Where do key bills stand as Indiana’s legislative session wraps up?
Friday is set to be the final day of the 2026 Indiana legislative session as lawmakers scramble to work out the final details on a number of bills.
Legislation
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Lawmakers eye road spending review as big southern Indiana plans face opposition
A provision added to the northwest Indiana stadium bill would require State Budget Committee review of any highway project with a price tag of at least $250 million.
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Pritzker ‘surprised, dismayed and very disappointed’ as Bears tout Indiana progress
The governor said his staff, legislators and Bears representatives met Wednesday for three hours to discuss legislation that might be needed for the team to build a stadium in Arlington Heights.
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UPDATE: Senate set to vote on heavily amended immigration bill
Sen. Liz Brown, the Republican who authored Senate Bill 76, on Monday signed off on significant changes the House made to the bill.
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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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Articles
Township merger bill clears Legislature after years of failed attempts
Provisions of Senate Bill 270, which the House approved on Tuesday, would require townships with poor performance scores to merge with other townships or some cities.
‘Public camping’ ban targeting homelessness heads to governor
The measure bans camping, sleeping or long-term sheltering on land owned by the state or a unit of local government — and establishes a Class C misdemeanor for violations.
NCAA football oversight committee proposes stiff penalties for violations of transfer portal window
The NCAA football oversight committee proposed the legislation to penalize schools who add players who did not make public their interest in transferring during the January transfer portal window.
Indiana lawmakers send flurry of bills to Braun ahead of planned Friday adjournment
Dozens of bills received final concurrence votes in both chambers Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse.
Indiana lawmakers set to approve stadium bill as Illinois inches closer to Bears deal
The Indiana Senate is set to vote as soon as Thursday afternoon on legislation that would authorize the financing and construction of a stadium in Hammond.
Indiana Senate sends ‘bell-to-bell’ school cellphone ban to governor
Restrictions apply to common student devices, which schools must either prohibit entirely or require students to keep powered off and inaccessible during the school day.
Smorgasbord of bills pass Indiana Senate as session nears close
Legislation creating a “military police force” of Indiana National Guard members — to be deployed around the state at the governor’s behest — overwhelmingly passed the Senate on Tuesday despite bipartisan opposition. The Senate also approved more than three dozen other bills.
Indiana hemp drug ban, early voting restrictions, tort reform die at House deadline
Several bills met their end Monday after Indiana House lawmakers declined to call them down ahead of a second reading deadline.
Chicago Bears say HQ, training facility would not be part of stadium deal in Indiana
Last week, the mayor of Hammond said the NFL franchise had been talking about moving “Halas Hall, everything” to Indiana.
Bears stadium bill would mean millions in tax increases, impact statement shows
The precise cost of the project is unknown at this time though the Chicago Bears have committed $2 billion and public funding could total $1 billion.
Lawmaker kills Indy billboard legislation
Lobbyists for billboard companies have recently sought to deregulate the space through state legislation, rather than fighting with local officials who have so far been unwilling to give in to their requests. The debate has spanned several years.
UPDATE: Bears zero in on Hammond site as committee prepares to vote on new stadium language
The moves come with just more than a week left in Indiana’s legislative session and as Illinois lawmakers consider legislation meant to keep the NFL team in that state.
Legislators slowing down big overhaul of state boards
Changes made to the bill halt elimination of Natural Resources Commission and delay other actions until summer 2027.
Indiana House OKs youth social media bill, college degree cuts
The measure directs state officials to scrutinize and potentially eliminate certain low-wage college degree programs offered at Indiana’s public institutions.
Bill would give local governments slice of data centers’ tax break
House Bill 1333 would require data center developers that receive sales tax exemptions to give 1% of the abatement to local governments.
Indiana will likely finally consolidate townships. But how?
Critics say the township model is outdated and inefficient and adds an unnecessary layer of government. Legislation from both chambers of the Indiana Statehouse would pare down township government.
Environmental deregulation bill narrowly passes House committee
The bill’s author said it would would eliminate “unnecessary” mandates and “needless” reporting or paperwork requirements.
New casino location remains in flux as gambling legislation starts moving in Senate
The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which could consider changes that include narrowing where a casino could be located.
Does Indiana’s environmental reform bill streamline standards or make unnecessary cuts?
Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order for state agencies to keep businesses in mind when setting environmental rules. That directive could soon materialize in changes to rules governing the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.