Rep. Jim Pressel

Requires an electricity supplier, other than a municipally owned utility, that is under the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to do the following: (1) Beginning with the first monthly billing cycle that begins after June 30, 2026, apply a levelized billing plan (plan) to all active residential customer accounts: (A) for service provided under the electricity supplier's standard residential tariff to a household that is eligible for and has applied for assistance from the state's home energy assistance program; and (B) to which a plan does not already apply. (2) Not later than April 1, 2026, offer each customer a mechanism by which the customer may opt out of a plan at any time without penalty. (3) Not later than July 1, 2026, for any plan offered by the electricity supplier and applied to an active customer account, amend or design the plan so that plan's account reconciliation mechanism is applied at such times during a calendar year to reflect typical seasonal patterns of electricity usage by residential customers, but not more than two times during a calendar year. Prohibits an electricity supplier from referring to or promoting a levelized billing plan as a "budget billing plan" unless the levelized billing plan also provides other specified forms of relief for customers. Authorizes the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Amends existing law granting the IURC the authority to take certain actions with respect to the rates and services of public utilities during emergency circumstances, as judged by the IURC, to provide instead that the IURC may recommend that the governor declare a disaster emergency or proclaim a state of energy emergency during which the IURC may take such actions. Specifies that the emergency must result from: (1) a national economic depression; (2) an act of war; or (3) a disaster of unprecedented size and destructiveness. Provides that an electric utility, other than a municipally owned utility, may not terminate residential electric service to a customer on any day with respect to which the National Weather Service has forecast, not earlier than 48 hours in advance, a heat index of at least 95 degrees for the location where the customer receives service. Requires an electricity supplier, other than a municipally owned utility, that is under the jurisdiction of the IURC for the approval of rates and charges to report to the office of utility consumer counselor (OUCC) on a quarterly basis certain data concerning residential customer accounts. Requires the OUCC to annually compile and summarize the information contained in the reports and include the summary in the OUCC's annual report to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications. Provides that an investor owned electricity supplier that is under the jurisdiction of the IURC for the approval of rates and charges must petition the IURC for approval of any change in its basic rates and charges through the submission of a three-year multi-year rate plan (MYRP). Beginning in 2026, requires each electricity supplier to file its first petition with the IURC for approval of an MYRP according to a prescribed schedule. Provides that the base rates for the first rate year of an MYRP shall be established by the IURC in the same manner that base rates would be established in a proceeding for a change in basic rates and charges that occurs outside an MYRP. Specifies that in a petition to the IURC for a multi-year plan, an electricity supplier must include certain information in its case in chief. Provides that for each rate year in an electricity supplier's MYRP, the following apply: (1) A customer affordability performance metric and an associated performance incentive mechanism (PIM) that: (A) is based on the electricity supplier's performance in meeting the customer affordability performance metric; and (B) provides financial rewards or penalties to the electricity supplier based on that performance. (2) A service restoration performance metric and an associated PIM that: (A) is based on the electricity supplier's performance in meeting the service restoration performance metric; and (B) provides financial rewards or penalties to the electricity supplier based on that performance. Sets forth the methods by which the IURC must calculate the prescribed performance metrics and determine the associated PIMs. Sets forth specified findings the IURC must make in approving an electricity supplier's MYRP. Provides that at any time before the expiration of an electricity supplier's approved MYRP, the IURC may, upon its own motion, or at the request of the OUCC or the electricity supplier: (1) examine the electricity supplier's rates under the MYRP; (2) conduct periodic reviews with opportunities for public hearings and comments; and (3) adjust the base rates or PIMs under the MYRP. Beginning in 2029, requires the IURC to include in its annual report certain information about: (1) the status of electricity suppliers' MYRP filings and current MYRPs; (2) electricity suppliers' calculated performance metrics for the current rate year; and (3) the impact of all applicable PIMs on customer rates. Requires the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Requires an electricity supplier, other than a municipally owned utility, that is under the jurisdiction of the IURC to offer, not later than July 1, 2026, a low income customer assistance program (program) that provides financial assistance to low income residential customers for the payment of monthly bills for utility service. Requires an electricity supplier to annually fund its program in an amount equal to: (1) at least 0.2% of the electricity supplier's jurisdictional revenues for residential customers; plus (2) any contributions from governmental agencies or programs or from other third parties. Provides that if a customer who applies for assistance is eligible for assistance under the program, the electricity supplier shall enroll the customer in the program. Provides that an electricity supplier may, but is not required to, petition the IURC for approval to recover eligible program costs. Provides that "eligible program costs" do not include costs recovered by the electricity supplier through contributions that are provided at no cost to the electricity supplier. Beginning in 2027, requires the IURC to include each year in its annual report specified information concerning each electricity supplier's program with respect to the most recently concluded state fiscal year. Requires the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions.

Provides that a public safety employee who: (1) becomes disabled on or after January 1, 2020; (2) receives a Class 1 or a Class 2 impairment benefit; and (3) is eligible for group health insurance coverage for the public safety employee and the public safety employee's spouse or dependents; must pay no more than the amount that the public safety employee would have been required to pay if still serving as a current active public safety employee employed by the local unit public employer. Specifies that the public safety employee must file a written request for insurance coverage with the employer before June 1, 2026, or within 90 days after the public safety employee begins receiving disability benefits, whichever is later. Specifies that if a public safety agency closes, merges, or otherwise ceases to exist, the local unit public employer that caused the public safety agency to cease to exist, shall continue to provide certain insurance coverage. Provides that a surviving spouse or dependent of a public safety employee who dies in the line of duty must pay the same amount that the public safety employee would have been required to pay if still serving as a current active public safety employee employed by the local unit public employer for coverage selected by the surviving spouse or dependent under the group health insurance program.

Maddy summarySB 27, titled "Vehicle Bill" (though the bill's actual content relates to stadiums, not vehicles), establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. This authority is created to acquire, build, and finance stadiums and related facilities in northwest Indiana. The bill outlines the authority's specific powers, including funding mechanisms and operational duties for managing these projects. The bill directly affects northwest Indiana communities by creating a dedicated entity to handle stadium development and financing.

Requires a dealer to collect and retain certain identifying information from a potential purchaser. Beginning July 1, 2026, requires a transport operator to either: (1) have an established place of business with a physical Indiana address; or (2) provide the secretary of state (secretary) with proof of the transport operator's valid registration from the United States Department of Transportation authorizing the transport operator to operate within Indiana; to apply for a registration number. Provides that a dealership that operates without a license from the secretary commits a Class A infraction.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Provides that a homeowners association's governing documents may not include a covenant, policy, or similar measure that: (1) prohibits or restricts the use of; (2) distinguishes between types of; or (3) results in differing standards for different types of; motor vehicles or outdoor equipment based on the fuel source that powers the motor vehicle or outdoor equipment. Provides that a homeowners association's governing documents may not include a covenant, policy, or similar measure that prohibits the display of an American flag.Prohibits a homeowners association from installing, maintaining, or operating an automated license plate reader (ALPR), and prohibits a homeowners association from permitting the installation, maintenance, or operation of an ALPR on the property of the homeowners association unless the ALPR is installed by a law enforcement agency and only the law enforcement agency has access to the ALPR data.Prohibits a county or municipality from adopting or enforcing a utility usage data ordinance. Prohibits a county, municipality, or township from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, order, regulation, resolution, policy, or similar measure that: (1) prohibits or restricts the use, sale, or lease of; (2) distinguishes between types of; or (3) results in differing regulatory standards for different types of; motor vehicles or machines other than vehicles, including outdoor equipment, based on the fuel source that powers the motor vehicle or machine. Requires political subdivisions located within five miles of the end of a runway of a publicly owned, public use airport to adopt an airspace overlay zoning ordinance.

Maddy summaryHR 48 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the LaPorte County Fair, introduced by Representative Novak and co-authored by Representative Pressel on February 23, 2026. It has no substantive policy provisions or direct impact on legislation, as it solely serves to recognize the fair's contributions. The bill follows standard procedural steps for commemorative resolutions, including a first reading and adoption. This type of resolution does not create new laws or affect constituents' rights, services, or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1417 establishes a commission to study tort reform and limits civil lawsuits related to public nuisances, such as environmental harm or neighborhood disturbances. It directly affects communities and businesses that could face or file such lawsuits, potentially reducing legal challenges over shared community issues. The bill creates a formal process for the commission to review and recommend changes to civil lawsuit rules. This legislation passed the Senate with 61 votes in favor and 34 against.

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 summaryHR 36 designates March 17, 2026, as "Profound Autism Day" and recognizes April as "National Autism Month" through a symbolic congressional resolution. The bill does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect individuals or organizations - it serves solely as a formal recognition of autism awareness. It was introduced by Rep. Olthoff with 25 co-sponsors and passed its first reading on February 10, 2026. This type of resolution is common for ceremonial observances and has no binding policy impact.