Rep. Ed Soliday

Maddy summarySCR 8 is a non-binding concurrent resolution expressing strong disapproval of religious persecution globally. It does not create new laws or affect any specific groups, as resolutions like this serve only to state legislative sentiment. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate (90-0) and was adopted by committee, but it has no legal effect. This type of resolution is symbolic and intended to publicly condemn violations of religious freedom worldwide.

Amends as follows the Indiana Code section concerning certificates of public convenience and necessity (certificates) for small modular nuclear reactors: (1) Authorizes a public utility to petition the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for approval to incur, before obtaining a certificate, project development costs for the development of one or more small modular nuclear reactors. (2) Sets forth certain factors that the IURC must consider in reviewing a public utility's petition to incur project development costs. (3) Requires the IURC to issue a final order approving or denying the petition not later than 180 days after receiving the petition and the public utility's complete case in chief, subject to the IURC's right to extend the time for review if the public utility does not object to the extension. (4) Provides that if a public utility receives approval to incur project development costs, the public utility may petition the IURC at any time before or during the development and execution of a small modular nuclear reactor project for the approval of a rate schedule that periodically adjusts the public utility's rates and charges to provide for the timely recovery of project development costs. (5) Provides that after reviewing a public utility's proposed rate schedule, the IURC shall approve the recovery of project development costs by the public utility if the IURC finds that project development costs that have been or will be incurred are: (A) reasonable in amount; (B) necessary to support the construction, purchase, or lease of a small modular nuclear reactor; and (C) consistent with the commission's finding as to the best estimate of project development costs. (6) Provides that a public utility that is authorized to recover project development costs shall: (A) recover 80% of the approved project development costs under the approved rate schedule; and (B) defer the remaining 20% of approved project development costs for recovery as part of public utility's next general rate case before the IURC. (7) Provides that the recovery of a public utility's project development costs through an approved periodic rate adjustment mechanism must occur over a period that is equal to: (A) the period over which the approved project development costs are incurred; or (B) three years; whichever is less. (8) Provides that project development costs that: (A) are incurred by a public utility; and (B) exceed the best estimate of project development costs included in the IURC's order authorizing the public utility to incur project development costs; may not be included in the public utility's rates and charges unless found by the IURC to be reasonable, necessary, and prudent in supporting the construction, purchase, or lease of the small modular nuclear reactor for which they were incurred. (9) Provides that: (A) project development costs incurred for a project that is canceled or not completed may be recovered by the public utility if found by the IURC to be reasonable, necessary, and prudently incurred; but (B) such costs shall be recovered without a return unless the IURC makes certain additional findings. (10) Provides that if a public utility does not seek: (A) approval of; or (B) cost recovery for; project development costs under the bill's provisions, the IURC may approve the deferral and amortization of project development costs in accordance with the statutory procedures set forth for construction costs.

Provides that after June 30, 2025, a foreign company may not construct or cause to be constructed a data center in Indiana unless the Indiana utility regulatory commission and the Indiana economic development corporation conduct a joint study of the anticipated electricity use of the prospective data center and certify to the governor and the general assembly that the electricity estimated to be used by the data center will be self-generated and will not affect the load supply of the regional transmission organizations whose service territory includes Indiana.

Maddy summaryHR 46 is a ceremonial resolution designating Sunday, August 10, 2025, as "Indiana Prayer Walk Your Campus Day." It does not create new laws or affect any policies; it simply recognizes a planned campus prayer event. The bill was introduced by Representative Smith H and co-sponsored by multiple representatives. This is a symbolic gesture with no concrete policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

Maddy summaryHCR 34 is a concurrent resolution formally acknowledging the work of Guardian ad Litem professionals and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) in child welfare cases. It recognizes their role in advocating for children's best interests within the court system. This resolution does not create new laws or alter policies; it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of these volunteers' contributions. The bill was introduced by Representative Garcia Wilburn and has advanced through initial readings in both chambers.

Includes water utilities within the scope of the statute that subjects wastewater utilities that: (1) are not under the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the approval of rates and charges; and (2) have been issued one or more enforcement orders by the department of environmental management; to a series of oversight actions by the IURC for each additional enforcement order, including rate review, rate regulation, and the initiation of a receivership proceeding. Makes a conforming amendment to the statute that governs the process by which water utilities and wastewater utilities may withdraw from the jurisdiction of the IURC. Amends the statute governing the acquisition of water utilities and wastewater utilities to require the IURC to consider and authorize mechanisms to allow utility companies to integrate into their systems, invest in, and earn on acquired utility assets, subject to a finding by the IURC that the proposed mechanism is just and reasonable and in the public interest. Amends the statute governing the recovery of costs for eligible infrastructure improvements made by water or wastewater utilities to provide that, in the case of a public utility (as defined in the Indiana Code), "infrastructure improvement costs" eligible for recovery include: (1) deferred depreciation expense; and (2) post in service carrying costs; for the eligible infrastructure improvements. Adds language to the Indiana Code chapter governing public water supplies to provide that a complaint: (1) seeking damages from a water utility; and (2) arising out of an alleged exposure to drinking water supplied by the water utility; is barred if the water supplied by the water utility met applicable regulatory standards under specified federal and state law. Amends the Indiana Code section prohibiting the department of natural resources (department) from regulating certain activities within the 100 year flood level of a water supply reservoir owned and operated by a municipality or a public utility for the purpose of providing water utility service to the public to also prohibit the department from ordering the closure or removal, or the partial closure or removal, of: (1) a dam that forms such a water supply reservoir; or (2) a dam that forms or contains a body of water that is used to supply one or more private water wells; if the closure or removal, or the partial closure or removal, of the dam would impact the provision of water utility service to the public or the supply of water to one or more private water wells.

Requires an applicant for a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate to comply with certain guidelines adopted by the Indiana utility regulatory commission. Exempts a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline company (company) from obtaining a certificate of authority if the company's carbon dioxide transmission pipeline project meets certain criteria. Requires an applicant or the contractor or subcontractor of the applicant to submit evidence that the contractor or subcontractor of the applicant have the requisite experience constructing, operating, and maintaining a transmission pipeline for the department to grant the applicant a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate of authority. Moves fee revenue collected for a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline certificate of authority from the oil and gas environmental fund to the state general fund. Provides that the filing fee for a permit for a carbon sequestration project is deposited in the state general fund. Provides that an involuntary integration order issued by the department of natural resources (department) is effective 15 days after the petitioner is issued a UIC Class VI permit. Amends the definition of "UIC Class VI permit". Adjusts the filing fee for a carbon sequestration project permit. Requires a storage operator to pay the department a fee of $0.08 per metric ton of carbon dioxide injected into a storage facility for the previous calendar year. Provides that a storage operator shall pay to the department a fee for the carbon dioxide injected into the storage facility. Expires the carbon dioxide storage facility trust fund and provides for the transfer of money in that fund to the state general fund. Directs the department to establish and issue a permit that allows a person to: (1) drill or operate a carbon dioxide investigatory well; or (2) convert an oil and gas well for use in carbon dioxide investigations. Describes circumstances in which the department may enter property to inspect and maintain a well or storage facility. Establishes civil penalties for violations of the statutes regulating carbon sequestration. Provides that civil penalties are deposited in the state general fund.

Maddy summaryHR 40 is a symbolic resolution that reaffirms Indiana's existing sister-state relationship with Taiwan. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations, but formally expresses the Indiana General Assembly's continued commitment to this partnership. The bill was introduced and coauthored by multiple state representatives and passed its first reading on April 3, 2025. This type of resolution typically supports cultural or economic ties without altering policy or providing resources.

Maddy summaryHR 39 designates April as World Autism Month and April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day through a symbolic congressional resolution. This bill does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a recognition measure to highlight these observances. The resolution has no direct impact on individuals, services, or funding but aims to raise public awareness about autism. It was introduced and coauthored by multiple representatives with no substantive policy changes.

Amends within the Indiana Code chapter governing publication procedures for political subdivisions the provision governing the publication of a notice of a hearing by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to reference the publication procedures for hearings set forth in the Indiana Code chapter governing the IURC. Amends the publication procedures within the statute governing the IURC to provide that if any newspaper of general circulation in which the IURC publishes a notice does not publish a print edition at least three times a week, the IURC may publish the notice in either: (1) the print edition; or (2) an electronic edition; of the newspaper or a locality newspaper that circulates within the county. Adds a definition of "court reporter" to the Indiana Code chapter governing the regulation of utilities. Replaces references to a "stenographer" with references to a "court reporter" throughout that chapter and in other instances in the Indiana Code in which a "stenographer" or "reporter" is referenced in the context of an IURC proceeding. Repeals all remaining provisions in the Indiana Code chapter concerning alternative energy projects by rural electric membership corporations following the repeal by the general assembly in 2024 of other provisions in that chapter that established a fund to provide incentives under a program that is no longer operational. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the state statute or rules governing pipeline safety: (1) from $25,000 to $200,000 per violation per day; and (2) from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations; so as to conform Indiana's civil penalties with those prescribed by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.