Local, State, Federal Updates

Senate On Monday during Senate session, the body worked through their regular calendar and then passed multiple final votes of concurrence, including SB 10, Voter registration (Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen) and SB 306, Film and media production tax credit (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington). SB 10 passed with a bipartisan 39-9 vote and SB 306 passed unanimously, 48-0. Both bills head to the governor’s desk for signature. On Tuesday in Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy , the committee passed House Republican priority bill HB 1007, Energy generation resources (Sponsor: Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) out of committee unamended by a 10-3 vote. This bill previously passed through Senate Utilities by an 8-3 vote. Then on Thursday, the bill was amended on second reading to eliminate a controversial provision allowing companies to recover project development costs related to building small modular nuclear reactors through ratepayers. HB 1007 will be available for a final third reading vote as early as Monday. On Thursday morning, in their last committee meeting of the year, Senate Appropriations presented their amendment for HB 1001, State budget (Sponsor: Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka). The Senate budget amendment is leaner than the House amendment, increasing the surplus to over 13% and over $3 billion annually. The amendment will fully fund the state’s Medicaid needs; however, Chairman Mishler implied that action needs to be taken, as Medicaid’s portion of the budget has nearly doubled in the last 4 years. Overall, the budget funds most programs to their 2025 level, and includes Governor Braun’s 5% cuts to the agencies. One major deviation is the elimination of the universal school voucher program that was championed by both Governor Braun and House Republicans. Senate Republicans opted to keep voucher eligibility requirements at the current level. The amendment was adopted 11-1. After further discussion and other failed proposed amendments, the committee passed the budget with a party line 10-3 vote. You can read more about the budget presentation here . In addition to the budget, Senate Appropriations considered and significantly amended multiple other bills, including a few of the most notable listed below: HB 1003, Health matters (Sponsor: Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso) was amended and passed 10-3 HB 1004, Nonprofit hospitals (Sponsor: Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown) was amended and passed 8-5 HB 1221, Pension matters (Sponsor: Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon) was amended and passed 11-1 HB 1461, Road funding (Sponsor: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield) was amended and passed 9-4 Throughout the week the Senate passed a number of additional bills on third reading and concurrences, including those below: Third reading HB 1006, Prosecutors passed 35-8 HB 1024, Medicaid reimbursement for children’s hospitals passed 43-0 HB 1292, Professional sports development commission passed 46-2 HB 1390, Bureau of motor vehicles passed 38-11 HB 1457, Indiana department of health passed 48-1 HB 1468, Alcoholic beverages and tobacco passed 41-8 HB 1680, Election security and transparency passed 34-8 Concurrence (Bills will now head to Governor Braun’s desk) SB 4, Water matters passed 45-2 SB 119, Certificate of public advantage passed 46-1 SB 143, Parental rights passed 43-4 House The House, Senate, and Governor reached an agreement on property tax reform this week. SB 1, Local government finance (Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton) was first amended with Chairman Thompson’s expansive 368-page in House Ways and Means Committee on Monday morning included in this amendment is language from HB 1402, Local government finance related to local income taxes and elements from the controversial SB 518, School property taxes . Later in the week the bill was amended again on second reading to formalize the agreement, which seeks to better relieve rising property taxes for homeowners. The amendment increases the credit to homeowners over the next three years. Chairman Thompson stated that approximately two thirds of homeowners will pay less in property taxes in 2026 than 2025 and that the average homeowner could expect to save approximately $300. Additionally, the business personal property tax portions of the bill have been reset, except for the change to the floor. Finally, a cap on the local income tax (LIT) at 2.9% was added. The amendment passed in a 70-27 vote. Despite multiple additional amendments filed by members of both parties, SB 1 was ordered to engrossment without any further amendments. The bill was heard on Third readings on Thursday morning and passed out of the chamber with a 65-29 vote. Governor Braun expressed his support for the amendment prior to it being heard on the floor and asked for the Senate to concur when the bill passes back for concurrence. Senate Republicans have expressed that they are happy with the progress the bill has made and filed a motion to concur on Thursday. SB 2, Medicaid matters (Sponsor: Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond) passed the House on third reading on Tuesday after being unamended on second reading. This bill drew a lengthy discussion with opposition and concern from House Democrats. As its title notes, the bill targets Medicaid through seeking to modify controls on Medicaid eligibility and Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP). SB 2 ultimately passed 66-28. Due to amendments, this bill headed back to author Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) to concur or dissent. Sen. Mishler filed a motion to concur on Thursday, setting the bill up for a final vote in the Senate early next week. Also on Tuesday, SB 5, State and fiscal and contracting matters (Sponsor: Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne) also passed the House on third reading, but with a nearly unanimous 91-1 vote. This measure improves state government transparency, budgeting, and oversight. SB 5 allows agencies to use AI for budget planning, requires stricter reporting and approval for new federal funds, and mandates review of long-vacant state jobs for possible elimination. It also enforces tighter rules on contracts, Budget Committee oversight, and quarterly reporting. Lastly, SB 5 boosts transparency in Medicaid spending through monthly and quarterly public reports. This bill was amended both in committee and on second reading. Author Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) filed a dissent motion on the bill, meaning we will see it in conference committee. On Wednesday morning, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 478, Craft hemp flower and THC products (Sponsor: Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty), which seeks to regulate the use of the aforementioned products. This bill previously passed out of both House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development by an 8-3 vote and House Ways and Means in a 20-2 vote. It was recommitted to House Courts due to a new criminal penalty being added to the bill in Ways and Means. During yesterday’s committee, a substantial amendment was added to the bill. The amendment removes the excise tax on craft hemp flower products and moves the grandfathering date for existing businesses from July 1 to January 1, 2025. It limits the number of retail permits to 9,400 and prohibits restricted grocery stores and drug stores from obtaining them. The amended bill was passed 9-3 and will be on the House’s second reading calendar on Monday. Throughout the week the House also passed a number of additional bills through the chamber with some notable mentions below: Third reading SB 94, Alcohol and gaming matters passed 81-11 SB 108, Charity gaming passed 75-17 SB 142, Eviction issues passed 86-4 SB 146, Teacher compensation passed 90-1 SB 183, Road intersection safety passed 81-6 SB 366, Education matters passed 63-27 SB 405, Labor organization membership passed 57-31 SB 409, Employee absence for certain meetings passed 96-0 SB 453, Various tax matters passed 93-1 SB 459, Environmental matters passed 95-0 SB 461, Grain indemnity passed 95-0 SB 463, Child care matters passed 94-0 SB 473, Various health care matters passed 93-0 SB 475, Physician noncompete agreements passed 71-23 Governor’s Office Governor Braun signed 29 bills into law this week, including those noted below. As a reminder, you can follow along with future bill signing progress on the Governor Braun’s 2025 Bill Watch page. HEA 1131, Town of Cumberland HEA 1280, Taxation of military income HEA 1380, Supplemental fee for electric vehicle HEA 1518, Purchase of vehicles by state entities SEA 178, Natural gas and propane as clean energy resources SEA 424, Small modular nuclear reactor development costs SEA 450, Article V convention On Tuesday Governor Braun signed three executive orders: EO 25-43 , 25-44 , and 25-45 . Collectively, the administration notes that these executive orders are directed at improving Indiana’s transparency and economic development. The first mandates that all state-affiliated nonprofits publicly disclose their finances and file missing reports from the past 10 years. The other two shift the state’s economic focus to prioritize wage growth and job creation and redraw regional development maps to better reflect Indiana’s unique local strengths. Read more in the press release here . Wednesday, Governor Braun signed two additional executive orders to improve Indiana’s correctional system. EO 25-46 is focused on helping former inmates find jobs and housing after their release to reduce the chance of reoffending. While EO 25-47 intent is to retain correctional officers by improving training, collective employee feedback, and using data to address high turnover rates.

Senate Bill 1 Nears Final Passage, Delivers Business Personal Property Tax Relief SB 1 / Chamber Supports The Indiana General Assembly is poised to send Senate Bill 1 – the session’s key property tax reform measure – to Gov. Mike Braun. The bill provides near-term relief for homeowners, businesses and farmers while initiating long-term structural changes to the state’s property tax system. Among its provisions, SB 1 raises the de minimis threshold for business personal property tax from $80,000 to $2 million over the next two years and exempts newly acquired property from the 30% depreciation floor. These changes help create a better environment for capital investment and economic growth across Indiana. The current version reflects extensive negotiations between legislative leadership and the Governor. Senator Holdman has filed a motion to concur with House changes, and the Senate is expected to vote on concurrence next Monday. The Indiana Chamber supports the bill and is urging lawmakers to advance the measure to the Governor’s desk. Road Funding Bill Advances with Controversial Amendments; Chamber Raises Concerns HB 1461 / Chamber Supports House Bill 1461, authored by Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie), is a wide-ranging road funding bill that has advanced from the Senate Appropriations Committee with significant changes – including a 125% increase in registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles. The amendment, offered by Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), also addresses low water crossing projects, increases the speed limit on I-465 and removes language that would allow local officials to levy property tax funds to bond for road improvements. The Indiana Chamber supports the bill’s broader focus on improving funding mechanisms and local infrastructure efficiency but opposes the registration fee hike, which would make Indiana’s electric vehicle costs the second highest in the country. The Chamber is also concerned about an amendment from Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) that would limit public-private partnerships on infrastructure projects and remove language related to tolling. While the bill is expected to pass, the Chamber warns that recent additions could undermine its original intent and urges lawmakers to remove controversial language before conference committee becomes necessary. Chamber Priority of Aligning Postsecondary Training and Degree Programs Advances SB 448 / Chamber Supports There are literally thousands of credentials, certification and degree program offerings from dozens of educational institutions and training providers operating in the state. It’s often difficult for workers and employers to access programs that really meet their needs. Senate Bill 448, authored by Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute), seeks to improve alignment of postsecondary training and degree programs to meet real world skills needs and to set priorities. A priority bill for both Gov. Braun and the Indiana Chamber, the bill passed the House Education Committee this week with significant amendments. The Chamber testified in support of SB 448, calling it one of the most impactful initiatives in workforce development this session. It is an important step towards achieving goals in the Chamber’s Indiana Prosperity 2035 plan, including raising postsecondary credential or degree attainment to 70% or higher. The bill would require development of a plan for market driven, stackable credential and qualifications system around key industry sectors. It also directs the Commission for Higher Education with the responsibility to approve or disapprove higher education degree programs, schools, campuses and branches, and provides for new data collection and analysis on employment, income, credentials and other data necessary to improve evaluation and planning of training and education programs. Significant work remains and the Chamber will continue to build partnerships and to help identify the skills and training needed by employers and workers to meet the needs and opportunities in a rapidly changing economy. Chamber Supports Advancing Energy Bills Aimed at Reliability and Project Certainty HB 1007 and SB 425 / Chamber Supports Two key energy bills backed by the Indiana Chamber are advancing through the Legislature with provisions aimed at ensuring electric reliability and improving project certainty. House Bill 1007, authored by Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso), includes tax incentives for small modular reactor manufacturing and a framework for utilities to respond to large load customer demand. It also establishes procedures for the Utility Regulatory Commission to review utility decisions to retire or refuel major generation assets. Senate Bill 425, authored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), was recently amended in the House by Rep. Soliday and strengthens certainty for permitted energy projects and reuse of existing generation or former mine sites. The amendment outlines clearer timelines for permit reviews, protects vested rights and limits local moratoriums on new energy developments. The Chamber supports both bills and credits the Soliday amendment with shifting its position on SB 425 from neutral to supportive. Senate Bill 425 awaits second reading in the House, and its future depends on whether it survives upcoming amendment efforts. 

My 8-year-old son loves to make money. Truth be told, I think he is more eager to spend his money than he is to work for it. He loves finding the coolest lego set to purchase, or the book he doesn’t yet have on his bookshelf. If he sets his sights on the “next big thing” to purchase, he works very hard to find a side job to earn enough money.  Oftentimes, he nabs my phone to call one of his grandmas, asking if there are any jobs that need done around their house worthy of some cash. One summer, he got very creative and collected rocks from our “rock garden” (see last week’s column) and sold them at a very reasonable price. (And to those of you who supported his short-term entrepreneurial journey, thank you for investing in his excitement and initiative.) My son is not often ready to chore or help with work around the house, but when money is involved, it is a serious motivator for him and usually, it gets the job done. I think most of us have had a stage or two in our lives similar to my son’s. (And if we’re being honest with ourselves, that stage evolves into a lifelong motivator for most of us. Money makes the world go round, right?) April 14-18 is National Student Employment Week. The commemoration is one commissioned by the National Student Employment Association, and largely, celebrates collegiate students who work while attending college. Because LaGrange County does not directly and geographically host college students in our communities on a college campus, our commemoration of Student Employment will take a local twist in this week’s column, focusing on the Chamber’s newest initiative: the LaGrange County Student Chamber. If you’ve been reading my column for very long, you know that a lot of our Chamber work is in partnership with the three county school corporations. One of our three strategic focuses is “Next-Level Workforce,” founded on the belief that the future of LaGrange County workforce is being built today, and these efforts intentionally focus on work that will generate a sustainable workforce for the future. The LaGrange County Student Chamber has officially launched and is open for student applications, specific to LaGrange County students who will be 11th or 12th grade students during the 2025-2026 school year. The program is a fast pass for students to secure the best work-based learning experiences and internships in LaGrange County, in order to develop, connect, and plant workforce-ready students for a lifetime in our communities. Depending on the graduation track a student embarks on, our local public school youth will be charged with completing (literally) hundreds of hours of work-based learning experience. What does this mean? In short, students will be required to log hours in workplaces that offer high-quality, meaningful experiences that align with the student’s career ambitions. (In other words, a student can’t be accepted as an intern only to file papers away for 8 hours. The position must offer opportunities to develop the student’s abilities, skills, and career goals.) The angst in this new diploma requirement? Allow me to answer that question by painting a landscape. In LaGrange County alone, around 315 students are preparing to graduate this spring. Let’s earmark this amount of students as the consistent, annual countywide class size, and consider the potential of 630 LOCAL students (juniors and seniors collectively) who will be looking for work-based learning placement starting next year. Now, consider this need on a statewide basis, and take the total graduating seniors (approximately 67,000) plus a statewide class of juniors (sum now to 134,000) looking for the same quality placements. The point of this picture? A lot of students will need work-based learning opportunities, and the student-to-employer ratio across Indiana scales by population size. There is statewide worry about how this will unfold, and how we’ll find enough placements for the surplus of student experiences needed. In the end, it falls on these conclusions: Schools will need the support and assistance of their communities, and it will take all of us–businesses large and small, non-profit organizations, and everything in between–to ensure that this future-workforce-development opportunity becomes a reality. That’s where the Student Chamber comes into play. This application-based, competitive program provides students a simplified fast track to some of the best work-based learning opportunities in our county. It intends to build a pipeline of young talent straight to local businesses, all while helping students expedite the process of achieving work-based learning requirements for high school graduation. Why is this valuable to businesses? I have heard so many times in my LaGrange County lifetime that our younger generations are moving out of the community. What better way to showcase to our future workforce that they are valuable and needed than to open the door now for a lifelong partnership with your business? Today’s easy investment of time and space for our local students will make a generational difference in the LaGrange County workforce. We’d love to tell you more about the Student Chamber, and even more so, would love to partner with you in these efforts. Do you have short-term projects in your business that you don’t seem to have enough time for (i.e., social media marketing, maintenance and construction projects, administrative projects, and the like)? Consider how inviting an intern into your workspace might make a difference much larger than a one-time school-year-investment. Your partnership today can make a world of a difference for our local economy tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.lagrangechamber.org/student-chamber.

Chamber Supports Key Healthcare Reforms in Legislation HB 1003 / Chamber Supports The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee adopted several amendments to House Bill 1003, authored by Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), this week, addressing concerns previously raised by the Indiana Chamber. The committee unanimously approved the amended version of the bill, which now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. The Chamber issued a statement yesterday in support of the revised legislation. As amended, HB 1003 includes practical reforms to the prior authorization process by preventing the rescission of previously approved authorizations, requiring clinical peer review of denials and improving transparency around requirements and clinical criteria. These changes aim to improve consistency and reduce delays in care. The bill also establishes a provisional credentialing framework for fully licensed physicians. Under this provision, physicians can begin treating patients for up to 60 days while their full credentialing is processed. This measure will improve workforce mobility and reduce onboarding delays for new providers. Additionally, HB 1003 updates Indiana’s right-to-try law to permit the use of individualized investigational treatments for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions, subject to physician approval and informed consent. The bill also includes provisions related to the site of service, ensuring that billing and reimbursement more accurately reflect the setting in which care is delivered. These changes build on reforms enacted in previous sessions and aim to align charges with the actual site of care without disrupting existing payment models. Maintaining and refining these provisions remains essential to the broader effort to improve cost transparency and consistency. Several controversial provisions were removed from the bill during the amendment process. These include language related to the federal 340B drug pricing program and proposed restrictions on contracting terms between insurers and providers. Removing these sections helps maintain flexibility in private negotiations while preserving the bill’s objectives. The Chamber urges members to contact their state senators and ask them to support the amended version of HB 1003. These reforms are critical to improving administrative efficiency, supporting provider access and enhancing transparency across Indiana’s healthcare system. Governor Announces Diploma Partnerships Governor Mike Braun and Secretary of Education Katie Jenner announced partnerships for implementing the state’s new high school diploma and the three seal pathways on Wednesday. Students graduating with an honors plus enrollment seal (i.e., qualifying the student for higher education) will be automatically accepted at any state public college or university. The Indiana Chamber is a partnering organization in the employment honors plus seal, recruiting businesses across the state to provide work-based learning and career opportunities for these students. The Chamber released a statement Wednesday with words of support from Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders: “This is exactly the type of innovative, bold step that the state needs to take to help ensure Indiana has a robust talent pipeline in place. The guarantees offered by the honors plus readiness seals will foster deeper connections among Hoosier students, universities and potential employers, leading to greater retention of graduates in the state. “The Indiana Chamber is pleased to be part of the effort in working with employers to promote and provide work-based learning opportunities, as well as act as a convener to highlight employer and workforce demands for the jobs of today and the future. We applaud Governor Braun and Secretary Jenner for implementing this program and see the potential for it to be a real difference-maker.” Senate Panel Advances Major Fiscal Bill; Business Impacts Mixed HB 1427 / Chamber Neutral House Bill 1427, authored by Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw), advanced out of the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee this week on an 8-5 vote following the adoption of a 117-page committee amendment. Senator Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted "no." During the hearing, Mishler criticized the addition of language to establish new “professional sports and convention development areas," saying it bypassed the budget process. “I feel like they just circumvented the system and went around and just threw it in a bill,” he said, asking which lawmaker requested the provision. The language is tailored to apply only in counties where four cities each have populations over 40,000. At present, only Hamilton County meets that criteria. Mishler’s remarks appear to reference ongoing efforts in Hamilton County, where cities like Noblesville and Westfield are advocating for expanded funding tools to support athletic and event facilities. House Bill 1427 also includes provisions directly impacting the business community. Beginning in 2026, the bill would impose a $5 filing fee for each personal property tax return submitted via the state’s online portal. While the fee is waived for filers claiming only the small business exemption, it would apply to businesses with larger or more complex filings. The Chamber has raised concerns about the cumulative impact of this new fee, particularly for capital-intensive businesses filing in multiple jurisdictions. On the other hand, the bill includes a measure strongly supported by the Chamber: a new property tax exemption for employers that provide on-site, licensed childcare. The facility must be located on the employer’s property, meet state licensing standards and serve employees’ children to qualify. The exemption also applies to facilities operated under agreements with other businesses to serve their combined workforce. This provision supports workforce participation and aligns with employer-led solutions to expand early childhood education access. Additional sections of the bill update contract transparency requirements, adjust procedures for land value appeals and expand local food and beverage tax options. Marijuana-Related Legislation Under Consideration SB 478 / Chamber Supports Senate Bill 478, authored by Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) and sponsored by Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty), is not marijuana legislation per se, but it does address Indiana’s hemp marketplace. If you have been inside an Indiana gas station or convenience store recently, you have likely seen products that advertise as containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, these products are essentially unregulated, and the goal of SB 478 is to establish the appropriate guardrails for the industry. Delta-8 THC is an isomer of delta-9 THC, which is the major psychoactive component in marijuana. It's also a chemical compound produced from hemp, a species of plant in the cannabis family, and is psychoactive. However, users describe delta-8’s effects as weaker than delta-9 THC. In Indiana, a product is considered legal if it contains delta-8 THC or less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. Indiana’s hemp market is driven by strong consumer demand and has been growing ever since the 2018 passages of the federal farm bill and the Indiana General Assembly’s Senate Enrolled Act 52. In the nearly six years since these laws opened the door to selling delta-8 products, the marijuana-like drug has grown into a billion-dollar Hoosier industry. However, an investigation by the Indiana State Police found that numerous delta-8 products sold across the state have more delta-9 THC than is legally allowed in low THC hemp extracts, despite being sold in packaging that claims the products are within the legal limits. And, because the market is essentially unregulated, anyone – of any age – can purchase these products. While the Chamber remains opposed to the legalization of marijuana, it contends that legal safeguards should be established for THC products that fall into the “gray area” (i.e., products that are technically legal in Indiana but are psychoactive). Some opponents of SB 478 contend the legislation will enable retailers to sell products with too much delta-8 or delta-10 (another legal THC variation) in the package. However, the Chamber is more concerned that regulatory measures are put in place to rein in an industry that currently has no limit as to what goes into the packages of THC products they sell. Senate Bill 478 addresses several key consumer safety concerns. First, it restricts the sale of certain hemp products to adults 21 years and older. Second, it requires businesses to obtain certain licenses from the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) prior to engaging in commerce after December 31, 2025. Third, it requires the ATC to regulate the packaging, advertising and marketing of hemp products. Finally, it provides clarity to law enforcement, businesses and consumers about how these products can be marketed, packaged and sold. The House Ways and Means Committee passed SB 478 on Wednesday after adding a 15% excise tax, which would be on top of a 7% sales tax already applied to these products. The amended bill passed the committee 22-1, with the lone “no" vote coming from Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis). DeLaney voted “no” because he refuses to be “half serious” with the issue of marijuana and THC enforcement. He stated in his dissent that Indiana should “just legalize marijuana and tax it.” The bill proceeds to the full House floor next week, where the discourse is likely to be about marijuana legalization just as much as the bill itself. Deadlines Loom for Major K-12 MeasuresHB 1002, HB 1634, SB 365 and SB 448 / Chamber Supports This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Chamber-supported House Bill 1002, authored by Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), the first bill in a multi-year school deregulation effort, and House Bill 1634, authored by Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty), aimed at a real focus on improving math instruction, elementary student screening and early intervention programs. Senate Bill 365, authored by Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond), modifying and improving Indiana’s career coaching program and associated fund, passed the House on Thursday. With just three weeks left in the legislative session and next week’s deadline for final committee action, significant K-12 education and workforce bills are up against hard deadlines. Chamber-supported Senate Bill 448, authored by Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute), aims to align a complicated web of postsecondary education and training programs, while also developing important market-driven stackable credentials and training qualification. Also, several amendments in Senate 373, authored by Sen. Raatz, and other bills await action in committee to create pilots for mastery-based education, centralized school facilities and student transportation planning, as well as the creation of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance in the Indianapolis Public Schools district. 

We built our house in the middle of a rock garden. We didn’t know that, of course, when we put the plow to the soil with the intention of marking the boundaries for our first garden at the new place. Fortunately (or unfortunately for my husband), I just happened to be pregnant with our second child when the rock harvest really began. I recall sitting on a swing in the shade, watching my husband bend over countless times, digging up hand-sized stones from our ground. It was brutal work (and often very cumbersome in summer heat). When we finally tilled through our garden to churn up the ground in preparation for seeds, we soon realized just how “rocky” our ground was. At that time, we had a back-tine tiller, and every five feet (literally!) we found ourselves turning off the machine to hammer out another stone lodged in the tines. At one point, I had taken the role of tilling the garden–cleaning up the ground to prepare for new growth–and I grew so angry at the dang tiller that I forgot my surroundings. I was hot from the sun, and hot with frustration from the rock problem. I had a hammer and screwdriver in my pocket to alleviate the problem, tucking them back in my pocket only to pull them out again when I reached the next run down the garden’s length. I may or may not have chucked the hammer and screwdriver a time or two (a “you’re welcome” goes to our neighbors for the entertainment I provided that day!). We are just about to start summer number four with our “rock garden.” While we still have many rocks in our soil, we have churned the dirt enough to mitigate the problem so that it is less painful. We are learning how to manage our rocks, though they are still there.  And that, really, is the definition of gardening isn’t it? Whether it’s rocks, weeds, or nosy plants creeping into their neighboring rows, there are always issues in the garden. That’s why offering oneself as a patient, consistent, and present tenderer is vital to its sustainability and growth. Certainly I am no master gardener. When I consider that term, I think of my grandma. Her garden is–in its truest sense–an experience. She has grass-clipping-covered paths throughout the yard-sized garden, dotted with handmade signs which communicate what you might find throughout its expansive depth. From wildflowers to potatoes, sweet corn to herbs, and everything in between, her garden is home to it. My grandma is a lifelong gardener, full of stories and wisdom, and is always willing to share what it means to be a good gardener. I am especially grateful for these stories and nuggets of truth, because they often translate into lifelong understanding. Tending to one’s soil takes patience, intentionality, and consistency. It often takes more than one person to maintain, and when watered and weeded, it bears the tastiest, prettiest, juiciest fruit. And if you’re really good at it, you’ll often have an overflowing bounty, with plenty to share with neighbors and friends. (Now, take this paragraph and replace “soil” with “life.” See how interchangeable it is?) Gardening and my grandma have taught me much about life. I must admit that I do not jump with joy when it comes to weeding, but I do enjoy getting my hands dirty, and I love watching the process of growth unfold–both in the garden, and in life. To get to see a seed become sustenance for my family is a beautiful thing. Eagerly, I’m waiting for the turn of the weather. It means that we’ll roll the tiller out of our shed, my kids (and probably the dog too) will run through the dirt and run over planted seeds with their bare feet, and we’ll begin watering in anticipation for buds to appear. We’ll restock our pantry and freezer, and we’ll see another year of harvest. Gardening is more than a hobby, it’s a lesson in growth, sustainability, and community. Happy gardening to all of my neighbors and LaGrange Countians…spring is right around the corner! Did you know? The Purdue Extension offers a Master Gardener Program for gardening enthusiasts. The program equally serves as training and peer gardening circles as much as it serves as a volunteer pipeline to support the Purdue Extension’s home horticulture education in Hoosier communities. So far in 2025, 1,451 volunteers have given 16,738 hours, valued at $504,819.59! (Source: www.purdue.edu/sites/master-gardener) Interested in being a part of a gardening program like this one? Call Jeff Burbrink at the LaGrange County Purdue Extension for more information: 260-499-6334.

Senate With session now moving into full swing, bills have been moving out of the chamber on a final vote. A list of just a few of bills that passed out of the Senate this week follows:  HB 1114, Driving without a license , passed 43-4 HB 1131, Town of Cumberland , passed 43-4 HB 1214, Worker’s compensation , passed 48-0 HB 1380, Supplemental fee for electric vehicles , passed 45-2 HB 1382, Dealer services division , passed 47-0 HB 1425, Lab grown meat labeling , passed 41-6 HB 1459, Water and wastewater utility asset management , passed 45-2 HB 1466, Various agency administrative matters , passed 47-0 HB 1498, School accountability , passed 43-4 HB 1499, Education matters , passed 46-1 HB 1518, Purchase of vehicles by state entities , passed 48-1 HB 1666, Ownership of health care providers , passed 46-1 In session on Monday, the Senate took a final vote on HB 1393, Immigration notice (Sponsor: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis), which passed by a vote of 37-10. The bill would require notification to the local sheriff when a law enforcement officer has probable cause for belief that someone arrested for a felony or misdemeanor is in the country illegally. The bill was amended in both committee and on second reading . The amendment in committee changed the notification requirement to require notification to a sheriff. The second reading amendment removes immunity provisions that were in the bill. HB 1393 will now return to the House for concurrence or dissent due to the amendments. On Tuesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Transportation amended and voted on HB 1461, Road funding (Sponsor: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield). The committee adopted six amendments to the bill before voting it out by a vote of 6-1. The first three amendments were mostly technical changes ( #22 , #24 , and #25 ). The larger amendments included Amendment #23 , which added a tax incentive for short line rail. Amendment # 30 enlists the help of townships, requiring them to adopt a Capital Improvement Plan and set unused unrestricted funds towards road funding in their next budget. Lastly, Amendment #31 changes the proposed Community Crossings Grant to include one pot of money and remove the wheel tax requirement. The amended HB 1461 provides new and expanded options for state and local road funding, including incentives for improvements, increased county transportation tax limits, allowing bonds for road construction, enabling potential tolling of interstate lanes, and adjusting grants and matching funds based on local needs. The amended bill will be recommitted to Senate Appropriations before heading to the Senate floor. Also heard in Senate Homeland Security and Transportation was HB 1390, Bureau of motor vehicles (Sponsor: Sen. Crider). The bill contains multiple provisions regarding the BMV and was also amended heavily in committee. The two most notable amendments were Amendment #22 and Amendment #31 . Amendment #22 enacts a prohibition on the advertisement of a product on Indiana’s controlled substances list on an outdoor advertising sign located adjacent to an Indiana highway. The committee noted that this mainly targets the advertisement of marijuana in Indiana’s border counties. Amendment #31 targets towing services, particularly predatory towing. This amendment passed 4-3. The amended bill passed out of committee with a 6-1 vote and will have to be recommitted to Senate Appropriations . Also on Tuesday morning, the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law amended and voted on House Republican priority bill HB 1006, Prosecutors (Sponsor: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis). HB 1006 targets public safety by providing additional state support to prosecutors. After lengthy discussion and testimony last week in committee, the bill was amended yesterday with two technical amendments ( #14 and #20 ), as well as Amendment #22 , which changes the review board from containing no more than 3 members of any political party to no more than 4. The bill passed out of committee 5-3 and has been recommitted to Senate Appropriations . On Wednesday morning, Senate Health and Provider Services took a lengthy amount of testimony (only testimony) on House Republican priority bill HB 1003, Health matters (Sponsor: Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond) from various stakeholders and concerned citizens. The House and Senate Health Chairmen pledged to continue working on the bill and expect to bring it back for an amend and vote hearing next week. HB 1003 focuses on improving transparency in healthcare pricing and billing. It also gives patients an increased say in their treatment options and gives them easier access to their health data. On Wednesday, Senate Education and Career Development heard House Republican priority bill HB 1002, Education matters (Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond). HB 1002 cleans up and removes around 35,000 words from Title 20 Education in the Indiana Code. The sweeping deregulation bill targets expired programs that are no longer being funded, and removes multiple may provisions throughout the code in an effort to establish more local control. The bill received multiple amendments that reset sections of the bill ( Amendment #31 ), dealt with regulation on AEDs ( Amendment #30 ), and allowed school corporations to collect fees for non-curriculum material ( Amendment #29 ). Additionally, Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville) proposed Amendment #32 that removes Social Emotional Learning and Trauma Informer Care from the state teaching curriculum. After lengthy debate the amendment was adopted 8-4 along party lines. Lastly, Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute) added language from SB 382 related to county transfers or gifts to school corporations ( Amendment #33 ). The amended bill passed committee with an 8-4 vote and will be recommitted to Senate Appropriations . Additionally, the Senate Education and Career Development Committee voted on HB 1041, Student eligibility in interscholastic sports (Sponsor: Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport) without further amendment. HB 1041 passed out of committee unamended in a party line 9-4 vote and will head to the Senate floor for consideration on second reading. This bill would prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports at the collegiate level. HB 1041 expands on legislation from 2022 that banned participation at the K-12 level. On Thursday, Senate Utilities heard House Republican priority bill HB 1007, Energy generation resources (Sponsor: Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford). As amended, this bill will provide a state tax credit for manufacturing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The bill establishes procedures for energy utilities to seek regulatory approval for new power generation projects, large customer service projects, and SMR-related expenses, including cost recovery mechanisms. It also updates public utility reporting requirements, mandates investigations into plant retirements, and allows the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to intervene if utilities cannot meet energy reliability standards. Yesterday, the committee amended the bill to remove tariff language from the bill that had been added on the House floor. The bill was recommitted to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy with an 8-4 vote. Additionally on Thursday morning, Senate Local Government met to amend and vote House Republican priority bill HB 1005, Housing and building matters (Sponsor: Linda Rogers, R-Granger). The committee adopted substantive Amendment #5 prior to voting the bill out 9-1. As written, this bill seeks to finance infrastructure projects that support residential housing. This will be done by expanding the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program (RIF). The RIF program was initially created two years ago during the 2023 Session, and this bill extends the program throughout the next biennium. House In addition to the various committee meetings, the House also started working through calendars on the floor. Below are just a few notable bills that passed the House this week: SB 141, Eyewitness identification procedures , passed 92-0 SB 178, Natural gas and propane as a clean energy resources , passed 74-20 SB 198, Crime of swatting , passed 95-0 SB 249, Teacher compensation , passed 65-29 SB 281, Expungement , passed 71-21 SB 450, Article V convention , passed 69-27 On Tuesday, House Insurance amended and voted to pass Senate Republican priority bill SB 3, Fiduciary duty in health plan administration (Sponsor: Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne), 11-0. This bill seeks to require that health plan intermediaries act in the best interests of Hoosier workers. SB 3 was first heard in committee back on March 4 th but held as representatives and senators worked with stakeholders to refine the bill’s language. Amendment #17 , along with a chairman’s amendment placing a fiduciary standard on third party administrators and PBMs, was adopted as a result of those efforts. SB 3 was engrossed unamended on second reading on Thursday and will be eligible for a final vote in the House as early as Monday. Also on Wednesday, House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications voted on SB 4, Water matters (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso). The committee did adopt an amendment last week but held the bill for a final vote. Last week’s amendment specified that the projects returning 50% of the water are excluded and provides further clarity on sale, leases, and transfers. The committee chose not to further amend the bill in this week’s committee and passed it out by a 12-0 vote. SB 4 heads to House floor for second reading. On Wednesday, the House Elections and Apportionment Committee met to amend and vote on SB 10, Voter registration (Sponsor: Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer). Prior to voting the bill out of committee with a party line 9-4 vote, the committee adopted two amendments to the bill. First, Amendment #10 addresses voter registration list cleanup concerns and requires the Secretary of State’s office to reach out to other states to look into information sharing related to voter lists. Second, Amendment #20 adds another record to the list of approved documents that can be used to identify citizens. SB 10 now heads to House floor for second reading. House Ways and Means amended and voted on Senate Republican priority bill SB 5, State fiscal and contracting matters (Sponsor: Reps. Matt Lehman, R-Berne) unanimously 22-0. This bill seeks to strengthen the state’s fiscal oversight by allowing agencies to use AI for budget projections and report federal funding requests involving state funds. It also enforces stricter transparency measures, including reviewing vacant positions, posting contracts online, and mandating competitive procurement for state-funded contracts. The amendment adopted addressed various concerns from stakeholders related to the different provisions of the bill. SB 5 also heads to the House floor. After hearing testimony from stakeholders last week, the committee also amended and voted on SB 306, Film and media production tax credit (Rep. Chris Judy, R-Fort Wayne) which takes an existing tax credit and makes it transferrable to help the film and media industry to boost investment in the state. The amendment establishes a limit of $250k per tax credit, limits the aggregate amount of tax credits that may be provided to $2 million, and changed the expiration date to 2031. This bill passed unanimously 23-0. SB 306 will head to the House floor as soon as Monday. Governor’s Office Governor Braun signed seven bills into law this week, the first of which was one of his priority bills: HEA 1149, Agricultural online portal, (Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer). Read more in his press release . The Governor noted that he was very appreciative of the collaboration that lawmakers provided as this bill is a key step in helping Hoosier farmers. This law will do so by creating a new online portal, giving them a one-stop shop for tools to communicate with the state government and get information they need to be successful. You can view the Governor’s 2025 bill watch here . On Wednesday, Governor Braun signed Executive Order 25-40 , directing the IN Dept. of Environmental Management (IDEM), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Transportation (INDOT) to publicly report permitting data monthly on their official websites and mandating that the agencies regularly review their permitting processes. Monthly reportable data includes the number of permit applications received, average processing times, the percentage of permits issued within statutory timelines, and updates on pending applications. Governor Braun noted that this is to ensure the process is more transparent, efficient, and supports growth. Early Friday morning, Governor Braun announced the appointment of Jennifer Ruby as Indiana’s Public Access Counselor. Indiana’s Public Access Counselor is responsible for ensuring transparency in government by responding to public inquiries, educating citizens about public access laws, issuing advisory opinions, assisting state officials in complying with public access law, and making recommendations to the General Assembly on how to improve our citizens’ access to our state and local government. Ms. Ruby is an attorney, a mediator, and an entrepreneur with nearly 15 years of experience working with state and local government.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

House On Monday morning, the House passed SJR 21, Terms of members of Congress , (Sponsor: Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman) with a bipartisan 66-30 vote. This resolution is an appeal to Congress to authorize a Convention for proposing Amendments under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to limit to the number of terms that an individual may serve in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate. On Tuesday, House Public Health amended, took testimony and voted on Senate Republican priority bill SB 2, Medicaid matters (Sponsor: Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond). The committee passed an amendment to remove the enrollment cap. The amended bill passed committee 8-4 and was recommitted to Ways and Means for further discussion. House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunication amended, took testimony and greatly discussed Senate priority bill SB 4, Water matters (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso). The amendment specifies that the projects returning 50% of the water are excluded and provides further clarity on sale, leases, and transfers. Ultimately the committee decided to hold the bill for more amendments and further discussion. One Wednesday morning, House Education took testimony, amended, and voted on SB 146 and SB 249 , which both deal with teacher compensation (Sponsor: Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty). For SB 146, Amendment #15 was adopted during committee to restore the bill to its original version. The amended bill passed through the committee unanimously. SB 249 addresses schools’ ability to provide supplemental payments to teachers. The committee did add one amendment to the bill before voting. SB 249 was a bit more controversial amongst committee members, passing with a party line 8-4 vote. Later that day, House Ways and Means took testimony on SB 5, State fiscal and contracting matters (Sponsor: Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne). After a brief discussion, the bill was held for anticipated amendments next meeting. As written, this bill allows state agencies to use AI for budget projections and requires them to report federal funding requests involving state fund transfers. House Ways and Means also took heard SB 306, Film and media production tax credit (Sponsor: Rep. Dave Heine, R-New Haven) on Wednesday afternoon. This bill would take an existing tax credit and make it transferable to move the state into a competitive nationwide marketplace to grow this industry in Indiana. Yesterday, representatives further amended SB 287, School Board Matters (Sponsor Rep. J.D Prescott, R-Union City) with a second reading amendment. This bill creates the framework for partisan school board elections. A committee amendment had removed the primary process for nomination and specified that a straight party vote does not count for a candidate for school board office, making the bill mirror Rep. Prescott’s HB 1230, School board elections , which made it through committee in the first half but died without a final vote on the Third Reading Deadline. Yesterday’s amendment clarified and refined the ballot presentation for candidates who do not wish to declare a political party or run as an independent. In these situations, the amendment states that there will be no identifying mark next to that candidate’s name on the ballot. The amended version of SB 287 will be eligible for a final third reading vote as early as Monday. Yesterday, a few notable bills passed the House on a final third reading vote: SB 74, Extension of lifeline law immunity passed 87-3 SB 424, Small modular nuclear reactor development costs passed 59-30 SB 426, Water utilities passed 76-15 SB 457, Carbon dioxide sequestration passed 55-37 Senate At the beginning of the week, Senate Corrections heard HB 1006, Prosecutors (Sponsor: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis) and decided to hold the bill after discussion on the proposed amendments. As written, this bill would establish the special prosecutor unit, the prosecutor review board, and the public prosecution fund and guidelines, standards for services under which counties may be eligible for reimbursement for prosecution expenditures. Previously HB 1006 passed the House 72-24 . The committee did, however, amend and vote on HB 1393, Immigration Notice , (Sponsor: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis). The amendment removes the requirement that the officer is the one required to make the notice and the requirement that an arrest must be occurring. Senators passed the bill out of committee by a 5-3 vote. The bill was heard on the floor on Thursday afternoon and received an additional amendment on second reading which removes the immunity provisions from the bill. Senate Homeland Security and Transportation heard HB 1461, Road funding (Sponsor: Sen. Micheal Crider, R-Greenfield). Following a long discussion, the committee determined that additional revisions and refinements were necessary before proceeding. As a result, members agreed to amend the legislation and will vote on an amended bill during the committee’s next meeting. Senate Health and Provider services Committee heard House Republican priority bill HB 1004, Nonprofit hospitals (Sponsor: Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown), on Wednesday morning. Among its various provisions, HB 1004 will restrict what qualifies as community benefits for certain nonprofit hospitals and will impose stricter reporting and transparency requirements. Furthermore, the bill creates a new excise tax placed on the hospital if their hospital fees exceed 265% of Medicare. Finally, the bill states that a hospital with commercial prices in excess of 300% of Medicare forfeits their nonprofit status. After extensive discussion, the bill passed out of the committee 10-1 and will be recommitted to Senate Appropriations due to its fiscal impact. Also on Wednesday, Senate Education and Career Development passed over House priority bill HB 1002, Various education matters (Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond). Instead, hearing extensive and passionate testimony from both sides of the issue on HB 1041, Student eligibility in interscholastic sports (Sponsor: Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport), which would tighten restrictions regarding transgender athletes. The bill is an expansion of the K-12 transgender sports ban from two years ago and would extend the ban to the collegiate level. Earlier in the week, the Senate Appropriations committee wrapped up budget presentations on HB 1001 , hearing from our statewide officials regarding their offices budgetary desires. Then yesterday, members of the public and various stakeholders provided testimony regarding their desires for the state’s biennial budget. Senators on the Senate Local Government committee took a first look at House Republican priority bill HB 1005, Housing and building matters (Sponsor: Sen. Linda Rogers R-Granger). This bill addresses the lack of housing options available to Hoosiers. HB 1005 seeks to finance infrastructure projects that support residential housing. This will be done by expanding the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program (RIF). The committee heard testimony on the bill from a variety of groups, but it was ultimately held for amend and vote at a later meeting.

I first met him last year on one of our “Willing to Work Tours.” He was outgoing, funny, and engaging, and he earnestly wanted to greet me and know more about the place we were touring. He asked questions, was thoughtful in his reactions to things he learned, and was just plain enjoyable to be around. His name is Jack, and he is a client of the Arc of LaGrange County.  The Chamber has partnered with the Arc of LaGrange County fairly regularly now for a couple of years, specifically with their Employment Services team. Jack is one of many clients who are pursuing vocational training and education, with his sights set on community employment. Just a couple weeks ago, it was publicly noted that Jack had secured employment with Lakeland School Corporation, where he offers cleaning services in two different buildings on their campus. While cleaning may go unnoticed, it is vital to the sustained success of a place of employment. For Jack, my bet is he’s doing it with a smile on his face because it’s who he is, and it brings added fulfillment in his days and weeks. We support efforts like these–employability awareness and skills training–because the future of LaGrange County workforce is being built today. Whether it's a high school student evaluating their future, or an adult with a disability, there are opportunities for employers to lean in, expand career awareness, and potentially source local talent in labor pools that may go untapped. Today’s workforce is ever-changing. The laws by how we manage and retain employees shift. The goals and needs of employees change from generation to generation (and sometimes, from year to year). The way in which we operate businesses is evolving, especially with the increasing leverage of technology in the workplace. As the Chamber of Commerce, our commitment to “Next-Level Workforce” serves as a “succession plan” for our members, ensuring that workers–often those who are not yet employed, but ready for the opportunity–are prepared, educated, and work-ready. There are many great initiatives growing in the name of Next-Level Workforce, some of which are under the Chamber’s program of work, and others that are supported by the Chamber: The LaGrange County Student Chamber is a brand-new program which serves as a “fast pass” for students to be placed in quality work-based learning opportunities with LaGrange County employers, all while bolstering the pipeline of future workforce to support our members’ businesses. The Field of Dreams Career Expo (happening next Tuesday, March 25 at the Michiana Event Center) is a countywide tradeshow-style event to showcase to 1,200+ students, grades 7-12, that there are valuable, quality career opportunities right here in their own communities. The goal? To plant workforce-ready students for a lifetime in LaGrange County. Willing to Work Tours are a program in partnership with the Arc of LaGrange County to increase career awareness to Arc clients in a variety of industries. The Chamber establishes a local tour itinerary and chauffeurs Arc clients, along with their Employment Services team, to different businesses. The tours have proved to be great connections between industry and local talent, while also leveraging collaboration amongst industry, intermediaries, and advocates like the Arc. Job Club is an additional partnership with the Arc in which Chamber members are invited to speak to Arc clients about their careers, the expectations of the job, and skills necessary to be successful in their field. Career awareness is the name of the game here, building a broader inventory of “what’s out there” for Arc clients. Project Search is a new initiative in which the Chamber is a supporting member. The Arc-led program partners with a local hospitality company and will eventually host Arc interns–age 18 to 35–for workplace skills training and experience to develop a bolstered resume for future community employment. If I have learned anything in my role at the Chamber, it is that collaboration is king. Our community will grow as fast as the collaborative pace we set. When we link arms, come to the table together, and elevate a solution that positively impacts all, we will ALL feel the win in one way or another. Our work with the Arc and our local school systems is just the beginning. If you are a business owner or a team leader and are interested in partnering with us in these efforts, we’d love to hear from you. All it takes is saying “yes” to solution-minded efforts. Together, we can make it happen.