Defines various terms. Amends and removes various definitions. Makes various changes to natural resources commission procedures. Makes various changes to the department of natural resources (department) powers and duties. Removes the hometown Indiana grant program. Amends various boating and wakeboard regulations. Raises the financial threshold for certain actions in a boating accident from $750 to $2,000. Raises the financial threshold for certain actions in an off-road vehicle accident from $750 to $2,500. Establishes various restrictions on landowner liability to recreational users. Provides that various restrictions on landowner liability do not apply to a parcel of land assessed as residential land. Removes the penalty for a person who acts as a hunting guide without a guide license. Allows the division of water to perform certain functions on behalf of the natural resources commission. Requires the natural resources commission to coordinate with the department for purposes of a reporting requirement regarding conservancy districts. Establishes a consolidated chapter for river basin commission administration. Repeals existing, separate chapters for the Maumee River basin commission, the St. Joseph River basin commission, and the Upper Wabash River basin commission. Creates a new chapter for a river basin commission's conversion into a watershed development commission. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Sponsored bills
Adds one voting member to the Indiana defense task force (task force) appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one voting member to the task force appointed by the speaker of the house. Adds the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard or the adjutant general's designee as a nonvoting member of the task force. Provides that, on or before May 1, 2026, and each May 1 thereafter, the task force shall submit a report to the Indiana economic development corporation's office of defense development and the budget committee. Provides that the report shall identify the task force's identified priorities for expenditures for the following state fiscal year. Provides that on or before August 1, 2027, and each August 1 thereafter, the corporation's office of defense development shall submit a report to the task force and the budget committee that details expenditures from amounts appropriated to the corporation's office of defense development for priorities identified by the task force for the previous state fiscal year. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 state fiscal year, and each state fiscal year thereafter, the corporation's office of defense development shall consider and incorporate, to the extent practicable, the task force's identified priorities for expenditures when the corporation's office of defense development formulates its annual budget. Provides that the IEDC and an operating partner shall administer the federal Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site program Indiana.
Prohibits a governmental entity from discriminating against a person in adoption and foster care matters based on the person's sincerely held religious belief, unless the discriminatory act as applied to the person is required to advance a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of advancing the interest. Specifies that a governmental entity may consider whether a person involved in adoption or foster care matters shares the same religion or faith tradition as a child or the child's parent when considering placement of a child. Allows a person to bring a cause of action against a governmental entity for discriminating against the person, or raise a violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, and allows for certain remedies. Provides that there is a two year statute of limitation for a discrimination claim.
Maddy summaryHR 51 is a commemorative resolution honoring Officer Brian Elliott, authored by Representative McGuire and coauthored by numerous representatives. It formally recognizes Officer Elliott's service and contributions, though it does not create any new laws or alter existing policies. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact or effect on specific groups beyond the ceremonial acknowledgment of the officer. The bill was adopted during its first reading on February 25, 2026.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 16) is a formal acknowledgment by the state legislature of volunteer firefighters who have served for 50 years or more. It does not create new benefits or change laws but proposes a concurrent resolution - requiring approval from both the House and Senate - to honor these individuals publicly. The resolution would recognize their long-term service through a ceremonial gesture, directly affecting eligible volunteer firefighters statewide. As a symbolic measure, it has no financial or regulatory impact and is currently moving through the legislative process.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename a portion of State Road 237 near Perry County Memorial Hospital the “Sergeant Heather J. Glenn Memorial Highway”.
Provides a price preference to a business that is not an Indiana business but offers to provide supplies manufactured, assembled, or produced in Indiana. Provides that an Indiana business that offers to provide supplies manufactured, assembled, or produced in Indiana is eligible for an additional price preference for a contract awarded by a state agency. (Under current law, the additional price preference applies only when two or more equal bids are submitted.) Provides a 25% price preference for the purchase of flags that are manufactured in the United States.
Recognizing the Daughters of the American Revolution and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.