Sets forth minimum standards and requirements for the installation and maintenance of communications service or utility service facilities (facilities) in a public right-of-way. Defines a "permittee" as: (1) a person to whom an initial permit or authorization for the installation of a facility in a public right-of-way is granted by a unit; or (2) a service provider responsible for maintaining a facility that has been installed in a public right-of-way. Defines a "line pollution violation" as a violation attributable to a permittee and involving: (1) noncompliance with any standard or requirement set forth in the bill; or (2) the presence of any damaged, abandoned, loose, or improperly secured facilities within a public right-of-way. Provides that a permittee responsible for a line pollution violation is liable to the unit owning the public right-of-way for a fine in an amount determined by the unit, but not to exceed: (1) $500 per violation for each day the violation remains uncured; or (2) a total fine of $2,500. Requires a permittee to ensure that any person responsible for installing, replacing, relocating, or repairing any underground facility that is owned or operated by the permittee and located within a public right-of-way complies with the requirements set forth in: (1) Indiana's statute concerning underground utility facilities; and (2) any applicable local ordinance or regulation; with respect to any work involving drilling, trenching, boring, hand digging, or plowing.
Prohibits the bureau of motor vehicles (BMV) from selling the personal information of an individual who: (1) is less than 21 years of age; (2) is 65 years of age or older; or (3) opts out of the sale of the individual's personal information. Prohibits a person to which the BMV provides such information from selling or disclosing the information (sales prohibition). Requires the BMV to provide an easily understandable and easily accessible means by which an individual may opt out of the sale of the individual's personal information. Permits the state board of finance, upon approval by the governor, to transfer funds to the BMV to offset a shortfall in funding for the BMV that occurs in a state fiscal year beginning before July 1, 2028, as a result of the sales prohibition.
SB 21 designates the breaded tenderloin sandwich as Indiana's official state sandwich. This ceremonial bill has no practical policy impact and does not affect residents or change laws, instead serving as a symbolic recognition of a local food item. It passed the Indiana Senate with 37-11 support and is now under review in the House.
SB 132 prohibits employers from requiring noncompete agreements with employees whose annual compensation is below $150,000. This directly affects lower- and middle-wage workers who might otherwise face restrictions on changing jobs. The key provision bans such agreements for these employees, removing a common tool used by employers to limit workforce mobility. The bill aims to make it easier for these workers to seek new employment without legal constraints.
Removes a voter's option to vote for all candidates of a political party or an independent ticket at one time (straight ticket voting) in a general or municipal election. Repeals superseded statutes relating to straight ticket voting. Makes technical corrections.
Allows the commissioner of the Indiana department of transportation (commissioner) to let a contract for the construction, improvement, or maintenance of a road to a bidder that is not the lowest and best bidder if all of the following apply: (1) The bidder is responsive and qualified. (2) The bidder commits to employing Indiana residents for not less than 65% of the total workforce for the project. (3) The bidder's bid is not more than: (A) 5% greater than the bid submitted by the lowest and best bidder; and (B) the estimated cost of the project. (4) The commissioner determines that awarding the contract to the bidder is in the best interests of the project and the community. (5) The bidder demonstrates certain compliance requirements.
Requires a state employee health plan to cover supplemental breast examinations. Requires a policy of accident and sickness insurance and a health maintenance organization to cover diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental breast examinations. Provides that the coverage for diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental breast examinations may not be subject to any cost sharing requirements.
Establishes the Hoosier homestead program administered by the Indiana state department of agriculture to commemorate and maintain a registry of farms owned by the same family for at least 100 years. Provides that only the portion of a farm that satisfies the familial ownership and other requirements receives the Hoosier homestead designation and is subject to the provisions regarding eminent domain. Requires all property taxes to be paid up to date to be registered as a Hoosier homestead property or to renew registration as a Hoosier homestead property. Provides with certain exceptions, that if a county, city, town, or school corporation (unit) exercises eminent domain to take a fee simple interest in a Hoosier homestead, the property owner is entitled to: (1) testify at a public meeting of the condemning unit's legislative body; and (2) compensation that is the greater of: (A) 200% of the fair market value of the parcel; or (2) 200% of the value of the land and replacement cost of the improvements to the land minus depreciation. Requires the owner to also be compensated for relocation costs, other damages, and business losses resulting from the condemnation of the property.
Establishes redistricting standards for state legislative congressional districts. Requires the initial proposed plans for congressional and state legislative districts to comply with the redistricting standards. Allows the general assembly, during the process by which the initial proposed plans become effective by being enacted as a law, to consider and adopt modifications to the initial proposed plans that deviate from the redistricting standards as long as the reason or reasons for each deviation are publicly explained and documented. Specifies that the general assembly may not establish or modify legislative or congressional districts other than at the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the federal decennial census, except in response to a court order that has invalidated some part of a redistricting plan.
Prohibits: (1) the state employee health plan; (2) the Medicaid program; (3) an accident and sickness insurance policy; and (4) a health maintenance organization individual or group contract; from imposing a time limit on the amount of anesthesia time for a medical procedure or otherwise restricting or excluding coverage or payment of anesthesia time. Modifies the definitions of "charity care" and "community benefits" for purposes of certain hospital reporting requirements. Requires additional reporting of information by nonprofit hospitals to the Indiana department of health (state department). Requires the report to be posted on the nonprofit hospital's website and the state department's website. Increases the penalty for failure to file the report and changes the time frame in which the penalty may be assessed. Specifies that any penalty be deposited in the local public health fund. Allows for certain practitioners to provide neuroplastogen treatment concerning qualified patients with life threatening conditions if certain requirements are met. Allows for research to be conducted on neuroplastogen access. Requires reporting of adverse events and annual reporting of patient statistical information concerning the neuroplastogen treatment. Provides for immunity when treating using neuroplastogens. Requires a clinical peer to disclose certain information for a peer to peer review of an adverse determination. Prohibits a utilization review entity from using artificial intelligence as the primary means for making adverse determinations. Prohibits a health insurer from engaging in certain downcoding practices and sets forth conditions for downcoding a claim. Authorizes the department of insurance to enforce the downcoding requirements and impose certain penalties for a violation. Prohibits an insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, or other administrator of pharmacy benefits from designating a prescription drug as a specialty drug unless certain conditions are met.
Provides that if a unit of local government (unit) provides forgivable loans, the unit must (as a condition of providing forgivable loans) require that a person operating a business on a property may be entitled to compensation for business losses resulting from a condemnation of the property.
Requires certain state agencies to give hiring preference to an individual who is a citizen or national of the United States over another individual who is an alien if the two individuals are equally qualified. Provides that the state agencies may not sponsor an individual for a new H-1B visa after July 1, 2026, unless certain information is submitted to the attorney general and the attorney general approves the state agency sponsoring the individual. Requires the state agencies to prepare and submit a report that includes certain information regarding each employee the state agency sponsored for a new H-1B visa during the immediately preceding state fiscal year. Requires the attorney general to post the reports on its website. Prohibits the state or a political subdivision from directly or indirectly funding services related to an immigration proceeding to an individual with unlawful status or to an entity that is a party to a legal action for the purpose of challenging, obstructing, or delaying the enforcement of certain federal immigration laws. Provides a private right of action for a violation of this prohibition.
