Budget & Taxes (Tax Incentives)

Allows a qualified taxpayer to claim a credit against the taxpayer's state tax liability for designated contributions to qualified nonprofit organizations that provide: (1) comprehensive case management services for at risk families; (2) family support services; (3) in-school programs, community based events, or online resources to assist fathers in learning and improving parenting skills; or (4) programs that provide mutual support systems among mothers in raising children or information for mothers to enhance child development.

SB 217 would cap annual property tax increases for homeowners' primary residences at 4%. It directly affects residents living in their main home by preventing their tax bills from rising more than 4% from one year to the next. The key provision sets a maximum 4% yearly increase on the actual tax amount, regardless of property value changes. This policy change ensures predictable annual tax costs for eligible homeowners without requiring new tax payments or credits.

Provides for a nonrefundable apprenticeship tax credit (credit) for an eligible employer. Provides that the amount of the credit is $2,500 for each apprentice employed. Specifies procedures for claiming the credit. Requires a board to issue a license, certificate, registration, or permit to an individual to allow the individual to practice the individual's occupation in Indiana if the individual satisfies certain conditions.

Provides that 10% of the excess property tax proceeds collected in an allocation area must be allocated among school corporations, libraries, and taxing units that provide police services, fire protection, emergency medical service, or public safety services in the allocation area.

Amends the economic development for a growing economy (EDGE) tax credit to: (1) authorize the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to increase the value of an EDGE credit to a company for new job creation based on the amount of expenses of the company to relocate an individual to Indiana to fill the position; and (2) explicitly permit the IEDC to provide EDGE credits to a company that is retaining an employee through a minimum of a 25% increase in hourly wages paid to the individual. Clarifies provisions that apply to IEDC certification of a fund as a qualified Indiana investment fund.

Provides that property taxes imposed to pay debt service: (1) on certain bonds; and (2) to make lease payments on certain leases; are not considered for purposes of calculating a person's supplemental tax credit. Provides that the expenditure tax rate for a county or municipality expires on December 31, 2029, and on December 31 of every fourth calendar year thereafter (instead of every calendar year under current law).

Amends and adds provisions regarding the regional development tax credit. Specifies the award of certain credits under the aggregate tax credit cap that the Indiana economic development corporation may certify each state fiscal year. Authorizes a county or city that is currently participating in a regional development authority to change its membership and instead participate in a new or different regional development authority.

Provides that a redevelopment commission may use money from certain funds for the purpose of retiring debt service earlier. Provides that a redevelopment commission making accelerated debt payments may retain the assessed value associated with the original debt service schedule. Requires a redevelopment commission to include an invitation to overlapping taxing units to participate in the hearing regarding a proposed redevelopment project. Allows a redevelopment commission to expend money for the maintenance of an infrastructure project within a tax increment financing district if: (1) the infrastructure project was originally funded or supported by tax increment financing funds; and (2) the use of the funds is limited to the remaining life of the project. Allows a redevelopment commission to share tax increment finance district revenue with certain local economic development organizations under certain conditions.

Provides that a transaction involving the sale of utility service, as reflected in the total amount billed by a utility in a customer bill that is issued after December 31, 2026, is exempt from the state gross retail tax. Provides that this exemption applies to: (1) the sale of electric, natural gas, water, or wastewater service; and (2) a customer bill issued by a utility after December 31, 2026, regardless of whether the bill includes any fees or charges for utility service provided to the customer before January 1, 2027. Repeals the sales and use tax exemption for certain data centers enacted in the 2025 session in HEA 1601. Provides that after March 14, 2026, the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) may not issue a final order in a base rate case filed by an electricity supplier if the final order, once fully implemented, would result in an average increase of 3% or greater in the total monthly bill of a residential customer of the electricity supplier. Specifies that a municipality includes a consolidated city for purposes of the existing statute authorizing a municipality to purchase, condemn, and operate a utility in the municipality for the purpose of providing utility service to the municipality or the public: (1) without the consent of the IURC; and (2) even if a public utility is engaged in a similar service in the municipality. Provides that the existing statute prohibiting a municipality, public utility, or rural electric membership corporation from bringing an action against a public utility for the condemnation of the public utility's electric utility property does not apply to a municipality that seeks to purchase the electric utility property of a public utility for use of the property in providing electric utility service if: (1) the municipality and the public utility are unable to agree upon a price to be paid for the electric utility property; and (2) the municipality by ordinance declares that a public necessity exists for the condemnation of the electric utility property. Provides that a municipality that adopts such an ordinance may: (1) bring an action in the circuit or superior court of the county where the municipality is located against the public utility for the condemnation of the electric utility property; and (2) exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with the existing eminent domain statute. Prohibits the IURC from issuing before July 1, 2028, a final order in a base rate case filed by an electricity supplier with the IURC, regardless of the date of filing of the electricity supplier's base rate case with the IURC. Provides that this provision expires July 1, 2028. Provides that existing law providing that the rates and charges of a municipally owned utility may include a reasonable return on the utility plant of the municipality if the legislative body of the municipality so elects does not apply to rates and charges established or amended by a municipal legislative body after March 14, 2026.

SB 117 would exempt menstrual discharge collection devices (commonly known as period products like tampons and menstrual cups) from state sales tax. This means consumers purchasing these essential health items would pay no sales tax at checkout, directly reducing costs for people who use them. The bill’s key provision is a specific tax exemption, shifting the financial burden from buyers to the state treasury for these products. It does not alter product availability, safety standards, or existing health coverage.