STATEHOUSE (July 14, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Reps. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) and Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"I've met with many constituents who were shocked when they received their local property tax bills this year, and it was clear the legislature needed to act," Borders said. "We gave flexibility for locals to take action now to save property owners money, and we also made changes that will provide much-needed relief moving forward."
Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1.
Under the state's newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Hostettler said thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
"While property taxes are collected and spent on the local level, we took action to provide about $100 million in relief to Hoosier homeowners," Hostettler said. "Our work addressing this complex issue is not yet done, and I look forward to finding more ways to provide additional relief."
Borders and Hostettler highlighted the following new laws:
Providing Tax Relief for Homeowners
Property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. Hostettler said to help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took action to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
Lowering Health Care Costs
Hostettler said in an effort to lower patient and employer costs, there will be greater transparency and oversight of Indiana's largest hospital systems through a new Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force. Health care costs will be further contained by prohibiting billing practices that often result in a higher hospital price being charged for nonhospital-based services. Physicians will also receive more support for starting an independent practice, which could increase health care options and lower costs.
Protecting Children from Harmful Material
Hoosier children would not be able to access obscene and harmful content at K-12 public school libraries. Parents and local community members can request content be reviewed for reshelving or removal, and school boards will review requests during their next public meeting. Parents could also appeal a decision.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) represents House District 45,
which includes all of Greene and Sullivan counties, and portions of Daviess, Knox and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) represents House District 64,
which includes portions of Gibson, Knox and Vanderburgh counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
