Bills & Legislation

Review of administrative and judicial rules.

Establishes the administrative rules review committee. Requires: (1) an agency to submit a rule and the latest version of the regulatory analysis with any supporting documents; and (2) the supreme court to submit a rule and any economic impact statement, with supporting documents; to the office of fiscal management and analysis of the legislative services agency to estimate the fiscal impact on state and local government. Provides that if the fiscal impact is estimated to be greater than $300,000, the rule and supporting documents shall be provided to the administrative rules review committee for review. Provides that the rule described may not take effect unless authorized by a bill enacted by the general assembly.

Garrett BascomRepublican

License plate information.

Removes the requirement that the bureau of motor vehicles issue registration renewal stickers for motor vehicles. Makes conforming changes.

Robert MorrisRepublican

Expungement.

Specifies that certain records relating to juvenile delinquency proceedings are accessible to a law enforcement officer acting within the scope of the officer's duties, and requires persons having custody of these records to take steps to ensure that these records are available to the law enforcement officer in a timely manner. Repeals a provision requiring a court to expunge certain records on the court's own motion. Prohibits the expungement of a crime of violence. Allows the expungement of official misconduct if: (1) the person seeking the expungement is not an elected official; and (2) the prosecuting attorney consents.

Gregory SteuerwaldRepublican

Domestic violence investigations.

Requires law enforcement agencies to use a domestic violence risk assessment when responding to a domestic violence incident.

Maureen BauerDemocrat

Presidential electors apportionment task force.

Establishes the presidential electors apportionment task force (task force) to: (1) study and assess the state of Nebraska law that requires electoral votes for President of the United States to be apportioned between congressional district presidential electors and at-large presidential electors; and (2) make a recommendation as to whether Indiana should pass legislation to adopt the state of Nebraska model. Establishes rules and procedures for the task force. Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations before November 1, 2025.

Edward DeLaneyDemocrat

Line maintenance in public rights-of-way.

Sets forth minimum standards for the installation and maintenance of communications service or utility service facilities (facilities) in a public right-of-way. Defines a "permittee" as: (1) a person to whom an initial permit or other authorization for the installation of a facility in a public right-of-way is granted by a unit; or (2) a service provider responsible for maintaining a facility that has been installed in a public right-of-way. Defines a "line pollution violation" as a violation involving: (1) noncompliance with any standard set forth in the bill's provisions for the installation and maintenance of a facility in a public right-of-way; or (2) the presence of any damaged, abandoned, loose, or improperly secured facilities within a public right-of-way; attributable to a permittee. Provides that a permittee responsible for a line pollution violation is liable to the unit owning the public right-of-way for a fine in an amount determined by the unit, but not to exceed: (1) $500 per violation for each day the line pollution violation remains uncured; or (2) a total fine of $2,500. Requires a permittee to ensure that any person responsible for installing, replacing, relocating, or repairing any underground facility that is owned or operated by the permittee and located within a public right-of-way complies with the requirements set forth in: (1) Indiana's statute concerning underground utility facilities; and (2) any applicable local ordinance or regulation; with respect to any work involving drilling, trenching, boring, hand digging, or plowing.

Michelle DavisRepublican

State police pensions.

Extends eligibility for supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases to employee beneficiaries of the state police 1987 benefit system. (Current law provides eligibility to employee beneficiaries under the state police pre-1987 benefit system.) Modifies the: (1) terms of eligibility for; and (2) calculation of; supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases.

Michelle DavisRepublican

State educational institution prohibitions.

Prohibits state educational institutions from using certain institution funds to finance a speaker series.

Peggy MayfieldRepublican

Evansville professional sports development area.

Increases the maximum amount of covered taxes that may be captured in the Evansville professional sports and convention development area from $10 per resident to $5,000,000.

Timothy O'BrienRepublican

School counselor grants.

Establishes the school counselor grant fund. Provides that the department of education may award eligible school corporations and charter schools grants in an amount determined by the department for the employment of school counselors. Makes an appropriation for the state biennium to the school counselor grant fund.

Tonya PfaffDemocrat

Residential property tax relief.

Provides an assessed value stabilization deduction for homestead property after applying the standard homestead and supplemental homestead deductions taking into account the year over year change in the homestead's assessed value compared to the year over year change in the Consumer Price Index.

Harold SlagerRepublican

Sales tax exemption for utility service.

Provides a sales tax exemption for the sale or furnishing of the following services or commodities by a power subsidiary or a person engaged as a public utility to a person for commercial or domestic consumption: (1) Electrical energy. (2) Natural or artificial gas. (3) Water. (4) Steam. (5) Steam heating service.

Ryan DvorakDemocrat

Employee child care assistance partnership program.

Establishes the employee child care assistance partnership program. Makes an appropriation.

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

Authority to deny enrollment to unlawful immigrant.

Authorizes a school corporation to deny an immigrant student enrollment in a school operated by the school corporation if the school corporation determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the immigrant student is present in the United States in violation of law. Requires the attorney general to defend the school corporation in any cause of action brought against the school corporation for denying an immigrant student enrollment. Requires a school corporation to annually report the number of immigrant students present in the United States in violation of law who were enrolled in a school operated by the school corporation in the immediately preceding school year.

Jim LucasRepublican

Township maximum property tax levy.

Provides that a township may increase its maximum property tax levy if the township: (1) has a population of more than 10,000; or (2) experiences population growth of at least 4,000 during a 10 year period. Prescribes the maximum amount of increase in a township's maximum property tax levy. Prescribes a township's maximum property tax levy following an increase.

Chris CampbellDemocrat

Farmland assessment.

Amends the six year rolling average calculation and the capitalization rate percentage under the statewide agricultural land base rate determination.

Kendell CulpRepublican

State educational institution administration.

Prohibits use of public funds by a state educational institution for policies or programs and campus activities outside the classroom that: (1) advocate for campus diversity, equity, and inclusion; or (2) promote or engage in political or social activism. Makes related changes.

Garrett BascomRepublican

Indiana nonprofit security grant fund.

Establishes the Indiana nonprofit security grant fund for the purpose of funding physical security improvements, security personnel improvements, and other protective measures for nonprofit organizations in Indiana that are at high risk due to the nature of their ideology, beliefs, or mission. Makes an appropriation.

Beau BairdRepublican

Entertainment zones.

Establishes entertainment zones within a consolidated city. Provides that the city-county council may establish a public safety plan for all or a designated part of an entertainment zone. Provides that a public safety plan for an entertainment zone may include a restriction on the possession of firearms within the entertainment zone, or within a particular area of the entertainment zone designated by the public safety plan, during certain hours. Establishes procedures for approving the public safety plan.

Edward DeLaneyDemocrat

Facilities and transportation pilot programs.

Establishes a three school year: (1) centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) student transportation pilot program. Requires school corporations that meet certain criteria to participate in the centralized school facilities pilot program and student transportation pilot program, as applicable. Allows: (1) not more than three school corporations, as selected by the department of education (department), to voluntarily participate in the centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) not more than three school corporations, as selected by the department, to voluntarily participate in the student transportation pilot program. Establishes a: (1) local centralized school facilities board; and (2) local student transportation board; for each participating school corporation and grants the local boards certain powers and duties. Provides that, after the three year pilot program period, each local centralized school facilities board and local student transportation board maintain the powers and duties of the board and may impose property tax levies. Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation with the department, to prepare recommendations regarding legislation and procedures to ensure the permanent transition of powers and duties to the centralized school facilities boards and local student transportation boards, as applicable.

Robert BehningRepublican

High value workforce ready credit-bearing grant.

Amends eligibility requirements for the high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant.

Robert BehningRepublican

Riverfront economic development tax area.

Allows the legislative body of a city or a county without a consolidated city to adopt a resolution establishing a riverfront economic development tax area (tax area). Sets forth requirements for the location of the tax area. Requires the legislative body to make findings when adopting a resolution. Requires the legislative body to submit a resolution establishing a tax area to the budget committee and budget agency for review and approval. Allows a tax area to receive incremental state income tax revenue and incremental sales tax revenue attributable to the tax area. Requires a city or county that establishes a tax area to establish a riverfront economic development area fund. Provides that a tax area terminates not later than 25 years after the date on which the resolution establishing the tax area is adopted.

Tonya PfaffDemocrat

Free state park admission for non-motorized entry.

Provides that the department of natural resources may not charge an individual traveling on foot, a bicycle, or horseback an admission fee for a state park or recreation area.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Chemical castration for certain sex offenders.

Allows a court to order that a sex offender, whose victim was under 14 years of age, may only be eligible for parole, probation, or community corrections if the sex offender consents to chemical castration treatment. Makes it a Level 4 felony if a person who consents to chemical castration treatment knowingly or intentionally stops receiving the chemical castration treatment. Requires the department of correction to administer, or contract with a provider to administer, chemical castration treatments.

Elizabeth RowrayRepublican

Automated traffic enforcement safety devices.

Authorizes a county or municipality to adopt and enforce an ordinance that regulates the use of an automated traffic enforcement safety device (device) to detect certain violations. Provides a civil penalty for a violation. Specifies that a civil penalty must first be applied to defray the cost of the installation, operation, and maintenance of the device. Specifies the manner in which the remaining money from the civil penalty must be distributed. Prohibits: (1) reporting a violation on a driving record; (2) using a violation to determine rates for motor vehicle insurance; (3) assessing points under the point system by the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau) for a violation; and (4) reselling data collected by an agent operating a device. Requires notification to the bureau, and the suspension of the registration of a motor vehicle if a violation is not paid. Makes conforming changes.

Blake JohnsonDemocrat

Use of SNAP benefits.

Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from purchasing: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) carbonated beverages; (4) candy; (5) snack chips; and (6) cookies; with SNAP benefits. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) to provide to an individual, at the time the office approves the individual's application to receive SNAP benefits, specified educational materials regarding the effects of diet on an individual's health. Requires the office 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.

Lindsay PattersonRepublican

Middle school health curriculum.

Provides that each school corporation must include instruction on fetal development as a part of the health education curriculum for students enrolled in grades 6 through 8.

Lindsay PattersonRepublican

Disqualification of unemployment insurance benefits.

Provides that a claimant who fails to: (1) respond to an offer for a job within two business days; or (2) appear for a previously scheduled job interview without notifying the prospective employer of the need to cancel or reschedule the interview; is deemed to be noncompliant with the work search requirements of the unemployment insurance program. Requires the department of workforce development (DWD) to deny the claimant benefits for the week in which the noncompliance occurs. Requires DWD to establish multiple ways for employers to report claimants who fail to respond to a job offer or to appear at a job interview. Provides that DWD must verify any information received from an employer alleging an incident of work search noncompliance before denying the claimant benefits.

Kyle PierceRepublican

Tax credit for contributions to qualified nonprofits.

Provides a state tax credit (credit) for contributions made to a qualified nonprofit organization for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. Provides that the amount allowable as a credit in a taxable year is equal to the lesser of: (1) the total amount of the contributions made by the taxpayer to one or more qualified nonprofit organizations; or (2) 50% of the taxpayer's state tax liability. Provides that the maximum amount of credits that may be awarded in a state fiscal year may not exceed $1,000,000.

Lorissa SweetRepublican

Children in need of services.

Provides that when the department of child services (department) enters into a contract with a provider to provide services under the department's community partners for child safety program, the contract must require the provider to: (1) submit monthly reports to the department regarding the progress of an individual receiving services from the provider; and (2) immediately report to the department under specified circumstances. Requires a court in an action regarding a report of child abuse or neglect or an action regarding a petition alleging that a child is a child in need of services (CHINS action) to appoint a guardian ad litem or court appointed special advocate, or both, if the court finds that there is a documented history of: (1) chronic abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance by; or (2) substantiated allegations of physical or sexual abuse having been committed by; the child's parent, guardian, or custodian. Provides that evidence that a child's parent, guardian, or custodian is actively engaged in chronic use of a controlled substance creates a rebuttable presumption that the child's physical or mental health is seriously endangered for purposes of finding that the child is a child in need of services. Provides that if the court in a CHINS action finds that a child is a child in need of services and that the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is actively engaged in chronic use of a controlled substance: (1) there is a rebuttable presumption that removal of the child from the child's home is in the child's best interests; and (2) the dispositional decree entered by the court must require the parent, guardian, or custodian to: (A) participate in drug abuse treatment services; and (B) submit to routine, randomly scheduled drug testing.

Dale DeVonRepublican

Residential property assessment.

Eliminates elections for the office of county assessor and township assessor after 2026 and phases out the offices of county assessor and township assessor as the terms of those elected to the offices expire. Transfers the duties of the assessor to the county auditor at the expiration of each assessor's term. Requires the department of local government finance (DLGF) to develop an automated valuation model system (AVM system) to be used by the DLGF to annually run all qualifying residential property through the AVM system and provide the values determined to the county auditor. Requires county auditors to use the values to determine the fair market value of qualified residential property. Defines "qualified residential property". Specifies the elements and functionality that must be included in the AVM system. Requires the DLGF to start running all qualifying residential property through an AVM system beginning with the first assessment date that an AVM system is operational for use, but not later than the 2031 assessment date. Eliminates qualified residential property from cyclical reassessments and annual adjustments (or "trending") and ratio studies. Allows taxpayers to elect to receive notices of assessment (Form 11) by electronic mail. Makes corresponding changes.

Edward ClereRepublican

Impairment for mental illness.

Specifies the circumstances under which an employer under the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund is required to pay for certain mental health care and treatment.

Lori Goss-ReavesRepublican

Prekindergarten program enrollment.

Amends the definition of "eligible child" for purposes of the prekindergarten program (program). Removes provisions regarding the program that require: (1) the office of the secretary of family and social services to determine the number of eligible children who will participate in the program; and (2) a percentage of matching funds from other sources. Establishes the prekindergarten expansion grant fund to provide grants to potential eligible providers and existing eligible providers. Makes a continuous appropriation to the prekindergarten program fund from the state general fund in an amount sufficient to carry out the purposes of the fund. Makes an appropriation to the prekindergarten expansion grant fund from the state general fund. Repeals certain provisions regarding the definitions of "eligible child", "extended enrollment period", "limited eligibility child", "priority enrollment period", "child care employee", and "child of a child care employee". Repeals or removes provision regarding prekindergarten vouchers for limited eligibility children and children of child care employees. Makes conforming changes.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Choice scholarships.

Amends the definition of "eligible choice scholarship student".

Zach PayneRepublican

Government and regulatory matters.

Makes changes to requirements for the readoption of administrative rules. Repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various boards, commissions, committees, councils, authorities, and funds. Removes certain appointed members from various boards, commissions, and districts. Modifies the appointing authority for particular funds, boards, and councils. Provides that the professional licensing agency may adopt and enforce procedural rules for the administration of a board if the rule: (1) will affect multiple boards; and (2) is not inconsistent with any rule adopted by the affected board.

Steve BartelsRepublican

High school history curriculum.

Requires the department of education to develop curricula or approve instruction regarding the history of communism.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Veteran benefits.

Increases the property tax deduction for a veteran who is totally disabled to an amount equal to 100% of the assessed value of the individual's real property (instead of $14,000). Increases certain conditional scholarship amounts awarded under the National Guard tuition supplement program fund from $5,000 to $10,000. Changes certain dates concerning when the father or mother of an applicant, who is eligible for an educational cost exemption, enlisted or otherwise initially served in the armed forces of the United States.

Chris JudyRepublican

Referenda on prekindergarten funding levies.

Allows a county government, in each even-numbered calendar year, to impose a prekindergarten education referendum tax levy for children three and four years of age to be implemented under the guidance of an Indiana United Way entity or the early learning advisory committee, which may distribute the funds to entities that operate preschool facilities such as county governments, charter schools, private schools, churches, and other existing nonprofit preschool centers. Establishes the prekindergarten education referendum tax levy fund.

Blake JohnsonDemocrat

Building and public works matters.

Requires a proposed rule with implementation and compliance costs of at least $1,000,000 for businesses, units, and individuals over any two year period to be authorized by legislation passed by the general assembly. Requires the state to give political subdivisions that enact certain land use policies first priority in receiving housing and housing infrastructure grants and loans. Provides that a public agency awarding a contract for a construction manager as constructor project may not take certain actions based on a bidder's, offeror's, or contractor's entering into, refusing to enter into, adhering to, or refusing to adhere to an agreement with a labor organization. Prohibits a political subdivision or agency of a political subdivision from imposing a requirement inconsistent with, in addition to, or more stringent or restrictive than the requirements of the public works statute.

Doug MillerRepublican

Medical record fees.

Requires a provider to provide a patient's medical record in the form and format requested by the patient or the patient's legal representative, if readily producible. Provides that a third party may not charge more than $2.50 for producing a patient's medical record. Prohibits a provider from charging more than $6.50 for producing a patient's medical record in electronic form. Specifies that certain provisions in current law governing medical record fees apply to a medical record in paper form. Amends the factors the department of insurance may consider in adopting rules governing medical record fees. Limits supply costs for paper copies to $.05 per page. Prohibits the department from adopting a rule permitting a retrieval fee. Requires a provider to provide one free copy of a patient's medical record to the patient or the patient's legal representative if requesting the medical record to apply for or appeal a denial of Social Security insurance disability benefits or Supplemental Security Insurance. Provides that a certification fee may not exceed $5. Prohibits a provider from charging a fee for a billing statement.

Chris CampbellDemocrat

STEM enrollment.

Requires the board of trustees of each state educational institution (institution) to adopt a policy that prohibits certain foreign students from enrolling in or receiving instruction in a qualifying STEM program offered by the institution. Requires that the policy be established and enforced not later than August 15, 2025. Provides that the policy must apply to certain foreign students who enroll in an institution after August 15, 2025.

Ben SmaltzRepublican

Disposition of human remains by composting.

Amends the definition of cremation to include natural organic reduction as a means for the dissolution of human remains. Requires the state board of funeral and cemetery service to adopt rules governing the operation of natural organic reduction facilities. Adds natural organic reduction to statutes that allow for burial or cremation.

Kyle MillerDemocrat

Richmond food and beverage tax.

Authorizes the city of Richmond to impose a food and beverage tax.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Public safety officer benefit advisory board.

Establishes the public safety officer benefit advisory board (board). Requires the state police department to provide staff support for the board. Requires the board to provide a report to the legislative council and interim study committee on pension management oversight before October 1 of each year.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Long term care savings accounts.

Establishes the primary care access revolving fund (fund) for the purpose of making loans to primary care medical practices in Indiana. Specifies the purposes for which money in the fund may be loaned. Provides that the Indiana finance authority shall administer the fund. Requires the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to transfer $15,000,000 to the fund from the amount appropriated to the IEDC by the general assembly in the 2025-2026 state fiscal year. Increases the employee threshold for purposes of eligibility for the health reimbursement arrangement income tax credit. Increases the maximum amount of tax credits that may be granted in a year. Specifies the procedure for claiming the credit. Allows an employer to establish a long term care savings account program that allows an employee to save with favorable tax treatment for services required when the employee's or the employee's dependents' functional capacities become chronically impaired due to advanced age or other circumstances. Expands the physician practice ownership tax credit (tax credit) against state tax liability to practicing physicians (instead of only primary care physicians) who have an ownership interest in a physician practice and meet other eligibility criteria. Requires a taxpayer claiming the tax credit to certify that each physician with an ownership interest provides health care services to patients. Provides that the total amount of tax credits awarded in a state fiscal year may not exceed $20,000,000.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Small loan finance charges.

Changes the current incremental finance charge limits that apply to a small loan to a maximum annual rate. Prohibits certain acts with respect to financing of a small loan and makes a violation a deceptive act and subject to penalties.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

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.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Social Security number search requests.

Defines "Social Security number search request" (search request) as a request made by a consumer to a consumer reporting agency to conduct a search of all files maintained by the consumer reporting agency to determine if the consumer's Social Security number is associated with one or more consumer credit files not associated with the consumer. Provides that after December 31, 2025, upon receiving a search request from a consumer, a consumer reporting agency shall fulfill the consumer's search request if the consumer reporting agency: (1) maintains a file on the consumer; and (2) receives: (A) proper identification from the consumer; and (B) the consumer's written and signed consent for the consumer reporting agency to verify with the Social Security Administration that the consumer's Social Security number belongs to the consumer. Provides that in fulfilling a search request, a consumer reporting agency shall: (1) verify with the Social Security Administration that the Social Security number supplied by the consumer belongs to the consumer; (2) conduct a search of all files maintained by the consumer reporting agency to determine if the consumer's Social Security number is associated with one or more files not associated with the consumer; and (3) if the search indicates that the consumer's Social Security number is associated with any files not associated with the consumer, provide information as to: (A) the number of such files; and (B) each person that procured a consumer report in connection with those files during the one year period immediately preceding the date of the consumer's search request. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from: (1) charging a consumer an additional fee in connection with a search request; (2) increasing any fee lawfully imposed in connection with the consumer's request for information in the consumer's file because that request includes a search request; or (3) charging a consumer a fee in connection with the consumer's request for information in the consumer's file because that request includes a search request, if the consumer is entitled under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act to receive the information in the consumer's file without charge.

Ryan LauerRepublican