Requires the department of natural resources (department), before January 1, 2026, to designate at least one undivided area comprising at least 10% of each state forest as an old forest area. Provides that, wherever possible, the size of a designated old forest area must be at least 500 acres. Sets forth certain purposes to guide the department in designating the old forest areas. Prohibits the department from conducting or allowing timber management in the old forest areas. Requires the department to produce and keep on file maps and legal descriptions of the designated old forest areas. Provides that the designation of the old forest areas may not affect hunting, fishing, trapping, and other recreational uses of the state forests, the maintenance of access roads in the state forests, or rights of access through the state forests.
HB 1492 removes a current rule that prohibits students from transferring to a new school district primarily to join sports teams or participate in athletic programs. This change directly affects students who wish to move school districts specifically for athletic opportunities, such as joining a competitive team in another district. The bill's key provision eliminates the existing restriction, allowing such transfers without requiring an alternative educational reason. It was introduced by Representative Criswell and referred to the Education Committee for review. (3 sentences)
Specifies restrictions that apply to wake boarding or wake surfing on a public freshwater lake. Establishes a penalty. Specifies restrictions that apply to wake boarding or wake surfing on a small lake. Prohibits operation of a motorboat with: (1) an outboard motor; or (2) an outdrive unit; with a propeller that extends past the motorboat's transom, swim platform, boarding platform, swim step, or swim ladder for the purpose of wake surfing.
Removes the following licensing provisions: (1) hearing aid dealers; (2) auctioneers and auction companies; and (3) electrologists. Removes specific courses required for certain behavioral health licensure. Replaces specific courses required for certain behavioral health licensure with a requirement that the program be nationally accredited. Makes conforming changes.
HB 1517 would establish "American Professional Football Day" as a state holiday, meaning state government offices and possibly schools would close on this designated day. Introduced by Representative Gore with Representative Manning as coauthor, the bill is currently under review by the Government and Regulatory Reform Committee. This procedural bill creates a new observance without changing existing laws or affecting specific groups beyond standard state holiday closures.
Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to a credit against the taxpayer's state income tax liability in a taxable year equal to the lesser of: (1) 20% multiplied by the safe gun storage expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year; or (2) $200 (or $100 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return). Defines "safe gun storage expenses" as the purchase price of a qualified firearms storage device. Defines "qualified firearms storage device" as: (1) a safe, lockbox, cabinet, or other container designed to store firearms securely by restricting access to the firearms by a locking device; or (2) a locking device that, when installed on a firearm, is designed to prevent the firearm from being operated without first deactivating the device. Provides that to obtain the credit, the taxpayer must claim the credit in the manner prescribed by the department of state revenue (department). Requires the taxpayer to submit to the department proof of the taxpayer's safe gun storage expenses and all information that the department determines is necessary for the calculation of the credit. Provides that the department shall not share any information submitted by the taxpayer with any other state or federal agency. Prohibits the taxpayer from claiming any carryover, carryback, or refund of any unused credit.
Allows a provider to remain eligible to receive a voucher payment until a final determination is made that the provider's license or eligibility is no longer in good standing. Provides that a child care center is exempt from licensure if the child care center complies with all of the requirements for child care ministries, including registration. Makes conforming changes.
Abolishes the assessment of tangible property after December 31, 2025, and the imposition of property taxes after December 31, 2026. Provides that a political subdivision may not issue any new bonds, notes, or warrants, or enter into any leases or obligations to be paid from property tax revenue, or that include a pledge to levy property taxes if other funds are insufficient. Provides that: (1) no property tax increment financing district or allocation area may be established, amended, or renewed; and (2) no bonds, leases, or other obligations may be issued, entered into, or extended for a property tax increment financing district or allocation area. Provides that a school corporation may impose an annual fee to replace the loss of revenue previously collected by the school corporation from the imposition of an operating referendum tax levy or school safety referendum tax levy. Prescribes procedures for the fixing and reviewing of a political subdivision's budget. Prohibits the imposition of new levies for controlled projects, operating referenda, and school safety referenda. Abolishes the offices of county assessor and township assessor. Extends the sales and use tax application to transactions involving services, except for health or mental health services (including insurance premiums for policies covering these services) and services provided for charitable tax exempt purposes. Establishes the local revenue sharing fund (fund) into which revenue from the portion of revenue from the extended sales and use tax is to be deposited. Requires the state comptroller to distribute to taxing units the portion of all the state sales and use tax revenue attributable to services from the fund. Continually appropriates money from the fund. Requires the legislative services agency to prepare legislation for introduction in the 2026 regular session of the general assembly to make appropriate required changes in statutes. Makes corresponding changes.
Establishes the cognitive training grant program (program) to provide grants to public and charter schools (eligible schools) to adopt and implement a cognitive training program designed to build skills in areas important to learning. Establishes the cognitive training grant program fund (fund). Provides that the department of education (department) shall develop and publish on the department's website: (1) criteria that vendors must meet to be eligible for use by eligible schools; and (2) guidelines to award grants to eligible schools. Requires the department to prepare and submit an annual report regarding the program to the governor and legislative council.
Provides that a social media service may not allow an Indiana resident who is a minor to hold an account with the social media service unless the social media service receives written consent to the minor's use of the social media service from the minor's parent or guardian. Requires a social media service to configure the account of a registered user that the social media service knows, or reasonably should know, is: (1) a minor; and (2) an Indiana resident; in a specified manner. Provides that a social media service that violates these provisions is subject to: (1) an enforcement action by the attorney general; and (2) a civil action by the parent or guardian of the minor with regard to whom the violation pertains. Provides for restrictions on the retention, use, and collection of personal information for purposes of age verification by a social media service and provides that a social media service is subject to a civil action by an individual with regard to whom the social media service violates the restrictions.
Allows the judges of the Elkhart circuit and superior courts to appoint five full-time magistrates. (Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.)
HB 1247 would prohibit specific food additives in Indiana. It directly affects food manufacturers and restaurants that use these ingredients in products sold within the state. The bill would ban the use of certain additives in food preparation and packaging. Currently, the bill is under review by the Public Health Committee after being introduced in January 2025.
