Smith strongly against execution by firing squad, encourages input from his community

Today, Jan. 27, State Rep. Dr. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) issued the following statement on House Bill 1119, which would legalize the use of firing squads to carry out the death penalty:

“I have long opposed the death penalty because of my faith and my belief in the sanctity of life. People should be held accountable for their crimes, but I do not support taking a life that was bestowed by our Creator. My position has not changed. 

“However, the push to legalize execution by firing squads is deeply troubling. It’s a brutal, painful way to die that was outlawed in 1913 in the state of Indiana because it was deemed cruel and unusual punishment. This law seeks to draw us back to darker times, where inflicting pain is paramount rather than our morality. 

“As a state representative, I believe it is important to hear directly from the people I represent. This is a serious and moral issue, and I want to understand my constituents’ perspectives before moving forward. I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible since the legislation is moving quickly.”

HB 1119 final vote in the House is scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 28, and then it will head to the Senate. The community can send their thoughts, concerns and questions to Smith at (317) 232-9731 or at h14@iga.in.gov.

Pryor offers amendments to cut Hoosier utility bills

Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered four amendments to protect vulnerable Hoosiers and add oversight and accountability measures for utility companies. All four amendments were rejected by the supermajority. 

See below for the amendment descriptions: 

• Amendment #5 protects vulnerable Hoosiers by requiring utility companies to implement a program that would prohibit disconnections for individuals who have a medical condition where they rely on life support devices like respirators, ventilators, dialysis machines, refrigerated medications or other medical treatment. 

• Amendment #6 requires utility companies to include information about payment assistance programs in the monthly bills of senior customers. 

• Amendment #7 holds utilities accountable for reliable service by requiring they reimburse customers for certain financial losses suffered as the result of an outage.

• Amendment #8 adds oversight by requiring public utilities to get approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission before making certain profit enhancing moves such as selling stock, being sold, reorganizing or acquiring another utility. 

“My constituents and people across the state have made it crystal clear that utility rates are simply too expensive,” Pryor said “In Indiana, utilities operate as a regulated monopoly, meaning that ratepayers are not protected by the free market and have no other option if they are unsatisfied with the price of their service. It is up to the state to protect our consumers from being exploited while utility companies increase their profit margins. That is why I offered amendments today to increase oversight of utility companies and hold them financially responsible for shoddy services. 

“Having heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is dangerous for people with certain medical conditions to go without heat or air conditioning if they face a disconnection. One of my amendments today would have prohibited disconnections for this population of people. Additionally, I offered an amendment that requires utilities companies to provide information on monthly utility bills of seniors about energy assistance programs.

“Although my colleagues across the aisle have realized we must address the skyrocketing price of utilities, this bill does not go far enough to help Hoosiers with their high utility bills. I believe that my amendments and the other amendments offered by House Democrats would have significantly strengthened the system and provided relief for Hoosiers. I am disappointed that my amendments were not accepted, but I look forward to continuing to advocate for more affordable utility costs for my constituents and Hoosiers across Indiana.”

Hamilton amendment to reduce Hoosier utility bills struck down

Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments on House Bill 1002 to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment that will allow the establishment of Community Energy Facilities that store or generate electricity via solar power, wind power or battery storage. The amendment was defeated on party lines. 

“Everyone can agree that utility costs in Indiana are too high,” Hamilton said. “Solar and wind energy are amongst the cheapest energy sources available today. This amendment would allow for energy from these sources to be generated from small-scale, local facilities and distributed to local subscribers. Renters and homeowners would be able to participate and see lower bills. By generating electricity closer to where it is consumed, these projects reduce strain on the energy grid, eliminate long-distance transmission and its inherent energy loss and require fewer transmission lines. 

“Hoosiers are demanding that the General Assembly take action to address the rising costs of utilities and it is clear the current system is not working. I am glad that the legislature has taken up this critical issue as a priority, and this bill is a small step in the right direction. But we need out of the box solutions to really make a difference in people's monthly bills. Integrating small-scale, low-cost renewable energy and battery storage is a fiscally responsible choice that would result in ratepayers keeping more of their hard-earned money. 

“While I am disappointed this amendment was not accepted, I look forward to continued collaboration on bringing down the cost of utilities for all Hoosiers.”  

Andrade offers utility accountability amendments on HB 1002, all voted down by House supermajority

Today, State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) offered several amendments to House Bill 1002 during second reading that aimed to strengthen transparency, accountability and affordability in Indiana’s utility rate-setting process. Each amendment was voted down by House Republicans.

The amendments sought to provide meaningful protections for Hoosiers facing record-high utility bills and to hold utility companies and regulators accountable for repeated and unjustified rate increases.

The following amendments were offered:

• Amendment #13: Prohibits companies from raising utility rates more than 3% and requires utility companies to hold 3 public hearings in the affected utility service area before raising rates. 

• Amendment #14: Prohibits utility companies from disconnecting residential electric or natural gas service during the coldest time of year (beginning Dec. 1 and ending March 15).

• Amendment #15: Eliminates the sales tax on residential utility bills. 

• Amendment #16: Prohibits the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) from approving a rate increase above 3% of the average monthly bill. 

• Amendment #19: Creates a 2-year moratorium on fixed rates and charges - effective June 30, 2026, to July 1, 2028.

Full vote counts for each of the amendments will be available here. 

Andrade released the following statement on his offered amendments:

“Hoosiers deserve real relief from rising utility costs and a regulatory system that works for them, not against them.

“In Northwest Indiana, my constituents are being hit harder than anyone else in the state. While average utility costs statewide have increased by about 17 percent, NIPSCO customers have seen bills skyrocket by an average of 25% year after year. Families are doing everything right and still falling behind.

“And it’s not just the cost. NIPSCO is currently under investigation after customers reported unexplained bill spikes following the installation of nearly one million new customer gas meters (Case: 46329-112625). When bills jump overnight with no clear explanation, Hoosiers deserve answers and real accountability.

“These amendments were common-sense solutions. I hear from hundreds of Hoosiers about NIPSCO. My phone is never quiet, and my inbox is never empty. People are frustrated and angry about bills they simply cannot afford.

“If these rate hikes are supposed to pay for infrastructure, then Hoosiers have every right to ask where it is. Outages continue, reliability hasn’t improved and instead of long-term solutions, families are handed short-term ‘relief’ plans that fail to address the root of the problem. This is not sustainable.

“Electric and gas services are not a privilege - they are necessities. No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and buying groceries. With 1 in 4 Americans living paycheck to paycheck and utility bills rising faster than wages, inaction is no longer an option.

“After all of these amendments were voted down, it’s clear this bill does little to address affordability or hold NIPSCO and the IURC accountable. Utility companies are posting record profits, yet Hoosiers are left to shoulder the burden.

“Indiana can and must do better. Until we put people ahead of profits and accountability ahead of politics, Hoosiers will keep paying the price - and that is unacceptable.”

Garcia Wilburn bill to keep kids in DCS system safe passes out of committee

Today, Jan. 26, House Bill 1036 passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee. Authored by the committee's ranking Democrat State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers), the bill requires that Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) caseworkers must see a child in person within 30 days before a case closure or discharge.

This legislation was drafted in response to tragedies like the death of Kinsleigh Welty, a five-year-old who died of starvation, and is aimed at ensuring children are safe before investigations and cases by DCS are closed.

Garcia Wilburn issued the following statement after the bill's committee passage:

"House Bill 1036 was written in the memory and in the honor of Kinsleigh Welty, a 5-year-old Indianapolis girl who died tragically and whose story was shared by her grandfather Brian via written testimony today. This legislation aims to close a dangerous gap in child safety oversight with codifying one simple protection – the necessity of an in-person visit by a DCS caseworker before a case closure. This is a commonsense protection that guarantees decisions are based on the child’s current condition, not outdated information. A caseworker’s last visit may be the only physical verification of a child’s safety.

"Children deserve more than assumptions. They deserve to be seen. This bill ensures that before Indiana closes a case or steps away from a child's life, the department has laid eyes on that child and verified their safety. No child should fall through the cracks. This is a simple, powerful step toward a safer and more accountable child protection system. 

"I'm thankful to the House Judiciary Committee for their unanimous support of my legislation today and to my co-authors Reps. Alex Burton, Lori Goss-Reaves and Julie McGuire. I also appreciate Braelynn Yerington, a former foster parent and founder of Champions for Children, for testifying in favor of the bill and sharing Kinsleigh and Brian's story. I look forward to advocating for HB 1036 to advance further in the legislative process so we can keep more kids safe."

The bill now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

Bartlett bill to honor retired lawmakers passes through committee

Today, Jan. 27, House Bill 1122, authored by State Rep. John L. Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) passed through the House Committee on Roads and Transportation by a vote of 11-1 and now moves to the House floor. The bill would provide retired Indiana lawmakers who served in either the House of Representatives for 10 years or Senate for 12 years with a special license plate.

Bartlett issued the following statement on the bill's passage:

"We have a lot of folks from various public service professions who have retiree plates, and I think lawmakers should be among that group. This is a great way to honor the men and women who have dedicated large portions of their adult lives to bettering the state of Indiana, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this passed through the House."

Johnson amendment adopted, strengthens housing data and outcome measurement in HB 1001

Yesterday, State Rep. Blake Johnson (D–Indianapolis) presented an amendment to House Bill 1001 that was unanimously adopted by the Indiana House of Representatives. The amendment strengthens reporting requirements so lawmakers can better evaluate how housing policies are performing across the state.

Under the amendment, local units of government will report standardized housing data to the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, including housing production, median home sale and rental prices, year-over-year changes, and other indicators that help measure affordability and market trends. IHCDA will compile the information into an annual report for the General Assembly.

The additionaL reporting is designed to complement the underlying bill by giving legislators a clearer picture of housing outcomes in different communities and over time.

Johnson issued the following statement:

“This amendment is about making sure we govern with good information. House Bill 1001 makes significant changes to how housing is planned and approved across Indiana, and it’s important that we’re able to measure whether those changes are producing the results Hoosiers care about: more homes, greater affordability, and progress across the state.

“By strengthening reporting and establishing a clear baseline, this amendment helps the General Assembly evaluate what’s working, understand where challenges remain, and make more informed decisions going forward.

“I appreciate Rep. Doug Miller’s openness to this idea and the bipartisan collaboration that made it possible. This kind of partnership makes legislation stronger and helps ensure we’re focused on real outcomes, not just good intentions.”

Pryor bill to restore property tax deduction to veteran spouses amended into other bill

Today, State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) successfully amended the language in House Bill 1023 into another bill in the House Ways and Means Committee. Now, House Bill 1210 includes Pryor's language to restore a property tax deduction to surviving spouses of World War I veterans. The deduction was removed in Senate Enrolled Act 1 (2025).

HB 1210 passed out of committee today and now heads to the floor for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Pryor issued the following statement upon the bill's amending and passage out of committee:

"I am grateful to Vice Chair Craig Snow for working with me to fix an oversight that left surviving spouses of World War I veterans without the property tax deduction they count on to make ends meet. Restoring this deduction will have minimal fiscal impact to the state but make a big difference in the lives of the surviving spouses of those who fought in the Great War.

"The state legislature should do everything we can to thank veterans and their spouses for the sacrifice they made to our country. Ensuring that veteran spouses have a roof over their head is a foundational part of that, and I'm glad we could move this legislation forward today."

Harris amendment to boost tourism added to bill in committee

Today, Jan. 22, State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) successfully amended House Bill 1210 in the House Ways and Means Committee. Harris' amendment allows an individual to petition for a tourism improvement district within a county, city or town. Following a petition, a local unit's legislative body may adopt the ordinance with support from local businessowners.

Harris issued the following statement:

"Tourism is a vital part of creating a robust economy, and anything that we can do to help communities attract more visitors is a step in the right direction. This starts with giving communities opportunities to build up their downtowns and metro areas to not only support current local businesses, but to encourage growth.

"The Region is a great example of this growth. From the Hard Rock Casino and the Gary/Chicago International Airport to the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission – which I created through legislation – and beaches and restaurants, there has been significant growth in northwest Indiana in recent years. This growth has opened the doors for several exciting opportunities, like the possibility of bringing the Chicago Bears to our community. I want to continue to grow The Region through tourism, and I want communities throughout the state to have that same opportunity. I'd like to thank my fellow members of the Ways and Means Committee for accepting this amendment, and I look forward to supporting House Bill 1210 as it moves through the General Assembly."

The bill passed through committee unanimously.

Bill to expand eligibility for advanced DNA testing in cold cases heading to the Senate

Today, Jan. 22, House Bill 1248, authored by State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), passed on third reading in the House of Representatives. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

HB 1248 establishes a legal framework to allow for private funding of advanced DNA testing for cold cases. This enables eligible family members of victims and other key stakeholders to submit a request for advanced DNA testing in cases that have gone unsolved for five or more years.

Hamilton released the following statement regarding HB 1248’s passage out of the House:

“This bill is about getting justice for the thousands of unsolved homicides in Indiana and getting violent perpetrators off the streets. Through advanced technology in DNA testing, many of those cases could be closed. House Bill 1248 will enable law enforcement to locate perpetrators and bring them to justice – granting victims and their families the resolution they deserve as well as making our communities safer.

“I'm grateful all the stakeholders who advocated for HB 1248 – especially the family of Carmen Hope Van Huss, who is the inspiration of the bill – as they advocate on behalf of their sister and all other victims who have not yet seen justice. I’m also thankful for the support of my co-authors, Chairwoman Wendy McNamara, State Rep. Garrett Bascom and State Rep. Maureen Bauer. I am incredibly glad that this bill has passed the House and look forward to seeing its progression through the Senate.”

Moseley urges consumers to call committee members to rein in utility companies

State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) is urging Hoosiers to reach out to members of the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee to urge them to hear House Bill 1068 ahead of the Jan. 26 bill hearing deadline. The bill, which Moseley authored, would require a commissioner of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to be placed on the ballot to be retained or not retained. This would follow the current process in which a Supreme Court justice is retained.

"I've heard from my constituents in District 10 and from Hoosiers throughout the state: Utility bills are out of control," Moseley said. "This bill is one of the many steps that need to be taken to rein in utility companies and give Hoosiers a say in their utility rates.

"If ratepayers believe that an IURC commissioner is not working in their best interest, they should have the ability to make their voices heard at the ballot box. For this bill to move, though, it needs to be heard in and passed through committee before it can head to the House floor for a vote. If you feel you're paying too much for utilities and would like an opportunity to have more say in your finances, I urge you to contact the members of the Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee to ask them to hear the bill before we run out of time this session. Hoosiers can't wait for economic relief."

For the full list of Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee members and their contact information, click here.

Novak’s bill supporting volunteer firefighters passes unanimously out of committee

Today, Jan. 22, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety unanimously passed House Bill 1048, authored by State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City). The bipartisan bill increases the yearly minimum allowance from $100 to $250 that volunteer fire department members each receive to spend on clothing and automobiles.

Novak, former Fire Chief of the Michigan City Fire Department, released the following statement:

"I am pleased to see such bipartisan support for our first responders. Over 70% of fire departments in Indiana are volunteer departments, and it is crucial we make sure they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.

"These brave volunteers dedicate their spare time and energy to protect Hoosiers. I've heard directly from our volunteer firefighters about purchasing clothing and keeping up with vehicle maintenance. This small increased allowance will help ease their financial burden and ensure our approximately 831 volunteer fire departments throughout the state are properly staffed and equipped to handle emergencies.

"I want to thank my co-authors, Rep. Jim Pressel, Rep. Steve Bartels and Rep. Chuck Moseley for their support. I look forward to bringing this bill to the House floor and taking the next steps to better support our first responders."