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2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly begins Jan. 8 and must conclude by April 29.

The 100 representatives and 50 senators look to tackle a multitude of issues for 2025, with education being a top priority. Indiana ranked seventh in the U.S for Pre-K through 12 grade. However, lawmakers look to increase pay to help fill teacher shortages, fund summer schools and improve services for students with disabilities. 

Lawmakers also will have to pass a new budget to run the state for the next two years. That will include discussions on Indiana’s Medicaid program, which is second only to education in percentage of the state’s budget. 

The two-year budget passed in 2023 was for $44.5 billion.

Like it has for the past decade, the GOP will have a super-majority in both chambers of the statehouse. But, for the first time in eight years, they’ll be sending legislation to a new governor’s desk. Republican Mike Braun will be sworn in on Jan. 13 to succeed Eric Holcomb.

Start here

Dec 20, 2024

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statehouse in winter

How do I follow Indiana’s legislative session? Here’s your guide to demystify the process

Indiana’s legislative session begins on Jan. 8. And this year, lawmakers are writing the state’s next two-year budget.

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Jan 7, 2025

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The western exterior of the Indiana Statehouse. The dome is surrounded by scaffolding.

Indiana's 2025 budget-writing session begins Jan. 8. Here's how the process works

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly begins Jan. 8 and must conclude by April 29.

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Mar 7, 2025

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Weekly Statehouse update: Property tax debate, improving energy transmission, farmer online portal

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

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Feb 21, 2025

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The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

Weekly Statehouse update: House GOP budget, immigration enforcement, collegiate trans sports ban

The House GOP budget plan increases K-12 education funding by 2 percent each year, cuts most state agencies by 5 percent and reduces local public health funding.

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Feb 14, 2025

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The northwestern exterior of the Indiana Statehouse with scaffolding surrounding the dome.

Weekly Statehouse update: Property tax overhaul, Medicaid reform bill changes, birth control access

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

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Feb 7, 2025

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statehouse early winter

Weekly Statehouse update: Property tax debate, cutting early voting days, civics course controversy

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

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Jan 31, 2025

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The western exterior of the Indiana Statehouse, at night.

Weekly Statehouse update: Online gaming legalization, moving municipal elections, test strips bill

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

true

Jan 24, 2025

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The eastern exterior of the Indiana Statehouse, at night.

Weekly Statehouse update: DEI ban, more income tax cuts, physician non-compete bill

The 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly must finish by April 29.

true

Jan 17, 2025

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statehouse

Weekly Statehouse update: Braun budget proposal, House GOP and Black Caucus agendas

The 2025 session of the General Assembly must finish no later than April 29.

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All Statehouse Coverage

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March 7, 2025

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The Clark County Judicial Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which houses the jail and the Sheriff’s Office where Jamey Noel formerly worked.

In wake of Jamey Noel investigation, lawmakers advance bill to increases oversight over jail funds

The legislation has so far received unanimous, bipartisan support.

March 7, 2025

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Purdue University student Jaekwon Akins started a petition against Senate Bill 289, which would ban DEI programs in state government and public institutions..

Purdue student organizes petition against DEI legislation

Sophomore Jaekwon Akins started the petition, which has garnered over 1,400 signatures from students and community members across the state.

March 7, 2025

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A man sits in a chair in the Indiana Statehouse wearing a homemade shirt that reads "No SB 518. Less pie equals fewer slices."

Which students deserve more funding? Some say no one wins with property tax sharing bill

A controversial bill would shift some funding from traditional public schools to charter schools.

March 6, 2025

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Tyler Johnson

Med schools inspired Indiana's anti-DEI bill. Doctors, students say they value diversity 

After one student’s experience with medical school applications partially inspired Indiana Senate Bill 289, Indiana University Medical School students started speaking out in support of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

March 6, 2025

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Cows standing in a field.

Indiana would create online portal, 'one-stop-shop' for farmers, under bill nearing governor's desk

Lawmakers want Indiana to create a “one-stop-shop” for Hoosier farmers to be able to search for necessary government information and learn about state and federal funding opportunities and requirements.

March 6, 2025

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A man speaking at a podium with about a dozen people behind him

Witnesses accuse school board members of ‘hiding’ political affiliations

Previous attempts to make school boards partisan have failed.

March 6, 2025

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travis holdman speaking in statehouse meeting

House committee kicks off debate over property tax reform in second half of session

The current version of SB 1, the Senate Republicans’ version, is focused on relief for older Hoosiers, disabled veterans and first-time homebuyers.

March 5, 2025

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Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, introduces his bill to allow for red flag expungements in committee on March 4, 2025.

Red flag expungements, buffer zones move through Senate committee

Indiana’s thousands of law enforcement officers were the focus of a Senate corrections committee on Tuesday, as legislators parsed through concerns about red flag laws and “buffer zones.”

March 5, 2025

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A lease agreement between the state and the Indiana Historical Society could be in jeopardy under the latest state budget draft.

Governor’s office clarifies intentions for Indiana Historical Society building

Language in the pending state budget appear to complicate — even contradict — what state officials want to do.

March 5, 2025

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2021-5-12a-indiana-statehouse.jpg

Indiana's legislative session hits halfway point. Bills to end DEI, change school funding still face debate

More than 30 education-related bills that could reshape the state’s K-12 education system remain under consideration.

March 5, 2025

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built in my own image sign

Advocates say Braun executive orders tell transgender Hoosiers: 'You don't belong here'

Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order Tuesday to align with federal moves to ban transgender women and girls from playing sports.

March 4, 2025

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A photo of power lines near an airport at dusk.

Bill would help make power lines more efficient, get more wind and solar on the grid

The bill requires utilities to consider “advanced transmission technologies” in their long-term plans. That’s technology that can be added to things like power lines to make them more efficient and reduce congestion.

March 3, 2025

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iu students throwing graduation black caps in the hair

New data sheds light on Indiana schools likely most affected by impending cuts to financial aid

Indiana’s Commission for Higher Education has proposed a reduction to the Frank O’Bannon Grant after recent eligibility changes caused costs to skyrocket.

March 3, 2025

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Gov. Braun sitting at a table with about 10 people

Gov. Mike Braun again highlights property tax relief in invite-only roundtable

Braun continues to stress that he wants broad tax relief, despite how much it’s expected to cost local governments and schools.

March 3, 2025

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Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) says his amendment is good policy – outside of the groping allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill.

All public ballot questions moved to November elections under House-approved bill

All ballot referendums and public questions would go on general election ballots under a bill approved by the House.

February 28, 2025

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The United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC

Indiana call to amend congressional term limits into Constitution gains ground

The resolution faces bipartisan opposition, but its author says he’s hoping to “nudge” Congress into taking action.

February 28, 2025

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Indiana's annual The Indiana Teacher Compensation Report summarizes data reported by school districts about educators' compensation, including benefits.

Here's how much Indiana teachers get paid. State lawmakers could bump it up

Indiana's annual The Indiana Teacher Compensation Report summarizes data reported by school districts about educators' compensation, including benefits.

February 27, 2025

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A person sits at a slot machine.

Bill to legalize online gambling, lottery fails to advance; author wants to keep issue alive

Legislation that failed to advance in the 2025 session would have legalized online gaming in Indiana — allowing casinos to offer table games and slot machines online and via mobile apps.

February 26, 2025

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A button is pinned to a bright blue shirt that says "Ask me about Medicaid."

Experts, advocates challenge misinformation from lawmakers on Medicaid, HIP overhaul bill

Medicaid experts and advocates break down the facts about the Healthy Indiana Plan, Medicaid and Senate Bill 2.

February 26, 2025

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Two women sit with signs resting against their legs that read "No Casino! Save New Haven."

Lawmakers want to study relocating Indiana's poorest performing casino

Indiana’s poorest performing casino, in the southeast corner of the state, wants to move. A bill to allow them to relocate to northeastern Indiana couldn’t get a vote this session.

February 25, 2025

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The Indiana Statehouse.

Medical debt protections against wage garnishment, primary residence liens fail in Senate

The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee approved the bill unanimously after introducing the limit and some others. But in the full Senate, two lawmakers from that committee said the bill went too far and didn’t have "any limits."

February 25, 2025

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Mike Braun is a White man, balding with gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a gray blazer over a light blue shirt.

Gov. Mike Braun predicts 'wrestling match' over property tax reform in session's second half

Braun said he’s confident he and lawmakers will find a “sweet, happy medium” on one of the session’s top issues.

February 25, 2025

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Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) testified against SB 518.

Bill to split some of schools' local property tax funding with charters narrowly passes Senate

Senate Bill 518 requires traditional public school districts share the funding generated by local property taxes with charter schools starting in 2028. The Indiana Legislative Services Agency estimates about $6 million could be shifted from traditional public schools to charters in 2028 alone.

February 24, 2025

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A red sign with a white border reads "HELP WANTED" in capital bold white letters inside of a window.

Lawmakers propose solution to help address Indiana's skilled worker shortage

The program could also add to an individual's unemployment benefits each week they are both eligible and make satisfactory progress toward an approved training program.

February 24, 2025

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A group people sit at voting booths with digital screens.

Several major election reform bills scaled back or fail to advance in Indiana Senate

Indiana regularly has one of the worst voter turnout rates in the United States.

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February 24, 2025

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Indiana Michigan Power and its parent company AEP's Rockport plant.

Bill would let new power plants in 'energy production zones' override some local laws

Indiana Michigan Power and its parent company AEP are considering placing a small modular nuclear reactor on the site of its Rockport plant, which is set to retire in 2028. Under the bill, projects that put a new generating facility on the site of an old one wouldn't have to get local zoning and land use approval.

February 21, 2025

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generic person experiencing homelessness

Indiana bill to punish people sleeping outside fails, but language could come back

Advocates for people experiencing homelessness have spent the past week urging lawmakers to amend or throw out the bill, which would jail and fine people sleeping on state property. Now, some legislators hope to create a task force to study homelessness across the state.

February 21, 2025

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House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, addresses the chamber on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.

‘We’d love to have you’: Illinois secession bill earns Indiana House approval

Republican House Speaker Todd Huston’s proposal would create an Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission tasked with exploring the secession and transfer of counties that have already voted to leave the state of Illinois.

February 21, 2025

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Bray, Braun and Huston

Braun's threat to veto property tax proposal challenges lawmakers

Gov. Mike Braun said he’ll veto major property tax reform legislation if it doesn’t “improve” as the session continues.

February 20, 2025

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An orange prescription pill bottle sits on a dark surface. White and light blue pill capsules have been poured inside the lid, which sits next to the bottle filled with the same pills.

Senate approves 'aggressive' reforms for pharmacy benefit managers to lower drug prices

Senate Bill 140 implements a variety of reforms, including one that addresses concerns about what’s known as vertical integration — which refers to when one company owns multiple parts of a certain supply chain, such as a company owning all or part of a PBM, a pharmacy and a drug manufacturer.

February 20, 2025

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A screenshot of a livestream of the legislature shows J.D. Prescott speaking on the House floor. Prescott is a White man with brown hair. He is wearing a suit and tie.

House Republicans approve bill to force Indiana to play bigger role in immigration enforcement

HB 1531 also provides more specificity in state law to force local governments and law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

February 20, 2025

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The Indiana House chamber, as seen from its rear balcony.

House advances state budget bill as lawmakers face threat of federal funding cuts

Under Indiana's Constitution, the state budget bill must begin in the House chamber.

February 20, 2025

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A woman in a light pink blazer wearing a gold pin and pearls turns her head and lifts her right hand as she speaks into a microphone in the Indiana Senate Chamber.

Charter school funding shift nears Indiana Senate approval as Democrats' opposition falls short

Senate Bill 518, as amended Wednesday, would require school districts with at least 100 students attending charter schools to share revenue from property tax levies designated for debt service, school safety referendums, and certain controlled projects with charter schools located within their boundaries.

February 19, 2025

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Representative Bob Behning speaks into a microphone during a committee hearing. He wears a navy suit with plaid shirt and red tie. He is a White man with white hair and stubble.

New Teacher Appreciation Grants would increase stipends — but limit who could receive them

A measure advanced by House lawmakers this week would change Indiana’s Teacher Appreciation Grant program and increase those stipends.

February 19, 2025

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Reprsenative Ethan Manning wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a paisley patterned tie speaking into a microphone while debating another lawmaker while on the House floor.

House passes 'comprehensive' health costs plan, some lawmakers push back on key policies

House Bill 1003 author, Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), said the bill is built on six key pillars: lower costs; fight waste, fraud and abuse; enhance transparency; expand access; promote wellness and increase competition.

February 19, 2025

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 The Indiana General Assembly gathered to hear Gov. Eric Holcomb’s final State of the State Address Tuesday Jan. 9, 2024 in the House chamber.

IU leaders discuss challenge of navigating state, federal initiatives

Indiana University’s leaders have juggled a flurry of issues in the few weeks since the General Assembly began work on its budget-year legislation and President Donald Trump took office.

February 19, 2025

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FSSA document

Indiana Senate passes Medicaid, HIP overhaul despite concerns about access, coverage

The Senate approved legislation that would make several significant changes to the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP.

February 19, 2025

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Educators and public education supporters gather in seats in front of a person speaking at a podium. A hot pink sign reads "bake sale" and a banner behind the speaker says "Keeping Indiana Education Public."

Budget proposal offers K-12 education funding bump, but education leaders say it's not enough

The House GOP’s budget proposal would allocate more money toward schools while eliminating income requirements for the state’s school voucher program.

February 18, 2025

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Representative Michelle Davis sits at her desk on the floor of the Indiana House. She is a White woman with glasses, wearing a grey suit.

Collegiate transgender sports ban passes House, splits party votes both for and against

Indiana House lawmakers passed a measure to ban transgender women from competing in collegiate sports Tuesday.

February 18, 2025

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AES Indiana's Eagle Valley natural gas plant in Martinsville.

Natural gas, propane would be considered 'clean energy' if Senate bill becomes law

Its author, Sen. Jim Buck (R-Kokomo), said he got the idea from an Ohio law that passed three years ago.

February 18, 2025

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FSSA adjusts proposed changes to ABA therapy Medicaid coverage, introduces coverage tiers

FSSA said it no longer plans to apply the lifetime limit retroactively — meaning that everyone’s three-year limit will begin on April 1, when the rule officially goes into effect.

February 18, 2025

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Greg Porter stands in front of a poster that reads "You Spoke. We Listened. We Act. The People Want To..." Porter is a Black man, bald with a white goatee. He is wearing glasses and a suit and tie.

House Democrats' budget priorities focused on boosts to public education, health care funding

To help pay for Democrats’ budget proposal, Rep. Greg Porter (D-Indianapolis) said the state should increase cigarette and alcohol taxes, scale back the school voucher program, and halt future tax cuts.

February 18, 2025

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Scott Oldham of the Ellettsville Town Council

Ellettsville leaders welcome opportunity to prove the town is financially responsible

The Ellettsville Town Council says it can prove to Gov. Mike Braun that the town is financially responsible while still needing some property tax revenue.

February 18, 2025

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Welcome to Indiana sign

Illinois secession bill passes first hurdle

One Democratic lawmaker questioned whether the bill opens the door for some Indiana counties to move to Illinois.

February 18, 2025

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Senator Justin Busch in a suit and tie, sitting in a committee room. Busch is a White man with a graying brown beard and short, graying brown hair.

Senate passes bill to clarify financial responsibility in employer-sponsored health plans

The author of the bill, Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne), said it’s not just about good business practices — he said it’s about fairness.

February 18, 2025

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Indiana bill to punish people sleeping outside on public property advances

A bill that would jail and fine people sleeping on state property passed out of committee Monday.

February 17, 2025

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The Senate chamber.

Senate approves 'work in progress' property tax reform legislation, sending it to House

The Indiana Senate approved major property tax reform legislation by a 37-10 vote, sending it to the House for further work.

February 17, 2025

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The Statehouse dome is surrounded by scaffolding.

'Discriminatory' bill empowers greater state enforcement of immigration laws

Indiana law already requires local governments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. A House committee-approved bill would add more specificity to that statute, regarding law enforcement agencies.

February 17, 2025

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Jeff Thompson

House GOP budget includes 2 percent increases for K-12, Braun's agency cuts — but no new tax cuts

The House GOP budget, like Braun’s, also cuts most state agencies' funding by 5 percent.

February 14, 2025

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Indiana’s low rank for women in its state legislature has economic and policy consequences

Nationally, Indiana ranks 39th in percentage of women in the state legislature, just behind South Dakota and just ahead of North Dakota.

February 14, 2025

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A woman in a light pink blazer wearing a gold pin and pearls turns her head and lifts her right hand as she speaks into a microphone in the Indiana Senate Chamber.

School superintendents would not need advanced education degree in measure advanced by Senate

The bill's author, Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger), said school corporations manage millions of dollars and many employees, similar to a business, so business professionals should be allowed to apply.

February 14, 2025

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The northwestern exterior of the Indiana Statehouse with scaffolding surrounding the dome.

House passes bill to create approval board for health care mergers, acquisition

The House passed legislation that would require almost all health care mergers and acquisitions to be approved by a state board.

February 14, 2025

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Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, left, and school board member Allissa Impink testifying before a Senate committee

Legislation to dissolve five Indiana school districts fizzles out. Could it return?

Legislation that aimed to dissolve Indianapolis Public Schools won’t move forward in the Indiana legislature.

February 14, 2025

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Indiana Statehouse

New GOP tax relief plan spares Indiana schools from worst cuts. See your district's impact

The latest version of the plan will cost school districts $371 million over three years, far less than the original $1.9 billion cut in Governor Mike Braun's proposal.

February 14, 2025

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The North Capitol Avenue entrance to the Indiana Statehouse is framed by a stoplight and American flag on one side and a large red crane on the other, with scaffolding surrounding the cupola.

Window to notify parents of school bullying could tighten under Indiana House bill

Indiana code currently defines bullying as overt, unwanted and repeated acts or gestures. The bill changes that definition to overt, unwanted acts or gestures that are repeated or occur one time but to a degree of severity.

February 14, 2025

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doctors instruments

Prior authorization bill moves forward. But key reforms stripped out over fiscal concerns

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill to limit the use of prior authorizations for state health plans like Medicaid — but an amendment to the bill stripped several key provisions.

February 13, 2025

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Indiana Michigan Power and its parent company AEP's Rockport plant.

House passes measure to bolster nuclear, retain coal for AI data centers on utility customer dime

House Bill 1007 would allow an Indiana utility to pass along some of the cost of developing a small modular nuclear reactor to its customers — even if the plant never gets finished.

February 13, 2025

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state board of education meeting

Bill to make reading retention exemption, administrator literacy endorsement advances

Many Indiana teachers said they were unhappy with the state's new literacy endorsement last year. However, school administrators were supportive of a measure Wednesday to expand that endorsement to administrative staff.

February 12, 2025

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Medical equipment and machines sit next to a hospital bed in a hospital room.

Indiana has more than $2.2 billion in medical debt. Bill could provide some new consumer protections

A Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday that introduces a variety of consumer protections against medical debt, including how hospitals create payment plans.

February 12, 2025

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Senate Bill 518 will be voted on by the full Senate before a Feb. 20 deadline.

Charter schools could get share of school districts' property tax revenue as fight over equity continues

The fight over Senate Bill 518 highlights a broader question: how to equitably fund all students, regardless of the type of public school they attend.

February 12, 2025

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Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland, speaks before the House Education Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse. Up for discussion was her bill to block transgender women from participating in women’s sports at Indiana colleges.

Indiana bill to expand transgender athlete ban to college sports advances with bipartisan support

A key Democrat on the House Education Committee said he disagreed with rhetoric around the issue but supported the move to “keep males out of female sports.”

February 12, 2025

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Homeless Encampment

Local antipoverty leaders oppose criminalizing encampments

Addressing homelessness should not be a state issue, says one opponent of House Bill 1662.

February 12, 2025

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A red and yellow textbook titled "Glencoe Health" with puzzle pieces on the front is displayed on a desk in a school classroom.

Senate advances bill to make public schools post human sexuality instruction materials

SB 442 would would require school boards or charter authorizers to approve all instruction materials related to human sexuality and post those materials to the school’s website by July 1.

February 12, 2025

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A pregnant person wears a shirt with a white base with pink and red flowers all across the front of the shirt. They wear a gray sweater layered on top of the shirt with their hands folded.

Senate lawmakers advance newborn tax credit for Hoosier parents

The credit would be available for families earning up to 720 percent of the federal poverty level. And it would only be available during the first year a newborn child is eligible for the exemption.

February 12, 2025

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ethanol plant

Indiana Senate passes legislation to incentivize higher ethanol blends at gas stations

Indiana is one of the top states for ethanol production and more than 40 percent of the state’s corn crop is used for it.

February 12, 2025

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A older person in a jean jacket and jeans uses a walker as a mobility aid.

Lawmakers want to bolster Indiana CHOICE program to create 'Medicaid diversion program'

The bill would give FSSA the authority to realign or consolidate Indiana’s 16 Area Agencies on Aging. Those agencies serve seniors and people with disabilities in all 92 counties.

February 12, 2025

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Senate panel overhauls property tax legislation, with targeted relief for older Hoosiers, veterans

The property tax bill is now more narrowly focused on older Hoosiers and disabled veterans. It also limits how much local governments can collect in property taxes each year.

February 12, 2025

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reproductive health poster

Advocates say amendment limits bill to expand access to birth control

Medicaid recipients in Indiana could have more access to birth control under legislation passed by a House committee. However, advocates said an amendment limits people’s options to just a few birth control methods.

February 12, 2025

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County councilmember Peter Iverson discusses opposition to Senate Bill 1

County council welcomes talk with Gov. Braun over property tax bill

The Monroe County Council is waiting to see how the property tax bill develops over the next few weeks.

February 11, 2025

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Ben's Blue Bags are sensory kits for people with autism in emergency situations

Bill to provide state funding to equip first responders with sensory kits faces challenging path

House Bill 1307 would provide grant funding for public safety agencies to purchase sensory kits. They can include communication tools like dry erase boards, fidget spinners and other objects to help people remain calm, and headphones to block out noise.

February 11, 2025

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Allen County Courthouse in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Bill funds family recovery court programs to prevent foster placement, address substance use

House Bill 1107 would establish a stable fund for the nearly two dozen family recovery courts serving Indiana.

February 11, 2025

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MCCSC school bus in the bus lot, taken Jan. 17, 2024.

MCCSC superintendent, school board president discuss legislative impacts

Schools in Indiana could lose billions under property tax legislation proposed by Governor Mike Braun.

February 10, 2025

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A stop light, with the green illuminated.

Road funding bill advances, but with multiple revenue generators taken out

Indiana lawmakers passed a comprehensive road funding package in 2017 but have since undergone a study of the issue to explore new revenue options.

February 10, 2025

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Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville) is the author of SB 287, which would force school board races in Indiana to become partisan.

Senate legislation would force school board elections to become partisan

Two dozen people testified against the bill, including several current school board members from around the state.

February 10, 2025

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Budget discussions are ongoing at the Indiana Statehouse, as summarized by Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston following the State of the State Address on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

Republican leaders cast doubt on new state tax relief

Despite being a top priority for new Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Republican leaders in the General Assembly seem to be taking a more cautious approach to new state tax relief in budget discussions.

February 10, 2025

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Terry Spradlin, the executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association, listens to a Ways and Means committee member on Feb. 6, 2025.

First draft: Hoosiers react to 2025 budget proposal

Nearly 100 Hoosiers trekked to the Indiana Statehouse Thursday, many seeking to convince lawmakers to restore funding lost under Gov. Mike Braun’s budget proposal.

February 10, 2025

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Lobbyists and other stakeholders gather around a screen to watch live committee proceedings on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

Almost $30M spent lobbying Indiana General Assembly last year

The health care and energy industries figured prominently in that spending, according to the latest data from the Indiana Lobby Registration Commission.

February 10, 2025

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Representative Brad Barrett speaks into a microphone. He's a White man with thinning white hair and a goatee wearing a suit and tie.

House committee approves GOP's 'comprehensive' plan to address health costs

The bill is built on six key pillars: lower costs; fight waste, fraud and abuse; enhance transparency; expand access; promote wellness and increase competition.

February 7, 2025

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Hoosiers split on proposed bobcat trapping season

The Indiana General Assembly has mandated that the DNR have rules in place for a bobcat trapping season by July 1.

February 7, 2025

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Urn with yellow roses, at an outdoor funeral

Indiana House approves cremation alternative

Senate Bill 1044 would legalize alkaline hydrolysis — a process that uses water, alkaline chemicals and heat to decompose corpses into bone fragments — by adding it to Indiana’s legal definition of cremation.

February 7, 2025

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Bible with textbook

Committee revives measure to allow chaplains to volunteer in schools

Under the legislation, public school principals and superintendents could hire chaplains or allow them to volunteer at schools

February 7, 2025

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Gary Byrne speaks into a microphone at a lectern in the Senate. Byrne is a White man, mostly bald. He is wearing reading glasses and a dark suit with a blue shirt and a red tie.

Indiana Senate approves bill to ban diversity, equity and inclusion in state government, schools

The legislation says that state agencies may not give preferential treatment to anyone based on race, sex, color or ethnicity.

February 6, 2025

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A sign on the entrance to a building reads "Pharmacy" in red, block letters.

Lawmakers want Indiana to own its own pharmacy benefit manager for state plans like Medicaid

The goal of the bill is to give Indiana a “seat at the table” to play a role in negotiating rebates, pricing, distribution and dispensing fees — hopefully increasing transparency and lowering prices in the process.

February 6, 2025

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Senate Republicans advance bill to ban use of student IDs when voting

Indiana regularly has one of the worst voter turnout rates in the country.

February 6, 2025

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Medicaid insurers sometimes deny emergency physician claims. Bill would limit when and how

A Senate committee approved legislation to put limits on when and how insurance companies managing the state’s Medicaid plans can deny emergency physician service claims.

February 6, 2025

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Shelli Yoder wears a pink blazer and speaks into a microphone. She is a White woman with shoulder-length blonde hair.

Civics education bill sparks questions about potential chilling effect on some U.S. history

The bill’s author said his goal is to instill pride for their country in young Americans. But the bill’s opponents say it will prevent teachers from educating students about some significant historic events.

February 5, 2025

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Jake Teshka sits on a red chair at a desk framed by small Indiana and United States flags. He is a White man, bald, wearing a suit and glasses. Two people whisper at the desk behind him.

Committee approves bill to assess math teacher prep programs, student performance

HB 1634 tasks the Indiana Department of Education with reviewing teacher preparation programs to ensure they teach a conceptual understanding of math, procedural fluency and real-world problem solving.

February 5, 2025

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The northwestern exterior of the Indiana Statehouse.

Lawmakers want to create $25 million adoption fund to remove financial obstacles for families

Indiana currently provides a $2,000 subsidy to families adopting children out of foster care.

February 5, 2025

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Gov. Mike Braun on Jan. 25, 2025

Schools face huge cuts under Gov. Braun’s tax plan. Here’s how much your district could lose

School districts rely on local property taxes to fund transportation and facility expenses.

February 5, 2025

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Indiana Statehouse in reflection.

Legislation would tackle barriers for assisted living services — including Medicaid waiver waitlist

HB 1592 also addresses concerns with Indiana’s new long-term care program for Medicaid members 60 years or older, Pathways for Aging.

February 5, 2025

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A child's purple wheelchair with purple metal and a seat with sparkles.

One year later, lawmakers return to FSSA transparency language on attendant care

The bill would require FSSA to produce a report highlighting any information related to the Structured Family Caregiving program or possible reimbursement for family caregivers providing attendant care — which were both affected by FSSA’s response to the forecasting error.

February 5, 2025

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Children are getting off of a school bus.

Indiana public schools stand to lose $1.8 billion over two years under property tax relief proposal

Schools receive a large portion of their funding through local property taxes, and some advocates said reducing those taxes without replacing that funding could leave some schools in a financial crisis.

February 4, 2025

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The Indiana Statehouse.

Ellettsville tax revenue bill passed in House, now heads to Senate

A bill that could change the way food and beverage tax revenue is distributed in Monroe County is moving through the Statehouse.

February 4, 2025

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A model of Rolls Royce's small modular nuclear reactor.

Senate passes bills subsidizing small nuclear reactor development

So far, none of the small modular nuclear reactors in the U.S. have been completed. One federally-funded project was canceled in 2023 after more than a decade of work and nearly $9 billion in costs.

February 4, 2025

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Mike Braun sits in a chair, talking with a woman who is facing away from camera. Braun is a White man, balding with gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a gray suit jacket.

Braun to local leaders on negative impact of property tax cut: 'Prove it'

Gov. Mike Braun hosted citizens in his office who've been effected by significant increases in their property tax bills.

February 4, 2025

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Indiana Statehouse with scaffolding.

Peer recovery coaches in health care facilities employment exception passes House

Advocates said peers can play a vital role in clinical settings like hospitals, mental health clinics and emergency rooms because they are able to offer a unique type of support.

February 4, 2025

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Mike Gaskill speaks on the Senate floor. Gaskill is a White man with white and gray hair. He is wearing glasses and a navy blue suit with red tie.

Republican bill would force Hoosiers to register with political party to vote in primary elections

The bill would automatically assign party registration to everyone who’s voted in a partisan primary election before. Voter registration forms would now have a party affiliation section.

February 4, 2025

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people on stage at a podium at the statehouse

Braun considers releasing execution drug costs as lawmakers rally behind anti-death penalty bill

A Republican-authored bill to abolish — or at least alter — Indiana’s death penalty law is gaining traction.

February 4, 2025

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pigs in cages at CAFO

Despite pushback, lawmakers advance bill to double inspections of Indiana’s confined animal farms

The state’s largest farming associations were opposed to increased visits by regulators, in part due to added costs.

February 4, 2025

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Sediment from a construction site washes over a silt fence and into a waterway.

Bill strips cities, counties of stricter laws to control stormwater from construction sites

While home developers and manufacturers support the bill, environmental groups and some stormwater experts have concerns.

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