Legislative roundup: Here’s what IBJ is tracking as session picks back up
From utility rates to tenderloin sandwiches, here are some bills IBJ is following this legislative session.
Politics & Government
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Bill from Indianapolis Republican seeks to ban lobbyists for public schools, universities
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.
Legislation calls for new mayor-appointed board over Indianapolis schools, charter schools
A much-anticipated proposal that would give the Indianapolis mayor more power over schools while reducing the power of the existing elected school board has been filed at the Indiana Statehouse.
Indiana House Republicans count affordability in utilities, housing among legislative priorities
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.
Indiana House speaker ready to talk Chicago Bears, but not MLS, in 2026 session
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.
Legislation seeks to close ‘loopholes’ in E-Verify requirements for public contractors
Public work project contracts entered into or renewed after June 30 would have to include a provision requiring the primary contractor and all tiers of subcontractors to enroll in E-Verify.
Redistricting foe Sen. Greg Walker changes mind, says he’ll seek reelection
Walker was a vocal Republican critic of the redistricting plan pushed by President Donald Trump—and was one of several lawmakers who faced swatting or other intimidation tactics ahead of the Senate’s vote last month against redrawing the congressional maps.
Trump says he’ll ban large investors from buying homes, with few details
Many economists from the right and the left alike say larger investors do not have as expansive a grip on the housing market as politicians might suggest.
Trump officials loosening strings on federal education money for conservative states
Education Secretary Linda McMahon approved Iowa’s plan Wednesday. Indiana and Kansas have also applied to be exempted from certain parts of federal education law, and leaders of other states have expressed interest.
Indiana lawmakers consider anti-doxing bill following redistricting bomb, swatting threats
Indiana lawmakers hope to crack down on doxing after more than a dozen of their own became victims of threats amid a turbulent but unsuccessful redistricting campaign.
Municipal groups welcome newly filed bills to adjust local income tax structures
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.
Congress facing another shutdown in 4 weeks
Lawmakers are back in Washington, D.C., this week for a four-week sprint to finish funding the government before the current spending law runs out on Jan. 30.
Indiana lawmakers say talks with Chicago Bears are in very early stages
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.
INDOT cancels, postpones projects as it applies for tolling option for I-70
INDOT had planned a “major” interchange project near Whitestown but will now break that into three smaller projects.
Proposal to eliminate sales tax on Indiana utility bills sees some bipartisan support
A Democratic representative and a Republican senator have each filed bills to do away with the state sales tax on utility bills. The measure could save the average ratepayer more than $150 a year, but would see the state miss out on hundreds of millions in tax revenue.
Indianapolis City-County Council elects Maggie Lewis as president
Lewis, who previously served as council president from 2012 through 2017, succeeds Vop Osili, who announced his decision to step down from leadership in early December.
Trump made many tariff threats in 2025, but some never materialized
Some of Trump’s unrealized threats reflect a broader approach from a president with a track record of using sky-high levies to pressure other countries into new trade deals.
Gov. Mike Braun reinstates workforce development board previously dissolved by Legislature
The Governor’s Office said Tuesday that the new board will act as “a central coordinating body to align employers, education and training providers, and state agencies around measurable workforce outcomes.”
2025 Year in Review: New property tax law forces tough decisions in cities
Motivated by rising property tax bills caused in part by rising home prices, Gov. Mike Braun and the Republican-majority Legislature last spring upended the funding structure for local government and forced tough budgeting decisions in cities and towns.
2025 Year in Review: Gov. Mike Braun launches audit of IEDC and related organizations
The investigation, which Braun labeled a “forensic audit,” launched in May and continued through the summer, leaving work by Elevate and other organizations in limbo and raising questions about whether the state would continue to invest in fledgling companies