Rep. Kendell Culp

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding House resolution (HR 28) that formally recognizes the U.S. national debt as a threat to national security. It does not propose new laws or policies, but serves as a symbolic statement acknowledging the concern. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the House (91-0) on February 18, 2026, with multiple representatives added as co-authors. It directly affects congressional discourse but has no legal effect on debt management or security policies.

Maddy summarySCR 8 is a concurrent resolution recognizing the importance of Indiana's horse racing industry to the state's economy and cultural heritage. It formally acknowledges the industry's contributions but does not create new laws, regulations, or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it has no direct effect on businesses, workers, or policy changes within the industry. This procedural resolution was referred to committees in early 2026 and remains pending.

Requires a development that is sited on land: (1) in an area zoned agricultural; and (2) comprised of certain capability classes of soils; to be a permitted use. Extends governmental immunity to a private entity or nonprofit entity that has executed certain agreements under the Indiana brownfields program. Provides that before a qualified data center user may use a specific transaction award certificate issued after June 30, 2026, to purchase qualified data center equipment eligible for the state gross retail tax exemption, the qualified data center user and a local unit that issues after June 30, 2026, a permit authorizing the development, construction, or operation of the qualified data center in the unit shall enter into a written agreement that includes a commitment by the qualified data center user to contribute to the local unit an amount equal to at least 1% of the amount of taxes that are not paid on each purchase of qualified data center equipment that is made: (1) using the specific transaction award certificate; and (2) during the duration of the specific transaction award certificate. For purposes of the statute concerning energy production zones: (1) redesignates the term "electric generation facility" as "electric generation or storage facility"; and (2) provides that the term includes a utility scale battery energy storage system (BESS). Provides that if a planned electric generation or storage facility will include a BESS, the project owner must include in the required statutory notice to the local planning authority: (1) the emergency response plan required under the statute governing the approval of a BESS by the department of homeland security (department); and (2) documentation of the department's approval of the BESS. Makes conforming changes. Allows a plan commission, board of zoning appeals, or county or municipal legislative body (body) to require a person to provide their name and address in writing in order to speak at a public hearing regarding certain matters. Allows the body's presiding officer to give consideration to whether a person is a county resident or has an interest as an owner, lessor, lessee, or life tenant in real property within the county in deciding: (1) the order of speakers; and (2) the amount of time allotted to speakers; at a hearing.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) by the Indiana House of Representatives to commemorate the U.S. founding's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. It encourages Indiana citizens, communities, schools, and organizations to hold events reflecting on U.S. history and founding principles like liberty and federalism. The resolution specifically urges schools to strengthen civics education about these ideals but does not create new requirements or funding. It has no legal effect beyond expressing the House's recognition of the anniversary.

Maddy summaryHR 9 is a non-binding resolution that states the U.S. national debt poses a threat to national security. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or directly affect any individuals or groups. The bill simply makes a formal statement recognizing this concern, as reflected in its title and abstract. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means after being introduced on January 22, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 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.

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.

Provides that all tangible property that is subject to assessment shall be assessed on a just valuation basis and in a uniform and equal manner regardless of: (1) who owns the tangible property; or (2) who the person or entity is that is liable for property taxes due on the tangible property. Requires a county assessor to, as soon as possible, post an approved reassessment plan on the department of local government finance's (DLGF) website and any transparency portal developed by the state regarding public information. Provides that if an assessor changes the underlying parcel characteristics, including property classification or agricultural land type, of a property, based on verifiable evidence of a change in use, the assessor shall provide notice to the property owner that includes all verifiable evidence used to change assessment methods from agricultural land and document each change and the reason that each change was made for any class of property. Provides that land shall be assessed or reassessed as agricultural land only when it is devoted to agricultural use regardless of: (1) who owns the land; or (2) who the person or entity is that is liable for property taxes due on the land. Requires the DLGF to inform assessors and the presidents of county councils in writing if it finds that: (1) the reassessment of a group of parcels under a county's reassessment plan or other property assessment activities are not being properly conducted; (2) work required to be performed by local officials is not being properly conducted; or (3) property assessments are not being properly made. Provides that the failure of the DLGF to inform local officials shall be construed as an indication by the DLGF that assessment activities are being conducted properly. Requires the DLGF, if it determines that assessment activities are not being conducted properly, to order a state conducted assessment or reassessment.

Requires each board of county commissioners to adopt an ordinance to allow landowners to apply to have land included in an agricultural resource area within the county. Specifies certain procedures and requirements for the agricultural resource area programs. Provides provisions that apply to land within a program, including eminent domain provisions, a prohibition against annexation for nonagricultural purposes, certain priority provisions for specified funding, and authorization for a county option property tax deduction for land located within agricultural resource areas in the county. Authorizes the Indiana state department of agriculture (department) to receive and hold agricultural conservation easements acquired by gift, bequest, or devise and to enter into agreements with nongovernment entities to monitor those easements. Establishes the farmland advisory board for the purpose of advising the department on developing standards for accepting, monitoring, and enforcing agricultural conservation easements it may hold, creating a model agricultural resource area ordinance, collecting feedback on agricultural resource areas, and supporting education and outreach about agricultural resource areas.

Makes repeated operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over private real property a nuisance, with both civil and criminal penalties, including an increased penalty for nuisances involving agricultural property. Provides that operating a UAV not more than 100 feet above private real property or landing the UAV on private real property is a civil trespass, with civil penalties, including an increased penalty for trespasses involving agricultural property. Creates various crimes for operating a UAV over certain places, people, or animals such as livestock. Provides that operating a UAV to collect certain data, recordings, or photographs of an individual or area of real property is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides, however, that the violation is a Level 6 felony if the subject of the data, recordings, or photographs involves certain critical infrastructure. Requires a person who operates a UAV that is at least 55 pounds to carry liability insurance, and requires the department of homeland security to develop and administer a program to verify UAV insurance compliance. Makes conforming changes.