Requires a group health insurance program for firefighters to provide coverage for the screening of certain forms of cancer. Requires a local unit public employer to provide cancer insurance for active firefighters, retired firefighters, and firefighters who are receiving disability benefits. Allows the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system to enter into agreements with one or more insurance companies to provide group cancer insurance for active firefighters, retired firefighters, and firefighters who are receiving disability benefits. Requires the department of homeland security to develop a firefighter cancer awareness and prevention program to provide relevant information to fire department personnel and volunteers concerning best practices for reducing the risk of cancer.
Amends provisions added in SEA 1 in the 2025 session that require the department of local government finance to neutralize the effect of certain property tax provisions enacted in that bill. Amends the threshold for the business personal property tax exemption enacted in SEA 1 in the 2025 session. Reinstates excess tax levy appeal provisions that were repealed in SEA 1 in the 2025 session. Amends the various local income tax (LIT) rates that may be adopted under provisions added in SEA 1 in the 2025 session. Amends the population thresholds used to determine if a city or town is eligible to adopt a municipal LIT. Repeals provisions that require counties and municipalities to readopt their LIT rate each year. Moves the effective date for the local income tax changes enacted in SEA 1 in the 2025 session from 2028 to 2029. Makes corresponding changes to move the expiration date regarding a county with a single voting bloc enacted in HEA 1142 in the 2025 session.
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 Repeals superseded statutes relating to straight ticket voting.
Prohibits a payment card network from taking certain actions with respect to electronic payment transactions. Prohibits a payment card network from establishing, putting forward, or implementing a fee schedule that the payment card network knows or reasonably should know has been used by at least one issuer other than the payment card network to determine the amount of an interchange fee received or charged with respect to a charitable contribution, unless the interchange fee does not exceed certain amounts. Provides that a person that alleges damages arising from a payment card network's violation of certain provisions has a cause of action against the payment card network.
Renames the private investigator and security guard licensing board as the private investigator, security guard, and collateral recovery agency licensing board, and adds two additional members to the board. Establishes licensure for a collateral recovery agency. Requires a person to be licensed as a collateral recovery agency to repossess collateral, attempt to repossess collateral, hold one's self out as being in the business of repossessing collateral, or use license plate recognition. Provides certain requirements: (1) for an applicant seeking licensure as a collateral recovery agency; (2) for a licensee to maintain licensure; and (3) for a legal owner when personal effects are in or on the collateral at the time of repossession. Requires equipment used to repossess collateral to meet certain criteria. Makes conforming changes.
HR 8 designates February as "American Heart Month" through a congressional resolution. This procedural bill does not create new laws or affect specific groups; it formally recognizes the month to raise public awareness about heart health. The resolution has no direct policy impact, funding changes, or legal obligations. It was introduced by Representative Andrade and co-sponsored by numerous colleagues, with no further legislative action noted.
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.
