The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking that have had activity up to this point in the third week of session.
House Bills
HB 1099: Foreign adversaries
Referred to House Judiciary
The bill requires a contract between a state agency and a contractor for the provision of certain technological products or services to include a provision requiring the contractor to confirm under penalties of perjury that the contractor and the contractor's subcontractors are not prohibited persons. It prohibits a state educational institution from admitting or enrolling students from foreign countries of concern in specific qualifying programs offered by state educational institutions. The bill prohibits certain individuals and business entities from acquiring real property located in Indiana and repeals existing statutes regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land.
HB 1268: Indiana defense task force funding
Passed House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 12-0
The bill provides that certain amounts appropriated for state fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 must be used exclusively to support priorities identified by the Indiana Defense Task Force (task force) established by IC 4-3-21.5. Provides that the Indiana Economic Development Corporation shall consult with, and receive approval from, the task force prior to obligating or expending the funds. The bill requires the task force to make a report detailing the use of the funds and their correspondence to task force priorities to the State Budget Committee and the Legislative Council.
House Concurrent Resolution 4
Passed House Roads and Transportation 12-0
This concurrent resolution urges the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename the stretch of State Road 45 that is between College Avenue and Fee Lane in Bloomington the “Bob Knight Memorial Way.”
Senate Bills
SB 161: Education matters
Heard in Senate Education and Career Development and held for committee amendments and vote
The bill, among other provisions, requires the Indiana Commission for Higher education to adopt rules that prohibit certain funding from being allocated or expended, directly or indirectly, to low earning outcome degree programs. It provides that the Indiana Department of Workforce Development must maintain alignment with federal rules governing workforce Pell grants.
SB 199: Various education matters
Heard in Senate Education and Career Development and held for committee amendments and vote.
The bill, among other provisions, requires the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE), not later than December 1, 2026, to evaluate accrediting agencies of state educational institutions and to report the CHE’s findings and recommendations to the General Assembly.