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If you’ve ever heard me talk about our annual Career Expo, you’ve probably heard me tell this story. It was 2023, and the Chamber was positioned behind a vendor table at the expo. A student came up to me, and I asked him what he wanted to do after high school. He told me, “Well, what I want to do, I can’t do here.” Being the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, this energized me and I got nerdy-excited. There was a “come on, try me” spirit that arose within me. I inquired and asked for more information. Come to find out, this student wanted to an actor. The giddiness in me could not be held back. I said, “Did you know that you actually CAN be an actor in LaGrange County?” His eyes lit up. I was so excited to tell him! I responded, “You need to go over there and talk to the Blue Gate booth. Did you know they actually have two theaters? One of them is live theater with shows year-round.” I couldn’t contain myself. The question had to be asked, because how did this student not know of—at the very least—the Blue Gate? “What school do you go to?” I asked. “Westview.” The energy within me was suddenly shut up. How did this Shipshewana-based student not know about one of the larger, tourism-based companies in his hometown? (Side note: This is not to degrade this student or any, but rather to paint the picture that we’ve got work to do in the realm of storytelling and educating about local gems!) This week is deemed National Tourism Week. We are fortunate to have a strong, bold Convention and Visitor Center (CVB) in our county who works hard to market our communities and tourist opportunities to the masses. They drive our economy by leveraging our unique destination. This week specifically, we are partnering with the CVB to celebrate the local tourism scene through a few different ways: Local Bus Tours Before my role at the Chamber, I worked in Group Sales for Blue Gate Hospitality. My department oversaw all groups and tour buses that came to visit the Blue Gate and Shipshewana. I learned quickly the valuable addition of a step-on guide–a hired professional who would quite literally step onto the bus and take the group around the countryside, showcasing various “off the beaten path” locations and attractions. Visitors loved it! Our local bus tours this week are mirroring that very idea by giving locals an opportunity to tour LaGrange County through the eyes of a visitor. We’ll bus folks around the backroads, stopping at local gems along the way, with our very own step-on guide. While the registration process is closed for these bus tours, be sure to visit our website to learn more about our tour host sites and the agendas. You can learn more at www.lagrangechamber.org/tourismweek . Luncheon The Chamber is known for our monthly luncheons. It’s a great space for businesses and professionals to network, do business, and learn about all things LaGrange County. As a part of our luncheons, we often host a presenter on a given topic. This week, our Thursday luncheon (May 8) is taking place at the beautiful Delt Church Park, and the CVB will give a presentation on the tourism economy of our communities. They’ll also be distributing goodies and items related to visitors and the tourism industry. If you’d like to join us, phone the Chamber office at (260) 463-2443. Love Local Passport Finally, in our partnership with the CVB, we have opened our very own local, digital trail. Hosted online, this list of “local gems” gives folks the opportunity to visit some of the great establishments that make up our local tourism ecosystem. From restaurants to retail, artisans to experiences, there is so much to do and experience in our own hometowns! And, you can win prizes for participating! All you have to do is visit the site, and your phone will log your stop. It will be added to your name, which puts you in the running for great, local items as your reward. To learn more about the Love Local LaGrange County Passport program, head to www.visitshipshewana.org/love-local-lagrange-county . Hurry to use the pass–it’s only available through the month of March! When Sonya, the Executive Director of the CVB, first mentioned National Tourism Week, it was an easy “yes” for us to collaborate. Why? Because it is incredibly important that we work together to change and then elevate the narrative that LaGrange County is a great place to live, work, and experience. There is so much to do here! We must commit to educating ourselves about all of the things that make LaGrange County wonderful, and then share the love with those around us. It takes intentionality to change the narrative so that the masses see it. This week, let’s love local, and love LaGrange County. To learn more about all of the beautiful LaGrange County assets, don’t forget to visit our online directory at www.lagrangechamber.org/directory . 

End of Session Update 2025 Legislative Session The General Assembly concluded the 2025 Legislative Session in the early morning hours of Friday, April 25 th . Many key issues were addressed by legislators this session – all of which will now head to Governor Braun’s desk for final approval before becoming law. Most legislation will have an effective date of July 1 st . In the legislative session, the House introduced 708 bills, with 143 passing both chambers and 140 sent to the governor, reflecting a pass rate of 20%. The Senate introduced 521 bills, 110 of which passed both chambers and 104 were sent to the governor, also with a pass rate of 20%. You can follow along with Governor Braun’s Bill Watch Page to see when bills make their way to Governor Braun’s desk and are signed. Below are the highlights for the 2025 legislative session: The Budget Despite being the last bill passed this session, HEA 1001, State Budget (Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton) was a top priority for all members of the General Assembly. The Indiana Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget every two years, with this biennium’s totaling around $45 billion. This year, the budget process was complicated by the April 16 th revenue forecast which showed the state at a projected shortfall of around $2.4 billion over the next 3 years. Following this announcement, fiscal leaders from both caucuses, along with Governor Braun, met and shortly thereafter unveiled the final version of Indiana’s next biennial budget (presentation linked here ). Governor Braun’s proposed 5% budget cuts from his budget have been expanded across additional state agencies, with several being asked to cut even more. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is among the hardest hit, with a projected 25–30% reduction in its operational and administrative funding. To bridge the funding gap, a $2 per pack increase to the cigarette tax, along with similar hikes on other tobacco products was included in the budget. This is expected to raise about $800 million over the biennium. All revenue from these increases will be dedicated solely to funding Medicaid. The budget funds all of Indiana’s current Medicaid obligations. Additionally, the state’s public health funding has been reduced from $100 million down to the $30–40 million range. However, funding was increased for the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Department of Corrections (DOC), and Department of Child Services (DCS). The additional dollars will be pooled into a discretionary fund, which the governor can draw from as needed throughout the biennium to meet the most pressing needs from among those three agencies. Also in the budget is a $65 million increase in K–12 education funding, as well as fully funded universal school choice, which was a main budget priority for House Republicans and Governor Braun. The catch with universal school choice is that due to the tight budget forecast it will not take effect until the second fiscal year (2027). In a press conference Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) noted that under the new budget and with the effects of SEA 1 , local governments are projected to experience stronger revenue growth than the state government, with local growth at 1.6% in FY26 and 1.7% in FY27. The House voted to pass the conference committee report on the budget with a 66-27 vote, while the Senate voted to pass the amended budget with a 39-11 vote. Property Tax Reform SEA 1, Local government finance , (Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle) overhauls Indiana’s property tax and local income tax systems by capping levy tax growth, phasing out certain deductions in favor of credits, and introducing property tax deferral programs while requiring more public accountability for tax increases. It raises the local income tax expenditure limits starting in 2028, shifts tax authority to county fiscal bodies, phases in new requirements for school corporations to share operating referendum revenues with charter schools and mandates the development of a property tax transparency portal. This legislation also dissolves the Union School Corporation, limits bond issuances by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and sets caps on fire protection territory tax rates. SEA 1 was passed by both chambers and received signatures by both Lieutenant Governor Beckwith and Governor Braun later that same day on April 15 th . HEA 1427, Department of local government finance , (Rep. Craig Snow, R-Warsaw) increases the cost threshold for when the Department of Natural Resources can use its own workers for projects. The bill allows the State to sell bonds through negotiation and grants the ability for several counties to raise local food, beverage, and innkeeper taxes, with new rules that ensure that these funds are properly reported and managed. HEA 1427 also added flexibility for partnerships and investment firms regarding taxes and expands eligibility for a physician tax credit. The legislation ensures local health funding benefits only lawful U.S. residents and assigns study committees to investigate property tax issues for charitable organizations. It also helps fund local fire departments. Overall, the bill updates and cleans up many parts of Indiana’s financial, tax, and government systems while giving new options for local governments to manage their finances more effectively. This bill also contains several technical changes to SEA 1, restoring existing veteran property tax deductions, and offering new tax breaks for community land trusts, nonprofits, and businesses that provide childcare. It also simplifies and modernizes property tax procedures, improves transparency on tax bills, and allows some counties to raise their property tax limits temporarily. HEA 1142, Fiscal matters , (Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton) was one of the last bills passed during the legislative session. This bill contained additional trailer language for SEA 1 to ensure that it was technically correct and could go into effect. House Priority Bills HEA 1002, Various education matters , (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis) is a 138-page bill that was often referred to as the education “deregulation bill.” HEA 1002 seeks to clean up education language in Indiana Code removing around 35,000 words from Title 20 Education in the Indiana Code with the goal of reducing regulations, increasing flexibility, and allowing more local control over education decisions. The proposed conference committee report was ultimately passed in both chambers and now heads to the governor’s desk. HEA 1003, Health matters , (Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond) strengthens investigations into Medicaid fraud by expanding the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s authority and allows for better data sharing between agencies. It also improves healthcare transparency by requiring healthcare providers to post pricing information, ensuring patients receive good faith estimates sooner, and makes it easier for consumers to compare medical services. This bill also streamlines healthcare operations by reforming prior authorization practices, protecting provider reimbursements, and speeding up physician credentialing when they change jobs. Provisions in the bill prohibit anti-competitive contracting provisions between hospitals and insurers including a prohibition on all-or-nothing clauses, anti-steering clauses, and anti-tiering clauses. Finally, the bill clarifies language enacted in 2023 that prevents patients from being charged hospital rates at a physician office. HEA 1004, Nonprofit hospitals, (Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne) went through various iterations this session as it seeks to reduce healthcare costs and improve services. In short, this bill penalizes large hospital systems if their prices exceed certain thresholds. It creates a state-directed payment program funded by payments from Managed Care Organizations, adjusts how hospital payments are handled under Medicaid, and imposes strict financial transparency requirements on nonprofit hospitals with steep penalties for noncompliance. The bill mandates price studies on hospital services, ties nonprofit hospital pricing to statewide averages, increases transparency around insurance commissions, fees, and drug rebate practices, and expands data reporting requirements for hospitals and insurers. HEA 1005, Housing and Building Matters, (Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart) promotes housing development by streamlining the permitting and inspection processes to address delays and inefficiencies. It establishes clear timelines and expands inspection options to help reduce costs and uncertainty for developers. Additionally, by prioritizing infrastructure funding for communities that adopt pro-housing policies, the bill incentivizes local governments to implement practices that support economic growth and help address housing shortages. HEA 1006, Prosecutors, (Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers) targets public safety by establishing the prosecutor review board to investigate prosecutors that may not be fully enforcing Indiana laws. The bill initially had a fund associated with it that could be distributed to prosecutors who follow the requirements set out for them, however due to the tight budget forecast, this provision was removed in Senate Appropriations , and the House concurred on the changes. HEA 1007, Energy generation resources, (Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) focuses on Indiana’s growing energy needs by providing a state tax credit for the manufacturing of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and creating a process for utilities to add new generation capacity to meet major customer load growth. It will also strengthen oversight on utility plans to retire or refuel large electric generating facilities by requiring detailed reporting, mandatory investigation by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). If reliability is at risk, then there may be orders to delay these retirements or require replacement capacity. Additionally, there is a cost recovery process for certain acquisition costs or projects costs incurred by energy utilities. HEA 1008, Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission, (Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers) which drew national attention at the beginning of session, will establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission. The duty of this commission is to evaluate the possibility and make a recommendation regarding an adjustment to the shared border. For the border to shift Illinois would need to pass similar legislation, and while a bill had been filed in Illinois General Assembly this session, that bill died at the committee deadline. Senate Priority Bills SEA 2, Medicaid matters, (Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka) strengthens oversight and tightens rules around the state’s Medicaid program. It requires the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to regularly report important Medicaid data to lawmakers and explain how the five-year look-back rule (used to prevent fraud) is being enforced. It bans unauthorized marketing or advertising of Medicaid services, although certain exceptions are made for official partners who have contracts with the state. The bill also lets the state pay medical providers for certified claims that meet certain conditions, even if the patient’s Medicaid benefits hadn’t officially started yet. It mandates regular checks of Medicaid recipients’ eligibility by using data from federal and state agencies. Hospitals that make quick Medicaid eligibility decisions (presumptive eligibility) will now have to meet clear performance standards or face penalties if they don’t and will have a way to appeal decisions they disagree with. The bill also clarifies how the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the state's Medicaid expansion program, must operate, including its requirements and limits. SEA 3, Fiduciary duty in health plan administration , (Sen. Justin Busch, R-Fort Wayne) seeks to lower healthcare costs by stipulating that health insurance third-party administrators (TPAs) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have to act in the best financial interest of the health plan sponsors with whom they work. SEA 4, Water matters , (Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) puts new restrictions on building and transferring long-distance water pipelines in Indiana. Water utilities must now get approval, called a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) before they can build a large water pipeline. It also allows utilities to recover certain costs through their rates if they relied on an approved CPCN. If a pipeline is sold, transferred, or leased, the seller must notify the IURC within 60 days. Additionally, anyone planning to transfer large amounts of water out of a water basin – or from a restricted area – must first get a transfer permit from the Department of Natural Resources. The Department will only approve permits if the transfer won’t harm water supplies and is in the public interest. Permits won’t expire, but they can be modified, suspended, or revoked if necessary. Finally, the Department can issue fines for violations of these new rules. SEA 5, State fiscal and contracting matters , (Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville) focuses on improving how Indiana state agencies manage their budgets, contracts, and federal funding. It allows agencies to use artificial intelligence to help prepare financial information and projections for the state budget. Agencies must now report every three months to the budget committee about any requests for new federal funds or to join new federal programs. Agencies must also submit copies of new contracts to the state transparency website within 30 days and review any full-time job positions that have been vacant for 90 days to decide whether to keep or eliminate them. Contracts valued at $500,000 or more will need special language developed by the Department of Administration, and any major contract changes must be reported to the budget committee. State agencies are banned from making private contracts; all contract opportunities must be posted online at least 30 days before a contract is awarded. Finally, the Family and Social Services Administration and Medicaid offices must regularly review service and financial reports for the Medicaid program, post detailed monthly updates online for the public, and submit quarterly reports to the budget committee. Education Legislation SEA 146, Teacher compensation, (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) raises the teacher minimum salary to $45,000 and requires schools to spend at least 65% of their state funding on teacher pay (up from the current 62%). Other provisions include requiring the Department of Education to submit a report to the General Assembly, analyzing how practical and costly it would be to offer more health insurance options for school employees. It also creates a new Indiana teacher recruitment program and removes a rule that banned the ranking or comparison of teacher preparation programs based on a rating system. Legislators were also hoping to include a provision requiring school districts to offer paid parental leave policies to their teachers, but that provision was eliminated from the bill due to the fiscal forecast. SEA 287, School board matters, (Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville) creates partisan school board races and lays out the rules and new requirements for the races. It also changes the process of how filling of school board vacancies occurs and updates the school board member pay – instead of being capped at $2,000 per year, it will now be capped at 10% of the school district’s lowest starting teacher salary. This bill narrowly passed both chambers, with a final concurrence vote in the Senate of just 26-24 . SEA 442, Instruction on human sexuality, (Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville) requires schools that provide instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections to also include education on consent to sexual activity and information about human growth and development during pregnancy. They also must provide written consent forms to parents or eligible students before they receive this instruction. Furthermore, schools are also now required to publish a list of materials used in human sexuality instruction on their website and include a link to this list on the consent forms and can only use curricular materials on human sexuality that have been approved by the governing body of the school corporation. HEA 1041, Student eligibility in interscholastic sports, (Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) requires universities to clearly label each sports team as either a male (men’s or boys’) team, a female (women’s or girls’) team, or a coed (mixed) team. It bans males — based on their biological sex at birth — from playing on female-designated teams. This is an expansion on a law passed in 2022 banning transgender participation in K-12 sports. HEA 1515, Education and higher education matters, (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis) is a large various education matters bill. The bill has a large number of provisions including the ability of accredited nonpublic schools to form their own police departments, implementing grants for hiring and retaining STEM teachers, makes changes to virtual charter schools, changes zoning laws about the construction of new charter schools, language authorizing charter school bussing, and various changes to help local school corporations, as well as changes to comply with the new high school diploma requirements. Lastly, the bill contains language from 2 other bills that did not pass, including bullying notification requirement from HB 1539 Education matters (Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary). The bill also adds in language that would require an action plan for AED’s at school sporting events in case of cardiac arrest. Utilities Legislation SEA 424, Small modular nuclear reactor development costs, (Sen. Eric Koch-Bedford) updates Indiana law related to small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) by allowing public utilities to seek approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to incur project development costs before receiving a certificate of public convenience and necessity. It also outlines the factors that IURC must consider when reviewing the petition and requires a decision within 180 days (unless an extension is agreed upon). Once approved, the utility would be allowed to recover 80% of their approved costs immediately through rate adjustments. The bill restricts the recovery of costs that exceed the initial estimates unless they are determined to be reasonable and necessary. Costs from canceled or incomplete projects can be recovered without a return unless the IURC finds otherwise. If a utility chooses to not use the new approval process IURC can still allow the deferral and the recovery of costs over a certain period under existing procedures. SEA 425, Energy production zones, (Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) streamlines the permitting process for certain electric generating facilities. It exempts project owners from needing local zoning permits if the IURC grants a certificate of public convenience and necessity, declines jurisdiction, or if the facility is built on land with an existing electric generation facility (80+ MW) or a former mine site as of January 1, 2025, and specified notice and hearing requirements are met. The bill clarifies how development agreements and land use rights are handled, ensuring legal protections for approved projects. Additionally, it allows local authorities to impose a one-time, one-year moratorium on new electricity generation projects, but prohibits any extensions. Finally, it requires that the local legislative bodies take final action without returning proposals to advisory plan commissions. SEA 502, Attachments to utility poles , (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) streamlines the process for installing communications equipment on electric poles when funded by state or federal broadband expansion programs. It defines "attachment requests" and "process management agreements" between broadband providers and pole owners. Additionally, the Indiana Broadband Office may also set up a rapid mediation process for disputes. The bill has a sunset of July 1, 2030. HEA 1601, Quantum research tax incentives, (Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) expands Indiana’s sales and use tax exemptions for data centers to include projects focused on quantum computing research, advanced computing, and defense infrastructure. To qualify for this exemption, the project must result in a minimum investment of $50 million within five years. Other Notable Legislation SEA 10, Voter registration , (Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen) tightens voter ID rules by excluding documents that were issued from educational institutions and affirms that a voter’s consular report of birth abroad (CRBA) is proof of citizenship. It also strengthens voter list maintenance by requiring counties to act within 48 hours to review their voter lists when prompted. Furthermore, there are additional clarifications for who can and cannot be removed from voter rolls. Finally, it allows for cooperation with other states to share voter data. SEA 43, Study of location of gambling operations, (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) requires the Indiana gaming commission to contract with an independent, qualified gaming industry research firm to conduct a study to identify the top two regions in the state where an owner’s license for a riverboat could locate gaming operations. This bill was introduced after a bill that would have allowed the Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana to relocate their operations to the Fort Wayne area did not receive a final committee vote. SEA 306, Film and media production tax credit, (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) is one of the very few tax credit bills to make it through the General Assembly this year. As the name suggests, this legislation hopes to spark film and media production in the State by allowing for a transferable $250,000 tax credit that may total up to $2,000,000. SEA 480, Prior authorization, (Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo) changes rules around health insurance prior authorization and reimbursement. It sets new requirements for companies that review and approve services before they are provided, making the process clearer and more consistent. It also bans insurances companies from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 physical therapy or chiropractic visits for each new treatment episode. This bill also protects patients by preventing insurance companies from denying payment just because the doctor who referred them was out-of-network. HEA 1144, Courts , (Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers) reallocates the judges and magistrates throughout the state to make sure that courts that have overutilized staff may receive additional judges or magistrates, meanwhile counties who have underworked court systems will lose judges or magistrates. Late in session, the Senate added language to eliminate judges in 11 counties, but the final version of the bill only eliminated 3 courts. HEA 1390, Bureau of motor vehicles , (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) updates and modernizes various Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and transportation laws. This bill was particularly notable because controversial language both prohibiting the advertisement of marijuana and the strengthening of towing regulations (setting fee limits and consumer protections) made it into the final passed version of the bill. HEA 1393, Immigration notice, (Rep. Garrett Bascom, R-Lawrenceburg) states that in a circumstance when a law enforcement officer that arrests an individual for a felony or a misdemeanor and finds that there is probable cause to believe that the individual is not lawfully present in the United States, the jail or detention facility will notify the county Sherriff, and the sheriff will notify the proper authority. HEA 1461, Road funding, (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) makes significant updates to Indiana’s road and transportation laws. Starting next year, local governments could have more flexibility in using highway funds if their roads meet certain standards. Indiana can also request federal approval to toll interstate highway lanes without needing new state legislation. There are also clarifications for maintaining certain bridges and making it easier for local road boards to address low water crossing projects. Every township in the state must create a yearly capital improvement plan, and provided they have cash reserves, they must allocate part of that money to be spent on roads and infrastructure. The bill also creates a new state income tax credit for certain railroad expenses and rail infrastructure projects but limits the total amount of credit each year and sunsets the credit. It raises the maximum county wheel and vehicle excise taxes in Marion County and provides an extra $50 million in state funds to the county if a matching $50 million from their fund is appropriated. Additionally, these funds must be used to take care of the roads they currently maintain and must not be used for reducing lanes, transit, or new roads. Finally – with much appreciation from members from Indianapolis - the speed limit on I-465 was increased to 65 mph. Dead Bills SB 346, Rural business growth, (Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon) did not receive a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee in the second half of session. SB 346 would have created a new state tax credit for specific capital investments made in rural funds. The procedure for the funds included an application for Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for certification of eligible investments, and an application fee. The initiative would have leveraged $60 million in tax credits over a six-year period to create a pool of $100 million to invest in growing business in rural areas. Additional provisions included recapture specifications and required that the entities that receive the fund submit annual reports to the IEDC. SB 478, Craft hemp flower and THC products, (Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle) sought to impose rules on the largely unregulated THC and Hemp business within Indiana. Even after the bill’s extensive journey, passing through two Senate Committees and three separate House Committees, neither the Senate nor the House were happy with where the bill landed. Caucus members were not able to concur on the changes, and while expected to pass regulation at the very least making the products 21+, nothing was adopted. As a result, the products will remain unregulated for at least the next year. HB 1389, Local regulation, (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) had its fair share of troubles after passing into the Senate. Initially on third reading, the bill was brought back to second reading due to controversy about certain provisions. When passed, the bill went back to conference committee and while the House was able to pass the conference committee report, the motion failed in the Senate 17-33 in the final hours on Sine Die. The author was able to get a concurrence filed after this, but it was too late, and while managing to make its way onto the House calendar, it was not called down for a final vote. HB 1662, State and local policies on homelessness, (Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) would have criminalized homeless individuals from sleeping on public sidewalks. HB 1662 was originally defeated in the first half of session, but there were multiple attempts in the second half to insert the language in another bill. However, the language was not able to find a permanent home and was ultimately defeated this session. Governor’s Office Aside from the legislature, Indiana kicked off the year by inaugurating a new governor to lead our state. Governor Mike Braun (R-Jasper) was inaugurated as Indiana’s 52 nd Governor on January 13 th . In his inaugural address, Governor Braun honored the state’s history of hardworking pioneers and entrepreneurs and emphasized the need to continue that legacy through bold leadership and innovation. Braun called for reducing government inefficiencies, lowering healthcare costs, empowering education, and fostering small business growth. Braun’s tone was optimistic, and the Governor was determined to lead boldly to ensure Indiana remains a land of opportunity and prosperity. While Governor Braun has only been in office for 4 months, that has not stopped him from working closely with the legislature. The governor expressed interest in multiple bills throughout this session and heavily promoted the passage of his version of SEA 1 throughout session, targeting rising property taxes as his key priority. Additionally, the new governor has begun to reshape government through executive orders. At the time of writing, Governor Braun has signed a grand total of 64 executive orders . Some of his key initiatives include reorganizing state government (into the new vertical integration system), reducing red tape by eliminating degree requirements and licensing barriers, and increasing oversight of state spending and benefits on programs like SNAP and Medicaid. On health, the orders focus on improving nutrition, prevention of chronic diseases and healthcare transparency. Indiana’s energy reliability has also been an important issue for the Governor. He has promoted the use of coal, natural gas, and nuclear as means to fulfill the growing energy demand in the state, whilst also cutting regulations. State security has also been addressed through the Governor’s cyber initiatives and foreign adversary restrictions. Finally, the Governor has also addressed many social policy issues such as emphasizing traditional gender definitions, pro-life laws, workforce participation in addition to student safety and prison reform. In short, Governor Braun’s orders are targeted at streamlining government, protecting Hoosier values and ensuring long term resilience. Following Sine Die from the legislature last Friday, many of the bills that we detailed above will be swiftly signed into law. While the Governor has already signed several bills, you can follow the status of all legislation sent to his desk by accessing the Governor’s Bill Watch Page , which updates in real time. Once a bill reaches his desk, the governor will have 7 days to review it. In that time, he can sign the bill, veto it, or if he does not act within the 7-day window, the bill automatically becomes law on the 8th day. Thank You! Catalyst Public Affairs Group has been honored to advocate for you throughout this year’s legislative session. We would like to thank the many elected officials who fought for your issues throughout all stages of the legislative process. On behalf of our team, we would also like to thank you for your close partnership with us during this session as we worked enthusiastically to pursue your priorities!

Wrap-Up Documents From the 2025 Indiana General Assembly View our 2025 Final Legislative Report . And see the Chamber's 2025 Legislative Scorecard .

When I was first introduced to the Chamber of Commerce world and our local business community through this lens in 2019, I was also introduced to the United Fund. At the time, it was in the process of dissolving and identifying the “next direction.” Now, 6 years later, a rebranded (and growing) nonprofit organization is making strides in impacting our local communities by “mobilizing the caring power of our community.” This organization is United Way, Serving Elkhart, LaGrange, and Noble Counties. As the LaGrange County Chamber, we are privileged to work alongside their efforts and their team as they continue to grow their footprint across our greater region. I had the honor of sitting down with President and CEO Bill Purcell for one of our latest Chamber Chat Podcast episodes, and in this week’s column, I’d like to share a few pieces from that conversation. Chamber: What is the history of Crossroads United Way? How did the three counties become one? Bill Purcell: Back in 1922, United Way of Elkhart was started. However, the first United Way was launched in the 1870s in Colorado. It was a sort of “chest” between some leaders who came together to say, “How do we take care of people?” They used this method to collect money to serve people and it moved across the country. At the time [before the three-county union], there was the Elkhart United Way, the United Fund of LaGrange County, and a Noble County United Way. It was a discussion of how we bring the resources together to make sure that the money that is being made is going into the grants and not spread too thin in the overhead. C: That’s a great example of stewardship. BP: Yeah, it’s a regional impact because issues don’t stop at the [county] line. Housing doesn’t stop at the line. Things that we do not only impact what we do in one county, but in multiple. C: Yes, and that so easily concurs with what we see within a county, even. You consider that an issue like housing or doesn’t stop at the line. How true that is within a county’s borders, that these issues don’t stop at a town’s line. The impact can go across the entire region. BP: Yes, and that goes right along with what I want to talk about today, which is advocacy. Advocacy is about giving people a voice and oftentimes, people think of advocacy and think federal level. But, many things I did when I started was on the county line and speaking about United Way. It’s about making sure they’re aware of what we’re doing, especially the non-profit community. C: Yes, and it makes me think about the term “grassroots.” I never really understood that concept until this role. It’s about people who get up in the morning, who want to make a difference, and find the people to link arms with, and then they get it done. That relates to how you’re describing advocacy. How does Crossroads advocate for the needs of the community? BP: The mission is that we work to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Key word: mobilize. The very concrete thing we do is to be an ambassador for our nonprofit community. We meet with our legislators on all levels. We attend third house meetings. We work with social media. We’re not lobbying, or going on a particular issue. What we’re doing is advocating on things like hunger, mental health, childcare. What are issues that we need to address to be a flourishing community overall. As a United Way, we focus on health, education, and financial stability, and then we discover what are the things that communities are doing to address these issues. C: I think it’s important to differentiate what you did–the difference between lobbying and advocacy. So often, in the Chamber world, we see and hear folks quickly associate advocacy with politics, and the nasty and dirty part of governmental affairs. What I’m hearing you say is that advocacy is about communication. Making sure people are aware of the resources are there, and aware of the influence they have. BP: Yeah, and advocacy is about going to your leaders and getting people to speak up. You’re only going to get things done if you have good leaders. We have democracy, and people go and cast their vote, and decide the leaders. So then how do we build a relationship with these leaders and get things done? It’s about raising awareness, and how we provide resources overall and speak up about these resources. Some people don’t know that we actually give grants to over 50 agencies across our region through our Strategic Investment. We get to support those agencies through this type of resource distribution. C: One of the things that has been so profound to me that you have hit on is the intensely strong network of nonprofit organizations within our community. It’s this systematic approach to addressing these issues–organizations like Crossroads who supports the local nonprofits, who then support the people dealing with these issues. How does all of this come together? BP: We think of it in three buckets. The first is that we’re raising funds, so we spend time as ambassadors at different agencies and companies who are connecting their employees to our services and our workplace campaigns. Second is that we work with agencies directly. We work to help develop funds and match locally raised funds for their needs. And then the third side is being an ambassador for the nonprofit communication. We serve as a liaison between nonprofit organizations and the stakeholders and funding resources, demonstrating that we’re all working together to make the biggest impact. C: If you could offer one call of action to listeners within the realm of advocacy, what would it be? BP: Be involved with your civic organizations–your Chamber, your EDC, your Community Foundation. And know who your representatives are. We’re not just in our own world; we need to be in relationship with each other. It needs to be embodied. We need to love each other, and be in a community that loves each other. It’s about building that common good. To listen to the full podcast episode, visit Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website (and search LaGrange County Chamber Chat Podcast). Crossroads United Way is positioned to mobilize their communities for the common good, and that’s something we love to get behind at the Chamber of Commerce. This week, resolve to Live United, and build the common good for generations to come in LaGrange County.

Long-Held, Far-Reaching Objectives Achieved in 2025 Session Our president and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders says the 2025 Indiana General Assembly, which adjourned earlier this morning, was successful in advancing key Indiana Chamber priorities, including business personal property tax relief and steps to improve the health of the workforce. “We’re encouraged to see legislators increase the state's cigarette tax, something we've long advocated for," Sinders remarks. "Making sensible improvements to property taxes for Indiana's small businesses is also something to celebrate – and both are key components of our vision plan for the state, Indiana Prosperity 2035 .” Members of the Chamber government affairs team offer their brief commentary below on the ultimate or most important outcomes in their issue areas. Look for the overall scorecard and a more complete recap in next week’s Final Legislative Report. VICTORY: Tax Climate (passed in Senate Bill 1) “Senate Bill 1 was the session’s key property tax reform measure and provides near-term relief for homeowners, businesses and farmers while initiating long-term structural changes to the state’s property tax system,” notes David Ober, senior vice president of business operations and finance. “Among its provisions, SB 1 raises the de minimis threshold for business personal property tax from $80,000 to $2 million over the next two years and exempts newly acquired property from the 30% depreciation floor. These changes help create a better environment for capital investment and economic growth across Indiana.” VICTORY: Hoosier Health (passed in House Bill 1001) “The state budget includes the first cigarette tax increase in over 17 years,” shares Sinders of the $2 per pack increase. “We are taking the necessary steps to create healthier Hoosiers and slow the growth of Medicaid while also generating additional revenue. We also applaud state leaders for taking the additional action of raising the tax on vaping and other tobacco products – to send a message across the board about the perils of using tobacco. “A healthy state is good for business. Reducing our smoking levels will increase employee wellness, lower healthcare costs for employers and reduce absenteeism in the workplace.” VICTORY: Housing (passed in House Bill 1005) “Promoting housing development is critical and House Bill 1005 does this by addressing delays and inefficiencies in permitting and inspection processes, which are significant barriers to growth,” Ober offers. “Creating clear timelines and expanding inspection options is needed to reduce costs and uncertainty for developers and support efforts to meet workforce housing demands. Additionally, prioritizing infrastructure funding for communities with pro-housing policies encourages local governments to adopt practices that facilitate economic development and address housing shortages.” VICTORY: Childcare (passed in House Bill 1253 and Senate Bill 463) “Extending the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and promoting further investment in childcare services adds flexibility in staff-to-child ratios and group sizes and will help childcare providers improve care quality and meet demand, benefiting both providers and families in Indiana,” shares Sinders. “Setting up a license category for multisite childcare centers will also help streamline the application process for owners while also reducing the administrative burden to the state.” VICTORY: Road Funding (passed in House Bill 1461) "Reliable infrastructure is foundational to business growth and regional economic development,” Ober comments. “We’re encouraged by the steps taken this session to strengthen Indiana’s road funding framework in a way that supports long-term investment and ensures businesses across the state have the transportation connectivity they need to compete and grow." VICTORY: Energy (passed in House Bill 1007 and Senate Bill 425) “House Bill 1007 provides incentives for small modular reactors, which will enhance the framework to respond to large load customer demand,” Ober notes. “The legislation also improves processes to review utility decisions to retire major generation assets. “Senate Bill 425 also strengthens certainty for permitted energy projects and reuse of existing generation or former mine sites. These improvements will impact energy access and costs for Hoosier businesses and citizens.” VICTORY: Education and Workforce (passed in House Bills 1002 and 1634 and Senate Bills 365 and 448) “Cleaning up outdated and unnecessary provisions and relieving compliance burdens for K-12 schools is important, and this marks the first of an envisioned three-year deregulation effort of Title 20 statutes governing Indiana’s public schools,” relays Jeff Brantley, senior vice president of political affairs. “Improvements in math education and career coaching programs also highlighted meaningful achievements this session. “What's more, Senate Bill 448 improves alignment for postsecondary programs and sets a process to ensure market-driven stackable credentials, which will benefit both employers and potential employees.” VICTORY: Economic Development (passed in House Bill 1001 and Senate Bills 306 and 516) “Increasing the aggregate tax credit by $100 million over the biennium increases the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s ability to continue the momentum of the last decade in attracting companies and high-wage jobs to Indiana,” states Adam H. Berry, vice president of economic development and technology." Berry adds, “Repositioning the film and media tax credit as one that is transferrable will attract productions and talent to Indiana that would not consider working in the state but for this more flexible credit. We know producers around the country were monitoring the progress of this bill and are now ready to make investments in Indiana. “Creating a new state Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will ultimately help Indiana’s small business climate, a key to boosting our economy. It will be helpful to consolidate resources and information for those who want to start and grow their businesses in Indiana.”

When I was in college, I decided to travel to Kansas City to visit my aunt and uncle and their family as my “spring break getaway.” It was the first time I had traveled that far away from home on my own, and one of the few times I had traveled by plane. I arrived and was greeted by my family with lots of hospitality. I shadowed my uncle in his role at the church he served, and I spent a lot of time with my aunt experiencing retail therapy (of course!).  But of the entire week I spent with my aunt and uncle, the moment I remember the most and hold dearest was an opportunity to tag along with my uncle to visit the local soup kitchen. The metropolis of Kansas City certainly is a different landscape than LaGrange County, and has its fair share of “issues.” Unfortunately, the homeless scenario there is quite prevalent, and this resource that my uncle’s church partnered with was a helping hand to those who needed it most. I don’t particularly recall much of the experience, other than that I had the chance to serve, and serve alongside my uncle and cousin no less. And clearly it had an impact on me, as I think of this memory often, some 15 years later. While my family has built within my siblings and I a foundation on the value of service to others, I equally believe it is a core value of our county. Lending a hand to a neighbor is innately in our being, and it is felt by locals and visitors alike. (Side story–In my role with the Chamber, I often interact with peers from across the state. Folks are SO curious about our way of life here, and what is so different about it. Oftentimes, it is only described by how it makes a person feel. That’s the defining characteristic, and I credit much of that description to how we take care of one another here. That’s a pretty great reason to love LaGrange County!) April 20 through 26 is deemed National Volunteer Week. It is an annual recognition and celebration of the contributions from volunteers across the country–those people who dig into projects and initiatives, and who are compensated by passion and fulfillment of service, rather than dollars and cents. We are fortunate to have communities here built on passionate volunteers, and as a commemoration of this week, I would like to offer a few things I’ve learned through different volunteer opportunities over the years. Volunteering can be unexpectedly enriching. In speaking with people who go on mission trips, or volunteer with agencies serving others, I have heard countless stories about the personal change in their worldview. Often, it seems, volunteers intend to benefit the recipient of the service, but they walk away finding themselves the ones who are changed. Giving back has a way of turning itself back onto the giver. Serving often broadens our understanding of the process. It is so easy to assume in every aspect of life (and we know what assuming does!). When we step in to help, especially without the expectation of payment, we do so with an open mind and a greater willingness to see the need and the process. We don’t walk into the task or project at hand with a preconceived notion of what “should be.” Service often offers an opportunity for humility and understanding. Service builds community . When we experience the power of service to others–no matter what scenario or mission the work is connected to–we develop relationships in a new and very different way. Our relationships in those moments–especially with those we work alongside–are built upon the greater good, with no single motive driving the work. It’s amazing what happens when we decide to put the greater good above our own desires! It’s probably easy to read an article about volunteering and think, “I do not have time for one more thing.” I am guilty of thinking and saying that too! The world is moving faster and faster. Yet, our community still holds true to who we are–that we take care of each other, and take care of what needs to be done. There are so many opportunities to plug in and serve, and I can just about promise you that there is a place to volunteer that will fit your skillset and passions. Here are a few to consider: Join a county or town board. Whether it’s political (i.e., elected boards, town councils) or volunteer (i.e., library board, drainage board, tax commission, alcoholic beverage board, board of zoning appeals), there’s a place for you to make a difference in the direction of our communities. Align yourself with the mission of a nonprofit organization. From services that are offered to families to agencies who serve individuals seeking assistance in a variety of ways, there are places to volunteer (in the agency, or on their board). For a full list of NPOs, visit our website! Get involved in community meetings and development associations. Almost every unincorporated community within our county has a group of volunteers working to develop events and amenities, and community meetings are great ways to be kept informed. Find your fit and help make your hometown something special! This week, take a moment to consider the service moments of your life which have made a difference. Would you contemplate offering what you have to give to make a difference? All it takes is saying “yes,” as offering to help. It takes all of us to sustain the feeling of LaGrange County. Happy volunteering! Let’s make a difference, together.

Senate Speaking of the budget, HB 1001, State budget (Sponsor: Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka) went through its final consideration in the Senate this past week before it will head to conference committee. On Monday, the Senate held an extensive four-hour second reading discussion with 73 proposed amendments. Senators brought forward 68 of them, in the end adopting only three amendments: Amendment #41 , Amendment #45 and Amendment #73 . The next day the budget passed the chamber with a 40-9 vote. Author Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, has filed a motion to dissent. The conference committee for the budget has been scheduled for Monday, April 21 at 11:00 am. HB 1003, Health matters (Sponsor: Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso) was also heard on both second and third reading this week. The bill was amended multiple times on second reading on Monday including: Amendment #8 , Amendment #11 , Amendment #13 , Amendment #16 , Amendment #19 , all proposed by Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo. As amended, the bill would expand the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit's authority to investigate various types of fraud. Additionally, it sets up data-sharing agreements to support these investigations. It introduces new transparency and accountability measures in long-term care programs, pricing disclosures, and prior authorization practices. Additionally, it requires hospitals, insurers, and providers to increase price transparency, streamline credentialing processes, and expand consumer access to their healthcare information. The bill passed through the Senate with a 48-1 vote, and a motion to dissent has been filed. No conference committee meeting has been scheduled. HB 1004, Nonprofit hospitals (Sponsor: Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown) was also amended multiple times (Amendments #15 , #17 , and #23 ) before passing out of the Senate in a 29-19 vote on Tuesday. Bill author Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne has filed a motion to dissent in order to continue discussions on HB 1004. HB 1004 is an expansive bill that intends to create accountability within our healthcare system and ensure affordability for Hoosiers. The bill seeks to create a state-directed hospital payment program and the managed care assessment fee in an attempt at revising Medicaid and hospital funding mechanisms. HB 1004 imposes financial transparency requirements on nonprofit hospitals, ties nonprofit status to a price benchmark, and mandates annual reporting to state officials. Additional provisions include consumer drug pricing disclosures within the 340b program, transparency in insurance commissions and fees, and data reporting to the all-payer claims database in an effort to increase transparency within PBMs. Additionally, a slate of other bills passed through the Senate prior to Tuesday’s deadline, including: HB 1002, Various education matters (Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond) passed 31-18 HB 1007, Energy generation resources (Sponsor: Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) passed 36-16 HB 1008, Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission (Sponsor: Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville) passed 36-13 HB 1144, Courts and court officers (Sponsor: Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne) passed 33-16 HB 1389, Local regulation (Sponsor: Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen) passed 36-13 HB 1416, Awareness of human trafficking (Sponsor: Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland) passed 44-5 HB 1427, Department of local government finance (Sen. Eric Bassler, R-Washington) passed 41-8 HB 1461, Road funding (Sponsor: Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield) passed 38-10 HB 1601, Quantum research tax incentives (Sponsor: Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle) passed 30-18 Senate – Concurrences One of the most highly debated bills brought before the General Assembly this week (and really, this session) was SEA 1, Local government finance (Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle). After the Senate made their way through their second reading calendar, the body surprised folks by calling for a concurrence vote on SB 1 at 10:35 pm on Monday night. After a long debate lasting until after midnight, senators adopted the concurrence with a narrow 27-22 vote. Following the final vote, Senators Bray, Holdman, and Garten issued a press release touting and explaining the bill's various provisions. Governor Braun noted in a press release following the passage of the bill that “this is historic property tax relief.” The bill was quickly signed by all designated signers, including both Lieutenant Governor Beckwith and Governor Braun, just hours later. The effective date of the act is July 1 st . Senate Republican’s flagship healthcare bill - SB 2, Medicaid matters (Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka) was concurred upon by the Senate in a 37-10 vote following a thorough discussion with Senate Democrats. SB 2 will now head to the Governor’s desk for final signature. This bill makes several changes to how Indiana’s Medicaid program is administered. It requires FSSA to report Medicaid data to oversight committees and ensures enforcement of rules like the five-year lookback period. SB 2 also sets new rules for hospitals when they make decisions on Medicaid eligibility and adds accountability measures if they do not follow the standards. Additionally, the following notable concurrences passed through the chamber on Wednesday and Thursday: SB 108, Charity gaming (Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette) prevailed 36-1 SB 142, Eviction issues (Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne) prevailed 35-1 SB 198, Crime of swatting (Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis) prevailed 34-0 SB 216, Mental health professionals (Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield) prevailed 39-0 SB 318, Required disclosures and access of foreign media (Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville) prevailed 39-0 SB 365, Education matters (Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond) prevailed 37-1 SB 366, Education matters (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) prevailed 29-17 SB 405, Labor organization membership (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) prevailed 29-9 SB 423, Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program (Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) prevailed 34-12 SB 448, Higher education and workforce development matters (Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute) prevailed 39-3 SB 480, Prior authorization (Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo) prevailed 39-2 SB 516, Economic development (Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon) prevailed 41-0 House The House also had a busy week. Listed below are a few notable pieces of legislation that moved through the House this week ahead of the Third Reading Deadline on Tuesday. Each of these bills, with the exception of SB 423 and SB 480 as noted below and above, have had dissent motions filed and are headed to conference committee. SB 140, Pharmacy Benefits (Sponsor: Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis) prevailed 92-0 SB 197, Various property matters (Sponsor: Rep. Andrew Ireland, R-Indianapolis) prevailed 52-40 SB 289, Unlawful discrimination (Sponsor: Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers) prevailed 67-27 SB 373, Education matters (Sponsor: Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) prevailed 76-20 SB 423, Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) prevailed 67-29 Concurred on by the Senate in a 34-12 vote SB 425, Energy production zones (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) prevailed 59-38 SB 442, Instruction on human sexuality (Sponsor: Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) prevailed 74-19 SB 478, Craft hemp flower and THC products (Sponsor: Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty) passed 59-36 SB 480, Prior authorization (Sponsor: Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond) prevailed 94-0 Concurred on by the Senate in a 39-2 vote House – Concurrences The House has also worked through many final votes of concurrence this week. House Republican priority bill HB 1005, Housing and building matters (Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart) passed 69-16. Rep. Doug Miller thanked those who collaboratively worked to solve the growing need for housing. This bill will achieve that by requiring cities, towns and counties to issue building permits for certain structures to allow inspections by approved private providers if requested. It also provides rules around plan reviews, refunds, and deadlines for inspections and permits, and limits who can act as a private provider. Finally, this bill also gives local governments that adopt certain land use policies priority for state housing infrastructure loans. Another House Republican priority bill, HB 1006, Prosecutors (Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers) passed 61-21. This bill establishes a Prosecutor Review Board to investigate complaints about prosecutors who may not be acting in accordance with their duties. Changes were made in the Senate related to the funding and reimbursement mechanisms. HB 1008, Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission (Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fisher) passed 64-23 in the House following a brief discussion from Speaker Huston and Democratic Minority leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne). GiaQuinta commended the Speaker for the fanfare generated by the bill and welcomed any potential Hoosiers to the state, though he considered the financial implications given the $2 billion-dollar projected deficit. HB 1008 was amended in the Senate to provide for additional members to the commission, clarifications on who qualifies as one, and set the date by when the Commission should meet. HB 1461, Road funding (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) passed on concurrence with a 68-17 vote and will now head to the Governor’s desk. The bill was heavily amended in the Senate. They removed general obligation bonds, added in language from HB 1507, Lower water crossings (Rep. Lindsay Patterson, R-Brookville) to become community crossing project eligible, and added in language from SB 292, Short line railroad tax credit (Sen. Blake Doriot, Goshen) which added in a short line rail tax credit with a two-year sunset at no cost to general fund. Additional tweaks were made to distribution timing and a requirement that the State Budget Committee will need to be included in any tolling discussions. The Senate also changed population parameters from the original bill. A request for a summer study on EV registrations to study the registration fee was granted. Finally, the Senate included a provision raising the speed limit on Interstate 465 to 65 mph, a provision which was met with much appreciation from all, particularly House Democrats. In addition to these, below are notable bills that were passed concurrence this week: HB 1052, Onsite sewage systems (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) prevailed 64-16 HB 1064, School transfers (Rep. Cory Criswell, R-New Castle) prevailed 64-24 HB 1073, Boxing and martial arts (Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville) prevailed 83-2 HB 1079, Property matters (Rep. Alex Zimmerman, R-North Vernon) prevailed 64-21 HB 1114, Driving without a license (Rep. Alex Zimmerman, R-North Vernon) prevailed 69-17 HB 1275, Alcohol and tobacco commission matters (Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport) prevailed 86-3 HB 1276, Various alcoholic beverage matters (Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport) prevailed 85-5 HB 1292, Professional sports development commission (Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago) prevailed 75-7 HB 1393, Immigration notice (Rep. Garrett Bascom, R-Lawrenceburg) prevailed 58-19 HB 1448, Supplemental payments to qualified cities (Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville) prevailed 76-0 HB 1489, Indiana-Ireland trade commission (Rep. Tim O’Brien, R-Evansville) prevailed 88-2 HB 1468, Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (Rep. Kyle Miller, D-Fort Wayne) prevailed 71-8 Governor’s Office This week was a very active week for Governor Mike Braun. The Governor signed a total of 31 bills this week. You can follow along the bill signings on the Governor’s 2025 Bill Watch . He began his week by signing Executive Order 25-51 . This order directs state agencies to identify and recommend changes with the goal of eliminating tax and benefit policies in Indiana that discourage marriage. Read more in the press release here . Then at a press event on Tuesday, Governor Braun was joined by federal health leaders Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz as he signed a sweeping set of nine executive orders to “Make Indiana Healthy Again.” This initiative seeks to improve Hoosiers’ health by tackling chronic illness, increasing food transparency, and reforming nutrition programs like SNAP and Medicaid. The initiative includes removing candy and soda from SNAP, reinstating work and asset requirements to SNAP, boosting farm-to-table food access, and launching fitness programs in schools (“Governor’s Fitness Test”). Braun emphasized a bottom-up, preventive approach focused on self-sufficiency, transparency, and long-term well-being for Indiana families. Kennedy Jr. and Oz both praised Indiana for enacting so many orders at once and for being the first to submit a waiver to exclude candy and soft drinks from SNAP-eligible products. You can read the Governor’s full press release here . The executive orders are listed below: EO 25-52 : Promoting long-term growth and flourishing for Hoosiers on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by workforce encouragement EO 25-53 : Increasing state accountability through SNAP asset verification EO 25-54 : Informing federal lawmakers on enabling entrepreneurial administration of SNAP benefits by the state EO 25-55 : Making Indiana Healthy Again by enhancing nutrition in SNAP EO 25-56 : Making Indiana Healthy Again by increasing consumer transparency related to food dyes and additives EO 25-57 : Making Indiana Healthy Again by developing a comprehensive diet-related chronic disease plan EO 25-58 : Making Indiana Healthy Again by increasing Hoosier access to local foods EO 25-59 : Making Indiana Healthy Again by promoting the health and wellness of Hoosier students EO 25-60 : Assuring prudent use of taxpayer funds by ensuring integrity in the Indiana Medicaid Program  Finally, yesterday, the Governor announced a new partnership between the Indiana State Police and Excise Police to crack down on “nuisance bars” - establishments that have been linked to crime, drugs, and violence. This collaboration provides a boost in public safety by combining the Excise Police’s enforcement role with the resources and reach of the State Police. You can read more about the new partnership here .

State Forecast Signals Slower Growth, Budget Constraints Ahead HB 1001 / Chamber Supports in Part Indiana’s updated state revenue forecast shows a shortfall of $403 million in the current fiscal year and a reduction of $1.97 billion over the next two fiscal years. Although revenue will continue to grow year over year, the pace of growth will fall far short of earlier projections. Slower job and wage growth, stock market underperformance and recent changes in federal policy have all contributed to the revised outlook. Lawmakers now face a situation where they can allocate only $170 million in new revenue for fiscal year 2026 and just $30 million for fiscal year 2027. These limited resources will force the General Assembly to cut existing programs or find new sources of revenue to fund state priorities. The Indiana Chamber continues to push for investment in core economic growth initiatives, even in a tighter fiscal environment. Chamber priorities include the Direct Flights program, which improves business connectivity and talent attraction; manufacturing readiness grants, which support innovation and capital investment; and the Hoosier Workforce Investment Tax Credit, which encourages employers to upskill their workers. These programs strengthen Indiana’s economy and help the state remain competitive. Raising the state’s cigarette tax presents an opportunity to improve public health and strengthen state finances. Indiana ranks 11th in adult smoking rates nationwide, and the state has not raised its cigarette tax since 2007. The Chamber backs a $2 per pack increase to reduce smoking, boost workforce productivity and generate additional revenue. This policy would also ease the strain on Medicaid and other public health systems, which face rising costs even as enrollment declines. The Chamber continues to engage directly with fiscal leaders and legislators to promote a responsible, forward-looking approach to the budget. We offer data-driven policy solutions and remain committed to supporting Indiana’s long-term economic and fiscal health.