Housing

Provides that: (1) any amount of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer; or (2) in an action against a consumer in which a judgment has been entered, any amount of the judgment that represents health care debt determined to be owed by the consumer; does not constitute a lien against the consumer's principal residence. Provides that in any action filed, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Indiana, for the recovery of health care debt owed or alleged to be owed by a consumer, the principal residence of the consumer is not liable to judgment or attachment or to be sold on execution against the consumer.

Establishes the first time home buyer savings program (program) for the purpose of assisting first time home buyers who seek to open a first time home buyer savings account (account) at a financial institution to save money for the purchase of a single family residence. Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority to administer the program, to prepare and supervise the issuance of public information concerning the program, and to prescribe various forms for use by financial institutions that choose to offer accounts. Specifies that: (1) money in an account (including all earnings or interest on an account) is exempt from taxation in Indiana; and (2) withdrawals from an account used for a down payment and allowable closing costs for the purchase of a single family residence; are exempt from state adjusted gross income taxation. Creates a state adjusted gross income tax credit for contributions to an account (credit) in an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) 20% multiplied by the amount of the total contributions made to the account during a taxable year; or (2) $5,000. Requires repayment of all or a part of the credit in a taxable year in which the taxpayer withdraws funds from an account for purposes other than payment of a down payment and allowable closing costs.

Requires a landlord to provide notice at least five days before filing an eviction that includes the following: (1) The amount owed. (2) A calculation of late fees. (3) Acceptable methods of payment. (4) The date the landlord intends to file an eviction if charges remain unpaid. Provides methods of written notice. Provides that notice is not required to terminate a lease if the landlord has met other notice requirements. Requires a landlord to complete required repairs issued by an eligible enforcement authority and meet standards required by a county health department. Repeals a provision concerning refusal or neglect to pay rent and corresponding notice requirements.

Establishes the access to counsel in eviction task force (task force) to review matters related to the eviction process and potential funding sources to increase a tenant's access to counsel in an eviction proceeding. Sets forth membership, and requires the task force to issue a report to the legislative council. Provides that the task force expires December 31, 2026.

Requires a local zoning ordinance to allow for residential housing developed by a religious developer as a permitted use in all residential or commercial zones if specified conditions are satisfied.

Revises the allocation of money available for making loans from the residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund. Adds requirements regarding the location of impact zones designated by a county, city, or town (unit) after June 30, 2026. Requires a unit to approve a project that complies with the legal restrictions in effect on the date the project's permit application is submitted. After December 31, 2026, restricts a unit's ability to impose and increase fees related to building approvals and permits. Delays the implementation of building permit increases to 180 days after publication of the ordinance. Beginning January 1, 2027, requires a unit to annually report the unit's housing status to the Indiana housing and community development authority. Requires the department of environmental management to review and update its Indiana Storm Water Quality Manual not later than December 1, 2026. Prohibits the state or local government from requiring a person intending to fill land in a flood plain to provide compensatory storage at a ratio greater than three (mitigated land) to one (filled land). Requires a unit to forfeit or refund regulatory fees if the unit fails to meet statutory deadlines for issuing a Class 2 building permit. After June 30, 2026, prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from requiring the installation of the following: (1) An arc-fault circuit interrupter in Class 2 structure or structure classified as an R-2 building occupancy classification. (2) An emergency responder communications enhancement system in a Class 1 structure. Repeals a provision that would have reinstated on July 1, 2027, the statute in effect before its amendment in the 2023 regular session of the general assembly setting forth the authorization and procedures for establishing a residential housing development program (program). Amends the current statute for establishing a program to provide that a program terminates: (1) 25 years (instead of 20 years) after the date on which the first obligation was incurred to pay principal and interest on obligations payable from tax increment revenues from the program; or (2) on the date on which the bond obligations or lease rentals are satisfied. Requires a unit not later than January 1, 2027 to: (1) review its unified development ordinance in a public hearing with the purpose of increasing housing development; and (2) report to the executive director of legislative services agency. Urges assignment of the topic of housing developments by religious institutions to an interim study committee. Resolves conflicts for IC 36-2-4-8, which was amended by both P.L.22-2021 and P.L.152-2021. Increases the average construction cost allowable for certain housing projects to be completed by a housing authority. Provides that bonds, notes, or warrants of a housing authority may be sold at less than par value at a negotiated sale.

Requires a landlord to provide and maintain a rental premises that is free from the following: (1) Pests, including rodents and invasive insects. (2) Mold. (3) Rot. Sets forth a procedure for a tenant to use to initiate a request for repairs. Requires, under certain circumstances, a landlord to repair or replace an essential system not later than 72 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant's rental unit is without essential services. Defines "essential services" and "essential system". Allows for certain remedies to the tenant for the landlord's noncompliance, including a procedure for the deposit of rent that is due with the clerk of the court if the landlord fails or refuses to make repairs or take remedial action. Provides that, after June 30, 2026, a landlord may not manage a rental property in Indiana unless the landlord: (1) is authorized to do business in Indiana; (2) maintains an office at one or more physical locations in Indiana; or (3) appoints an Indiana licensed real estate broker or broker company to manage the rental property.

Authorizes the fiscal body of a county, city, or town (municipality) to reduce its homestead property tax cap. Requires the reduced property tax cap to apply only in determining the net property tax revenue of the municipality that adopted it and not to any other taxing unit within the taxing district. Authorizes a municipality that has adopted a reduced homestead property tax cap to adopt any of the following local option taxes, either singly or in combination, the revenue from which must be used as property tax replacement revenue due to the reduced homestead property tax cap: (1) Local option sales tax. (2) Supplemental local income tax. (3) Supplemental innkeeper's tax. (4) Supplemental food and beverage tax. Makes conforming changes and removes obsolete provisions. Makes an appropriation.

Requires the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to establish eligibility criteria for a potential recipient to be included in the authority's application for funding under the federal continuum of care program (program). Requires a recipient of program funding to submit an annual report to the authority. Defines "gravely disabled" for purposes of involuntary commitment. Prohibits an individual from camping, sleeping, or using for long term shelter land owned by the state or a political subdivision, unless the land has been authorized for that use by law. Requires a law enforcement officer who discovers a person unlawfully using land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unlawful camping, sleeping, or long term shelter to determine if there are reasonable grounds for an emergency detention of the person, and, if reasonable grounds exist, to proceed under the emergency detention procedure and not the criminal law. Provides that, if there are not grounds for emergency detention and certain elements are met, a person who knowingly or intentionally uses land owned by the state or a political subdivision for unauthorized camping, sleeping, or long term shelter commits a Class C misdemeanor. Creates a defense to the crime if: (1) no beds are available in a shelter or treatment facility located within five miles; or (2) less than six months have passed since the person was released from a facility to which the person was involuntarily committed. Prohibits a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing any policy that prohibits or discourages the enforcement of any order or ordinance prohibiting public camping, sleeping, or other obstruction of a sidewalk. Requires: (1) each local law enforcement agency to provide to the state police department the number of arrests made for violations of the prohibition of street camping; and (2) the state police department to provide this information to the authority. Specifies that the bill does not prohibit a policy, program, or order of a political subdivision that encourages a diversion program or encourages or requires providing housing or shelter in lieu of a citation or arrest. Makes technical corrections.

Prohibits a utility from charging a customer a reconnection fee to restore terminated service to the customer. Provides that an electric or gas utility may not terminate residential electric or gas service between June 21 and September 23 for residential customers whose residence includes a person who is: (1) 65 years of age or older; or (2) 16 years of age or younger. Requires an electric or gas utility to identify new residential customers who are 62 years of age or older and to provide the identified customers with information concerning relevant assistance programs for seniors. Requires a public utility to provide a residential customer with a bill credit for an electric service interruption.