Rep. Heath VanNatter

Specifies, with respect to a tobacco sales certificate (certificate), that a permitted premises may not include sleeping or living quarters. Provides that a person may not sell a tobacco product or electronic cigarette at wholesale without a certificate. Adds additional information an applicant must provide to the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) when applying for a certificate. Provides, with one exception, that the commission shall not issue a certificate to a retail location where a certificate was revoked within one year prior to the application. Specifies the circumstances under which the commission must either suspend or revoke a certificate if the certificate holder's employees violate employee identification requirements three or more times in one year. Makes it a Class C infraction for a certificate holder or employee to violate particular identification requirements. Modifies the application of certain statutes concerning vapor pens and e-liquid. Establishes various requirements and penalties applicable to e-liquid, e-liquid products, and vapor devices, including restrictions on the manufacture, sourcing, possession, sale, and distribution of foreign adversary products. Specifies that certain provisions concerning vapor pens and e-liquid do not authorize the manufacturing, sale, possession, or use of a controlled substance or any product containing a controlled substance. Amends the requirements for an initial and renewal application to manufacture e-liquids or e-liquid products. Requires, in a provision concerning the sale of cigarettes, that a buydown be considered in determining the cost to the retailer or cost to the distributor. Specifies an exception. Adds the sale of alcohol without a permit to the violations which may constitute racketeering activity. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal sale of tobacco products from six violations in a year to three violations in a year. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal entrance by a minor from six violations to three violations in a year. Specifies that a prohibition on the sale, use, or distribution of flavored nitrous oxide does not apply to a law enforcement agency disposing of flavored nitrous oxide by donation to a nonprofit organization.

Removes vacation pay and sick pay from the definition of "deductible income". Amends the definition of "suitable work" to apply solely to extended benefit claims. Amends the definition of "employment" with respect to certain religious, charitable, or educational organizations. Provides that the department of workforce development may make certain direct deposit disbursements under limited circumstances. Provides that the date a determination of eligibility is sent is prima facie evidence of proper service. Codifies certain administrative rules with respect to benefit payments, the filing of claims, and notice. Removes outdated or expired provisions. Removes references to dependents' allowances for purposes of calculating extended benefits. Provides that an individual who files a disaster unemployment assistance claim may be eligible for additional benefits under certain circumstances. Makes conforming changes.

Removes an examination requirement for certain pharmacists for license reciprocity. Requires an individual to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination to be eligible for licensure as a pharmacist. Voids or requires the amendment of certain administrative rules. Makes technical changes.

Modifies the definition of "average of the annual compensation" for a member of the public employees' retirement fund (PERF) who retires after December 31, 2027. Specifies that compensation received in contemplation of retirement is excluded from the average of the annual compensation for particular members of PERF and the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF). Repeals a provision requiring the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to maintain separate accounts for each unit of local government. Provides that amounts forfeited under the public employees defined contribution plan must be used as determined by the board. Specifies a process by which a fully vested member of the public employees' defined contribution plan or the teachers' defined contribution plan may irrevocably elect to participate in PERF or TRF, as applicable. Modifies the information that must be included in a delinquency notice to a delinquent political subdivision. Modifies the requirements that apply to certain PERF members purchasing and claiming years of service credit in PERF. Allows, subject to particular requirements, certain TRF members to purchase and claim years of service credit in TRF. Allows a PERF or TRF member's employer to pay all or part of the member's contributions required for purchase of service credit. Allows a wage assignment to be made for the purpose of paying voluntary contributions of an employee of a political subdivision to a tax deferred retirement account. Provides that a municipality, a unit, an airport authority, a school corporation, or a charter school may require certain members of PERF to continue as members of that fund instead of the 1977 police officers' and firefighters' pension and disability fund (1977 fund). Requires, subject to certain limitations, the state to make contributions after December 31, 2026, that match, dollar for dollar, each state employee's deferred compensation contributions, not to exceed $28 per paycheck. Specifies a process by which portions of the funding sources for the retirement medical benefits account must be transferred to the state comptroller for the purpose of making matching contributions. Provides as a default rule that after December 31, 2026, each participant's membership in the retirement medical benefits account is terminated, participant subaccounts are forfeited, and subaccount amounts must be transferred to the state general fund. Requires the state comptroller to transfer certain amounts from the state general fund to each participant's defined contribution plan. Specifies a time frame within which a participant in the retirement medical benefits account may elect to remain a participant. Establishes the 2027 retiree health benefit trust. Provides that the retiree health benefit trust fund will be terminated when certain conditions are met. Increases the lump sum death benefit payable to the heirs or estate of a 1977 fund member. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)

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 the following shall offer, as a regular investment program, a self directed brokerage account that offers at least one cryptocurrency investment option: (1) The legislators' defined contribution plan. (2) The Hoosier START plan. (3) Specified public employees' retirement fund plans and accounts. (4) Specified teachers' retirement fund plans and accounts (including the teachers' pre-1996 account). Prohibits a public agency, other than the department of financial institutions, or a county, municipality, or township from adopting or enforcing a rule, ordinance, or other regulation that does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, restricts, or impairs an individual's ability to: (A) accept digital assets as a method of payment for legal goods and services; or (B) take custody of digital assets using specified technologies. (2) Imposes taxes or fees on: (A) use or acceptance of digital assets as a method of payment for legal goods and services; or (B) taking or maintaining custody of digital assets using a self-hosted wallet or hardware wallet; that are not applicable to comparable financial transactions that do not involve digital assets. (3) Prohibits, restricts, or impairs the ability of an individual or business to engage in specified activities pertaining to blockchains. Prohibits a public agency, other than the department of financial institutions, from adopting or enforcing a rule, ordinance, or other regulation that prohibits operation of a digital mining business. Prohibits a county, municipality, or township from adopting or enforcing a rule, ordinance, or other regulation that does any of the following: (1) Prohibits a digital asset mining business from operating in an area zoned for industrial use, or subjects a digital asset mining business located in an area zoned for industrial use to noise restrictions that are not applicable to other businesses operating in an area zoned for industrial use. (2) Prohibits private digital asset mining in a private residence located in an area that is zoned for residential use, or subjects private digital asset mining in a residence located in an area zoned for residential use to noise restrictions that do not apply to other residences in an area zoned for residential use. Provides that development or use of software for noncustodial transfer of digital assets does not constitute money transmission for purposes of statutes regarding licensure of money transmitters. Provides that a court may compel a person to disclose a digital asset private key only if no other admissible information is sufficient to provide access to the digital asset.

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.

Maddy summarySCR 25 is a non-binding concurrent resolution honoring Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, who were victims of a 2023 crime. It formally celebrates their legacy through a symbolic gesture by the state legislature, with broad bipartisan support evidenced by 41 co-authors in both chambers. The resolution does not create new laws, affect any policies, or change rights or responsibilities for residents. It serves solely as a commemorative statement to recognize their memory.

Maddy summarySB 245, titled "Tip pooling," authorizes restaurants and hospitality businesses to group customer tips for distribution among eligible staff under specific, defined circumstances. The bill directly affects tipped workers (like servers and bartenders) and their employers by establishing clear rules for how tips can be shared. It passed the House unanimously (44-1) on January 22, 2026, and now moves to the next legislative stage, with no further details provided on the exact conditions for pooling.

Maddy summarySB 89 authorizes the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to issue new three-way permits in specific locations. It allows up to three new permits for Schererville, three for Lafayette, two for West Lafayette, and eight for restaurants within transit development districts. These permits typically allow alcohol service in multiple settings (like dining, retail, and entertainment) under one license. The bill directly affects businesses in those designated areas by expanding their alcohol service options through new permit authorizations.