Rep. Ben Smaltz

Maddy summaryHCR 16 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Bruce Haines for his retirement from the Fort Wayne Public Broadcasting Service. It formally recognizes his service and contributions to the organization through a joint expression of appreciation from both legislative chambers. This resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely a commemorative gesture. The bill was introduced in the House and adopted via voice vote in early February 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 11 is a commemorative resolution celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, rights, or regulations. The resolution simply recognizes the union's history and contributions through a formal statement by the Indiana House of Representatives. It was introduced and coauthored by multiple representatives on January 30, 2025, and passed its first reading.

Maddy summaryHB 1260 removes the requirement for architects or engineers to review plans and specifications for certain public building projects. It directly affects public construction work on government buildings by exempting specific types of projects from this professional review mandate. The key provision exempts "certain public work on a public building" from needing such approval, streamlining the process for those projects. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on.

Increases, for purposes of the deduction for persons 65 or older: (1) the adjusted gross income threshold for an individual from $30,000 to $40,000; (2) the combined adjusted gross income threshold for an individual filing a joint return with the individual's spouse from $40,000 to $50,000; (3) the combined adjusted gross income for an individual and all other individuals that are joint tenants or tenants in common from $40,000 to $50,000; and (4) the maximum assessed value of the property subject to the deduction from $240,000 to $350,000. Increases, for purposes of the over 65 circuit breaker credit: (1) the adjusted gross income threshold for an individual from $30,000 to $40,000; (2) the combined adjusted gross income threshold for an individual filing a joint return with the individual's spouse from $40,000 to $50,000; and (3) the maximum assessed value of the property subject to the credit from $240,000 to $350,000. Makes conforming changes.

Establishes the real world readiness grant program (program) to provide grants to eligible schools to better prepare students for life after graduation with or without the assistance of a partnering organization. Establishes the real world readiness fund (fund). Provides a procedure for eligible schools to apply to the department of education (department) to receive a grant from the fund. Requires the department to approve organizations that may partner with an eligible school to facilitate the program. Establishes the personal financial responsibility curriculum grant program to provide grants to eligible schools to develop or adopt personal financial responsibility curriculum. Establishes the personal financial responsibility curriculum fund (financial responsibility fund). Requires the department to establish guidelines: (1) an external organization must meet to be eligible to partner with an eligible applicant; and (2) to award grants to eligible applicants. Requires applicants that receive a grant from the financial responsibility fund to report student outcomes to the department, as developed by the department.

Requires a health care entity that is involved in a merger or acquisition to disclose additional information. Allows the office of the attorney general to assess a health care entity with a civil penalty for noncompliance with the merger and acquisition notice.

Requires the board of trustees of each state educational institution (institution) to adopt a policy that prohibits certain foreign students from enrolling in or receiving instruction in a qualifying STEM program offered by the institution. Requires that the policy be established and enforced not later than August 15, 2025. Provides that the policy must apply to certain foreign students who enroll in an institution after August 15, 2025.

Provides that under certain circumstances, a residential property owner may obtain the removal of an unauthorized person from the residential property owner's residential real property. Establishes a cause of action for wrongful removal from residential property. Provides that if a person without either the consent of the owner of a dwelling or a contractual interest in the dwelling knowingly or intentionally enters the dwelling and knowingly or intentionally causes more than $10,000 in damages to the dwelling, the person commits a Level 6 felony.

Increases the maximum amount of the income tax credit for an individual employed as a teacher for amounts expended for classroom supplies from $100 to $300 per taxable year.

Requires an insurer, an administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager to apply the annual limitation on cost sharing set forth in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under 42 U.S.C. 18022(c)(1). Provides that an insurer, an administrator, and a pharmacy benefit manager may not directly or indirectly set, alter, implement, or condition the terms of health insurance coverage based in part or entirely on information about the availability or amount of financial or product assistance available for a prescription drug. Requires, before December 31 of each year, each insurer and administrator to certify to the insurance commissioner that the insurer or administrator has fully and completely complied with the cost sharing requirements during the previous calendar year.