Bills & Legislation

Education and higher education matters.

Provides that accredited nonpublic schools are eligible to participate in the following: (1) The establishment of police departments. (2) The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher recruitment grants. (3) The principal institute. Provides that charter schools are eligible to receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher recruitment grants. Establishes, for three school years: (1) a centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) a student transportation pilot program. Allows: (1) not more than three applications, as selected by the department of education (department), to participate in the centralized school facilities pilot program; and (2) not more than three applications, as selected by the department, to participate in the student transportation pilot program (pilot programs). Establishes a: (1) local centralized school facilities board; and (2) local student transportation board; for participating school corporations and schools and grants the local boards certain powers and duties. Allows school corporations and schools to opt out of the pilot programs by providing a one year notice. Requires the department of local government finance, in consultation with the department, to prepare and submit reports that include certain recommendations. Establishes a mastery based education pilot program administered by the department. Establishes the Indianapolis local education alliance and requires the alliance to conduct a school facilities assessment and establish a school facilities and transportation implementation plan. Allows a parent of a choice scholarship student or an eligible choice scholarship school on behalf of a parent to petition the department to reconsider the eligibility of a choice scholarship student enrolled in the school if the parent has reason to believe that the student was determined ineligible due to enrollment data inaccuracies reported by a school. Provides that a student must be withdrawn from enrollment in a school corporation's virtual education program if the student accumulates 10 consecutive or 18 cumulative unexcused absences (instead of the number of unexcused absences sufficient to result in the student's classification as a habitual truant). Amends eligibility requirements for the high value workforce ready credit-bearing grant. Establishes the: (1) county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship program; and (2) county deputy prosecuting attorney and public defender scholarship fund. Provides that a land use application for any approval that is required by a unit for a public or nonpublic school may not be denied for the sole reason that the requesting entity is seeking to establish a public or nonpublic school. Provides that, if Vigo County transfers or gifts any unencumbered funds to a school corporation, the county executive may establish a local board to have oversight and manage the use of the funds. Provides that the expenses of the local board shall be paid by the county. Requires certain individuals and certain schools to ensure that an AED is operational and present at certain events, and that individuals present at certain events are aware of the location of the AED and emergency plans regarding the use of the AED. Adds a requirement regarding certain school emergency action plans for sudden cardiac arrest. Removes certain sudden cardiac arrest training and certificate of completion requirements. Establishes requirements regarding a standardized admissions test for state educational institutions that offer certain health education programs. Requires a public school provide written notification to an employee and parent of a student not later than 14 days regarding certain unsubstantiated or otherwise dismissed allegations. Requires the department to submit a report to the general assembly on the academic readiness of students who enroll in a virtual school or program. Provides that the state board shall adopt rules regarding financial reporting and oversight required by a school corporation and a vendor who enter into or renew a contract relating to the operation of a dedicated virtual education school. Resolves conflicts.

Robert BehningRepublican

Bureau of motor vehicles.

Provides the records of the bureau of motor vehicles (bureau), for purposes of showing the last registered owner of a vehicle when obtaining a certificate of title for a repossessed vehicle, mean records related to certificate of titles or registrations. Allows the bureau to issue an electronic certificate of registration. Requires a toll operator to invoice a user not later than one year after a toll is incurred. Allows the bureau to issue a temporary registration permit at the bureau's discretion if a person meets certain requirements. Allows the bureau to offer alternative designs or color scheme versions of license plates. Requires a customer who selects both an alternative design or color scheme and a personalized license plate message for a license plate to pay two separate fees. Amends the requirements for a special group recognition license plate. Allows an insurance company to submit a signed or unsigned certificate of title for the issuance of a certificate of salvage title. Provides that a slow moving vehicle emblem and the emblem's position of mounting must substantially adhere to certain recommendations. Repeals provisions concerning the Indiana criminal justice institute's rulemaking authority concerning slow moving vehicle emblems. Provides that a commercial driver's license (CDL) may include an intrastate passenger transport endorsement if the applicant is at least 18 years of age. Provides maximum prices that public and private institutions and other entities may charge for conducting skills exams. Provides that a learner's permit, driver's license, identification card, and photo exempt identification card expire upon the bureau receiving notice of the death of the holder or upon issuance of a subsequent physical credential. Effective January 1, 2028, requires the bureau to maintain a secure online insurance verification system to verify proof of a driver's financial responsibility. Establishes the real time insurance verification advisory board. Allows a law enforcement officer to include in a written accident report whether a driver's medical impairment may have contributed to an accident. Removes the population requirement for a county to enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement with an adjacent county to allow a public transportation corporation to provide expanded service beyond the boundary of the county in which it is located. Prohibits a person from advertising: (1) a product containing marijuana; or (2) a controlled substance listed in schedule I; by any medium. Adds to the definition of a "consumer transaction" for purposes of deceptive consumer sales. Requires a towing company to release property to a consumer if the consumer pays a percentage of the towing invoice, obtains a bond for the remaining amount of the invoice, and provides a copy of a complaint filed with the attorney general. Requires a city, county, or town to credit the proceeds from the sale of an abandoned vehicle or parts against the costs of removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle. Establishes rates a towing company may charge for fees for emergency towing or private property towing. Allows a county to mow or maintain any grass or vegetation in a right-of-way that is owned by the state and located in the county if the county obtains a permit from the office of the Indiana department of transportation district in which the county is located.

Jim PresselRepublican

Road funding.

Makes various changes to provisions concerning roads and transportation. Allows a taxpayer to claim a credit against state income tax liability for certain qualified railroad expenditures and qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Specifies the amount of the credit. Limits the total amount of credits that may be allowed in a state fiscal year and provides for the expiration of the credit. Increases the maximum rate a county containing a consolidated city (consolidated city) may impose for the county wheel tax and the county vehicle excise tax and specifies the purposes for which the proceeds of those taxes must be appropriated. Beginning in 2026, lowers the percentage of funds distributed to counties, cities, and towns (local units) from the motor vehicle highway account that must be used for construction, reconstruction, and preservation of a local unit's highways if certain conditions related to pavement quality are satisfied. Amends provisions pertaining to the Indiana finance authority's authorization to issue revenue bonds or notes, including grant anticipation revenue bonds or notes, to finance highway and road construction projects. Allows the Indiana department of transportation (department) to submit a request to the Federal Highway Administration for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways. Provides that, if a request for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways is granted, the general assembly is not required to enact a statute before tolling may occur. Allocates responsibility for bridges in a county between that county and a municipality based on the size and location of the bridge. Allows a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects. Requires the department to ensure that information regarding funding sources for low water crossing projects is made available to county boards of commissioners and county highway departments. Provides that money in the local road and bridge matching grant (matching fund) must be allocated, transferred, and distributed for specified purposes. Specifies the timing of those allocations, transfers, and distributions. Imposes conditions on the allocations, transfers, and distributions made from the matching fund, including, in state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2027, limitations on the ability of a local unit to apply for a grant in certain circumstances. Allows local units to use grants from the matching fund for low water crossing projects. Reduces the required local matching amounts and increases the population thresholds that apply to certain local units, if the department approves a grant from the matching fund. Restates a provision allocating 50% of the amount available in the matching fund to local units with a population of less than 50,000. Increases the speed limit on Interstate Highway 465. Requires all townships to annually adopt a capital improvement plan, which must include the balance of all unrestricted funds that exceed the township's budget for the following year. Provides that a township must transfer 30% of the amount of the balance of all unrestricted funds that exceed the township's budget for the following year to the township roads and infrastructure fund. Requires a township board to adopt a resolution if favor of providing money for the improvement and maintenance of roads and infrastructure within the township before a township transfers money for such projects. Provides, for purposes of the provisions regarding township capital improvement plans and township roads and infrastructure funds, that unrestricted funds are cash reserves that are not obligated, committed, encumbered, or restricted for specified purposes. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on roads and transportation the study of appropriate road funding formulas. Makes conforming changes.

Jim PresselRepublican

Equine dentistry at horse racing tracks.

Allows the horse racing commission (commission) to issue a license for certain individuals to provide teeth floating on a licensed horse race track in Indiana. Provides an exception to the licensing and special permits requirements of veterinary medicine for certain individuals who are licensed by the commission.

Beau BairdRepublican

Dealer services division.

Provides that certain licensing requirements relating to vehicle merchandising do not apply to distributors or manufacturers that are not located in Indiana. Provides that if certain persons engage in the business of buying, selling, or trading motor vehicles on a Sunday, those persons commit a Class B misdemeanor. Amends current law that establishes a mandatory training program that applicants for a used motor vehicle dealer license must complete. Provides that except as part of a change in dealer business entity type, a holder of a dealer license or endorsement may not take certain actions with respect to the dealer license or endorsement. Makes conforming changes.

Dave HeineRepublican

Prescribed burning.

Defines "prescribed burn". Provides for the following: (1) Requirements to be met before a person conducts a prescribed burning. (2) That a certified prescribed burn manager and a completed prescribed burn plan must be present during a prescribed burning. (3) Certain civil liability immunities related to conducting a prescribed burn and the prescribed burn certification program. (4) Under certain conditions, exemption of prescribed burning from certain local regulations. (5) That a prescribed burning and the smoke produced by the prescribed burning do not constitute a nuisance. (6) That the division of forestry shall administer the training and certification program for prescribed burning. Limits damages for injuries or losses as result of a prescribed burn to actual damages.

Beau BairdRepublican

Indiana-Ireland trade commission.

Establishes the Indiana-Ireland trade commission (commission) to advance bilateral trade and investment between Indiana and Ireland and other related matters. Specifies the membership of the commission and certain requirements for the operations of the commission. Requires the commission to provide an annual report of its activities. Provides for the expiration of the commission.

Timothy O'BrienRepublican

Licensure of foreign trained physicians.

Establishes a limited medical license for individuals who: (1) have graduated from certain international medical programs; (2) obtain a health care facility sponsor in an underserved area; and (3) meet certain other criteria. Provides that a limited medical license authorizes the recipient to practice medicine only at a health care facility in an underserved area. Enables the medical licensing board of Indiana (board) to revoke a limited medical license if the recipient stops working as a physician at a health care facility in an underserved area. Provides that a limited medical license may be converted to an unlimited license. Allows the board to require a comprehensive evaluation to determine the individual's competency before issuing an unlimited medical license. Allows, until June 30, 2027, an applicant for an unlimited license to practice osteopathic medicine to take all levels of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination not later than ten years from the date the applicant first passes level 1 of the examination.

Beau BairdRepublican

Services for the aged and disabled.

Allows the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary) to study and prepare a report containing recommendations for realigning and consolidating the local area agency on aging (area agency) planning and service areas. Amends the definition of "community and home care services" for purposes of community and home options to institutional care for the elderly and disabled program (CHOICE). Prohibits the division of aging from requiring a CHOICE provider to be certified under the Medicaid program or a Medicaid waiver program. Creates an exception for a provider of certain services. Requires an area agency to prioritize CHOICE funding to identify specified individuals and provide community and home care services to these individuals. Requires the office of the secretary, in negotiating reimbursement rates for CHOICE services, to consider the location and availability of service providers. Authorizes the office of the secretary to establish a Medicaid diversion pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of home modification and telehealth enhanced chronic care services provided by specified area agencies in reducing Medicaid expenditures. Allows the office of the secretary, a managed care organization that has contracted with the office of Medicaid policy and planning, and a person who has contracted with a certain managed care organization or the office of the secretary to contract with an area agency to provide and receive reimbursement for a level of care assessment for the: (1) health and wellness Medicaid waiver; (2) traumatic brain injury Medicaid waiver; and (3) risk based managed care program for the covered population.

Edward ClereRepublican

Education matters.

Provides that certain students have the opportunity to retake the determinant evaluation of reading skills at least twice in the summer before grade 3 retention requirements apply. Requires the department of education to establish a registration process for schools to exempt certain English language learners from compliance with grade 3 retention requirements until the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year. Allows required career fairs to be held off of school property if the school provides transportation. Amends agreement requirements with regard to the employment aid readiness network (EARN) Indiana program. Makes a technical correction.

Robert BehningRepublican

Bank accounts for foster and emancipated youths.

Provides that a foster youth or emancipated youth is legally competent to enter into a contract with a depository financial institution to open a savings or checking account in the youth's name with the consent of a juvenile court with jurisdiction over the youth.

Chris CampbellDemocrat

Alcohol and tobacco commission matters.

Makes the following changes: (1) Expands the purpose of the Richard D. Doyle tobacco education and enforcement fund. (2) Amends type II gambling game prize limits to include sports themed gaming. (3) Replaces a reference in the definition of a "Type II gambling game" to an Indiana gaming commission memorandum with a substantive definition. (4) Eliminates the requirement that a farm winery or artisan distiller annually submit excise tax returns to the alcohol and tobacco commission (ATC). (5) Removes a phrase that requires an e-liquid to contain nicotine to be considered a "tobacco product" under provisions concerning tobacco sales certificates. (6) Amends local alcoholic beverage board members' duties to reflect electronic record keeping. (7) Requires an employee or contractor who controls entry into age restricted premises or otherwise checks an individual's proof of age to complete alcohol server training. (8) Prohibits the ATC from issuing an alcoholic beverage permit unless a person has on file with the ATC a verified list containing the name and address of each person or entity: (A) with actual authority to direct or control the operation of the permit; and (B) holding at least a 5% (instead of 2%) interest in the permit and the business conducted, or to be conducted, under it. (9) Prohibits charging an individual a cover fee to access unlimited alcoholic beverages. Allows the sale of event packages. (10) Replaces, in statutes regarding unlawful sales to minors, references to "tobacco", "e-liquid", or "electronic cigarette" with the inclusive term "tobacco product". (11) Allows a person to participate electronically in an online auction or raffle but requires alcoholic beverage prizes to be collected in person. (12) Modifies the insurance coverage requirements that apply to specified permit holders. (13) Allows specified local government entities to permit the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in certain areas if a person that has an agreement to act as concessionaire for the permitted premises applies for and secures the necessary permits. (14) Establishes requirements regarding permittee donations to qualified organizations that are permittees conducting an event. (15) Prohibits, with exceptions, the sale, use, and distribution of flavored nitrous oxide. Repeals statutes that do the following: (1) Allow the ATC to require registration of alcoholic beverage brands and other information used in advertising. (2) Require attachment of an identification marker to a keg at the time of sale. (3) Make it a Class C misdemeanor to transport an alcoholic beverage to a retailer or dealer on a Sunday.

Ethan ManningRepublican

Taxation of military income.

Exempts military pay for members of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps from the individual income tax. Exempts military pay earned by members of an active component of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps from the individual income tax. Adds members of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps for purposes of eligibility for the income tax deduction for income from military retirement or survivor's benefits.

Mitch GoreDemocrat

Pension matters.

Amends provisions regarding the surcharge rates established by the Indiana public retirement system to actuarially prefund certain postretirement benefits. Adds provisions requiring the treasurer of state to determine a surcharge amount that is to be paid into the supplemental reserve account for the state police pre-1987 and 1987 benefit systems. Provides for a thirteenth check in calendar year 2025 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. Makes conforming changes.

Michael KarickhoffRepublican

Child Care and Development Fund.

Provides that a household is eligible for assistance under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program if the household includes a foster parent at the time of the office of the secretary of family and social services' initial determination regarding the household's CCDF eligibility. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to allocate 200 CCDF vouchers to be used for a child who is placed with a licensed foster parent.

Elizabeth RowrayRepublican

Commission, committee, and board administration.

Provides that, on or before July 1, 2027, and July 1 biennially thereafter, a committee that: (1) is established by the Indiana Code; (2) contains at least one member of the general assembly; (3) is authorized to exist for at least two years; and (4) does not have any reporting requirement to the executive branch, judicial branch, or the general assembly; shall submit a report to the executive director of the legislative services agency for review by the interim committee on government. Provides that the report shall describe: (1) official action taken; and (2) actionable items considered by the committee during the preceding two years. Provides, that in even-numbered years, the interim committee on government shall review the reports. Repeals the sepsis treatment guideline task force. Provides that the statutes creating the Interstate Rail Passenger Network Compact (compact) expire July 1, 2026. Requires the governor to give notice to each state, if any, that is a party to the compact that the state of Indiana is withdrawing from the compact. Requires the governor to certify before January 1, 2026, with respect to the compact, that notice either: (1) has been given regarding Indiana's withdrawal from the compact; or (2) was not required to be given because there are no other party states to which to give notice. Makes conforming amendments.

Doug MillerRepublican

Motor vehicle medical information program.

Establishes the yellow dot motor vehicle medical information program.

Sue ErringtonDemocrat

Medicare supplement insurance.

Prohibits an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate from denying, conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of, or discriminating in the pricing of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate because of the health status, claims experience, receipt of health care, or medical condition of an applicant who meets certain conditions.

Wendy Dant ChesserDemocrat

Earned wage access services.

Provides that under certain circumstances, a lender may contract for and receive a nonrefundable prepaid finance charge of 3% (instead of 2%, under current law) of the loan amount on a loan that is secured by an interest in land and is not made under a revolving loan account. Provides that under certain circumstances, a lender may contract for and receive a nonrefundable prepaid finance charge of 3% (instead of 2%, under current law) of the line of credit on a loan that is secured by an interest in land and is made under a revolving loan account. Provides that: (1) if a joint agreement of merger is approved by the department of financial institutions, any credit union whose existence will terminate as a result of the merger shall submit the joint agreement to a vote of its shareholders as directed by the resolution of the board of directors; and (2) a majority of shareholders voting may approve the joint agreement. Establishes within the Indiana Code a new chapter, to be known as the Indiana Earned Wage Access Act (Act), governing the offering and provision of earned wage access services to Indiana consumers. Provides that the Act is to be administered by the division of consumer credit within the department of financial institutions (department). Sets forth provisions that address the following: (1) Definitions of terms. (2) Exemptions from the Act's requirements. (3) The department's supervisory authority under the Act. (4) The licensing of providers of earned wage access services (providers). (5) The acquisition of control of a licensee. (6) Reporting and record keeping requirements for licensees. (7) Duties of providers under the Act. (8) Prohibited acts by providers. (9) The department's enforcement authority under the Act. (10) Criminal liability for certain prohibited acts. (11) Statutory construction of the Act's provisions. Makes conforming changes to sections of the Indiana Code codified outside the Act.

Jake TeshkaRepublican

Insurance and transfer on death deeds.

Removes language regarding coverage under a casualty insurance policy or liability insurance policy on property transferred by a transfer on death deed. Specifies that a provision regarding insurance coverage on property transferred by a transfer on death deed does not apply to a commercial lines property insurance policy. Makes corresponding changes.

Matt LehmanRepublican

Indiana National Guard.

Increases, from $8,800 to $20,000, the amount that shall be paid by the state if a member of the Indiana National Guard dies in the active service of the state. Provides that a spouse or dependent of a member of the Indiana National Guard is eligible for a state employee death benefit if the member dies while serving on state active duty. Provides that the adjutant general may procure a medical insurance plan for members of the Indiana National Guard who are ordered to state active duty. Adds awards and decorations that may be awarded by the Indiana National Guard. Provides that members of the Indiana National Guard, while serving on state active duty, shall be considered state employees for purposes of receiving worker's compensation. Provides that a scholarship applicant of the National Guard tuition supplement program may use the scholarship for a credential-certifying program, licensing program, trade certification program, or apprenticeship program for an in-demand occupation as identified by the adjutant general and the department of workforce development, in consultation with the commission for higher education. Provides that if a scholarship applicant of the National Guard tuition supplement program receives a twenty-first century scholars program scholarship, the scholarship applicant may use a National Guard tuition supplement program scholarship awarded to pay for qualified program and educational expenses approved by the commission for higher education and room and board for two years. Makes technical corrections.

Steve BartelsRepublican

Safe haven infants and foster youth.

Provides that the maximum age for a safe haven infant is 60 days of age. Repeals the definition of "abandoned child". Amends the definition of "foster youth". Makes conforming changes.

Dale DeVonRepublican

Confidentiality of birth and stillbirth records.

Provides that a registration or certificate of a birth or stillbirth is open to public inspection and copying upon the request of any person that occurs 99 years (instead of 75 years) after the record is created.

Gregory PorterDemocrat

Election matters.

Requires particular candidates for selection for an appointment pro tempore to an office to: (1) comply with qualification requirements imposed on candidates for election to the office; and (2) if the individual is a candidate for selection by a caucus, be affiliated with the political party holding the caucus. Allows an individual or entity with authority to select a candidate for an appointment pro tempore to remove a candidate from consideration if the candidate does not meet these requirements. Specifies additional grounds on which certain county officers or a township executive may be charged and deprived of office following a hearing. Provides that if an accused party does not appear before the court, the court may proceed to hear and determine the accusation in the accused party's absence. Includes a member of the county executive, if the county does not contain a consolidated city, in a provision concerning the initiation of an action for removal of a county officer. Exempts a member of the county executive from a requirement concerning physical presence in the county officer's office. Provides that a city-county legislative body may declare the seat of a member vacant by a two-thirds vote if the member fails to perform the duties of the member's office.

Ethan LawsonRepublican

Unlawful encroachment.

Authorizes a law enforcement officer to order a person to stop approaching the law enforcement officer if the officer reasonably believes that the person's presence within 25 feet of the officer will interfere with the performance of the officer's duties. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally approaches within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer after being ordered to stop approaching commits unlawful encroachment on a law enforcement officer, a Class C misdemeanor.

Wendy McNamaraRepublican

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 2024 legislative session. Makes conforming amendments. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the code revision committee.)

Karen EnglemanRepublican

State budget.

Appropriates money for capital expenditures, the operation of the state, K-12 and higher education, the delivery of Medicaid and other services, and various other distributions and purposes. Provides that the annual salary of the members of the general assembly shall not be increased during the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. Extends the review, analysis, and evaluation of tax incentives by the legislative services agency through 2030. Requires the legislative services agency to perform a fiscal impact analysis for each executive order issued by the governor under the emergency management and disaster law. Requires state officials to report to the budget committee expenses and funding used for trips taken in their official capacity. Provides that if the budget director determines at any time that a state agency can perform the agency's statutory obligations with less than the amount appropriated, the budget director shall, with the approval of the governor, and after notice to the state agency, reduce the amount or amounts allotted or to be allotted. Requires the budget director to withhold not less than 5% of any appropriation to a state agency to be used for salaries or other wages for state agency employees or general operating expenses of the state agency. Repeals the governor's workforce cabinet. Makes conforming changes. Requires the department of natural resources (not the Indiana department of veterans' affairs under current law) to provide staff support to the Indiana semiquincentennial commission and repeals provisions requiring certain meetings and events of the commission to be held at the World War Memorial in Indianapolis. Removes a requirement to include certain services in a lease between the Indiana department of administration and the Indiana historical society for use of a building. Makes an appropriation from the Pokagon Band Tribal-state compact fund to the Midwest continental divide commission fund. Establishes the Indiana local government investment pool board for the purpose of establishing policies governing the investment of funds contributed to the local government investment pool. Removes political affiliation requirements that apply to members appointed by the governor to the board for depositories. Allows the Indiana finance authority to begin a project related to the Learning and Training Center in Boone County beginning July 1, 2027 if certain conditions are met. Provides that a price preference for certain businesses applies to any proposal, contract, project, or agreement of the Indiana department of transportation, including state highway contracts, to the extent that the bid does not exceed the estimated cost of the project. Provides that the Indiana department of administration has sole control and jurisdiction over the policies governing and the usage of the Beth Bowen Meditation Room in the state capitol building. Exempts the Indiana board of tax review from requirements concerning live transmissions of meetings. Removes the statewide innovation development district fund as a funding source for an agreement between the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) and a taxpayer to receive payment in lieu of claiming an economic development for a growing economy tax credit. Amends the cap on the aggregate amount of tax credits the IEDC may certify each year. Requires the department of state revenue to establish an amnesty program for taxpayers who have an unpaid tax liability for a listed tax that was due and payable before January 1, 2023. Increases the cigarette tax by $2 per pack on cigarettes weighing not more than three pounds per 1,000 and by a proportionate amount on cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per 1,000. Increases the tax rate imposed on the sale of closed system cartridges, open system electronic cigarettes, moist snuff, alternative tobacco products, other tobacco products, and cigars. Specifies penalties for the underpayment of certain estimated taxes for pass through entities. Increases the amount of the public utility fee from 0.15% to 0.175% of the public utility's annual gross intrastate operating revenue and transfers the public utility fee revenue and certain payments to the state general fund (not the public utility fund under current law). Requires termination of the compact related to the establishment of the Chicago-Gary Regional Airport Authority. Requires that the salary matrix for state police, capitol police officers, and department of natural resources law enforcement officers be adjusted each time an adjustment is made to a pay plan for state employees in the executive branch. Adds purposes related to the Stop the Bleed program and the purchase of bleeding control kits to the allowable purposes for which a secured school fund matching grant may be used. Provides that a managed care organization that participates in the risk based managed care program that fails to pay a claim submitted by a nursing facility provider within a specified period shall pay a penalty of $500 per calendar day per claim. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary) to determine rebate eligibility for outpatient prescription drugs prescribed to Medicaid recipients from certain entities. Adds a member from the mental health Medicaid quality advisory committee to the therapeutics committee. Removes the prohibition on prior authorization for mental health drugs. Allows the office of the secretary to establish a prior authorization program. Specifies provider payment requirements that apply to any managed care organization that participates in the risk based managed care program. Establishes the health care engineering fund for the purpose of funding plan reviews for certain health facilities. Imposes a fee for each plan review, which is deposited in the fund. Repeals the provisions requiring the office of the secretary of family and social services to transfer $38,000,000 each year to the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County. Makes certain eligibility changes for the On My Way Pre-k program and the CCDF program. Adds therapeutic ibogaine research to the research that is currently funded under the therapeutic psilocybin research fund. Provides that a community mental health center that provides compensation to any individual employee in an amount that is $400,000 or more per year is not eligible to receive funding from local property taxes or state programs or grants, but excluding the Medicaid program. Requires the department of natural resources to provide free admission to state parks to a Gold Star family member. Requires the bureau of motor vehicles to update the Gold Star family member license plate form. Provides that funding to a local board of health from the local public health fund may only be used for Indiana residents who are legal citizens of the United States. Extends the sunset of the collection of health facility quality assessment fees from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027. 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 (DNR) for a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate of authority (certificate). Amends provisions in existing law that provide an exemption from the requirement to obtain a certificate under certain circumstances to specify that the exemption does not apply in circumstances in which the proposed pipeline crosses a parcel for which the pipeline company would be required to obtain a right-of-way or easement for the pipeline. Establishes the carbon sequestration project program administrative fund (fund) for the purpose of defraying the administrative costs of the DNR in managing and operating the carbon sequestration project program (program). Requires the DNR to deposit the following in the fund (instead of in the state general fund, under current law): (1) Filing fees for applications for carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificates of authority. (2) Filing fees for applications for permits for carbon sequestration projects. (3) The fee paid by a storage operator based on the amount of carbon dioxide injected into a storage facility. (4) The cash bond and permit fee required to be paid by a person that applies for a permit for drilling, converting, or operating a nonproduction well for use in carbon dioxide investigations. Requires the DNR to deposit certain fees and penalties in the carbon dioxide storage facility trust fund (instead of in the state general fund, under current law): Amends the Indiana Code section requiring the payment of a fee that is based on the amount of carbon dioxide injected into a storage facility by a storage operator, to provide that the fee is to be: (1) paid annually (instead of one time after the storage operator begins injecting carbon dioxide into the storage facility); and (2) based on the number of metric tons of carbon dioxide injected into the storage facility during the immediately preceding calendar year (instead of based on the metric tons of carbon dioxide proposed to be injected during the first 10 years of the carbon sequestration project). Requires the secretary of education to provide a report and recommendation to the general assembly concerning aligning state funding for dual credit and the advanced placement program with the new high school diploma and expanding access to dual credit course work to all Indiana students. Prohibits a school employer from bargaining collectively with the exclusive school employee representative regarding contract costs for curricular materials. Establishes a teacher appreciation grant program to provide grants to school corporations and charter schools to attract, reward, and retain teachers who significantly impact student outcomes. Repeals the chapter establishing the curricular materials fund and certain provisions related to procedures for reimbursement of costs of providing curricular materials. Removes the annual income maximum for choice scholarship eligibility beginning June 29, 2026. Specifies the maximum tuition or fee amount that may be charged to enroll a career scholarship student enrolled in the career scholarship account (CSA) program, or an approved intermediary acting on behalf of a career scholarship student, in a career and technical education program, course, or class. Changes the administration of the education scholarship program and the CSA program from the treasurer of state to the department of education, and in certain instances, the responsibilities related to the CSA program from the commission for higher education to the department. Requires the state board of education to meet at least one time per year (instead of one time per month). Requires the commission for higher education to annually prepare and submit to the legislative council and to the budget committee a report that examines the utilization of physical facilities for instruction at each state educational institution. Amends the membership appointments and requirements for the board of trustees of Indiana University. Requires a state educational institution (institution) to plan and conduct degree program reviews. Provides that if: (1) the average number of students graduating in a degree program is below a certain threshold; and (2) the institution would like to continue the degree program; the institution must request approval from the commission. Requires the board of trustees of each institution to establish a post tenure review process for tenured faculty that measures productivity and a review process regarding department level promotions and tenure expectations. Requires a faculty member to post syllabi on an institution's website. Provides that: (1) certain faculty governance organization meetings must be open to the public; (2) faculty governance organization actions are advisory only; and (3) members of faculty governance organizations must be employees of the institution to vote. Repeals provisions regarding the election of members to the board of trustees of Indiana University by the alumni of Indiana University. Repeals the nonreverting provisions for the higher education award fund and the freedom of choice grant fund. Authorizes the department of child services to enter into a written agreement with the department of state revenue to transfer the administration of the child support bureau to the department of state revenue. Requires a clerk to collect a small claims service fee of $26 in each action filed in a Marion County small claims court. Establishes the small claims fund. Requires the court to distribute certain fees to the county auditor for distribution to the small claims fund. Provides that the fees in the small claims fund are to be distributed equally among the townships and the fees must fund the operation of the small claims court located within the township. Amends provisions concerning the designation of an innovation development district (district) to add certain qualification requirements. Provides for the determination of the: (1) base assessed value; (2) gross retail base period amount; and (3) income tax base period amount; in a district. Requires the executive of a city, county, or town, or, if applicable, executives, and the IEDC to enter into an agreement establishing the terms and conditions governing any district (instead of only certain districts). Repeals the statewide innovation development district fund. Establishes the economic development reserve account. Increases the maximum amount of covered taxes that may be captured in the Evansville professional sports and convention development area (PSCD) from $10 per resident to $2,000,000 and expands the PSCD area. Provides that unexpended and unencumbered amounts appropriated from the federal economic stimulus fund in P.L.165-2021 do not revert to the state general fund. Requires the state comptroller to transfer: (1) $15,000,000 from the addiction services fund; and (2) $25,000,000 from the department of insurance fund; to the tobacco master settlement agreement fund on July 1, 2025. Requires the budget agency to transfer to the state general fund the balance in the freedom of choice grant fund (IC 21-12-4-5) and the higher education award fund (IC 21-12-3-19) that is not needed for the payment of scholarship awards in the state fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Requires the office of management and budget to submit a report to the budget committee with options for reforming: (1) a certain funding model in the Indiana office of technology; and (2) the management performance hub. Requires the northwest Indiana regional development authority to transfer certain money received from wagering revenues to the northern Indiana commuter transportation district for operation and maintenance costs of the South Shore line that are attributable to the operations of the part of the South Shore line located in Lake County. Provides that: (1) an appropriation to the legislative council and the legislative services agency for a state fiscal year ending before July 1, 2027, reverts to the state general fund as directed by the personnel subcommittee of the legislative council; and (2) an employee in an entity in the legislative or judicial branch of state government is eligible to participate in a pilot program for converting unused excess accrued leave to a monetary contribution for the employee in the employee's 401(a) matching account with Hoosier START. Changes the effective dates of the provisions of HEA 1601-2025 to January 1, 2026. Urges the legislative council to assign to the appropriate interim study committee during the 2025 legislative interim the task of studying the impact of removing caseload limitations for the department of child services. Makes conforming changes.

Jeffrey ThompsonRepublican

Energy generation resources.

Provides a credit against state tax liability for expenses incurred in the manufacture of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in Indiana. Establishes procedures under which certain energy utilities may request approval for one or more of the following from the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC): (1) An expedited generation resource plan (EGR plan) to meet customer load growth that exceeds a specified threshold. (2) A generation resource submittal for the acquisition of a specific generation resource in accordance with an approved EGR plan. (3) A project to serve one or more large load customers. Sets forth: (1) the requirements for approval of each of these types of requests; (2) standards for financial assurances by large load customers; and (3) cost recovery mechanisms for certain acquisition costs or project costs incurred by energy utilities. Amends the statute concerning public utilities' annual electric resource planning reports to the IURC to provide that for an annual report submitted after December 31, 2025, a public utility must include information as to the amount of generating resource capacity or energy that the public utility plans to retire or refuel with respect to any electric generation resource of at least 125 megawatts. Provides that for any planned retirement or refueling, the public utility must include, along with other specified information, information as to the public utility's plans with respect to the following: (1) For a retirement, the amount of replacement capacity identified to provide approximately the same accredited capacity within the appropriate regional transmission organization (RTO) as the capacity of the facility to be retired. (2) For a refueling, the extent to which the refueling will maintain or increase the current generating resource accredited capacity or energy that the electric generating facility provides, so as to provide approximately the same accredited capacity within the appropriate RTO. Requires IURC staff to prepare a staff report for each public utility report that includes a planned electric generation resource retirement. Provides that if, after reviewing a public utility's report and any related staff report, the IURC is not satisfied that the public utility can satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirement and the statute's prescribed reliability adequacy metrics, the IURC shall conduct an investigation into the reasons for the public utility's inability to meet these requirements. Provides that if the public utility's report indicates that the public utility plans to retire an electric generating facility within one year of the date of the report, the IURC must conduct such an investigation. Provides that: (1) a public utility may request, not earlier than three years before the planned retirement date of an electric generation facility, that the IURC conduct an investigation into the planned retirement; and (2) if the IURC conducts an investigation at the request of the public utility within that three year period, the IURC may not conduct a subsequent investigation that would otherwise be required under the bill's provisions unless the IURC is not satisfied that the public utility can satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirement and the statutory reliability adequacy metrics as of the time the investigation would otherwise be required. Provides that if a CPCN is granted by the IURC for a facility intended to repower or replace a generation unit that is planned for retirement, and the CPCN includes findings that the project will result in at least equivalent accredited capacity and will provide economic benefit to ratepayers as compared to the continued operation of the generating unit to be retired, the CPCN constitutes approval by the IURC for purposes of an investigation that would otherwise be required. Provides that if, after an investigation, the IURC determines that the capacity resources available to the public utility will not be adequate to allow the public utility to satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirements and the statute's prescribed reliability adequacy metrics, the IURC shall issue an order: (1) directing the public utility to acquire or construct; or (2) prohibiting the retirement or refueling of; such capacity resources that are reasonable and necessary to enable the public utility to meet these requirements. Provides that if the IURC does not issue an order in an investigation within 120 days after the initiation of the investigation, the public utility is considered to be able to satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirement and the statutory reliability adequacy metrics with respect to the retirement of the facility under investigation. Provides that if the IURC issues an order to prohibit the retirement or refueling of an electric generation resource, the IURC shall create a sub-docket to authorize the public utility to recover in rates the costs of the continued operation of the electric generation resource proposed to be retired or refueled, subject to a finding by the IURC that the continued costs of operation are just and reasonable. Makes a technical change to another Indiana Code section to recognize the redesignation of subsections within the section containing these provisions.

Edmond SolidayRepublican

Various education matters.

Removes and repeals various education provisions and expired education provisions, including provisions concerning the following: (1) Secretary of education criteria. (2) Certain department of education (department) requirements. (3) The advisory committee on career and technical education. (4) Use of hearing examiners by the state board of education (state board). (5) Credit for retaking a virtual course during certain time periods. (6) Children's social, emotional, and behavioral health plans. (7) Family friendly school designations. (8) The Indiana civic education commission. (9) Discretionary directives to the department. (10) The program for the advancement of math and science. (11) Access to telecommunication services. (12) Elementary school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists program and fund. (13) Grants for mental health counselor licenses for school counselors. (14) The arts education program. (15) The geothermal conversion revolving fund. (16) Clause requirements for certain charter school organizer documents. (17) Required acknowledgment by a current authorizer regarding a proposal by an existing charter school to another authorizer. (18) Requirements regarding a governing body of a school corporation (governing body) providing a noncharter school. (19) Charter requirements, including minimum year and annual performance target requirements. (20) Certain notice requirements from an authorizer to an organizer that is not in compliance. (21) Indiana school for the arts. (22) Allowing the board of trustees of Vincennes University to establish a grammar school. (23) Designation of certain committees by a governing body. (24) Governing body use of funds for associations. (25) Developing and reviewing evidence based plans with parents for improving student behavior and discipline. (26) Township trustees and the sale of schoolhouses. (27) School health advisory councils and adoption of a school corporation policy on child nutrition and physical activity. (28) Certain agreement requirements regarding joint programs. (29) Certain requirements regarding the transfer of a student to another school. (30) Freeway school corporation and freeway school program. (31) Policies, programs, and reports regarding criminal organization activity. (32) Transportation program discretion. (33) Recommendations regarding certain powers and duties of the department. (34) Culturally responsive methods. (35) Certain training and professional development requirements. (36) Certain teacher leave requirements. (37) Ineligibility for state funds for adopting residence requirements. (38) Certain compensation included in computing a teacher's retirement benefit. (39) Penalty for failing to comply with working schedule requirements. (40) Discretionary modification of graduation plan. (41) Required course on safety education. (42) Compilation of leaflets regarding hygiene, sanitary science, and disease prevention. (43) Making a violation regarding teaching certain disease information an infraction. (44) Certain elective courses and teachings. (45) Voluntary summer school program and joint summer school program requirements. (46) Technology preparation curriculum. (47) Community or volunteer service programs. (48) Nonsession school activities. (49) Requirements regarding Indiana academic standards. (50) Strategic and continuous improvement and achievement plans. (51) Cultural competency. (52) Student educational achievement grants. (53) Remediation grant program. (54) Postsecondary workforce training program remediation reduction. (55) Requirement to provide an enrollment form for the twenty-first century scholars program to certain students. (56) Governor's scholars academy. (57) Seminary township school fund. (58) Dual credit teacher stipend matching grant fund. (59) Student enrichment grants. (60) The study of ethnic and racial groups as a semester elective course. (61) Requirements regarding proposed charter school economic interest statements. (62) Certain charter requirements for adult high schools. (63) Required policies on contacting employment references. (64) Certain requirements concerning staff performance evaluations. (65) Authorizer responsibility for charter school compliance with applicable legal standards. (66) Certain nondiscrimination provisions regarding students who transfer from charter schools to public noncharter schools. Merges and amends provisions regarding fund distribution upon the termination of a charter and the cessation of a charter school. Amends the age eligibility for a member of a governing body. Amends the time period by which a governing body must organize by electing officers. Establishes information that must be included in a consolidated audit by an organizer. Provides adult high schools are excluded from all cohort based graduation rate calculations except to the extent required under federal law. Amends the termination and notice requirements with regard to terminating a transportation program. Relocates and amends a provision regarding classroom instruction curriculum in teacher preparation programs. Provides that the secretary of education (instead of the governor) shall appoint the director of special education. Amends required frequency of child abuse and neglect training. Requires the department to make a list of best practices and guidelines regarding classroom behavioral management strategies and a list of best practices to reduce student discipline. Permits the governing body of a school corporation or an organizer of a charter school to assess and collect a reasonable fee for certain supplies and materials. Amends certain financial statement filing requirements regarding school trusts to pool assets for insurance coverage. Repeals a provision regarding requiring certain CSA participating entities to provide evidence of certain unencumbered assets. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Robert BehningRepublican

Public safety.

Limits the total of the consecutive terms of imprisonment to which a defendant is sentenced for misdemeanor convictions arising out of an episode of criminal conduct. Provides that depositing or causing or allowing the deposit of contaminants or solid waste upon land is a Class C misdemeanor in certain circumstances. Makes it a sentencing aggravator that: (1) the person is in the United States unlawfully; or (2) a person distributed a controlled substance to at least three different individuals in a 180 day period. Makes it a sentencing mitigator for certain controlled substance offenses that the person sought and successfully completed treatment for a substance use disorder: (1) in the year before the commission of the offense; or (2) after committing the offense and before sentencing. Provides that a governmental entity may not organize or host an obscene performance or fund an obscene performance using public funds, and authorizes a person to seek injunctive relief as a remedy for a violation. Increases the penalty for resisting law enforcement under certain circumstances. Replaces the term "child pornography" with the term "child sex abuse material" throughout the Indiana Code. Makes certain provisions concerning juvenile court jurisdiction retroactive. Specifies that a facility having custody of a person arrested for certain crimes may not release the person on bail for at least 24 hours. Permits virtual bail hearings. Makes conforming amendments.

Alex ZimmermanRepublican

Housing and building matters.

Requires (rather than allows) a city, town, or county (unit) that requires a building permit for construction of a Class 2 structure to allow the inspection to be provided by private providers in addition to the unit's inspectors. Provides that a "home inspector" or a unit employee may not act as a private provider. Provides that if an applicant uses a private provider because the unit is unable to timely perform a plan review, the unit: (1) must refund the applicant for any plan review fees; and (2) may charge a convenience fee of not more than $100. Provides that a unit: (1) may not require a registered architect or engineer to prepare construction documents for a Class 2 structure when constructed in accordance with the building code; and (2) may require a registered architect or engineer to prepare construction documents as proof of equivalence of alternative materials, appliances, equipment, or method of design or construction. If required by the unit, creates deadlines for the following: (1) Issuance of building permits. (2) Performance of plan reviews. (3) Performance of inspections. (4) Submission of construction documents or plans. (5) Issuance of certificates of occupancy or certificates of completion and compliance. Requires the state to give political subdivisions that enact certain land use policies priority in receiving loans from the residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund.

Doug MillerRepublican

Various probate matters.

Clarifies that a personal representative or the personal representative's agent shall serve a written or electronic copy of the notice of the estate administration on a creditor of the decedent within one month of the notice being published. Requires the personal representative or the personal representative's agent to file and serve a new proposed notice with the clerk of court for a creditor that is served more than one month after the notice is published. Clarifies that a creditor that is served notice more than one month after the notice is published must file a claim against the estate within two months of the date of service of the notice. Provides a template for notice that is served more than one month after the notice is published. Allows a: (1) personal representative of an unsupervised estate; or (2) trustee of a trust; to distribute all or part of a decedent's interest in a retirement plan or retirement account without a court order. Defines a "direct postmortem transfer" as a transfer of an asset to a testamentary trust established in a will admitted to probate that meets certain conditions. Specifies that a direct postmortem transfer is a transfer of an asset or property to a trust established by a will for all purposes of the Social Security Act. Establishes that the effective date of the testamentary trust is the date of the decedent's death. Provides that a power of attorney authority to take certain actions concerning tax matters of the principal does not terminate upon the death of the principal. Specifies that this authority terminates upon the appointment of a personal representative. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the probate code study committee.)

Chris JeterRepublican

Health care matters.

Establishes: (1) a state directed payment program (program) for hospitals; and (2) a managed care assessment fee. Changes disproportionate share payments when a state directed payment program is in effect. Allows the incremental hospital fee fund to be used to fund the Medicaid program. Requires a nonprofit hospital system to submit audited financial statements. Provides for a $10,000 per day penalty for failure to submit the hospital's financial statements. Requires the office of management and budget (office) to: (1) develop a methodology to be used in conducting a study of commercial inpatient hospital prices and outpatient hospital prices; and (2) upon budget committee review, conduct the study to determine Indiana's statewide average inpatient and outpatient hospital prices. Requires the office to submit a report of the study to the governor and general assembly. Before June 30, 2029, requires an Indiana nonprofit hospital system's aggregate average inpatient and outpatient hospital prices to at least be equal to or less than the statewide average. States that a violation by the Indiana nonprofit hospital system results in a forfeiture of its nonprofit status. Requires, before October 1 of each year, every nonprofit hospital to provide the Indiana department of health with specified federally filed forms and specified data used to complete the forms. Requires the Indiana department of health to submit these forms to the health care cost oversight task force and impose a fine of $10,000 per day on a nonprofit hospital for failure to submit the nonprofit hospital's forms. Provides an exemption from health care billing requirements for a facility located in a specified populated municipality. Requires a third party administrator to disclose commissions and fees to policyholders in a separate notification. Requires an insurer and a health maintenance organization to submit specified data information to the all payer claims data base. Requires an insurance producer or third party administrator to, before or at the time of sale, provide the plan sponsor with a statement from the insurer or health maintenance organization, disclosing commissions and fees that the insurance producer or third party administrator will receive. Changes the time frame in which certain information and claims data must be submitted to a contract holder as part of an audit or claims data request. Sets requirements for certain hospitals concerning a direct to employer health care arrangement. Beginning January 1, 2026, requires a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization contract to provide a plan sponsor with the national average drug acquisition cost of a generic drug. States that if an agreement between a health plan and a pharmacy benefit manager provides that less than 85% of the estimated rebates will be deducted from the cost of prescription drugs before a covered individual's cost sharing requirement is determined, the pharmacy benefit manager must provide the policyholder with an annual notice that includes: (1) an explanation of what a rebate is; (2) an explanation of how rebates accrue to the health plan from the manufacturer; and (3) the aggregate amount of rebates that accrued to the health plan for prescription drugs dispensed under the policyholder's health plan for the previous year. Places limitations on hospital health provider contracts linking to or negotiating reimbursement or terms under a separate hospital health care provider contract or product. Requires the office to: (1) study the effect, including the fiscal impact, of requiring physician reimbursement rates under a commercial policy to be set at a minimum reimbursement rate; and (2) report its findings under the study. Requires certain health carriers to provide claims data to a contract holder not more than four times per year (current law allows for the provision of the data twice annually). Requires certain insurers and health maintenance organizations to file specified information concerning changes in hospital reimbursement to the department of insurance.

Martin CarbaughRepublican

Prosecutors.

Establishes the prosecutor review board and sets forth the duties of the board. Requires that two members appointed to the Indiana commission on court appointed attorneys be trial court judges from counties receiving reimbursement of expenditures for noncapital cases.

Chris JeterRepublican

Cancer clinical trial program.

Allows an organization or entity to establish and administer a cancer clinical trial participation program for the purpose of providing payments to a participant for certain costs incurred by the participant while participating in a cancer clinical trial. Sets forth program requirements and participant eligibility.

Robin ShacklefordDemocrat

School transfers.

Removes language prohibiting certain students from enrolling into a school corporation primarily for athletic reasons.

Cory CriswellRepublican

Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission.

Establishes the Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission, including six members appointed by the governor and five members appointed under Illinois law, to discuss and recommend whether it is advisable to adjust the boundaries between the two states.

Todd HustonRepublican

Health matters.

Specifies that the Medicaid fraud control unit's (MFCU) investigation of Medicaid fraud may include the investigation of provider fraud, insurer fraud, duplicate billing, and other instances of fraud. Permits the attorney general to enter into a data sharing agreement with specified state agencies and authorizes the MFCU to analyze this data to carry out its investigative duties. Provides that all complaints made to the MFCU are confidential until an action is filed concerning the complaint. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to establish: (1) metrics to assess the quality of care and patient outcomes; and (2) transparency and accountability safeguards; for a specified long term care risk based managed care program. Requires, not later than July 31, 2026, a clinical laboratory and diagnostic imaging facility to post certain pricing information for services determined by the department of insurance. Allows: (1) a manufacturer to provide; and (2) a patient to receive; individualized investigational treatment if certain conditions are met. Requires an Indiana nonprofit hospital system to report a list of facilities that may submit a bill on an institutional provider form and report the facility code for each facility. Adds provisions concerning payments by insurers, health maintenance organizations, employers, and other responsible persons to qualified providers that are providing services in an office setting. Requires good faith estimates for health care services to be provided at least two business days (rather than five business days) before the health care services are scheduled to be provided. Removes language concerning the disclosure of a trade secret from provisions that allow for a health plan sponsor to access and audit claims data. Provides that when a health carrier is in the process of negotiating a health provider contract with a health provider facility or provider, the health carrier must provide certain information to the health provider facility or provider. Prohibits certain provisions from being included in a health provider contract. Allows the department of insurance to: (1) enter into partnerships and joint ventures to encourage best practices in the appropriate and effective use of prior authorization in health care; and (2) receive information regarding prior authorization disputes. Requires the department of insurance to prepare a report with findings and recommendations related to the prior authorization dispute information. Requires, not later than September 1, 2025, the department of insurance to issue a request for information concerning ways to better enable medical consumers to compare and shop for medical and health care services. Provides that an insurer or a health maintenance organization may not deny a claim for reimbursement on the sole basis that the referring provider is an out of network provider. Requires, if a fully credentialed physician becomes employed with another employer or establishes or relocates a medical practice in Indiana, an insurer and health maintenance organization to provisionally credential the physician for 60 days or until the physician is fully credentialed, whichever is earlier. Requires the Indiana department of health, in consultation with the office of technology, to study the feasibility of developing certain standards regarding medical records and data.

Brad BarrettRepublican

Terms of members of Congress.

Applies to Congress for a Convention for proposing Amendments under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to provide limits to the number of terms that an individual may serve in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate.

Andy Zay

Controlled substances.

Adds additional substances to the list of controlled substances.

Wendy McNamaraRepublican

Concurrent juvenile delinquency jurisdiction on military bases.

Creates a process for the state to establish concurrent jurisdiction with the United States for certain juvenile delinquency proceedings on Indiana military property.

Wendy McNamaraRepublican

Agricultural online portal.

Requires the Indiana state department of agriculture (department) to establish and maintain an online portal on its website for the purposes of: (1) assisting users in the successful navigation of agricultural or related topics among various federal and state agencies; (2) providing a single source for users to access agricultural or related funding opportunities; (3) providing a searchable data base of available federal and state grants with information on eligibility and deadline criteria; and (4) providing regular updates to reflect changes in federal and state funding opportunities. Provides that the online portal shall include links to various federal and state websites. Requires that the online portal provide a series of regulatory checklists to assist users that are considering diversifying into new markets in the navigation of agricultural and related regulations and the avoidance of punitive enforcement actions before they arise. Requires that the online portal provide a one stop venue that will help connect users with responsive data visualization tools and technical assistance programming. Requires that the online portal include a link to provide users with ongoing updates on the status of certain lost farmland. Requires an updated report on certain lost farmland to be uploaded to the online portal every five years. Requires that the online portal include formal venues: (1) to collect comments from the public regarding federal regulations impacting Indiana's rural economy with the goal of assisting the state in providing vigorous advocacy on behalf of the public; and (2) where users may provide to the department reviews and feedback regarding the usefulness of the online portal.

Kendell CulpRepublican

Employment social enterprises.

Defines "employment social enterprise" as a nonprofit or for-profit organization that meets certain criteria. Amends the definition of "workforce related program" to include a work based learning program or transitional jobs program that: (1) is through an employment social enterprise; and (2) meets certain other criteria.

Carey HamiltonDemocrat

Town and city court judges.

Provides that the judge of a city or town court shall reside in: (1) the county in which the city or town court is located; or (2) the bordering Indiana county that is the closest Indiana county to the city or town in which the court is located. This proposed amendment has been agreed to by one general assembly.

Mike AylesworthRepublican

Advanced transmission technologies.

Defines "advanced transmission technologies" as software or hardware technologies that increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing or new electric transmission facility. Provides that in any integrated resource plan (IRP) filed with the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) after December 31, 2025, an electric utility that owns or operates a transmission or distribution system must include a description of the potential use of, or investment in, one or more advanced transmission technologies to enable the electric utility to safely, reliably, efficiently, and cost effectively meet electric system demand. Provides that in any IRP filed with the IURC after December 31, 2029, an electric utility that owns or operates a transmission or distribution system must include a description of the electric utility's transmission and distribution systems, as specified by the IURC. Requires the IURC to conduct a study to evaluate the potential use or deployment of advanced transmission technologies by public utilities. Sets forth specific topics that the IURC must evaluate as part of the study. Requires the IURC to include in its 2026 annual report the commission's findings with respect to the topics evaluated in the study. Provides that advanced transmission technologies qualify as eligible transmission, distribution, and storage system improvements for purposes of the statute that authorizes a public utility to recover eligible costs incurred in connection with investments made in such improvements.

Eric KochRepublican

Civil legal aid fund.

Limits how a legal services provider may use funds from the civil legal aid fund. Relocates a provision concerning fund distribution. Repeals the distribution formula of the civil legal aid fund statute. Requires the office of judicial administration to annually report certain information regarding the civil legal aid fund to the state budget committee.

Cyndi CarrascoRepublican

Low head dams.

Provides that the state does not assume ownership of or responsibility for a low head dam that is not listed as owned by the state on the department of natural resources' (department) low head dam roster (roster). Permits a person to remove without a permit certain low head dams that are located on a navigable waterway and that are encroachments. Requires the department to establish warning sign standards and requirements for low head dams that are on the roster. Allows for a bond of $1,000,000 to serve as proof of financial responsibility for a person that owns a low head dam. Provides that a permit issued by the director after January 1, 2021, for the removal of a low head dam does not expire until two years after certain judicial appeal processes are complete.

Justin BuschRepublican

Membership of aviation boards.

Provides that an eligible entity with a population of less than 38,000 is not subject to the political party membership requirements for a board of aviation commissioners or an airport authority.

Tony IsaRepublican

Indiana crime guns task force.

Provides that the Indiana crime guns task force area may include Lake County. Increases the number of executive board members required for a quorum from five to seven. Specifies that the position for which the chairperson voted prevails in the case of a tie vote as long as that position has received the affirmative votes of at least four members of the executive board. (Current law requires the affirmative votes of at least three members for a tie to be settled in favor of the chairperson's position.)

Earl HarrisDemocrat