requires the true tax value of a privately owned wastewater facility to be determined by applying the income capitalization approach. Provides that, if the application of the income capitalization method for an assessment year results in a zero or negative assessment, the privately owned wastewater facility is exempt from property taxation for that assessment year. Requires assessing officials in an assessment of residential deed restricted property to only use or consider sales of other residential deed restricted property as a comparable sale property for purposes of a sales comparison analysis.

Linda RogersRepublican

Indiana welcome signs.

Requires the Indiana department of transportation to include the state motto or slogan, "The Crossroads of America", or the variation "Crossroads of America", on the face of a welcome sign installed at an entry point to Indiana on an interstate, a highway, a street, or a road.

Andrew IrelandRepublican

Annexation.

With certain exceptions, requires a municipality that initiates an annexation to file with the court an annexation petition approved by the signatures of: (1) at least 51% of the owners of land not exempt from property taxes in the annexation territory; or (2) the owners of at least 75% in assessed valuation of land not exempt from property taxes in the annexation territory. Requires the court to hold a hearing if the petition has the necessary signatures. Adds provisions for determining the validity of signatures. Provides that a landowner may enter into an agreement to consent to a future annexation in certain circumstances. Eliminates the following: (1) Remonstrances and remonstrance waivers. (2) Reimbursement of remonstrator's attorney's fees and costs. (3) Adoption of a fiscal plan for voluntary annexations requested by 100% of landowners in the annexation territory. (4) Settlement agreements in lieu of annexation. (5) Provisions regarding contiguity of a public highway.

Dave HallRepublican

Community solar facilities.

Requires the Indiana utility regulatory commission (commission) to adopt rules governing community solar facilities not later than July 1, 2026. Provides that, not later than 180 days after adoption of the rules, an electricity provider shall begin: (1) allowing interconnection of the electricity provider's facilities with community solar facilities in which at least three of the electricity provider's customers have entered into a subscription; and (2) crediting the electricity provider's subscribing customers for the amount of electricity from the community solar facility for which the customer subscribes. Requires the commission to: (1) establish an interconnection working group composed of representatives of electricity suppliers and other stakeholders with respect to electric utility service; and (2) implement the working group's recommendations regarding creation, revision, or elimination of policies, processes, tariffs, rules, or standards relating to the interconnection of community solar facilities and electricity suppliers as necessary for transparent, accurate, and efficient implementation of community solar facilities.

Mark SpencerDemocrat

Court appointed counsel for certain minors.

Provides that courts are required to appoint counsel for eligible children with certain exceptions. Provides that a county may seek reimbursement up to 100% for expenditures related to attorney services for eligible children. Requires the commission on court appointed attorneys to: (1) establish certain guidelines for counties to be eligible for reimbursement from the public defense fund; and (2) make a report to the legislative council and budget committee not later than December 1, 2026, regarding the 100% reimbursement for attorney services provided to eligible children. Makes an appropriation.

Julie OlthoffRepublican

Accelerated depreciation.

Couples Indiana depreciation provisions with federal depreciation provisions under Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 179). Increases the Section 179 threshold from $25,000 to $100,000 for Indiana adjusted gross income purposes. Makes technical changes.

Linda RogersRepublican

School board elections.

Requires a petition of nomination for a school board office to state one of the following: (1) The candidate's political party affiliation. (2) If the candidate does not identify with a political party, that the candidate is an independent candidate. (3) That the candidate elects to be listed on the ballot as nonpartisan. Specifies that unless a candidate that states a political party affiliation is challenged, the candidate's statement must be indicated on the ballot.

J.D. PrescottRepublican

State administered retirement program.

Establishes a board to design, establish, and operate a state administered retirement program (program) that automatically enrolls specified private sector employees. Requires program compliance by certain employers that have not, in the previous two calendar years, offered a qualified retirement plan to employees. Specifies the powers and duties of the board. Specifies program requirements, including default contribution levels and program fees. Requires the board to contract with investment managers, private financial institutions, or other service providers to invest money and administer the program. Limits the liability of particular parties associated with the program. Specifies board requirements for disclosure, audits, and reports. Requires the board to adopt certain rules. Makes an appropriation.

Vaneta BeckerRepublican

Early voting.

Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office established by the county election board to a 14 day period ending at noon on the day before election day.

Gary ByrneRepublican

Signal jamming devices.

Provides that a signal jammer may be seized. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally manufactures, offers for sale, imports, markets, sells, possesses, uses, or operates a signal jammer commits unlawful use of a signal jammer, a Level 6 felony.

Matt PierceDemocrat

Education matters.

Defines "chronically absent". Requires the department of education (department) to do the following: (1) Create a list of best practices to reduce student discipline and chronic absenteeism. (2) Study and prepare a report regarding the basis for the categorization of certain suspensions and expulsions. (3) Establish a categorization framework to distinguish between excused and unexcused absences based on the reason for the absence. (4) Collect certain information regarding absences from school corporations and charter schools. (5) Prepare and post a report regarding the information on the department's website. Provides that the absence policy adopted by the governing body of a school corporation must provide for the categorization of excused and unexcused absences in accordance with the categorization framework established by the department. Allows a prosecuting attorney to conduct a meeting, collaborate, and make reasonable efforts to secure appropriate support services for a child and the child's family before filing an affidavit with regard to a violation of compulsory school attendance requirements. Requires a public school to hold an attendance conference not later than 10 instructional days (instead of five instructional days) after the student's fifth absence. Prohibits a public school from expelling or suspending a student solely because the student is chronically absent or a habitual truant.

Robert BehningRepublican

Innkeeper's and food and beverage taxes.

Provides that the fiscal body of the town of Ellettsville (town) may, not later than December 31, 2025, adopt an ordinance to receive revenue collected from the food and beverage tax. Specifies the distribution of revenue. Provides that the ordinance must specify that the town's collection of the revenue terminates not later than July 1, 2027. Authorizes LaGrange County to impose an innkeeper's tax to replace the innkeeper's tax the county currently imposes under the uniform innkeeper's tax law. Allows a maximum tax rate of 8%. Allows the city of Shelbyville to impose a food and beverage tax. Allows Brown County to impose its innkeeper's tax at a rate that does not exceed 8% (instead of 5% under current law) under its enabling statute. Reallocates the amounts of revenue received from the Vanderburgh County innkeeper's tax to be deposited in the convention and visitor promotion fund, the tourism capital improvement fund, and the convention center operating, capital improvement, and financial incentive fund. Authorizes Delaware County to increase the county's innkeeper's tax rate from 5% to not more than 8% under the uniform innkeeper's tax statute.

Peggy MayfieldRepublican