‘Culture of chaos’: Indiana hemp industry on edge as federal lawmakers ban delta-8 products
Tied up in the bill that ended the 43-day shutdown was language that bans almost all hemp-derived products starting in November 2026.
Legislation
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Some local governments are slowing spending as lawmakers debate property tax cuts
The bill would reduce property taxes—and therefore reduce local government revenue—by about $1.4 billion over three years, according to the bill’s fiscal plan.
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Legislative roundup: Final committee votes on property taxes, Medicaid bills
Next week, the chambers will be busy hearing bills for second and third readings ahead of their Thursday deadline.
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Will Indiana join a wave of states offering new retirement savings option?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30% of private-sector workers do not have access to a defined-contribution retirement plan through their employer.
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Gaming commission funding throttled by lawmakers in late-night move
A feud between the General Assembly and the Indiana Gaming Commission escalated late Friday when lawmakers approved language blocking the commission from getting more money without their approval.
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Articles
Local leaders plan pitch for downtown casino, circle potential sites
Sources tell IBJ that tax revenue from a new casino could help pay for potential upgrades to Lucas Oil Stadium as well as a soccer stadium on the east side of downtown.
Appeals court upholds Indiana abortion ban
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a statement that “this ruling is a resounding victory for life and the rule of law in Indiana.”
Indiana Chamber releases scorecard ranking lawmakers on 2025 votes
More than 50 lawmakers earned a perfect mark—all Republicans who generally align with the right-leaning business organization.
Senate rushes to pass Trump’s tax bill, which could raise national debt by $3.3 trillion
Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill would extend tax cuts passed in 2017, enact campaign promises such as no tax on tips, spend hundreds of billions of dollars on immigration and defense, and slash social benefit programs including Medicaid.
Governments face state deadline to start livestreaming meetings
The law, passed in 2023, covers public meetings held by state boards and commissions; elected school boards; county commissions; and county, city and town councils.
Trump’s big bill teeters as House conservatives demand more changes
House Republicans narrowly advanced the sprawling package in a rare weekend vote late Sunday, but just barely, as GOP leaders promise more negotiations ahead.
Indiana bill roundup: Here’s what happened to legislation IBJ followed this session
Gov. Mike Braun signed 243 bills into law during this year, including more than 60 on Tuesday. Here’s a rundown of some of the most significant pieces of legislation that made it through this year’s General Assembly.
Legislative session was mixed bag for business
Business owners can expect some tax relief and a new state small business office, but the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will have less money for some of its operations and programs under the next two-year budget.
Braun signs bill to create IEDC land-purchase guardrails, new state business office
The bipartisan bill requires the IEDC to be more transparent when it makes large land purchases for major projects like the massive LEAP business park in Boone County.
Under new law, state needs to create high school workforce credential framework
The measure builds on recent education efforts to “reinvent high school,” meaning a curricular change to create additional high school credit pathways in addition to college prep.
Pricing legislation shows health reform complexities
Indiana lawmakers discovered this legislative session that performing major financial surgery on multibillion-dollar nonprofit hospital systems is a motley and entangled task.
Bill roundup: Lawmakers wrap up budget, tackle final, thorny bills
Around 1:20 a.m. Friday, Indiana lawmakers approved the last bill of the session: the 2026-27 state budget. Here’s what happened with some of the bills we’ve watched this session.
Indiana Legislature adopts tight budget with cigarette tax hike, widespread cuts
The Indiana Legislature approved a pared-down $46.2 billion state budget bill early Friday morning that will triple the state’s cigarette tax and cut funding for a wide swath of entities and programs.
Last-minute budget addition gives Braun full control over IU board
The nine-member board serves as the governing body for the state’s largest postsecondary institution, overseeing major decisions related to policy, finances and leadership appointments.
Indiana lawmakers send hospital pricing legislation to Braun
The legislation threatens to strip the state’s largest hospital systems of their nonprofit status if their prices exceed state average prices.
Hamilton County to gain courts, Marion County to lose magistrates in bill headed to governor
The legislation is meant to reduce caseloads in some of the state’s fastest-growing counties.
Lawmakers slash state economic development funding by 25% in budget compromise
The new budget proposal provides more funding for operations and business-promotion support for the Indiana Economic Development Corp., but cuts five funds and programs totaling $35 million.
Lawmakers seek compromise on complex hospital pricing legislation
Indiana lawmakers have discovered this legislative session that performing major financial surgery on multibillion-dollar nonprofit hospital systems is a motley and entangled task.
Braun signs orders calling for state water management plan, Rare Earth Recovery Council
Gov. Mike Braun’s new executive orders require the state to develop a statewide water inventory and management plan, and establish a body that will spearhead efforts to reclaim rare earth elements from legacy coal byproducts.