Sen. Dan Dernulc

Provides that a public agency may not enter into or renew a contract for a public works project with a contractor unless, among other requirements, the contractor signs a notarized affidavit affirming that the contractor does not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien. Provides that a contractor for a public works project must take certain actions with respect to the immigration status of employees. Provides that a contractor may not employ an individual for a public works project if the person has no E-verification number, except under certain circumstances. Provides civil immunity for a contractor that in good faith misidentifies the immigration status of a worker to comply with certain provisions of this bill. Makes conforming changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 15) honoring Robert Hall Weir. It does not create new laws or affect any policies or people; it is solely a formal expression of respect and remembrance. The resolution was introduced and passed by the Senate on January 29, 2026, with no binding effect beyond commemoration.

Requires a group health insurance program for firefighters to provide coverage for the screening of certain forms of cancer. Requires a local unit public employer to provide cancer insurance for active firefighters, retired firefighters, and firefighters who are receiving disability benefits. Allows the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system to enter into agreements with one or more insurance companies to provide group cancer insurance for active firefighters, retired firefighters, and firefighters who are receiving disability benefits. Requires the department of homeland security to develop a firefighter cancer awareness and prevention program to provide relevant information to fire department personnel and volunteers concerning best practices for reducing the risk of cancer.

Allows an individual's spouse, legal guardian, friend, relative, or medical service provider to petition a court for involuntary substance use disorder treatment. Requires a petition to include certain information and allows a court to dismiss a petition, without prejudice, if it does not contain the required information. Requires the court to appoint a public defender if the individual subject to a petition seeking involuntary substance use disorder treatment is not represented by an attorney. Requires a court to order the individual to be evaluated by a medical provider if the court finds that: (1) the individual has a substance use disorder; (2) because of the individual's substance use disorder, the individual is experiencing impaired judgment and is unable to independently maintain the individual's activities of daily living or is a danger to self or others; and (3) the individual refuses to voluntarily participate in substance use disorder treatment. Allows a court to order a local law enforcement agency to consider whether an individual meets the criteria for emergency detention under certain circumstances. Requires a medical provider who completes an evaluation concerning an individual's need for substance use disorder treatment to submit the evaluation to the court. Specifies that after receiving an evaluation from a medical provider, the court may dismiss the petition or set a hearing for further evidence to be presented about the individual's need for substance use disorder treatment. Requires a court to order involuntary outpatient substance use disorder treatment for a period, not to exceed 90 days, if medical evidence supports that the individual requires immediate treatment for a substance use disorder and the individual has refused treatment.

Establishes the Lake County rounding of local taxes pilot program. Requires a local unit to round a tax amount payable to the local unit: (1) downward in the case of a tax amount with one, two, six, or seven in the second decimal place to the next amount divisible by $0.05; or (2) upward in the case of a tax amount with three, four, eight, or nine in the second decimal place to the next amount divisible by $0.05.

Provides additional considerations that a local public works board may consider in determining the lowest responsible and responsive bidder for a public work project costing at least $300,000.

Provides that affordability is the most important attribute of electric utility service that must be considered in decisions concerning Indiana's electric generation resource mix, energy infrastructure, and electric service ratemaking constructs. Provides the following with regard to a public electric or gas utility's transmission, distribution, and storage system improvement charge (TDSIC) plan: (1) The public utility's petition for Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) approval of the TDSIC plan must include an executive summary that provides specified information. (2) The public utility and the IURC shall publish the TDSIC plan, and each annual update to the TDSIC plan, on the public utility's and IURC's respective websites. (3) Provides that the public utility shall recover the deferred 20% of the public utility's approved capital expenditures and TDSIC costs under the TDSIC plan only upon the public utility's completion of the eligible transmission, distribution, and storage system improvements included in the TDSIC plan.

Requires IDEM to: (1) perform a comprehensive evaluation of ambient air quality within nonattainment areas in Indiana; and (2) identify air pollution reduction or regulatory relief strategies that could accomplish certain goals with respect to the federal Clean Air Act.

Amends the definition of "motor vehicle" for purposes of dealer services provisions governing unfair practices and the succession to franchise by designated family members. Amends the definition of "trailer" for certain instances. Specifies that the requirement that a dealer have an established place of business does not apply to a dealer selling trailers, unless the dealer is required to be licensed for any other purpose. Provides that a dealer selling trailers does not have to file certain information with the secretary of state.

Provides that if a person changes the exterior color or appearance of their passenger vehicle from the color listed in the vehicle's registration through certain methods, the person must apply to amend their vehicle registration, and that a law enforcement officer shall issue a warning to a person who does not update the person's registration to reflect the color changes. Provides that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person changes the color of a passenger vehicle after it was used in the commission of a crime and fails to amend the vehicle registration. Requires the BMV to require a person renewing a registration to indicate if the vehicle's color has changed.