Major Bills Advance as Indiana Legislative Session Reaches Halfway Mark
Indiana’s 2026 legislative session has reached its critical halfway point, with lawmakers in the House and Senate rushing to pass priority legislation before deadlines shift action to the opposing chamber. As committee deadlines pass, several controversial and high-profile bills regarding education, utility costs, and social issues are advancing, while others have been amended or left behind.
One of the most discussed measures, Senate Bill 199, moved forward after a significant amendment removed a provision that would have imposed a social media curfew for minors. The bill still seeks to regulate social media access for children under 13 and requires parental consent for older teenagers. Critics of the original text raised constitutional concerns regarding free speech and enforcement, prompting the Senate to strip the overnight ban language to ensure the bill’s legal viability while maintaining age-verification requirements.
In the realm of education policy, House Bill 1423 is advancing with proposals to fundamentally restructure Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). The legislation would create a new public authority to oversee both IPS and charter schools within the district’s boundaries. This proposal has faced sharp objections from parents and community members who argue it diminishes the authority of the elected school board. Proponents, however, maintain that the changes are necessary to streamline administration and improve educational outcomes. An amendment was recently added to clarify that existing bond debt would remain with the district rather than transferring to the new entity.
Utility affordability also remains a central focus of the short session. House Bill 1002, which aims to level out fluctuations in electricity bills, passed the House with bipartisan support. The bill includes provisions for a summer disconnection moratorium for income-qualified households and establishes predictable billing plans. While consumer advocates initially expressed concern over the scope of the relief, amendments were adopted to address specific vulnerabilities for low-income residents.
Social issues continue to drive debate at the Statehouse. Senate Bill 182, which defines “sex” and “gender” in state law based on biological characteristics at birth, successfully advanced out of committee. This legislation would mandate that public schools and universities designate facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms based on biological sex. Opponents argue the bill targets transgender individuals and creates administrative confusion, while supporters insist it provides necessary legal clarity and privacy protections. additionally, legislation allowing civil lawsuits against providers of abortion-inducing drugs is moving through the chambers, mirroring similar laws in other states.
This year’s legislative session is a “short” session, scheduled to conclude by March 14. Because budget years alternate, the primary focus is often on policy adjustments rather than a new biennial budget, though fiscal matters such as tax cuts and bail reform are still under consideration. With the halfway deadlines now active, any bill that has not passed its chamber of origin is considered dead for the year, though language from stalled bills can sometimes be inserted into other moving legislation during the second half of the session.
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