Sen. Mark Spencer

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 11), not a policy bill. It formally honors the Hosea Family for their 31st Biennial Family Reunion. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or groups beyond this symbolic recognition. It was adopted by voice vote as a non-binding gesture of appreciation.

Requires public schools, including charter schools, to present an informational video on water safety to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12. Requires the department of education to approve an informational video on water safety for various grade levels.

Maddy summaryHCR 6 is a symbolic resolution designating January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect individuals or organizations - its purpose is solely to raise public awareness about human trafficking through official recognition. The resolution was introduced in the Senate and referred to committee in early 2026. As a concurrent resolution, it requires no legislative action to take effect.

Reinstates retroactively provisions that apply with regard to an extension of the term of loans or advances from the common school fund for the Gary Community School Corporation, which expired January 1, 2025. Extends the expiration date to January 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 273 increases two existing 911-related fees for telecommunications customers. It doubles the prepaid wireless charge from $1 to $2 per line and raises the monthly statewide 911 fee from $1 to $2 for all service providers. These changes directly affect wireless customers and all telecommunications users in the state. The bill, introduced by Senator Spencer on January 8, 2026, has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation. It represents a straightforward policy change to fund 911 services without altering service requirements.

Establishes the division of historic sites (division) in the department of natural resources. Transfers management of historic sites from the Indiana state museum and historic sites corporation to the division. Makes conforming changes. Makes an appropriation.

Allows an electric or gas utility to establish a customer assistance program for qualified residential customers. Requires the approval of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) before a public utility may sell stock, enter into certain contracts, effect a reorganization, or acquire control of another public utility. Provides that if a public utility requests IURC approval of the sale, assignment, or transfer of the public utility's franchise, works, or system, the IURC shall grant a right of first refusal to: (1) a municipality in which the public utility's works or system is located; or (2) a public charitable trust; for the purchase or acquisition of the public utility's franchise, works, or system. Provides that the IURC may not authorize a public utility that: (1) provides retail electric or natural gas service; and (2) is under the IURC's jurisdiction for the approval of rates and charges (energy utility); to recover through the energy utility's retail rates and charges any direct or indirect costs associated with specified expenses and activities related to lobbying, legislative action, political activities, charitable giving, litigation, investor relations, and other specified activities and expenses. Requires an energy utility, beginning in 2026, to file with the IURC an annual report that includes specified information concerning costs to: (1) the energy utility; or (2) an affiliate of the energy utility; that are related to these expenses or activities and that are directly billed or allocated to the energy utility. Requires the IURC to make available on the IURC's website a direct link to the annual reports provided by all energy utilities under these provisions. Provides that on any customer bill issued by an energy utility after December 31, 2026, the energy utility must include a break down of the charges and fees that make up the total amount owed, including a description of the service or cost associated with each charge or fee. Sets forth certain charges and fees that must be delineated as specific line items on each customer bill.

Changes references relating to military discharges to require discharges under honorable conditions. (Current law provides that a veteran is eligible for benefits except under certain conditions designated by the Indiana department of veterans' affairs.) Excludes references used to determine eligibility for grants from the military family relief fund.

Cancels a 2023 loan or loans from the state of Indiana from the counter-cyclical revenue and economic stabilization fund for the purpose of providing funds to be applied to refunding certain bonds of the city of Hobart and the city of Hobart redevelopment district and offsetting property tax revenue shortfalls incurred and to be incurred by the city of Hobart. Provides that the city of Hobart is not required to make any further payments to the state of Indiana in satisfaction of the loan or loans.

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.