Big I Indiana: Weekly Legislative Update - February 24, 2026

Last Week in Review
Last week was quite active at the Statehouse, as both chambers worked through a high volume of committee hearings and floor action ahead of deadlines. Lawmakers focused on key priorities, including housing, utilities, education, and health care. With the second half committee report deadline being last Thursday, the pace is expected to remain fast as bills continue moving through the process towards next Friday’s anticipated Sine Die adjournment.

Final Week of Session Primer
Before reviewing last week’s developments, below is a brief overview of what happens after a bill passes its second chamber. There are three possible outcomes:

1. Direct to the Governor: If a bill passes both chambers without any changes, it goes straight to the governor for consideration.
2. Approval of Amendments: If a bill is amended in the second chamber, it returns to its chamber of origin. The bill's author may choose to concur with (approve) the changes, sending the bill to the governor after a final vote in the chamber of origin.
3. Conference Committee: If the bill’s author dissents (disagrees) with the amendments, the bill moves to a conference committee. This committee includes one Republican and one Democrat from both the Senate and House, who work to reach a compromise. Once they agree on a final version, both chambers must vote again before the bill proceeds to the governor.

Eight bills have already been sent to the governor’s desk for signature. Once the governor receives a bill, he has seven days to act. He may sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature after the seven-day window. Governor Braun’s 2026 Bill Watch page is linked here.

Bills that fall under options 2 or 3 above will appear in the Conference Committee Grid, where you can closely follow subsequent actions. The House has already voted to concur on Senate amendments made to 10 bills, including House Bill 1002, Electric utility affordability (Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler, R-Noblesville). Now that the House has taken a vote on the final language of these bills, they will head to the governor’s desk for signature.

Alternatively, a dissent motion has been filed and adopted on SB 199, Various education matters (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis). This means that when conference committees commence in earnest next Wednesday, SB 199 will be one of the bills we expect to see in a conference committee meeting for further negotiations between the House and Senate. The conference committee will meet and negotiate a final version of the bill. Once those negotiations are finalized, a conference committee report will be filed by both the House and the Senate with the bill’s final language. Both the House and Senate will vote once more on its language before the bill can head to the governor’s desk.

Indiana Senate
House Bill 1002, Electric utility affordability, sponsored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), completed the legislative process last week. The bill was heard on second reading in the Senate with several amendments. Ultimately, no amendments were adopted, and the bill was ordered engrossed. In its final form, the bill moves investor-owned electric utilities to a multi-year, performance-based rate structure that ties future rate changes to affordability and reliability metrics. It also adds additional consumer protections, including required levelized billing for certain low-income customers and the establishment of low-income customer assistance programs. On Tuesday, the full Senate voted 46-0 to pass the bill. After the bill returned to the House, the House voted on the final language of HB 1002 in a 94-2 concurrence vote on Thursday. HB 1002 heads to Governor Braun’s desk for signature.

The Senate Elections Committee met on Monday to vote on several bills. Previously, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 1359, Scanning ballots, sponsored by Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton). The bill allows counties that choose to opt in to scan voted optical scan absentee ballots during early voting and on Election Day, but the ballots cannot be tabulated until Election Day. During committee, members adopted amendment #2 which shortens the early voting period from 28 days to 16 days. The bill passed out of committee by a vote of 7–2 and now awaits its second reading on the Senate floor.

Also, previously heard in committee, House Bill 1377, Straight ticket voting, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo), updates Indiana’s straight-ticket voting laws by clarifying how straight-party votes are counted, particularly in races where more than one candidate may be elected. The bill was amended in committee to further specify how straight-ticket votes are treated on paper ballots. House Bill 1377 passed out of committee by a vote of 7–2. On Thursday, senators adopted an amendment to push the bills effective date back to January 1, 2027. HB 1377 awaits a final third reading vote.

On Wednesday, the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee heard House Bill 1003, Boards and commissions, sponsored by Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Martinsville). This bill makes broad changes to Indiana’s boards and commissions by repealing, consolidating, or modifying numerous entities and updating their membership, duties, and operations. The bill also revises administrative rule readoption requirements, transfers certain responsibilities to state agencies, and makes related funding and technical updates. In committee, an amendment significantly narrowed the scope of the bill by removing large portions of the original language and refocusing it on specific board changes, task forces, and administrative updates. The amendment and the bill were passed unanimously by the committee with a vote of 11-0.

In the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, House Bill 1417, Causes of action and damages, was again amended after seeing significant changes in the House from its introduced version. Language increasing the limit on qualified settlements from the current $5,000 to $100,000 was removed. Language tightening Indiana’s public nuisance laws to ensure the cause of action is used properly and not as a vehicle for policymaking remains as the main substantive tort law change. Also added to the bill was language creating a commission to study legal reform issues that will be a cross section of legislators from each caucus, Gov. Braun’s office, the business community and trial lawyers that has been charged with working over the interim before next session to develop bipartisan and workable tort reform proposals for the legislature to consider in the 2027 legislative session. The amended bill passed the committee by a vote of 7 to 4 and may be amended again on second reading this week to further refine the makeup of the commission.

Indiana House of Representatives
Senate Bill 270, Township mergers, sponsored by Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville), was heard as amend and vote only in the House Local Government Committee last Monday, and the bill took an amendment before passing 11 to 2. The amendment combined aspects this bill with certain provisions of House Bill 1315, Township reorganization, sponsored by Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-Noblesville). The bill requires data to be collected on the state townships and requires certain townships to merge. The bill would only merge multiple small townships. On Wednesday, in House Ways and Means, the bill passed 18 to 6 with one amendment related to the township assessor in a particular township.

House Public Health Committee considered Senate Bill 282, Compounding drugs; registration of medical spas sponsored by Committee Chairman Dr. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) testimony only on Tuesday. On Thursday, the committee amended and voted on the bill, passing it to the floor with a vote of 12 to 0. The amendment sets compounding requirements dealing with bulk drug substances. Among other provisions, the bill would restrict the compounding of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) substances unless certain requirements are met.

In Wednesday’s House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, Senate Bill 250, Regulation of hemp, sponsored by Rep. Garrett Bascom (R-Lawrenceburg) was heard as amend and vote only following testimony last week. The bill was amended and passed 8 to 5. The bill defines “THC” for purposes of Indiana alcohol and tobacco law and closes a loophole in the state’s hemp regulations that led to the sale of some hemp products containing higher levels of THC. It also asks for additional requirements and restrictions from the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Most notably, the amendment changes the effective date of many provisions to November 12, 2026 to mirror the effective date of related federal changes. The bill will be up for second reading this week.

The House Ways and Means Committee heard seven bills as amend and vote only, all of which were recommitted to Ways and Means after being approved by other committees. Senate Bill 78, Wireless communication device policy, sponsored by Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty), passed 21 to 3 with one amendment that removes provisions dealing with the purchase of cell phone pouches. The bill would instate a bell-to-bell ban on cellular devices in schools. The bill will be up for second reading this week.

And last but certainly not least, the House Ways and Means Committee convened on Thursday to hear Senate Bill 27, Stadium authority, sponsored by Speaker of the House Todd Huston (R-Fishers). The bill, which would establish a stadium authority team for the potential relocation of the Chicago Bears to Hammond, Indiana, passed 24 to 0. The bill also provides that Lake and Porter County increase their food and beverage tax to help pay for the potential stadium. The bill will be up for second reading this week. 

The Week Ahead
This week is the last week of the 2026 session. House and Senate sessions will begin to wrap up at the beginning of the week, and conference committees will continue to convene until the anticipated adjournment on Friday. With committee meetings having concluded for the year, we will primarily be updating you on session and conference committee proceedings for the remainder of session.

The House floor calendar with the list of bills eligible for second and third reading can be found here and the Senate's here.

Live Bill Report

2026 Big I Indiana Legislative Bill Track

You can stay up to date on all issues concerning the Big I and insurance industry during the 2026 Indiana General Assembly through the above link. This link is live and will be updated in real-time as the session progresses to include any changes that are made to our followed bills. Our team at Catalyst has created this report uniquely for the Big I Indiana to include the bills that are relevant to you. Each bill's status will automatically update when any new action occurs, including when it becomes scheduled to be heard in a committee. By equipping you with this live and continuously updating report, we will keep you in the loop about every action that impacts our interests.

 In-Depth Legislative Update
The bills listed below are those that have been identified as the top priorities for the association for the 2026 Indiana General Assembly. This list will be shorter and differ somewhat from the Bill Track above because these are what we consider bills of most importance to you and your clients. The bills that have the most direct impact on our membership will have more detailed explanations and will list the activity on the bill. The others contain a link that will send you to the Indiana General Assembly website, where you can find more detail on the bill. Finally, when a priority bill changes status, that change will be noted in red type as we move forward through the session.

If you or your staff have any questions about anything in this update, or at any time throughout the 2026 legislative session, please do not hesitate to reach out to Steve Duff at [email protected]. 

2026 Followed Senate Bills

SB 8: Library budgets (Sen. Gary Byrne)
Requires the county, city, or town fiscal body (as applicable) to review the proposed budget and property tax levy of a public library that is not comprised of a majority of officials who are elected to serve on the public library's governing body and adopt a final budget and property tax levy for the public library. Repeals separate provisions that apply if particular conditions are satisfied as each pertains to county, city, or town fiscal body review and adoption of the final budget and property tax levy of a public library that is not comprised of a majority of officials who are elected to serve on the public library's governing body. SB 8 passed the committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy on Jan. 21 by a vote of 9 to 1 and was engrossed on second reading on Jan. 22. It passed the Senate buy a vote of 31 to 13 on Jan. 26. It awaits hearing in the House committee on Ways and Means.

SB 13: Motor vehicle equipment requirements (Sen. Blake Doriot)
Adds an exception to certain motor vehicle equipment requirements for vehicle chassis that are a part of a vehicle manufacturer's work in process and are towed for a distance of less than 40 miles. Referred to the committee on Homeland Security and Transportation. SB 13 passed the committee by a vote of 7 to 0 on December 9, 2025 and passed the full Senate by a vote of 49 to 0 on January 6. SB 13 passed the House committee on Roads and Transportation on Feb. 2 and moved through second reading without amendment on Feb 5. The bill passed the full house by a vote of 93 to 0 on Feb. 9. SB 13 was signed into law by Gov. Braun on Feb. 17.  

SB 21: State sandwich (Sen. Andy Zay)
Designates the breaded tenderloin sandwich as the official state sandwich of Indiana. Referred to the committee on Commerce and Technology. SB 21 passed the committee by a vote of 11 to 0 on Jan. 8. Because he is leaving the Senate to join the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Andy Zay resigned his Senate seat and was replaced as author by Sen. Blake Doriot. It passed the full Senate by a vote of 37 to 11 on Jan. 13. The bill awaits a hearing in the House committee on Government and Regulatory Reform.

SB 27: Stadium authority (Sen. Ryan Mishler, Sen. Chris Garten)
Establishes the northwest Indiana stadium authority (stadium authority) for the purpose of acquiring and financing certain facilities. Sets forth the powers and duties of the stadium authority. The bill passed the committee on Appropriations on Jan. 22 by a vote of 12 to 0. The bill was engrossed on second reading on Jan. 27 and was then voted out of the Senate by a vote of 46 to 2 on Jan 28. In a very unusual move that signifies the importance of this legislation, the sponsor of SB 27 will be Indiana Speaker of the House Rep. Todd Huston. SB 27 passed the House committee on Ways and Means unanimously 24 to 0 on Feb. 19. It will be considered by the full House and likely moved to the Governor by the end of the session on Friday. 

SB 78: Wireless communication device policy (Sen. Jeff Raatz)
Amends the definition of "wireless communication device". Requires each school corporation and charter school to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during the school day; (2) requires teacher directed use of a wireless communication device for educational purposes during the school day to occur only on school supplied wireless communication devices; and (3) mandates the use of a no device policy or a secure storage policy. Creates certain exceptions to a wireless communication device policy. Requires the department of education to publish model policy language and implementation guidance. Provides that a school corporation, a school maintained by a school corporation, and a charter school (school), including school personnel, are immune from civil liability for any actions taken in good faith to comply with the school's wireless communication device policy, with exceptions. Referred to the committee on Education and Career Development. SB 78 passed the committee by a vote of 12 to 1 on Jan. 7 and was amended on second reading on second reading on Jan. 13 and now awaits a vote on the Senate floor. The bill was passed by the full Senate on Jan. 20 by a vote of 28 to 19. SB 78 was amended and passed out of the House committee on Education by a vote of 12 to 0 on Feb. 12. It then passed the House committee on Ways and Means on Feb. 18 by a vote of 21 to 3. It now awaits second and third reading action this week.

SB 89: Three-way permits for Schererville (Sen. Dan Dernulc)
Provides the alcohol and tobacco commission may issue not more than: (1) three new three-way permits to the town of Schererville; (2) three new three-way permits to the city of Lafayette; (3) two new three-way permits to the city of West Lafayette; (4) eight new three-way permits to restaurants located within a transit development district located in the city of Michigan City; (5) two new three-way permits to the city of Delphi; and (6) two new three-way permits to the city of Bloomington. The committee on Public Policy passed SB 89 by a vote of 10 to 0 on Jan. 21. It was amended and ordered engrossed on the Senate floor on Jan. 26 and then passed the full Senate by a vote of 39 to 6 on Jan. 27. SB 89 passed the House committee on Public Policy on Feb. 10 by a vote of 10 to 0 without amendment and was then engrossed on second reading on Feb. 12. It passed the House by a vote of 79 to 10 on Feb 16 and, because it was not amended in the second house, it now moves to the governor for his consideration. 

SB 169: Reorganization of consumer lending laws (Sen. Scott Baldwin)
This bill passed the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions by a vote of 6 to 1 on Jan. 14 and now moves to potential second reading consideration on the Senate floor this week. SB 169 was engrossed on second reading on Jan 20 and then voted out of the Senate by a vote of 43 to 1 on Jan. 22. SB 169 passed the House committee on Financial Institutions on Feb. 17 by a vote of 10 to 0 and was not amended on second reading on Feb. 19. It will be voted upon by the House this week. 

SB 189: Nonparticipating providers (Sen. Scott Baldwin)
Prohibits a health carrier from assessing a health provider facility or a provider an administrative fee related to the provision of care to an individual that involves an out of network provider. Provides that if a health carrier assesses a health provider facility or a provider an administrative fee related to the provision of care to an individual that involves an out of network provider, the insurance commissioner shall impose on the health carrier a civil penalty that is equal to double the amount of the administrative fee assessed by the health carrier. SB 189 passed the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions on Jan 21 by a vote of 6 to 1 after being amended. SB 189 passed the House committee on Insurance by a vote of 10 to 0 on Feb. 17 after being amended. It was engrossed on second reading on Feb. 19. It awaits a third reading vote this week. 

SB 220: Health care shopping and decision support program (Sen. Ed Charbonneau)
Requires, beginning January 1, 2028, a health carrier to: (1) implement a shopping and decision support program; and (2) provide incentives for covered individuals in a health plan who elect to receive a comparable health care service from a network provider that is paid less than the average allowed amount paid by the health carrier to network providers for the comparable health care service. Requires, beginning December 1, 2027, a health carrier to make available an interactive member portal that enables a covered individual to request and obtain certain information. Allows a health carrier to make the information available through a toll free telephone number. Sets forth reporting requirements for health carriers and the department of insurance concerning incentive payments made to covered individuals. The committee on Health and Provider Services passed SB 220 by a vote of 11 to 0 on Jan. 21. The bill was amended on second reading on Jan. 26 and then passed the Senate by a vote of 42 to 2 on Jan. 27. It awaits a hearing and vote in the House committee on Insurance. 

SB 270: Township mergers (Sen. Rick Niemeyer) 
Requires the department of local government finance (department) not later than December 31, 2026, to compile data on each township (excluding townships in Marion County) and assign points based upon the township government's performance. Requires a township government that is assigned at least four points (designated township) to merge. Requires a merger to satisfy the following requirements: (1) A designated township must merge with at least one township that has less than four points (recipient township). (2) The merger must satisfy contiguity requirements under the township merger law. Provides that if all townships in a county have at least four points, the county executive must designate a township to act as the recipient township. Requires the county executive to designate which townships will merge: (1) taking into consideration the wishes of the designated townships and recipient townships; and (2) the contiguity requirements under the township merger law. Provides that all mergers in a county are effective not later than January 1, 2028. Establishes provisions for an interim township government for the new merged township government until a new township trustee and township legislative body are elected during the 2030 general election. Provides that a township merger does not affect the office of township assessor of a township participating in the merger. SB 270 passed the committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy on Jan. 20 by a vote of 12 to 0 and then was engrossed on second reading without amendment on Jan. 22. The bill passed the House committee on Local Government on Feb. 17 after being heavily amended by a vote of 11 to 2 and was immediately recommitted to the committee on Ways and Means because of its financial impact. It passed Ways and Means by a vote of 18 to 6 after again being amended. It should move through the house early this week and is likely headed to a conference committee.

2026 Followed House Bills

HB 1003: Boards and commissions (Rep. Steve Bartels; Sen. Randy Maxwell) 
Makes changes to requirements for the readoption of administrative rules. Repeals, merges, consolidates, or otherwise modifies various boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies. Modifies or establishes various funds. Makes changes to the membership, duties, and operations of various boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies. Provides that the professional licensing agency may adopt and enforce procedural rules for the administration of a board if the rule: (1) will affect multiple boards; and (2) is not inconsistent with any rule adopted by the affected board. Repeals the fire prevention and building safety commission (commission). Transfers the commission's responsibilities and administrative rules to the department of homeland security (department). Makes certain changes to the administration of building and safety statutes and building and safety codes. Provides for the codification of administrative rules setting forth building and safety codes into statute. Also eliminates the Indiana Continuing Education Council, which approves or disapproves class filings for CE credit and gives approval authority to the Commissioner. HB 1003 passed the House by a vote of 67 to 29 on February 3. It passed the Senate committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure on Feb. 18 by a vote of 11 to 0 after being amended. It will be considered this week on the Senate floor.  

HB 1044: Insurance coverage for public safety employees (Rep. Jim Pressel)
Provides that a public safety employee who: (1) becomes disabled on or after January 1, 2020; (2) receives a Class 1 or a Class 2 impairment benefit; and (3) is eligible for group health insurance coverage for the public safety employee and the public safety employee's spouse or dependents; must pay the same amount that the public safety employee would have been required to pay if still serving as a current active public safety employee employed by the local unit public employer. Specifies that the public safety employee must file a written request for insurance coverage with the employer before June 1, 2026, or within 90 days after the public safety employee begins receiving disability benefits, whichever is later. Provides that a surviving spouse or dependent of a public safety employee who dies in the line of duty must pay the same amount that the public safety employee would have been required to pay if still serving as a current active public safety employee employed by the local unit public employer for coverage selected by the surviving spouse or dependent under the group health insurance program. Referred to the committee on Insurance. It passed the committee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 13 to 0 and moved through second reading without amendment on Jan. 15. HB 1044 passed the House by a vote of 92 to 0 on Jan 20. It passed the Senate committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions on Feb. 12 by a vote of 7 to 0. It was amended and engrossed on second reading on Feb. 16 and passed the Seante by a vote of 45 to 0 on Feb. 17. Rep. Pressel concurred with Senate changes and the bill passed the House on a concurrence vote of 93 to 0 on Feb. 19, sending it to the governor. 

HB 1065: Ban on gratuities for public officials (Rep. Harold Slager)
Makes it a Class A misdemeanor for: (1) a person to offer a payment to a public servant as a reward for an official act performed by the public servant for the person; or (2) a public servant to solicit or accept a payment as a reward for an official act performed by the public servant for the person. Increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the fair market value of the reward is at least $750. Exempts: (1) a good or service that is subject to a reporting requirement or otherwise authorized by an applicable rule or code of ethics; (2) a good or service with a value of less than $100; (3) commemorative or ceremonial items, such as plaques, trophies, or framed photos; (4) lawful political contributions; (5) wages and other forms of work related compensation from the governmental entity employing the public servant that the public servant is legally permitted to receive; or (6) an offer of employment that is not offered as a reward for an official act performed by a public servant. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally violates a specified provision by commingling the funds of a committee with the personal funds of an officer, a member, or an associate of the committee commits a Class A misdemeanor. Enhances the penalty to a Level 6 felony if a person commingles at least $50,000 of committee funds. This bill passed the committee on Courts and Criminal Code as amended on Jan. 22 by a vote of 13 to 0 and was amended and engrossed on second reading on Jan. 28. HB 1065 passed by a vote of 85 to 0. The bill passed the Senate committee on Corrections and Criminal Law on Feb. 12 by a vote of 9 to 0. It was engrossed on second reading on Feb. 16, but was placed back on second reading on Feb. 19, where it will likely be amended. 

HB 1098: Work based learning liability (Rep. Matt Commons)
Requires an intermediary and an employer to enter into an agreement that sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the intermediary and the employer when participating in a work based learning program. Repeals provisions relating to the federal School to Work Opportunities Act under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that, subject to certain limitations, a student who performs services for an employer as part of a work based learning program is entitled to benefits under the worker's compensation and worker's occupational diseases compensation laws. Provides that any underwriting decision made by an insurer or rating factor applied to a participant must be based on objective risk based criteria that are applied uniformly and without regard to the age of the student to be covered under the policy. This bill passed the committee on Insurance on Jan. 20 by a vote of 12 to 0 after being amended and was engrossed on second reading without amendment on Jan. 22. HB 1098 passed out of the House on Jan. 28 by a vote of 89 to 0. It passed the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions on Feb. 12 by a vote of 7 to 0. HB 1098 was engrossed on second reading on Feb. 16 and then passed the Senate on Feb. 19 by a vote of 44 to 1. Because it was amended in the second house, it awaits Rep. Commons’ decision on whether to concur or dissent on it. 

HB 1114: Coverage for certain cancer prescriptions (Rep. Cherrish Pryor)
Prohibits a state employee health plan, a policy of accident and sickness insurance, and a health maintenance organization that provides coverage for advanced, metastatic cancer and associated conditions from requiring that, before providing coverage for a prescription drug, the insured fail to successfully respond to a different prescription drug or prove a history of failure of a different prescription drug. HB 1114 passed the committee on Insurance as amended on Jan. 20 by a vote of 10 to 0. It was amended and engrossed on Jan. 27 and then passed the full House by a vote of 3 to 0 on Jan. 28. HB 1114 passed the Senate committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions by a vote of 6 to 2 on Feb. 12. It was reassigned to the Senate committee on Appropriations because of its potential financial impact and then passed the committee on Feb. 19 by a vote of 10 to 1. It now moves to the Senate floor. 

HB 1122: License plates for former state legislators (Rep. John Bartlett)
Provides that a special license plate may be issued to former members of the general assembly who served: (1) for a former member of the house of representatives, not less than five terms; (2) for a former member of the senate, not less than three terms; and (3) for an individual who served in both the house of representatives and the senate, for a total of not less than 12 years. This bill passed the committee on Roads and Transportation on Jan. 27 by a vote of 11 to 1. It was amended on second reading  on Jan. 29 and then passed the full House as amended by a vote of 63 to 15. HB 1122 passed the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Transportation by a vote of 7 to 1 on Feb. 17 and was engrossed on second reading without amendment on Feb. 19. It will be voted upon this week.

HB 1147: Licensure of certified public accountants (Rep. Heath VanNatter)
The committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions passed the bill without amendment on Jan. 15 by a vote of 13 to 0. HB 1147 was engrossed on second reading on Jan. 20 and passed the full House by a vote of 89 to 0 on Jan 22. It passed the committee on Commerce and Technology on Feb. 12 by a vote of 11 to 0. It was engrossed on second reading on Feb. 16 and then passed the Seante by a vote of 43 to 2 on Feb. 17. Because it was not amended in the second house, it now moves to Gov. Braun.

HB 1200: Bureau of motor vehicles (Rep. Jim Pressel)
Allows additional license plates issued by the bureau to be designed as a personalized license plate. Provides that a motor vehicle may be equipped with an appropriate, functioning rear view camera that provides the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle instead of a mirror. Amends the information required to be provided by an applicant for a driver's license or permit. Amends the required age an individual must be to obtain a driver's license from 16 years and 90 days of age to 16 years of age. Requires an individual to demonstrate sufficient proficiency of the English language to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Allows an applicant for a driver's license or permit to take an examination of the individual's ability to read and understand highway signs and the individual's knowledge of Indiana traffic laws by satisfactorily completing an online examination approved by the bureau. Amends the time that an expired driver's license of an individual temporarily residing outside Indiana because of service in the armed forces remains valid. Changes the time for an individual who is 75 years of age or older and renewing a physical credential to provide proof to the bureau that the individual passed an eyesight examination from 30 days to 60 days. Removes the limitation that a renewal identification card cannot be issued by electronic service if the card expired more than 180 days prior to the date of the application for renewal. Provides that an advertisement that violates the prohibition on advertising certain illegal products must be removed from public circulation not later than July 1, 2026. This legislation passed the committee on Roads and Transportation after being amended by a vote of 13 to 0 on Jan 27. It was again amended on second reading on Jan. 29 and passed the House by a vote of 90 to 0 on Feb. 2. HB 1200 passed the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Transportation by a vote of 8 to 0 on Feb. 17 after being amended. It will be considered on the Senate floor this week.

HB 1260: Various insurance matters (Rep. Matt Lehman)
Specifies that, for personal automobile or homeowner's policies: (1) an insured has 30 days to submit a request for an explanation of a material change; and (2) an insurer has 30 days to respond to an insured's request for an explanation of a material change. Requires an insurer of automobile insurance policies and residential policies to mail a notice of nonrenewal to an insured at least 60 days before the expiration of the policy. Allows co-owners of a condominium that meets certain conditions to obtain property and casualty insurance coverage for the condominium units by purchasing a master policy for property and casualty insurance or by allowing each co-owner to purchase property and casualty insurance on an individual basis. Provides that the insurance commissioner has the authority to take certain actions relating to the creation, implementation, or operation of a health benefit exchange. HB 1260 passed the committee on Insurance as amended by a vote of 12 to 0 on Jan 20 and was engrossed on second reading on Jan. 22. It passed the House by a vote of 92 to 1 on Jan. 28. HB 1260 passed the Senate committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions as amended by a vote of 8 to 0 on Feb. 12. Because of its potential financial impact, it was reassigned to the committee on Appropriations and passed the committee by a vote of 12 to 0 on Feb. 19. The bill now moves to the Senate floor.

HB 1274: Insurance mandated gun free zone notices (Rep. Matt Commons)
Provides that an insurer may not require an insured or prospective insured to post or display a gun free zone notice. Prohibits an insurer from taking certain actions based on the failure or refusal by an insured or prospective insured to post or display a gun free zone notice. This legislation passed the committee on Insurance as amended on Jan. 20 by a vote of 9 to 3. It was not amended on second reading and was engrossed on Jan. 22. It passed the House on Jan. 28 by a vote of 69 to 25. HB 1274 passed the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions on Feb. 12 by a vote of 5 to 2. It was engrossed on second reading on Feb 17 without amendment and now awaits a third reading vote.

HB 1315: Township reorganization (Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler)
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. HB 1315 was amended and then passed the committee on Local Government on Jan. 13 by a vote of 9 to 3. This legislation passed the committee on Ways and Means by a vote of 15 to 9 on Jan. 27 and was further amended on second reading on Jan 29. It passed the House by a vote of 55 to 44 on Feb. 2. HB 1315 was assigned to the Senate committee on Local Government, but was not heard – effectively killing the bill. However, several provisions from HB 1315 were amended into SB 270 – a summary of which can be seen above.  

HB 1336: Securities and investment adviser representatives (Rep. Martin Carbaugh)
Exempts a merger and acquisition broker from registering as a broker-dealer under certain circumstances. Requires an applicant seeking to register as an agent of a broker-dealer in Indiana to pass financial industry regulatory authority (FINRA) examinations unless certain exceptions apply. Requires an applicant seeking to register as an investment adviser representative in Indiana to pass FINRA examinations unless certain exceptions apply. Provides that under certain circumstances an agent of a broker-dealer or an investment adviser representative may have the validity of the individual's FINRA qualifying examinations extended. Requires an investment adviser representative to participate in a continuing education program. This bill passed the committee on Financial Institutions on Jan. 20 by a vote of 10 to 0 and moved through second reading on Jan. 22 without amendment. HB 1336 passed the House by a vote of 89 to 0 on Jan 29. It passed the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions on Feb. 12 by a vote of 7 to 0. It was amended and engrossed on second reading on Feb. 16 and then passed the Senate by a vote of 45 to 0 on Feb. 18. Rep. Carbaugh concurred with Senate amendments and the bill passed the House on a concurrence vote of 94 to 0 on Feb. 19. It now moves to Gov. Braun’s desk.

HB 1417: Causes of action and damages (Rep. Matt Lehman)
Limits a civil cause of action concerning a public nuisance. Provides that the limitations shall not affect a local administrative code or ordinance, unless the local administrative code or ordinance provides for a civil cause of action and is in conflict with certain provisions. Provides that the award of attorney's fees, costs, and expenses may not total more than $100,000 (rather than $5,000) if a recipient does not accept a qualified settlement offer and the final judgment is less favorable to the recipient than the terms of the qualified settlement offer. The Big I supported tort reform legislation passed the committee on Judiciary by a vote of 9 to 4 on Jan 27 after being amended (see above in the Indiana House of Representatives section for more information). It was engrossed on second reading without amendment on Jan. 29 and passed the House by a vote of 61 to 34. HB 1417 passed the Senate committee on Judiciary on Feb. 19 by a vote of 7 to 4 after being significantly amended. See above in the Indiana House of Representative section for more information.