STATEHOUSE (March 9, 2026) – The Indiana General Assembly wrapped up this year's legislative session recently and I wanted to share an update on several new laws we passed to address key challenges in northeast Indiana and communities across our state.
This session, legislators focused on practical solutions for Hoosier families, from expanding housing opportunities to supporting regional economic development.
Housing availability and affordability remain pressing issues. Communities throughout Indiana are experiencing a shortage of homes for working families, young professionals and seniors. To address this challenge, I co-authored House Enrolled Act 1001, a House Republican priority bill designed to increase housing supply and make homeownership more attainable. This law limits local mandates and regulatory barriers that can slow development and raise costs. It also reforms development impact fees, removes certain design requirements and requires local governments to report housing data. These changes aim to reduce delays and bring more homes to the market.
I also co-authored House Enrolled Act 1038, which will let the residents of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties decide whether to permit inland casino gambling in the region. The referendum will appear on the November 2026 ballot. If approved and supported by the community, the Indiana Gaming Commission could issue a license that would bring significant private investment, generate revenue for the state and local communities and create jobs. The project is expected to produce about $204 million in annual gross revenue and more than $61 million in yearly tax receipts.
House Enrolled Act 1002, another House Republican priority, strengthens utility affordability and transparency by holding utilities accountable for meeting performance targets aimed at lowering rates and improving reliability. This is a major overhaul of our regulatory process to ensure Hoosiers have dependable utility service at a price they can afford.
We also passed measures to protect young Hoosiers. House Enrolled Act 1408 establishes safeguards for youth on social media, requiring parental consent and giving parents tools to monitor activity and limit addictive or harmful features. Senate Enrolled Act 246, which I sponsored, requires the redaction of names and identifying information of child victims, witnesses and certain others in criminal cases, replacing them with anonymous designations.
I welcome feedback from constituents because open discussion is vital. While Hoosiers may not agree on every policy, it's important to focus on the facts and the work being done to strengthen our communities. I encourage residents to stay engaged as we continue building a strong future for northeast Indiana. My office is always open for questions, comments or concerns and I remain committed to serving the people of House District 51. Don't hesitate to reach out at in.gov/h51 or at 317-232-9736. I also encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter on my website. Together we can continue to ensure northeast Indiana remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.
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State Rep. Tony Isa (R-Angola) represents House District 51,
which includes all of LaGrange County and a portion of Steuben County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
