Urging the Indiana General Assembly to prioritize legislation during the 2027 budget year establishing property tax credits for unemployable Hoosier veterans who are permanently and totally disabled.
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.
Establishes the Indiana bright start program (program) to support the early learning and child care needs of working families with eligible children. Provides that the office of the secretary of family and social services (office) shall develop and implement the program, and may contract with nonprofit corporations to facilitate the program. Establishes the Indiana bright start program fund. Requires the office, beginning October 1, 2027, to annually submit a report to the governor and legislative council with information concerning the program.
Establishes the veterinary medicine student loan repayment program (program) and the veterinary medicine student loan repayment fund (fund). Provides that the Indiana state board of animal health shall administer the program and the fund.
Allows a participant in the state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan to elect a joint and survivor option for the payment of the participant's retirement allowance. Provides for a thirteenth check in calendar year 2026 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.
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.
HB 1048 increases the clothing and automobile expense reimbursement for active volunteer fire department (VFD) members from $100 to $250 per year. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters who incur personal costs for uniforms, work-related clothing, and vehicle use while serving. The bill provides a concrete financial adjustment to cover these out-of-pocket expenses, simplifying reimbursement for VFD members. It does not alter eligibility requirements or create new administrative processes. The bill passed committee with a "do pass" recommendation in early 2026.
Establishes the family recovery court fund (fund). Provides that the fund consists of money appropriated by the general assembly from the state unrestricted opioid settlement account as well as donations, gifts, and money received from other sources. Provides that money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the purpose of funding family recovery courts and safe baby courts. Provides that family recovery courts: (1) target cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders; and (2) are certified as problem solving courts by the office of judicial administration.
Provides that, subject to available funding, the division of mental health and addiction may develop an application to provide funds to a school corporation or school maintained by a school corporation to obtain a federal Food and Drug Administration approved opioid overdose reversal medication. Provides that the state health commissioner shall issue a statewide standing order, prescription, or protocol for a federal Food and Drug Administration approved opioid overdose reversal medication for each public school or school corporation.
Extends eligibility for supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases to employee beneficiaries of the state police 1987 benefit system. (Current law provides eligibility to employee beneficiaries under the state police pre-1987 benefit system.) Modifies the: (1) terms of eligibility for; and (2) calculation of; supplemental pension benefits and incentive increases. Provides that first time payments of and increases to supplemental pension benefits shall be paid or commence beginning in July of each year. Makes changes to the definition of a "school resource officer" for provisions relating to the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund (1977 fund). Provides that a school police department may participate in the 1977 fund. Establishes requirements for establishing a local board for school police departments. Provides that an appointing authority shall waive the age restriction for a school resource officer for purposes of the 1977 fund if certain conditions are met. Provides that a school corporation or charter school that employs a school resource officer must enter into a contract or memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency for the purpose of complying with the reporting and payment requirements for purposes of the 1977 fund. Makes conforming amendments.
