New neighbors? Bill to explore annexing Illinois counties moves out of House committee
House Bill 1008 would create a commission to discuss how Indiana could “embrace” counties in Illinois who want to secede from their state.
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Public camping ban passes key legislative deadline despite law enforcement concerns
A lobbyist for the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association testified House Bill 1662 could put additional strain on already-crowded county jails.
State posts second straight month of better-than-expected revenue
Income taxes drove the overall increase, with collections up 4.7% more than the agency anticipated.
Five takeaways from the just-released House Republican budget plan
The two-year spending plan funds many of Gov. Mike Braun’s agenda items—including additional funding for private school vouchers—but doesn’t include several state tax cuts the new governor proposed.
Advocates warn of wide-ranging impact of proposed HIP changes
Senate Bill 2 would introduce restrictions on the Healthy Indiana Plan, a Medicaid program that pays for the health care needs of more than 750,000 Hoosiers.
Despite building concerns, IEDC transparency bills died without hearings. Why?
Lawmakers’ unease with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. culminated in at least four transparency-focused bills this session—all filed by Republicans—seeking to add more guardrails.
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.
iGaming legislation for Hoosier Lottery, casinos dead for session
Under the bill, Indiana would have joined 14 other states with digital lottery games, including Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan.
Bill amendment seeks to block charities from operating like true casinos
The amendment begins by renaming popular “casino game nights” to “card, dice and roulette games events.”
Indiana House passes bill to create state agency supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs
House Bill 1172 has broad support from the business community, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Ivy Tech ‘sunsetting’ its Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging
Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann said the decision was a proactive move to protect funding amid federal orders and state legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Amended bill would hit nonprofit hospitals with excise tax over high prices
A new amendment to House Bill 1004 would create an excise tax that would penalize hospitals found to be over-charging patients.
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.
Indiana lawmakers consider public camping ban
Opponents of the bill testified that the legislation, which mirrors legislation introduced in other states and can be traced to a Texas-based think tank, criminalizes homelessness.
Almost $30M spent lobbying Indiana General Assembly last year
The health care and energy industries dominated lobbying in 2024, but real estate, tobacco and other interests also were busy.
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.
IBJ Podcast: With billions at stake, hyperscale data centers become charged issue in Indiana
The sudden surge in announced centers—representing more than $15 billion in potential investment—has generated a lot of concern about their drain on Indiana utilities and, in some cases, their water-intensive cooling systems.
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.
How Trump-fueled immigration policy is materializing in Indiana
Out of the over a dozen immigration-related bills filed this session, lawmakers ultimately have supported legislation that aids in the enforcement and detainment of people who are in the country illegally.
Indiana Senate OKs anti-DEI bill that takes aim at state agencies, schools
The bill advanced after more than three hours of floor debate—and following a contentious, unprecedented challenge to Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s Senate presidency.