HB 1048 Indiana House · 2026 Regular Session

VFD clothing and automobile allowances.

HB 1048 increases the clothing and automobile expense reimbursement for active volunteer fire department (VFD) members from $100 to $250 per year. This change directly affects volunteer firefighters who incur personal costs for uniforms, work-related clothing, and vehicle use while serving. The bill provides a concrete financial adjustment to cover these out-of-pocket expenses, simplifying reimbursement for VFD members. It does not alter eligibility requirements or create new administrative processes. The bill passed committee with a "do pass" recommendation in early 2026.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Feb 2026

Introduced Dec 5, 2025 Signed Feb 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled House Bill (H) → House Bill (S) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill transitions from a formal enrolled act to a standard House Bill format, retaining the core policy of increasing financial support for volunteer firefighters. The substantive change involves raising the mandatory clothing and automobile allowances from $100 to $250 annually for active members, effective July 1, 2026. This adjustment aims to better compensate volunteers for the costs and wear associated with their service.

FISCAL

Increased the minimum annual clothing allowance from $100 to $250.

Increased the minimum annual automobile allowance from $100 to $250.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'Enrolled House Bill' to 'House Bill' and updated the session year to 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House Jan 28, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Feb 12, 2026

D Democratic9

8 Yea 1

88% Yea

R Republican40

39 Yea 1

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 24, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President Pro Tempore

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 274: yeas 91, nays 0

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 155: yeas 48, nays 0

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendment #1 (Koch) prevailed; voice vote

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third reading: passed; Roll Call 147: yeas 89, nays 0

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report: do pass, adopted

lower

4 primary · 16 co-sponsors