SB 281 Indiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Income tax credits.

Summary
Requires the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to commit $35,000,000 in redevelopment tax credits each state fiscal year among development authorities, qualified nonprofit organizations, and certain local economic development organizations that may be granted to taxpayers for qualified investments. Provides that the IEDC and an operating partner shall administer the federal Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site program in Indiana. Requires that $15,000,000 of the $300,000,000 of the IEDC's annual certifiable tax credit amount must be allocated to the small town opportunity initiative (initiative). Establishes the initiative. Provides that initiative projects are not subject to any statutory or administrative repayment obligation. Amends the venture capital investment tax credit (tax credit) to specify: (1) that certain investment policies of funds that qualify as a "qualified Indiana investment fund" apply only to investable capital, excluding management fees, legal fees, and other expenses incurred in the operation of the fund; (2) that a taxpayer is not prevented from combining individual tax credits of less than $10,000 for assignment; and (3) qualified business eligibility. Provides that if a Level 2 certified technology park (park): (1) has reached the limit of deposits for a Level 2 park; (2) maintains its certification; and (3) is located within a qualified military base enhancement area; the park shall become a Level 3 park and may receive an additional annual incremental income tax deposit of up to $250,000 until July 1, 2029.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Feb 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Bill (S) Senate Bill (H) · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended from a Senate version to a House version, updating the bill number to ES 281 and the effective date to February 12, 2026. The most significant change is the addition of a new section establishing a program for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to administer a federal Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site program. Additionally, the text was modified to clarify that $15 million of the annual tax credit pool must be allocated to small town opportunity initiatives and to specify that investment funds can only use capital for investments, excluding management and legal fees.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a new mandate for administering the federal UAS Test Site program and clarifying the allocation of funds for small towns and specific investment fund restrictions.
SCOPE

Added a new requirement for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to administer the federal Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site program in Indiana.

FISCAL

Clarified that $15 million of the annual $300 million tax credit limit must be allocated to the small town opportunity initiative.

DEFINITION

Specified that investment policies for qualified funds apply only to investable capital, explicitly excluding management fees, legal fees, and operational expenses.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill status from 'Senate Bill' to 'Engrossed Senate Bill' with a new engrossment date of February 12, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 29, 2026

How they voted

416
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 48
Jan 29, 2026
D Democratic9
8 Yea 1 Nay
88% Yea
R Republican39
33 Yea 5 Nay 1
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 142: yeas 42, nays 6
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendment #2 (Mishler) prevailed; voice vote
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
upper
4 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors