Sen. Mike Gaskill

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 2) honoring Senator Mark Messmer for his service in the Indiana Senate upon his retirement. It formally recognizes his contributions through a symbolic gesture adopted by the full Senate via voice vote on February 3, 2025. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a procedural acknowledgment of his retirement.

Removes a voter's option to vote for all candidates of a political party or an independent ticket at one time (straight ticket voting) in a general or municipal election. Repeals superseded statutes relating to straight ticket voting. Increases the amount of time that a voter may remain in the voting booth at a general, municipal, or special election, from four minutes to seven minutes.

Provides a calculation to be used in determining the maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levy and resulting tax rate for taxes first due and payable in 2026 and 2027, to cap the increase in the levy and tax rates based on a ratio comparison of each civil taxing unit's maximum permissible ad valorem property tax levy to net assessed value in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator David Vinzant upon his retirement from the Senate. It was adopted unanimously by the Senate on January 27, 2025, as a formal recognition of his service. The resolution does not create new policies or affect any constituents - it serves solely as a ceremonial tribute.

Adds an investigator for the inspector general to the list of public safety officers whose relative receives a special death benefit if the officer dies in the line of duty.

Makes certain changes to the qualification requirements and credit amount for the over 65 circuit breaker credit. Makes certain changes to the qualification requirements and deduction amount for the property tax deduction for disabled veterans who are either totally disabled or at least 62 years of age with a partial disability.

Maddy summarySB 490 caps noneconomic damages (like pain and suffering) in civil lawsuits involving commercial motor vehicles at $1 million. It directly affects plaintiffs who sue commercial truck or bus companies after accidents, limiting their recovery for non-monetary losses. The bill establishes this $1 million limit as a standard rule, with specific exceptions noted in the law. This is a direct policy change to the damages available in such lawsuits, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Provides that: (1) a referendum authorizing a school corporation to impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a specified controlled project; (2) a school corporation operating referendum tax levy; or (3) a school corporation school safety referendum tax levy; may be placed on the ballot only at a primary election conducted in a general election year or a general election. Provides that a school corporation may not adopt a resolution to place an operating referendum or school safety referendum on the ballot during the second calendar year after the final calendar year in which a previously approved operating referendum levy or school safety referendum levy is imposed. Provides that in a local public question, a school corporation must provide the total amount of property tax revenue expected to be collected each year.

Prohibits a governmental agent from entering real property that is owned or occupied by a landowner without a warrant. Provides certain exceptions. Requires a governmental agent, upon entering real property, to: (1) take reasonable action to notify the landowner that the governmental agent has entered; (2) show the landowner a copy of the warrant, if applicable; and (3) activate any law enforcement recording device that is issued to the governmental agent. Provides that evidence obtained by entry on real property without a warrant or without a valid exception is inadmissible. Provides that a person may not be arrested if the probable cause for the arrest results solely from entry on real property without a warrant or valid exception. Establishes a civil cause of action if a governmental agent enters real property without a warrant or valid exception.

Establishes the local government efficiency task force (task force) to study creating a more streamlined and cost effective local government structure. Sets forth the membership, and requires the task force to issue a report to the general assembly and the governor not later than November 1, 2026.