Big I Indiana: Weekly Legislative Update - February 10, 2026


Last Week in Review
Last week was an extremely busy one at the Statehouse. The House third reading deadline was on Monday and the bills that survived the first half switched houses. The Senate convened Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday last week to begin the process of putting bills through first and second reading, and the House began working on the new bills and resolutions on Tuesday and Thursday.

Friday was the filing deadline to have one’s name on the ballot in the 2026 primary election, which will take place on May 5. Next week we will provide a comprehensive update of which legislators have filed for reelection, which are retiring, which are facing challengers. If you would like to take an early look, you can do so at the Secretary of State’s website here.

Indiana Senate
Last Monday the Senate officially began the second half of the 2026 Legislative Session. The Senate Elections Committee heard several bills. House Bill 1359, Scanning ballots sponsored by Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton), would create efficiency by allowing election officials to securely scan early and Election Day absentee ballots without counting them until Election Day. House Bill 1377, Straight ticket voting, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo), updates Indiana’s straight-ticket voting rules by clarifying how votes are counted when a voter selects a straight party ticket. Both bills were held in committee.

On Wednesday, the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee heard for testimony only House Bill 1335, Nonprofit hospitals, sponsored by Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette). The bill requires hospitals to spend more on community programs and charity care than the value of their tax exemptions. It also adds workforce training requirements through clinical preceptors and increases state oversight by expanding reporting, enforcement, and penalty authority for the Indiana Department of Health.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee heard several bills regulating cryptocurrency, including House Bill 1042, Regulation and investment of cryptocurrency, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Walker (R-Indianapolis), and House Bill 1116, Virtual currency kiosks, sponsored by Rep. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville). Both bills were held in committee for possible amendments.

In the Senate Education and Career Development Committee, House Bill 1137, Foods and beverages on school property sponsored by Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo), requires public schools to not provide ultra processed food on school property. The committee heard testimony on the bill; however, the bill was held for possible amendments and vote in another meeting.

On Thursday, House Bill 1058, Annexation, sponsored by Sen. Brett Clark (R-Avon), was heard in the Senate Local Government Committee. The bill allows a city or town to annex land on both sides of railroad tracks by treating it as one contiguous area for annexation. The bill passed out of committee unanimously 10 to 0.

Indiana House of Representatives
Monday marked the House’s third reading deadline and considered 32 bills on third reading. Two bills, House Bill 1086, Ten Commandments as a protected writing and House Bill 1066, Purchase of lease and government vehicles, were removed from the third reading calendar by the Speaker. An appeal was made to return House Bill 1066, authored by Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), to the calendar; however, the appeal failed. Listed below are a few bills of interest that were up for third reading, with various others outlined below:

Also on House third reading was House Bill 1099, Foreign adversaries, authored by Rep. Matt Commons (R-Williamsport). HB 1099 strengthens protections against foreign adversaries by prohibiting certain foreign-owned entities from contracting with the state for technological products or services. The bill restricts the enrollment of certain foreign students in qualifying programs at educational institutions while also requiring the schools to report historical and current foreign student enrollment data. The House passed the bill with a 72 to 23 vote with Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) sponsoring it as it carries over to the Senate.

House Bill 1210, Department of local government finance, authored by Rep. Craig Snow (R-Winona Lake), makes broad updates on how local government finance and taxes are administered. The bill requires a competitive process for hiring municipal advisers, increases transparency in local financial reporting, and makes numerous technical changes to property tax procedures, credits, and exemptions. The House passed the bill with an 80 to 1 vote. Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) is the sponsor for the bill in the Senate.

On Tuesday, the House began to consider Senate bills in earnest. The House Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 76, Immigration matters sponsored by Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), and the bill passed out of committee with a vote of 9 to 4. The bill provides that the Attorney General can defend a law enforcement officer, governing body, or collegiate institution if one of them gets involved in an immigration case. The bill also, among other things, provides penalties for governing bodies or collegiate institutions limiting or restricting the enforcement of federal immigration law. The committee passed an amendment which provides immunity to a governmental entity that has not complied with an immigration detention request. It also gives the AG power to bring court actions in the case of a violation or noncompliance of immigrant detention requests. 

The House Roads and Transportation Committee heard House Bill 1027, Sale of bureau of motor vehicles information authored by Rep. Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis) as a hearing only. This bill cannot move in this session, but it may enter the legislative process for the 2027 session. The bill, among other provisions, prohibits the BMV from selling personal information of an individual less than 21, 65+, or has opted out of the sale of their personal information.

Wednesday was a committee day with a total of nine committees meetings. The vast majority of bills heard were “hearing only”, meaning that action was not taken on them yesterday. Committees will have to take a vote either next week or the week after for the bill to continue in the legislative process.

Below is a list of a few notable bills that appeared for “hearing only” consideration in committee on Wednesday: 

HB 1417: Causes of action and damages, which passed the House last week by a vote of 61 to 34 looks very different than its introduced version. It was amended to cut its scope down to two issues in light of the tight time frames to pass legislation during this session. The current bill tightens Indiana’s public nuisance laws to ensure the cause of action is used properly and not as a vehicle for policymaking and increases the limit on qualified settlements from the current $5 thousand to $100,000. The bill’s Senate sponsors are Sen. Scott Baldwin and Sen. Chris Garten. HB 1417 has been assigned to the Senate committee on Judiciary and it currently awaits a hearing. 

Notable Legislation that Died
At the start of session, the House filed 452 bills, with each representative limited to authoring five bills. However, only 116 have made past the halfway point. This means 336 House bills are now dead for the session, though their language could still be revived in other bills as session continues. Below are a few that did not make it to the Senate.

House Bill 1119, Execution methods, authored by Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) received a third reading vote of 48-7. Therefore, the bill failed to receive enough votes on the House floor for a constitutional majority. It could have been brought back for another vote prior to the deadline, but it did not appear that there is enough support to cross the constitutional majority threshold. The bill would have added the firing squad as an execution method in Indiana.

House Bill 1078, Online lottery sales and voluntary exclusion, authored by Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) would have allowed the Hoosier Lottery to sell tickets online; however, it did not advance before the deadline. Rep. Manning stated that the proposal lacked sufficient support.

When originally introduced, House Bill 1086, Ten Commandments as a protected writing, authored by Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland), would have required Hoosier public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom and library. However, amendments adopted in the House Education Committee scaled the proposal back, changing the language to say that schools can optionally display the religious text and that teachers are not permitted to read from the text while students are present. Though the bill passed out of committee, it was removed from the House calendar and missed the third reading deadline.

The Week Ahead
We are officially into the second half of the session. This week will include numerous committee hearings on bills that survived their house of origin, as legislators in both houses scramble to get their bills out of committee before the committee report deadline on Feb. 19. The full House Committee schedule can be found here, and the Senate Committee schedule can be found here. Both are live links and will be updated as more committees are scheduled. Buckle up, it is going to be a wild ride! 

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. It will likely be considered on third reading this week. 

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. It has been assigned to the House committee on Ways and Means and awaits a committee hearing.

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. The bill’s House sponsor will be Rep. Jake Teshka. It awaits a hearing in the House committee on Education. 

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 awaits a hearing in the House committee on Public Policy. 

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. It has been assigned to the House committee on Financial Institutions and awaits a hearing date. 

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. It awaits a hearing in the House committee on Insurance.

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 awaits a committee hearing in the House committee on Local Government.


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 was assigned to the Senate committee on Rules and Legislative Procedure and it is currently awaiting a hearing. 

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 has been assigned to the Senate committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions and awaits a hearing. 

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. It sits in the House committee on Corrections and Criminal Law, where it awaits a hearing.

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 awaits a hearing in the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions. 

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. It has been assigned to the Senate committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions and awaits committee consideration. 

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 awaits a hearing in the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Transportation.

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 has been referred to the Senate, where it has been assigned to the committee on Commerce and Technology and awaits a hearing. 

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 sits in the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Transportation awaiting further action. 

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. It awaits action in the Senate committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions.

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 currently sits in the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions awaiting further action.

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 now moves to the Senate committee on Local Government. 

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 now moves to the Senate, where it has been assigned to the committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions.

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 awaits a hearing in the Senate committee on Judiciary.