Photo of Chris Garten
R Indiana Senate · District 45 On the 2026 ballot

Sen. Chris Garten

Compare
Total votes
1,939
all sessions
Attendance
89%
217 missed
Lower than 95% of chamber peers
With party
97%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
2%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
478
bills & resolutions
Near the chamber average
Committees
4
assignments
478 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
478
Primary
253
Co-sponsor
225
This page
478
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Co-sponsor SR 6
Passed · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Honoring Dr. Erica Graham.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 6) honoring Dr. Erica Graham for her work advancing mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts in Indiana. It does not create new laws or affect any specific policies or individuals; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition from the Indiana Senate. The resolution was authored by Senator Hunley and adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 3, 2026, with broad bipartisan support.

Passed Feb 5, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SR 23
Passed · Indiana Senate · Co-sponsor
Memorializing Nancy Nugent.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SR 23) is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Nancy Nugent. It does not create new laws or affect policies; instead, it formally memorializes her contributions. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 3, 2026, with Senator Maxwell as the author and 42 senators as co-authors.

Passed Feb 5, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 1315
Passed · Indiana House · Lead sponsor
Township reorganization.

Provides that on January 1, 2028, certain townships are dissolved and their powers, duties, offices, and property are transferred to a municipality or county. Requires a township to adopt a resolution not later than June 1, 2026, that designates the municipality or county (designated unit) that will reorganize with the township. Requires the appointment of a joint board consisting of representatives of the township and the designated unit to prepare a plan of reorganization. Provides that a township must reorganize with the county if: (1) the township does not adopt a resolution by June 1, 2026; or (2) the municipality that the township designated in its resolution does not adopt a reorganization plan by December 31, 2026. Provides that if: (1) the designated unit is a municipality; and (2) part of a township is located outside the municipality; the municipality must establish an urban township services district and a rural township services district. Requires the county fiscal body to approve the budget, tax rate, and tax levy imposed by the municipality within the boundaries of the rural township services district. Provides that a designated unit has all of the powers of the government modernization act in reorganizing the township. Amends the government modernization act to require a political subdivision to respond to a resolution that names the political subdivision as a participant in a proposed reorganization. Provides that a township that operates a fire department is not subject to dissolution. Provides that a township does not operate a fire department if the township is a participating unit (not a provider unit) in a fire protection territory (territory) or is within a fire protection district (district). Provides that after a reorganization: (1) the area within the boundaries of the dissolved township remains in the territory or district; and (2) the designated unit succeeds the dissolved township in its role in the territory or district.

Passed Feb 5, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 182
Passed · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Gender issues.

Defines "female", "male", "gender", and "sex" for all Indiana statutes. Provides that the department of correction shall assign an offender, including a delinquent offender, to a facility or program that is based on the offender's sex. States that a local health officer shall mark the sex of an individual as male or female on a birth certificate. Provides that the Indiana department of health may make an addition to a birth certificate, for purposes of paternity, in certain situations. Provides the circumstances for when the sex designation on a birth certificate can be amended. Requires public schools, including charter schools, and state educational institutions to designate a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area as follows: (1) For the exclusive use of the male sex. (2) For the exclusive use of the female sex. Provides, with exceptions, that an individual shall only use a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area that is designated for the sex that is the individual's sex. Establishes a civil action for a violation of these provisions. Prohibits public schools, including charter schools, and state educational institutions from requiring a student to share sleeping quarters with a member of the opposite sex, unless the individual who is a member of the opposite sex is a family member. Establishes a civil action for a violation of these provisions.

Passed Feb 3, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 172
Passed · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Administrative rulemaking.

Provides that if the implementation and compliance costs of a proposed rule, provisional rule, or interim rule exceed $100,000 (instead of $1,000,000) over a two year period: (1) the rule cannot be published in the Indiana Register until the budget committee has reviewed the rule; (2) the budget agency and the office of management and budget may not approve any part of the proposed rule prior to review by the budget committee; and (3) in the case of a provisional rule or an interim rule, the governor may not approve a rule prior to the budget committee's review of the rule. Provides that an agency may adopt a rule only if the agency has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the governor that certain circumstances exist. Specifies that provisional and interim rulemaking may be used only under specified circumstances if the combined implementation and compliance costs would not exceed $500,000 for businesses, units, and individuals if effective over a two year period.

Passed Feb 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 8
Passed · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Library budgets.

Amends the percentage increase in a public library's proposed budget that determines whether the public library's proposed budget is subject to binding review by the applicable county, city, or town, fiscal body.

Passed Jan 28, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary HB 1137
Passed · Indiana House · Lead sponsor
Foods and beverages on school property.

Provides that a public school that participates in a federally funded or assisted meal program: (1) may not serve, sell, or allow a third party vendor to serve or sell a food or beverage that contains certain ingredients on school property on a school day; and (2) shall post any breakfast or lunch menu and ingredients on the school's website. Establishes exceptions.

Passed Jan 27, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 122
In committee · Indiana Senate · Lead sponsor
Various immigration matters.

Provides that if a law enforcement officer, governmental body, or postsecondary educational institution is made a party to a civil suit and the attorney general determines that the suit has arisen out of certain acts, the attorney general shall defend the law enforcement officer, governmental body, or postsecondary educational institution throughout the action. Clarifies that the enforcement of federal immigration laws may be carried out by federal, state, or local law enforcement. Removes the mens rea standard in the statute concerning governmental bodies or postsecondary institutions violating the citizenship and immigration status information and enforcement of federal laws chapter. Provides that a governmental body that has the custody of an individual who is the subject of an immigration detainer request shall: (1) provide the judge authorized to grant or deny the individual's release on bail notice that the individual is subject to an immigration detainer request; (2) record in the individual's case file that the individual is subject to an immigration detainer request; (3) comply with the immigration detainer request; and (4) inform the individual that the individual is being held pursuant to an immigration detainer request. Provides immunity to a governmental body or an employee of a governmental body for any action taken concerning an immigration detainer request. Prohibits a political subdivision from taking certain actions to aid, assist, incentivize, or facilitate the migration of any alien or class of aliens into Indiana. Provides that if the attorney general determines that probable cause exists that a governmental entity has not complied with an immigration detention request, the attorney general may bring a court action to: (1) enjoin an act or practice constituting a violation of an immigration detention request; and (2) impose a civil penalty for noncompliance with an immigration detention request. Requires a judge who receives notice that an individual is subject to an immigration detainer request to ensure that the notice of the immigration detainer request is recorded in the court's record. Prohibits an employer from knowingly or intentionally recruiting, hiring, or employing an unauthorized alien. Provides that if the attorney general determines that probable cause exists that an employer has recruited, hired, or employed an unauthorized alien, the attorney general may enjoin the action and seek the suspension of the employer's operating authorizations. Provides that a governmental entity that employs a prosecuting official is entitled to investigative costs and costs in an indecent nuisance action.

In committee Jan 15, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary HCR 6
Passed · Indiana House · Lead sponsor
Recognizing January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

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.

Passed Jan 13, 2026 0 co-sponsors
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