Smith speaks out against House Bill 1343 as it heads to the governor’s desk

Today, Feb. 27, Indiana House Republicans passed the conference committee report for House Bill 1343, sending the bill to the governor’s desk. HB 1343 includes a provision authorizing the creation of a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. The governor would have the authority to deploy this force any time he or she deems necessary, without the approval of local elected officials. 

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) released the following statement: 

“Once again, I want to warn people about the immense power this bill gives the governor. One person should not have the power to deploy military police in our streets. One man should not have an armed force at his beck and call. Braun and the Indiana GOP are following in the footsteps of President Trump whose used our armed forces for his own personal gain. 

“I support the Indiana National Guard and the essential work they do for our nation. However, I don’t want a single Hoosier to fear our guardsmen. I want them to continue to be beacons of selflessness and protection; That’s why many of them enlisted. They cannot be beacons of protection when they are sent to Americans’ doorsteps to conduct searches and seizures or to make arrests.  

“We live in a democratic nation that our founding fathers fought to free from a tyrannical King. This power goes against the virtues of our nation and the freedoms of all citizens. I am certain our communities don’t want this authority handed to the governor.

“I cannot overstate how dangerous this is, especially as we approach the 2026 election. There is nothing in this bill preventing the deployment of this force at the polls. They could be used to intimidate voters, and local officials would be powerless to stop it. This is something befitting a dictatorship and not a democracy."

Shackleford speaks out against the passage of anti-homeless senate bill

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 285, which makes the use of public land or property a Class C misdemeanor. In Indiana, a Class C misdemeanor can result in up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. The bill also requires local law enforcement agencies to report the number of arrests made to the Indiana State Police Department.

State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis), who voted against the bill, issued the following statement:

“I agree wholeheartedly that homelessness is a crisis. Any number of unhoused individuals on the streets is too many, but SB 285 only deals with the symptoms of that crisis – not the problem itself.

“There is evidence from our southern neighbors that this sort of legislation is ineffective. In 2024, Kentucky passed a street camping ban very similar to SB 285. After that law had been in effect for a year, statewide data was compiled into a post-mortem report. The report revealed that 425 unhoused individuals were unlawfully arrested for street camping that year. The report also suggests that this type of legislation needlessly increases unhoused people’s involvement in the criminal legal system while providing few to no opportunities for housing.

“Additionally, this bill will take up space in our already-overcrowded local jails and bog down the justice system. Unhoused Hoosiers don’t need a jail cell or a $500 fine. What they need is for their government to invest time and resources to help them lift themselves out of a desperate situation.”

Porter comments on the governor’s new power to appoint members of the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee

Today, Feb.26, Indiana House Republicans concurred with the Senate changes to House Bill 1033, sending the bill to the governor’s desk. HB 1033 changes the selection process for judges in Marion County by removing local legal groups from their seats on the 14-member Marion County Judicial Selection Committee. The governor will have the power to appoint two replacements. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“The meddling in Marion County never stops. We lost the power to elect our own judges, and now we’re losing our local voices on the selection committee. This is not happening anywhere else. Whose county is next? 

“Indianapolis is a majority-minority community. The Black community has a different, strained relationship with the criminal justice system. Our Black judges and lawyers have been essential to navigating that relationship. 

“I don’t trust Gov. Braun to understand those intricacies. He’s never walked a day in our shoes. A minority-majority community could end up with a panel of all white judges. It’s judicial Jim Crow.

“Republicans are making it clear: they don’t want anyone to stand up and push back. They have to hold every single ounce of power, replacing IU alumni-elected trustees and now members of our judicial selection committee. Fall in line or get removed and replaced.”

Pryor: ‘An investigation into utility costs is great, but the answers are right in front of us

Today, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) announced that they will be launching an investigative inquiry into high energy costs and holding a meeting with the big five investor-owned utilities.  

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Democratic Floor Leader and a member of the House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, released the following statement in response:  

“Today, the IURC announced that they will be launching an investigative inquiry into high energy costs and holding a meeting with the big five investor-owned utilities. As someone who has been speaking out against rising utility costs for years, I am glad to see Statehouse Republicans finally acknowledge that utility costs are a problem, let alone that they are actually making an effort to get to the bottom of why prices are so high. I recently sent a letter to IURC Chairman Andy Zay asking for the IURC to look into the reason behind the high cost of energy bills my constituents are facing, whether that be from increased demand, increased prices for sources of energy generation, or faulty equipment.  

“Hoosiers deserve answers, but they also deserve action. House Bill 1002 this year was a small step in the right direction, but it could’ve been a real opportunity to help people keep more of their hard-earned money. I offered several amendments that would’ve given Hoosiers immediate, substantial relief from the crushing weight of utility bills. The Republican supermajority rejected all of them. Additionally, I filed House Bill 1111 this year to address some of the most pressing issues from my constituents, mainly the issues with service disconnection and reconnection fees. That bill to hold utilities accountable did not receive a hearing.  

“An investigative inquiry is good, but the answer to why prices are so high is right in front of us. Hoosiers are in this utility affordability crisis because the utilities are owned by private corporations. Of course prices continue to rise when utility companies are more beholden to boosting profit margins for shareholders than providing a service for their ratepayers. I have been against for-profit companies owning Indiana’s utilities since AES was allowed to purchase Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) in 2001. 

“The only way to truly control the crisis of utility rates is to restore local control and allow cities to take back the utilities. My constituents and Hoosiers across the state are at their breaking point. The price of keeping the lights on is surpassing some people’s mortgage payments. We cannot carry on this way. I appreciate the gesture of this investigative inquiry, but talk is cheap, and the path forward is already clear. We need a full evaluation of the way utilities are operated in Indiana and a cost-benefit analysis of having profit-focused corporations in charge of these essential services. Hoosier ratepayers will not get reprieve as long as monopoly corporations are allowed to make a profit off of this basic household necessity.”  

Burton comments on IURC announcement to investigate five major utility companies in Indiana

Today, Feb. 25, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) released the following statement after the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s announcement that it will investigate the five major utility companies in Indiana:

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of months of concerns raised by Hoosiers across the state. Rising energy costs are putting real pressure on families, which in turn is driving action in the legislature and at the IURC. This is one of several efforts with bipartisan support, and it is encouraging to see that alignment focused on addressing energy costs.

“The IURC Chairman has announced a statewide tour, and I am preparing for his visit to Evansville. I look forward to hosting him locally and continuing intentional conversations with community members to identify solutions that are affordable, reasonable and sustainable.

“This legislative session has reinforced my commitment to serve on the Utilities Committee. There is more work ahead, but meaningful steps are underway to address Hoosiers’ concerns about rising energy costs.”

Pierce welcomes IURC investigation, calls on IURC to include IGA-passed legislation in study

Today, Feb. 25, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) announced an "Investigative Inquiry on Energy Affordability" on March 24 calling in the five largest investor-owned utilities in the state to present on various topics related to energy affordability.

The five utilities that will be presenting include AES Indiana, CenterPoint Energy Indiana, Duke Energy Indiana, LLC, Indiana Michigan Power Company, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company, LLC.

State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington), ranking Democrat on the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee, called on the IURC to expand the scope of its investigation to include the impact on rates of legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly.

"I am pleased the IURC is responding to Hoosiers' concerns about skyrocketing utility bills, but this investigation will be incomplete if it doesn't include an honest assessment of how policies adopted by the Indiana House and Senate have contributed to unaffordable bills," Pierce said.

Pierce called on the IURC to include the following legislation in its inquiry:

• Senate Enrolled Act 560 (2013) created the Transmission, Distribution, and Storage Improvement (TDSIC) charge allowing utilities to immediately charge consumers for 80% of the cost of system improvements without going through a rate case.

• House Enrolled Act 1470 (2019) reversed a court ruling that the IURC had been too generous in approving TDSIC requests by the utilities, including approving items that did not benefit consumers.  The legislature quickly rewrote the TDSIC laws to ensure the utilities received what they requested.

• HEA 1417 (2023) overturned a Supreme Court decision that ruled the IURC had improperly allowed customers to be charged for $212 million in coal-ash cleanup.

• SEA 340 (2014) and SEA 412 (2015) killed Indiana's energy efficiency program, Energizing Indiana, that benefited consumers by reducing consumption by 399,432 megawatt hours of electricity (enough to power 37,886 homes for a year), and offered assistance with weatherizing homes and purchasing energy efficient appliances.

• SEA 309 (2017) ended net metering in Indiana, making it more difficult for Hoosiers to produce their own energy through rooftop solar.

• HEA 1420 (2023) gave monopoly utilities a right of first refusal to control construction of expensive transmission lines rather than allowing outside companies to competitively bid on these projects ultimately paid for by utility customers.

• HEA 1421 (2023) and SEA 271 (2022) allow construction work in progress (CWIP) for natural gas and small modular reactors. This forces customers to pay for generation plants before they provide any power and shifts the risk of cost overruns onto the backs of utility customers.

"Decades of Republican-controlled utility policy has led us to where we are today," Pierce said. "At every turn, the Statehouse Republican supermajority chose the profit margins of investor-owned utility companies over everyday Hoosiers. The IURC should not ignore the actions of the General Assembly that have opened the door to higher utility rates."

Bartlett calls on Attorney General to offer opinion on utility rates

Earlier this month, State Rep. John L. Bartlett (D-Indianapolis) sent a letter to the office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, calling on AG Rokita to offer his legal opinion on the responsibilities of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Committee (IURC) to the public.

The letter comes on the heels of Rep. Bartlett's House Bill 1317, which he authored this year. HB 1317 would have required a forensic audit of public utilities every three years done by the State Board of Accounts. This bill never received a hearing.

Rep. Bartlett issued the following statement regarding his letter to the Attorney General:

"Throughout the state, Hoosiers are paying an extra $28 per month on average for utilities. That comes out to almost $400 a year in additional fees just on one bill. That's unacceptable. Too many Hoosiers are struggling day-to-day just to get by. Our neighbors should not have to choose between keeping the lights on or keeping food on the table for their families, nor should they have to turn off the heat or air conditioning during dangerous weather just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, that's the reality many of our constituents' face.

"I came into this session hoping to work with my colleagues in the supermajority to find solutions to Indiana's affordability crisis and the many issues with our utility companies throughout the state. HB 1317 would have been a good start, and I'm disheartened that the supermajority couldn't be bothered to give it a hearing. We've been told that we can wait until next year to fix these problems. The reality is, Hoosiers can't wait a year for the legislature to address rising utility costs and predatory rate hikes.

"I look forward to hearing back from Attorney General Rokita and working together to hold utility companies accountable when necessary and defining what their responsibilities are to the people they're supposed to serve."

Indiana House awards scholarship to Fort Wayne intern

Monday, Feb. 16, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus (IHDC) announced intern Melisa Mendez of Fort Wayne as the 2026 Verizon Scholarship recipient at the Statehouse.

“Melisa has been an integral part of the IHDC team this session,” said State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), who represents Melisa's home district. "She’s proven herself to be a diligent worker, a consistent light in the office and a credit to Fort Wayne and Indiana as a whole.”

Melisa, a senior at Indiana University Bloomington, spent this legislative session assisting IHDC Ways and Means staff by interpreting and analyzing legislation, and creating comprehensive reports and summaries of proposed legislation and its fiscal impact.

State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), House Democratic Caucus Chair, released the following statement regarding Melisa’s time at the Statehouse:

“Being a Ways and Means intern for the General Assembly is no easy task. The job requires exceptional attention to detail and an acumen for numbers and financial details that can’t be taught. Melisa has exhibited those qualities - and more - flawlessly. Her determination, can-do attitude and positive outlook have been incredible assets this year. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the help of Melisa and our other interns.”

Each year, one intern from each legislative caucus is awarded the $3,000 Version Scholarship for his or her work and overall character during the internship program. The scholarship will go toward graduate and undergraduate expenses such as tuition or books.

To recognize the hard work and dedication of all Statehouse interns, House Resolution 16 was presented and adopted on the House floor. To learn more, visit the Indiana House Democratic Caucus website at IndianaHouseDemocrats.org.

Campbell strongly opposes bill criminalizing homelessness

Today, Feb. 24, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D -West Lafayette) voted against Senate Bill 285. The bill is Republicans' attempt to address homelessness by making the repeated and unauthorized use of state land for public camping a Class C misdemeanor. Class C misdemeanors in Indiana result in up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. Each local law enforcement agency would be required to report the number of arrests made to the state police department. 

Campbell released the following statement:

“Criminalizing street camping is a demeaning and dehumanizing approach that does nothing to solve the root causes of homelessness. In fact, a criminal record will add additional barriers to recovery. The first thing most landlords check is a person’s criminal record.

“Indiana lacks access to affordable housing, rehabilitative services and mental health programs. Only 55 of Indiana’s counties have the resources they need to serve. We don’t have an adequate support system to help people overcome life’s difficulties. 

“It costs $70 to $75 a day to house someone in a county jail. That cost increases if the individual needs mental health treatment. Instead of spending money on imprisonment, we could expand access to our shelters and rehab centers.

“People experiencing homelessness are our neighbors, and they deserve care and respect. They deserve a state government that attempts to understand and guide them, not one that just locks them up out of sight.” 

Klinker votes against SB 285, believes Indiana should expand existing services

Today, State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) voted no on Senate Bill 285. The bill makes the repeated and unauthorized use of state land for public camping a Class C misdemeanor. Class C misdemeanors in Indiana result in up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. Each local law enforcement agency would be required to report the number of arrests made to the state police department.

Klinker issued the following statement:

“I believe we should help those who are less fortunate, not penalize them. They need our compassion, not our judgment or incarceration. 

“Indiana’s goal should be to connect these individuals with services that help them get back on their feet. Many of these people need mental health treatment and rehabilitative services. We should not be arresting people or giving them fines they cannot afford, which will draw them deeper into the cycle of poverty.

“Tippecanoe County is blessed with great people and great organizations, such as the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center (LTHC) and Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM). We are also very fortunate to have responsible, effective law enforcement, and I worry this will overburden them. Our time and money would be much better spent on our existing, life-saving organizations within our communities.” 

Jackson opposes bill to deregulate IDEM

Today, Feb. 24, State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) voted no on Senate Bill 277. The bill passed out of the House by a vote of 53-45 and returns to the Senate for review of the changes made in the House.

SB 277 drastically changes the ability of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to protect human health and the environment. The bill eliminates hundreds of mandates and turns many requirements into discretionary actions. SB 277 provides that Indiana’s environmental regulations cannot be more burdensome than federal law, while simultaneously repealing protective offices and a majority of IDEM’s oversight of pollution prevention.

Jackson released the following statement:

“Indiana consistently ranks among the worst states for industrial toxins and pollution. That is not something to be proud of. This bill will not only make this issue worse, but it will cause lasting damage to our environment and to our constituents’ health. Deregulating IDEM will lead to increased land, air, and water pollution with decreased accountability and transparency.

Jackson introduced three amendments on the floor, all of which were voted down along party lines. Each amendment focused on the Environmental Rules Board and attempted to restore the political balance of the board and the provision that appointed members are qualified for their position.

“The Environmental Rules Board deals with toxic waste, water and soil. These issues affect everybody. The people appointed to this board need to be qualified and not simply chosen because of their party.

“Protecting human health is a non-partisan issue. We need to stop prioritizing corporations and start protecting our constituents. Everyone should agree that our water and our air need to be clean. A vote for this bill is a vote for unsafe drinking water.”

Novak supports efforts calling on the IURC to review NIPSCO utility rates, further advocates for transparency

Today, Feb. 24, State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City) released the following statement regarding the request for an Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) review of Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s (NIPSCO) residential utility rates:

“Families across our communities have been sounding the alarm on their utility bills for some time. When monthly costs spike like this, it demands a serious, independent review.

“House Democrats raised these concerns months ago and sent a letter to the IURC in September 2025 calling for action. I am glad to now see House Republicans join in requesting a review. This is something we have been pushing for, and it is the right step forward.

“Today, I am also joining fellow House Democrats from our region in sending a letter to the IURC reinforcing the need for a thorough review and real answers for ratepayers.

“I support the call for the IURC to take a hard look at NIPSCO’s rates and provide clear answers. Hoosiers deserve to understand exactly what they are paying for and to trust the system is working fairly.

“This review is important, but it cannot be the end of the conversation. If there are opportunities to strengthen transparency, improve stability or lower costs, we should be prepared to act. House Democrats offered multiple amendments to House Bill 1002 to address these concerns, but each was voted down.

“This effort must stay bipartisan and focused on results. We expect real answers because Hoosiers deserve real relief and full transparency. I will also be formally requesting a Summer Study Committee to examine high utility costs in The Region so we can pursue solutions that directly impact our communities.

“I am ready to work with anyone committed to keeping energy costs reasonable and delivering meaningful relief for Hoosier families. Let’s keep the momentum going and get this done.”