Legislative Session Update

Thanks to the help of Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath LLP, IndyBar Public Policy/Legislative Committee is currently monitoring various legislation that could impact areas of practice or the practice of law. Once the General Assembly convenes weekly Bill Watch reports will be viewable below, along with additional legislative updates. Please contact Public Policy/Legislative Committee Chair Lacey Berkshire with any questions or concerns.

March 6, 2026

We reached sine die, the close of the legislative session, last Friday, and the dust is still settling. As is often the case at the end of session, the final 48-hours were characterized by drama and rapidly moving parts. Legislators worked to secure key provisions that may have appeared stalled, often incorporating language into other viable bills, while some measures ultimately failed to advance amid last-minute negotiations and concurrence decisions.
On behalf of the teams at Faegre and IndyBar, thank you for placing your trust in us throughout the session. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and remain committed to delivering the strongest possible results on your behalf. 

View the full Bill Watch Report here.

SESSION RECAP

On Friday, February 27th, the Indiana General Assembly adjourned sine die, at around 7:00pm (which is a shockingly reasonable hour for them). In total, 106 bills were sent to Governor Braun for final action. 58 from the House, 48 from the Senate. Under Indiana law, the governor has seven days to sign or veto a bill once it reaches his desk. If he takes no action, the bill becomes law on the eighth day without his signature.

View Governor Braun’s bill signing tracker here. This website will update as Gov. Braun acts upon legislation sent to his desk.

As scheduled, the next legislative session will begin the first full week of January 2027 and run through late April. Given the odd-numbered year, it will be a “long session,” during which legislators largely focus on the State’s biennial budget

INTERIM AHEAD

Each year during the months between legislative sessions, members of the General Assembly convene interim study committees. These provide legislators the opportunity to learn, discuss, and sometimes provide recommendations across many different topic areas. While some interim study committees are created via legislation, a full list will release early this summer, with meetings beginning in late summer and early fall. 

As interim committees are announced, they will be posted here.

UPCOMING ELECTIONS

A reminder that Indiana’s primary election is on Tuesday, May 5th. All 100 House seats are up, and 25 of the 50 Senate seats are up. With political backlash from the General Assembly declining to redraw Indiana’s congressional map, expect some unusually hot races.

Additionally, both major political parties will hold their conventions early this summer. At these conventions, delegates will select their nominees for Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and State Comptroller. These nominees are chosen by party delegates who are elected by primary voters in each county.

The Secretary of State’s race will be the one to watch, with incumbent Diego Morales, the presumptive Republican nominee, expected to face Beau Bayh, the presumptive Democratic nominee and former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard, who also entered the race as a serious independent candidate.
 

BILL WATCHES BY SECTION

TAX LAW  |  REAL ESTATE & LAND USE  |  HEALTH CARE & LIFE SCIENCES  |  GOVERNMENT PRACTICE  |  FAMILY LAW  |  ENVIRONMENTAL LAW  |  COMMERCIAL & BANKRUPTCY LAW  |  CRIMINAL JUSTICE