Sen. Daryl Schmitt

Maddy summarySR 35 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the life of Senator Dennis Neary. Authored by Senators Pol, Yoder, Hunley, and coauthored by 24 other senators, it passed unanimously with a standing vote on April 3, 2025. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies; it serves solely as a formal tribute to a deceased senator. It directly affects no individuals or groups, as it is a symbolic gesture of remembrance.

Allows the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision (public employer) to be reimbursed for the costs of employing and training a law enforcement officer by a public employer that subsequently employs the officer. Provides that the reimbursement amount decreases over time and is eliminated three years after the officer is certified by the law enforcement training board to act as an officer. Allows a public employer to require, as a condition of hiring, that the individual enter into a contract or agreement to reimburse the public employer for employment and training costs, if the individual is subsequently hired by a private or governmental employer that is not defined by statute as a public employer.

Maddy summarySCR 25 is a concurrent resolution honoring all Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in Indiana. It specifically recognizes EMS personnel who lost their lives while serving in the line of duty. This resolution does not create new laws or benefits; it is a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Indiana legislature. The resolution was adopted by the House with a voice vote and is now moving through the Senate.

Provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, each law enforcement agency shall adopt and implement protocols for the law enforcement agency to notify a real property owner of: (1) damage to the owner's real property, crops, or a building, structure, or fixture attached to the owner's real property that is reported to a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency; and (2) debris identified by a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency that is left on the owner's real property that could damage farm equipment or other vehicles or property; resulting from a motor vehicle accident.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate resolution (SR 52) honoring Hendricks County Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar. It formally memorializes Deputy Fislar's service and sacrifice through a resolution adopted by the Indiana Senate. The resolution was authored by Senator Clark and co-sponsored by numerous senators, reflecting broad legislative support for this tribute. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Amends within the Indiana Code chapter governing publication procedures for political subdivisions the provision governing the publication of a notice of a hearing by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to reference the publication procedures for hearings set forth in the Indiana Code chapter governing the IURC. Amends the publication procedures within the statute governing the IURC to provide that if any newspaper of general circulation in which the IURC publishes a notice does not publish a print edition at least three times a week, the IURC may publish the notice in either: (1) the print edition; or (2) an electronic edition; of the newspaper or a locality newspaper that circulates within the county. Adds a definition of "court reporter" to the Indiana Code chapter governing the regulation of utilities. Replaces references to a "stenographer" with references to a "court reporter" throughout that chapter and in other instances in the Indiana Code in which a "stenographer" or "reporter" is referenced in the context of an IURC proceeding. Repeals all remaining provisions in the Indiana Code chapter concerning alternative energy projects by rural electric membership corporations following the repeal by the general assembly in 2024 of other provisions in that chapter that established a fund to provide incentives under a program that is no longer operational. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the state statute or rules governing pipeline safety: (1) from $25,000 to $200,000 per violation per day; and (2) from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations; so as to conform Indiana's civil penalties with those prescribed by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Defines "advanced transmission technologies" as software or hardware technologies that increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing or new electric transmission facility. Provides that in any integrated resource plan (IRP) filed with the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) after December 31, 2025, an electric utility that owns or operates a transmission or distribution system must include a description of the potential use of, or investment in, one or more advanced transmission technologies to enable the electric utility to safely, reliably, efficiently, and cost effectively meet electric system demand. Provides that in any IRP filed with the IURC after December 31, 2029, an electric utility that owns or operates a transmission or distribution system must include a description of the electric utility's transmission and distribution systems, as specified by the IURC. Requires the IURC to conduct a study to evaluate the potential use or deployment of advanced transmission technologies by public utilities. Sets forth specific topics that the IURC must evaluate as part of the study. Requires the IURC to include in its 2026 annual report the commission's findings with respect to the topics evaluated in the study. Provides that advanced transmission technologies qualify as eligible transmission, distribution, and storage system improvements for purposes of the statute that authorizes a public utility to recover eligible costs incurred in connection with investments made in such improvements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 48) formally recognizes the link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide among military personnel and veterans. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of this critical issue affecting service members and veterans. The resolution was introduced by multiple senators and unanimously adopted in its first reading. It directly addresses the military and veteran communities by highlighting a recognized health concern.

Requires the Indiana state department of agriculture (department) to establish and maintain an online portal on its website for the purposes of: (1) assisting users in the successful navigation of agricultural or related topics among various federal and state agencies; (2) providing a single source for users to access agricultural or related funding opportunities; (3) providing a searchable data base of available federal and state grants with information on eligibility and deadline criteria; and (4) providing regular updates to reflect changes in federal and state funding opportunities. Provides that the online portal shall include links to various federal and state websites. Requires that the online portal provide a series of regulatory checklists to assist users that are considering diversifying into new markets in the navigation of agricultural and related regulations and the avoidance of punitive enforcement actions before they arise. Requires that the online portal provide a one stop venue that will help connect users with responsive data visualization tools and technical assistance programming. Requires that the online portal include a link to provide users with ongoing updates on the status of certain lost farmland. Requires an updated report on certain lost farmland to be uploaded to the online portal every five years. Requires that the online portal include formal venues: (1) to collect comments from the public regarding federal regulations impacting Indiana's rural economy with the goal of assisting the state in providing vigorous advocacy on behalf of the public; and (2) where users may provide to the department reviews and feedback regarding the usefulness of the online portal.

Maddy summarySB 403 requires charter schools to provide access to their financial data under the same rules that apply to traditional local public schools. This directly affects charter schools by mandating transparency in their financial reporting. The bill extends existing requirements for local schools to share financial information with the public, ensuring charter schools follow the same standards. It does not create new financial obligations but applies current disclosure rules uniformly. The measure passed unanimously (49-0) in the House.