Rep. Tim O'Brien

Provides that a county board or assessing official shall not enter a property to conduct a physical inspection without first receiving the permission of the taxpayer to enter the property. Provides that under specific circumstances, that an individual may serve as a tax representative of any taxpayer concerning property subject to property taxes. Changes the expiration date for the county option circuit breaker tax credit. Describes elements that must be included in a report that must be prepared by the department of local government finance and presented to an interim study committee regarding automated valuation systems.

Requires the legislative services agency to perform a fiscal impact analysis for all executive orders issued by the governor within seven days of an order's issuance. (Under current law, this requirement only applies to a governor's declaration of a disaster emergency by executive order.) Provides that if the implementation and compliance costs of a proposed rule are expected to exceed $500,000 (instead of $1,000,000) over a two year period, the publisher may not publish the proposed rule until the budget committee has reviewed the rule. Amends the Pokagon Indiana Education Fund to allow payments to be made to both public and private Indiana institutions of higher learning for the purposes of the fund. Makes the following changes (effective July 1, 2028) regarding community mental health centers (CMHC): (1) Allows a county to meet CMHC funding requirements from any funding source in lieu of or in combination with property taxes but excluding federal funds. (2) Adds provisions concerning the location where certain CMHC services may be provided. (3) Specifies additional items that are required to be reported by a CMHC in its annual report. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on courts and the judiciary the task of undertaking a comprehensive study of all court fees and fines. Allows the budget agency, subject to budget committee review, to use the appropriation to the financial responsibility and opportunity growth fund (fund) in HEA 1001-2025 or augment the fund for the purpose of providing funding to the Child Care and Development Fund voucher program in addition to the uses for the appropriation as authorized in HEA 1001-2025.

Revises the allocation of money available for making loans from the residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund. Adds requirements regarding the location of impact zones designated by a county, city, or town (unit) after June 30, 2026. Requires a unit to approve a project that complies with the legal restrictions in effect on the date the project's permit application is submitted. After December 31, 2026, restricts a unit's ability to impose and increase fees related to building approvals and permits. Delays the implementation of building permit increases to 180 days after publication of the ordinance. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires a unit to annually report the unit's housing status to the Indiana housing and community development authority. Requires the department of environmental management to review and update its Indiana Storm Water Quality Manual not later than December 1, 2026. Prohibits the state or local government from requiring a person intending to fill land in a flood plain to provide compensatory storage at a ratio greater than three (mitigated land) to one (filled land). Requires a unit to forfeit or refund regulatory fees if the unit fails to meet statutory deadlines for issuing a Class 2 building permit. After June 30, 2026, prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from requiring the installation of the following: (1) An arc-fault circuit interrupter in Class 2 structure or structure classified as an R-2 building occupancy classification. (2) An emergency responder communications enhancement system in a Class 1 structure. Repeals a provision that would have reinstated on July 1, 2027, the statute in effect before its amendment in the 2023 regular session of the general assembly setting forth the authorization and procedures for establishing a residential housing development program (program). Amends the current statute for establishing a program to provide that a program terminates: (1) 25 years (instead of 20 years) after the date on which the first obligation was incurred to pay principal and interest on obligations payable from tax increment revenues from the program; or (2) on the date on which the bond obligations or lease rentals are satisfied. Requires a unit not later than January 1, 2027 to: (1) review its unified development ordinance in a public hearing with the purpose of increasing housing development; and (2) report to the executive director of legislative services agency. Urges assignment of the topic of housing developments by religious institutions to an interim study committee. Resolves conflicts for IC 36-2-4-8, which was amended by both P.L.22-2021 and P.L.152-2021. Increases the average construction cost allowable for certain housing projects to be completed by a housing authority. Provides that bonds, notes, or warrants of a housing authority may be sold at less than par value at a negotiated sale.

Requires the department of correction to electronically notify, at least seven days in advance, the: (1) county sheriff; (2) prosecuting attorney; and (3) chief of police; of the county or municipality into which the department will release a serious violent felon, including a juvenile adjudicated for an act that would be a serious violent felony, and of the county or municipality where the serious violent felon or juvenile committed the offense. Requires the department of correction to notify a registered victim through the department's automated victim notification system. Requires: (1) a court; and (2) the prosecuting attorney or the prosecuting attorney's victim assistance program; to notify a victim of the automated victim assistance notification program, and provides that a victim has the right to be informed, upon request, about the progress of the criminal case involving the victim. Requires that, before hiring a person as a law enforcement officer, a law enforcement hiring department or agency shall request from prior law enforcement employers all documents relating to disciplinary action or internal investigations that involve the person. (Under current law, a hiring agency must request all findings and orders).

Allows, if certain conditions are met, a homeowners association to increase a budget, without a quorum, in an amount not to exceed 110% of the amount of the last approved budget, within five years after the first sale of a lot or unit from a developer to a person not associated with the developer. Prohibits a homeowners association from charging a fee associated with any service provided by the homeowners association. Allows, if certain conditions are met, a homeowners association to increase an annual budget without a quorum in an amount that does not exceed the lesser of: (1) 105% of the last approved budget; or (2) the average increase of the Consumer Price Index for housing in the Midwest for the prior 12 months. Prohibits a homeowners association from adopting or enforcing a regulation, rule, or other policy that prohibits a person from maintaining an amateur radio antenna. Specifies that a homeowners association may not prohibit or restrict a person from operating a Class I child care home or providing certain child care if the person resides within and owns, rents, or leases the single family residence where child care services are provided.

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 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.

Requires a broker company who refers a client or customer to another broker company to disclose if the broker company may be compensated for referring the client or customer.

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.

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.