Budget & Taxes

Provides for an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for participants of the prosecuting attorneys retirement fund based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Provides for a thirteenth check in calendar year 2026 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.

Establishes the digital alert pilot program (pilot program) administered by the department of homeland security (department) to provide grants to providers of fire, emergency medical, and law enforcement services for the use of digital alert technology to notify motorists regarding the location of providers' emergency vehicles. Establishes the digital alert pilot program grant fund. Requires the secretary of public safety and the executive director of the Indiana criminal justice institute to provide a plan to the department not later than September 1, 2026, for leveraging available federal funds to fund the pilot program.

Sets forth additional requirements for a nonprofit hospital's community benefits plan (plan). Requires a nonprofit hospital to spend more under the nonprofit hospital's plan than the nonprofit hospital's estimated tax exemption value. Allows the Indiana department of health (state department) to enforce compliance with the plan requirements. Sets forth additional reporting requirements for a nonprofit hospital's annual plan report (report). Requires the state department to review the report for compliance and to verify certain reported expenditure data. Allows for the assessment of a penalty for violations.

Permits the use of cannabis by: (1) a person at least 21 years of age; and (2) a person with a serious medical condition as determined by the person's physician. Establishes the adult use cannabis excise tax, and requires a retailer to transfer the tax to the department of state revenue for deposit in the state general fund. Exempts veterans from payment of the sales tax on medical or adult use cannabis. Establishes a cannabis program (program) to permit the cultivation, processing, testing, transportation, and sale of cannabis by holders of a valid permit. Establishes the Indiana cannabis commission (ICC) as a state agency to oversee, implement, and enforce the program, and establishes the ICC advisory committee to review the effectiveness of the program. Requires that permit holders take steps to prevent diversion of cannabis to unauthorized persons. Requires that cannabis and cannabis products be properly labeled, placed in child resistant packaging, and tested by an independent testing laboratory before being made available for purchase. Prohibits packaging cannabis in a manner that is appealing to children. Authorizes research on cannabis in accordance with rules set forth by the ICC. Establishes a procedure for the expungement of a cannabis related conviction if the act constituting the conviction becomes legal. Makes conforming amendments.

Expires various property tax exemptions allowed in current law. Provides that certain property tax abatements may not be granted after December 31, 2030. Authorizes a county fiscal body to adopt an ordinance that exempts certain homesteads owned by an individual who is at least 65 years of age from property taxation. Makes corresponding changes.

Requires the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to commit $35,000,000 in redevelopment tax credits each state fiscal year among development authorities, qualified nonprofit organizations, and certain local economic development organizations that may be granted to taxpayers for qualified investments. Provides that the IEDC and an operating partner shall administer the federal Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site program in Indiana. Requires that $15,000,000 of the $300,000,000 of the IEDC's annual certifiable tax credit amount must be allocated to the small town opportunity initiative (initiative). Establishes the initiative. Provides that initiative projects are not subject to any statutory or administrative repayment obligation. Amends the venture capital investment tax credit (tax credit) to specify: (1) that certain investment policies of funds that qualify as a "qualified Indiana investment fund" apply only to investable capital, excluding management fees, legal fees, and other expenses incurred in the operation of the fund; (2) that a taxpayer is not prevented from combining individual tax credits of less than $10,000 for assignment; and (3) qualified business eligibility. Provides that if a Level 2 certified technology park (park): (1) has reached the limit of deposits for a Level 2 park; (2) maintains its certification; and (3) is located within a qualified military base enhancement area; the park shall become a Level 3 park and may receive an additional annual incremental income tax deposit of up to $250,000 until July 1, 2029.

Provides that real property purchased before July 1, 2026, directly or indirectly owned by a nonprofit hospital (other than a critical access hospital or a county hospital) is not exempt from property taxation if, after 10 years from the date of purchase of the property by the nonprofit hospital, the property directly or indirectly owned by the nonprofit hospital is not being used for the performance of revenue producing health care services by the nonprofit hospital that directly or indirectly owns the property. Provides that real property directly or indirectly owned by a nonprofit hospital purchased after June 30, 2026, is not exempt from property taxation if the property directly or indirectly owned by the nonprofit hospital is not being used for the performance of revenue producing health care services by the nonprofit hospital that directly or indirectly owns the property. Provides that the disallowance of an exemption does not apply to a parking garage, parking lot, equipment facility area, or any other similar property that actively serves a nonprofit hospital. Provides that a determination as to whether a parking garage, parking lot, equipment facility area, or any other similar property actively serves a nonprofit hospital shall be made by the board of zoning appeals with jurisdiction over the property.

Establishes the administrative rules review committee. Requires an agency to submit a rule, including an executive order, and the latest version of the regulatory analysis with any supporting documents to the office of fiscal management and analysis of the legislative services agency to estimate the fiscal impact on state and local government. Provides that if the fiscal impact is estimated to be greater than $300,000 in any two year period, the rule and supporting documents shall be provided to the administrative rules review committee for review. Provides that the rule described may not take effect unless authorized by a bill enacted by the general assembly, unless the governor certifies that an emergency exists and the rule is necessary to address the emergency. Specifies that a rule enacted to address an emergency expires after one year.

Authorizes wagering on video gaming terminals in certain establishments. Establishes a licensing structure for participants in video gaming. Imposes a video gaming wagering tax of 30% of adjusted gross receipts.