Indiana Bills

Cancels a 2023 loan or loans from the state of Indiana from the counter-cyclical revenue and economic stabilization fund for the purpose of providing funds to be applied to refunding certain bonds of the city of Hobart and the city of Hobart redevelopment district and offsetting property tax revenue shortfalls incurred and to be incurred by the city of Hobart. Provides that the city of Hobart is not required to make any further payments to the state of Indiana in satisfaction of the loan or loans.

Prescribes additional information that an electricity supplier must include in the electricity supplier's annual accounting filing with the Indiana utility regulatory commission.

Provides that a person may not waive certain requirements concerning the return of a firearm to the rightful owner as part of a plea agreement. Specifies that any purported waiver is invalid and unenforceable as against public policy.

Requires an insurer that provides property insurance coverage to a named insured to take certain actions when the insurer uses aerial images to aid in its determination to not renew property insurance coverage for a named insured.

Requires, not later than October 1, 2026, the department of education to: (1) prepare a report that includes information and recommendations, as applicable, regarding certain civics curriculum, initiatives, and assessments and certain longitudinal methodologies; and (2) submit the report to the general assembly. Establishes requirements regarding the preparation of the report.

Provides a property tax deduction for an individual, or the surviving spouse of an individual, who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

Provides that, for each school year beginning after June 30, 2027, a school corporation shall, if the school corporation determines that the school corporation cannot establish a minimum salary of $60,000 (instead of $40,000 under current law) for each full-time teacher, comply with certain requirements.

Establishes the digital alert pilot program (pilot program) administered by the department of homeland security (department) to provide grants to providers of fire, emergency medical, and law enforcement services for the use of digital alert technology to notify motorists regarding the location of providers' emergency vehicles. Establishes the digital alert pilot program grant fund. Requires the secretary of public safety and the executive director of the Indiana criminal justice institute to provide a plan to the department not later than September 1, 2026, for leveraging available federal funds to fund the pilot program.

Provides that the state of Indiana shall conduct all elections using secure, hand-marked paper ballots that are: (1) designed and made in Indiana; (2) embellished with a distinctive watermark; and (3) serialized numerically. Provides that no other method of voting may be used in Indiana. Specifies that ballots must be counted by hand. Requires precincts to have video cameras that record and live stream the counting of ballots and the ballot box container. Requires each precinct to have one voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities. Specifies requirements for reporting results of the election. Requires election results to be announced the evening of the election. Prohibits the use of a pollbook in any form other than paper. Provides that ballots are not confidential. Prohibits the state from conducting the voting system technical oversight program (VSTOP) after June 30, 2026. Specifies storage requirements for certain election documents. Requires the secretary of state (secretary) to randomly choose 10 counties for post-election hand recounts and inspections of secured storage facilities. Provides that all Indiana citizens have the right to inspect and copy all election materials at the office of the county clerk. Requires the secretary to establish and maintain a statewide voter registration data base. Requires the secretary to administer voter registration rolls and provides that the secretary may not delegate this function. Requires county clerks to create and print the paper pollbook for each precinct. Specifies requirements for back up lists and daily records of the voter registration data base. Specifies that an election in Indiana may be held only on election day. Prohibits: (1) early in person voting; (2) vote centers; (3) Internet voting; (4) mass mail-in voting; (5) ballot harvesting; and (6) a ballot drop box. Provides that a precinct may contain not more than 1,500 registered active voters. Specifies that absentee voter boards may be used for all voters at extended care facilities. Requires all voter registration applications to include proof of citizenship and a signature. Specifies certain restrictions that apply to a third party organization. Provides that a digital identification is not acceptable for the purposes of registration or voting. Specifies: (1) requirements for absentee ballots; and (2) the individuals who qualify to receive an absentee ballot. Requires an absentee ballot to include a copy of the voter's proof of identification or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number. Provides that a person who violates these provisions: (1) commits a Class A misdemeanor; and (2) is deprived of the right of suffrage for 10 years. Repeals a provision that designates as confidential certain information maintained by VSTOP. Requires the attorney general to establish an election crimes unit.

Beginning in taxable year 2027, increases the credit provided for a contribution to an Indiana529 savings plan against a taxpayer's adjusted gross income from $1,500 to $2,500 (and from $750 to $1,250 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return), subject to other requirements.

Requires the superintendent of the state police department to: (1) obtain data from law enforcement agencies concerning medical forensic examination kits in the agencies' possession; and (2) report a summary of the data to the legislative council.

HB 1171 creates a special "Epilepsy Foundation Trust" license plate option for vehicle owners and establishes an associated trust fund. The fund will support the Epilepsy Foundation's activities, with revenue from plate sales directed to this purpose. This is a procedural bill focused on authorizing a new license plate designation and funding mechanism.