Indiana Bills

signed · Indiana · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 258: Nuclear facility permits.

Makes the following changes to the Indiana Code chapter concerning the issuance of permits for nuclear powered generating facilities and nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (facilities) by the department of environmental management (department): (1) Repeals a provision that prohibits a person from constructing or operating, or increasing the capacity of, a facility without a permit from the department. (2) Repeals a provision authorizing the environmental rules board (board) to adopt rules establishing: (A) conditions for the issuance of a permit for; and (B) requirements for the operation of; a facility. (3) Requires a person proposing to construct a facility to file with the department (instead of the board, under current law) an environmental feasibility report concurrently with the filing of documents (instead of the preliminary safety analysis, under current law) required to be filed with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (instead of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, under current law). (4) Repeals a provision authorizing the commissioner of the department to conduct a public hearing on the environmental effects of the proposed operation of a facility. (5) Repeals a provision: (A) requiring the board to adopt rules and standards to protect Indiana citizens from radiation hazards; and (B) setting forth requirements for required permits with respect to radioactive discharge.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Indiana · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 13: Motor vehicle equipment requirements.

Adds an exception to certain motor vehicle equipment requirements for vehicle chassis that are a part of a vehicle manufacturer's work in process and are towed for a distance of less than 40 miles.

in committee · Indiana · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SR 53: Recognizing Solar Opportunities Indiana.

This is a procedural resolution (SR 53), not a substantive bill. It formally acknowledges the work of the Solar Opportunities Indiana (SOI) coalition, which advocates for solar energy development in the state. The resolution recognizes SOI's importance to Indiana's clean energy efforts but does not create new laws or change existing policies. It directly affects the SOI coalition by providing official recognition from the state legislature.

in committee · Indiana · House Feb 16, 2026

HCR 21: Recognizing and commending GAP26 for its efforts to promote prayer, faith, and community across the United States.

HCR 21 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing GAP26 for its work promoting prayer, faith, and community nationwide. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals. The resolution formally commends GAP26's efforts but has no binding legal effect. It was introduced in the Senate and House on February 16, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Public Policy for review.

passed · Indiana · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 1359: Scanning ballots.

Specifies a process by which certain counties may scan voted optical scan ballot cards during the early voting period and on election day without using secrecy envelopes. Makes conforming amendments. Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office from 28 days to a 16 day period ending at noon on the day before election day.

passed · Indiana · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 1204: Natural resource entrance fees.

Allows counties that meet certain criteria to adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more than $1 in addition to the fees charged by the department of natural resources (department) for entry into certain state parks and recreation areas. Provides that the surcharge may not be imposed on an annual state park pass holder. Requires the department to collect and to report and pay the surcharge to each county treasurer. Provides that the surcharge collected is to be used for certain purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Indiana · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 1055: Municipal elections.

Moves, as a general rule, elections of town officers to even-numbered years. Allows a town with a population of more than 10,000 to opt out of the general rule by resolution. Allows a city to pass a resolution to opt in to the general rule. Makes conforming changes.

passed · Indiana · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 1099: Foreign adversaries.

Provides that, if a contractor or a subcontractor working under the contractor for the provision of a technological product or service is a prohibited person, a qualified entity may enter into the contract if the contractor affirms the contractor and its subcontractors are not acting as agents of a foreign adversary. Requires a state educational institution to meet certain requirements regarding the admission and enrollment of a foreign student into qualifying programs at state educational institutions. Requires an approved postsecondary educational institution to provide to the commission for higher education the number of foreign students currently enrolled in a qualifying program and the number of foreign students enrolled in a qualifying program for each academic year for the preceding 10 years. Prohibits certain individuals and business entities from acquiring real property located in Indiana. Repeals existing statutes regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land.

Topics ✗ Immigration

passed · Indiana · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 161: Education matters.

Requires the Indiana department of education to elect to participate as a covered state in the federal tax credit scholarship program for elementary and secondary education under Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code (enacted in Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025). Makes conforming changes to the school scholarship tax credit in current law. Requires the governor and the department of workforce development, in consultation with the commission for higher education, to: (1) establish a process to identify eligible workforce training programs; (2) establish a process for institutions and programs to apply for recognition as an eligible workforce training program; (3) coordinate certain workforce training matters; and (4) require eligible workforce training programs to provide certain datasets to the department. Provides that the department of workforce development must maintain alignment with federal rules governing workforce Pell grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Indiana · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 251: OWI penalties.

Provides that if a person has one prior OWI conviction, the court shall order that the person be imprisoned for at least 10 days or perform community service, and if a person has two prior OWI convictions, the court shall order that the person be imprisoned for at least 20 days or perform community service. Provides that a person receives good time credit while serving a sentence imposed under this statute (under current law, a person does not receive good time credit).Provides that this statute does not increase the maximum sentence for the offense as provided by either IC 35-50-2 or IC 35-50-3. Specifies that "vehicle", for purposes of the crime of operating while intoxicated, includes a watercraft, and repeals the separate crime of operating a motorboat while intoxicated. Provides that an initial hearing may be waived and allows a person to apply for a specialized driving privilege after an initial hearing. Adds operating while intoxicated due to use of a controlled substance to the habitual traffic violator statute. Authorizes the use of a roadside chemical test under certain circumstances. Specifies that ignition interlock devices may only be used when the underlying offense is operating while intoxicated resulting from the use of alcohol. Makes certain provisions concerning pretrial administrative suspension of driving privileges discretionary with the court.Provides that the budget director shall review and determine before December 31, 2026, whether federal highway administration funding to the state will or will not be reduced due to the amendment of provisions concerning administrative suspension of driving privileges. Requires the budget director to notify the budget committee of the determination and those provisions may not be implemented until after budget committee review. Makes conforming amendments.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Indiana · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 281: Income tax credits.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Indiana · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1251: Emergency ambulance services.

Specifies that emergency medical services, including emergency ambulance services, are essential services in Indiana. Specifies that the provision of emergency medical services is an essential purpose of political subdivisions. Requires the county commissioners of each county to: (1) identify areas that are unserved by emergency ambulance services; and (2) provide emergency ambulance services to those areas by establishing a county emergency ambulance service, contracting with a public, private, or nonprofit provider of emergency ambulance services, or by any other available means. Allows a governing body to opt out of the requirement to provide emergency ambulance services to unserved areas in certain cases. Provides that a county governing body that opts out of the provision of emergency ambulance services is immune from civil liability for personal injury or death resulting from a lack of emergency ambulance services in an area of the county.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results