The halfway point of the 2026 legislative session is fast approaching, with next week marking key deadlines for bills to get through their respective chambers.
Business owners say Indiana’s Senate Bill 250 would effectively ban the growing delta-8 market—which was estimated to have generated more than $1 billion in economic impact in 2023—and urge caution amid changing federal rules.
Gov. Mike Braun told IBJ on Thursday that he hopes more concrete developments regarding the Chicago Bears’ potential move to northwest Indiana could come “within 10 days or a couple weeks.”
These counties join Allen County as possible sites for a new casino under changes to House Bill 1038. Some Indianapolis-area lawmakers are still pushing for Marion County to be included in that group.
Rep. Ed DeLaney announced Wednesday that he plans to file a resolution that calls for creating a House select committee to investigate the IEDC—the state’s lead agency for business attraction and expansion efforts.
House Bill 1002 requires the state’s investor-owned utilities to start low-income-customer assistance programs, bans service shutoffs in the summer and moves all customers to “levelized” billing plans.
Indiana lawmakers are considering legislation to lower houses costs by removing restrictions from the permitting process. Local governments worry the measure takes decision-making power away.
A number of bills this session are focused on the Indiana Economic Development Corp., but most of them have yet to receive a committee hearing.
Two bills from Republican lawmakers could allow businesses, and potentially individual households, to get their electricity from a provider other than their local utility company.
Language introduced in the Indiana Senate on Thursday would create a stadium authority authorized to acquire land, finance capital improvements and enter into leases with private entities, including NFL teams.
The governor also celebrated data center development, but he said tech companies should pay for 100% of their power needs.
Some say Braun’s comments signal that Indiana appears to be making headway in discussions that could bring a second NFL franchise to the Hoosier State.
Currently, 10 states hold general elections for utility regulators. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle think Indiana should join them.
The bill, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, would allow casino operator Full House Resorts Inc. to move its gaming license from Rising Sun to Marion County–with a few conditions.
From utility rates to tenderloin sandwiches, here are some bills IBJ is following this legislative session.
Rep. Andrew Ireland said he authored the bill because he’s concerned about school districts hiring lobbyists with money that could be going toward the classroom.
House Republicans are emphasizing affordability through deregulation in their legislative priorities. The measures center on local zoning laws for housing, new methods of utility ratemaking and cutting down on code in education.
House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, on Thursday told reporters that discussions involving the Bears need to happen quickly, after the team just last month publicly announced it was expanding its search for a stadium to Indiana.
After months of asking for relief from the new tax structure imposed by the General Assembly in 2025, local units of government could see some relief under proposed changes to the state’s income tax code this session.
State legislators say they are waiting to hear more from the Bears before they can work on proposals to relocate the team to northwest Indiana.
