Legislative roundup: Final committee votes on property taxes, Medicaid bills
Next week, the chambers will be busy hearing bills for second and third readings ahead of their Thursday deadline.
Legislature
Articles
Bill to overhaul regional development funding awaits committee vote as deadline ticks closer
Senate Bill 377 introduces a new framework and requirements for regional development funding, shifting the focus from place-aligned projects to more industry-focused development.
Senate lawmakers scale back Braun’s ambitious property tax proposal in heavily amended bill
The 93-page amendment to Senate Bill 1 introduced Tuesday scrapped an expanded homestead deduction and tax bill caps, which offered the bulk of the plan’s homeowner relief but threatened local government funding.
Lawmakers scrap proposal to increase Indy road funding through property taxes
Indiana lawmakers advanced road-funding legislation Monday morning without a provision that would have allowed Indianapolis to pose a referendum to its residents to pay for road improvements.
Will Indiana join a wave of states offering new retirement savings option?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 30% of private-sector workers do not have access to a defined-contribution retirement plan through their employer.
Legislative roundup: Braun’s property tax overhaul gets a hearing; more bills move to opposite chamber
While many chairs are winding down hearings on the bills assigned to their committees, one of the most anticipated pieces of legislation for the 2025 session had its first committee hearing this week.
Local leaders sound alarm on Braun’s property tax overhaul legislation
Republicans and Democrats testified the bill would decrease local governments’ revenues significantly and affect the quality of some public services.
Eight takeaways from Gov. Mike Braun’s proposed state budget
The House Ways and Means Committee began budget hearings with members of Braun’s cabinet this week. The House will amend its version of the budget into HB 1001 closer to the session’s halfway point in February.
Legislative roundup: Priority tax, health care bills get hearings; small-scale nuclear bills clear committee
House and Senate Republicans rank this session’s top priorities as tax reform and health care reform—and several bills key to achieving their vision had their first hearings this week.
Housing advocacy groups see hope in bipartisan evictions legislation
Advocates say the legislation will help reduce the harm eviction filings can have on renters seeking housing, particularly in Marion County where the eviction rate is high.
For large law firms, Statehouse lobbying is a must-do
Many of Indiana’s largest law firms find it imperative to offer government lobbying for their clients in order to provide a full line of services, especially true in Indianapolis, home to all of state government and the Legislature.
Legislative roundup: The latest on bills IBJ is tracking this legislative session
IBJ is watching key bills that could impact the state’s economic development, health care and workforce efforts.
Two Senate bills propose new oversight of water withdrawals following LEAP pipeline concerns
One of the bills—which made the Senate Republican agenda—would require permits for projects that move significant amounts of water from one area of the state to another.
Lawmakers ready tax legislation ahead of session prime for reform
Policymakers have proposed at least 12 bills seeking to create or adjust property tax credits or deductions and institute freezes.
Lawmakers preview property tax policy at legislative conference
Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Chair Travis Holdman, R-Markle, said his caucus is ready to introduce between 12 and 15 bills that will affect property taxes.
State lawmakers hint at road funding changes
In a final report, the task force found that improvements to Indiana’s road and bridge network should be paid by those who benefit from the network “in proportion to their use.”
Democrats replace embattled Sen. Greg Taylor with new caucus leader
The move comes just a day after The Indianapolis Star published a new round of allegations from women who say Taylor sexually harassed them—accusations the Indianapolis Democrat vehemently denied.
A Medicaid study committee made no recommendations this year—despite a funding shortfall
A year the Holcomb administration revealed a shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program of nearly $1 billion, lawmakers will start working in January to piece together legislation that at least in part deals with the second-largest and fastest-growing item in the state budget.
Soaring Medicaid expenses foreshadow tough decisions but Braun says he won’t cut program access
Lawmakers are holding their collective breath in anticipation of Dec. 17 forecasts for tax receipts and Medicaid needs that will determine how they’ll proceed with writing the state’s next two-year budget and funding priorities like education.
New coalition seeks to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs in Indiana
The coalition is a state branch of the national nonprofit Right to Start, which advocates for laws that provide tax breaks, provide procurement dollars and reduce regulations for startups and small businesses.