As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, I wanted to provide you with an update on some of the legislation I've been working on that passed the General Assembly. We worked hard this session to support property tax relief, pass a balanced budget for the next biennium, support parents and teachers and protect women's sports.
One of the pieces of legislation I co-authored, House Enrolled Act 1041, ensures that biological men cannot compete in female sports at the post-secondary level in the state of Indiana. This legislation aligns with an executive order at the federal level signed by President Donald Trump and the one at the state level signed by Gov. Mike Braun and now codifies it into state law.
Another piece of legislation I co-authored was House Enrolled Act 1253, which aims to ease child care licensing restrictions to help expand access for families throughout the state. Helping parents find reliable, affordable child care is essential to keeping our communities strong and our economy moving. This new law will cut unnecessary bureaucracy and give providers the flexibility they need to grow and serve more families across Indiana.
As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I helped craft the state budget for the next biennium. House Enrolled Act 1001 ensures we have a balanced budget, while also funding essential needs and services across the state. It accounts for the two remaining individual income tax cuts scheduled for 2026 and 2027, which will save taxpayers over $200 million per year. To keep our state government living within its means, we reduced government spending while maintaining support for critical agencies, including the Indiana Department of Correction, Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Child Services, as well as mental health and Medicaid. The budget also increases K-12 tuition support by $640 million over the next two years compared to fiscal year 2025, representing the most funding support for K-12 students yet, and expands school choice to all Hoosier families beginning in 2026.
Finally, I supported Senate Enrolled Act 1, which provides property tax relief for Hoosiers. The new law was recently signed by the governor and will lead to over $1.2 billion in savings for Hoosier homeowners over the next three years. Senate Enrolled Act 1 includes a robust package of property tax relief for homeowners, farmers and small businesses. Two-thirds of homeowners will see a lower property tax bill next year than they did this year with additional savings for years to come.
While the legislative session has ended, our offices are open year-round. I encourage you to contact me at in.gov/h46 or call 317-232-9765 to share any thoughts, questions or concerns you may have or if you need help with a state agency. Additionally, you can visit my website to sign up for my e-newsletter to receive important updates.
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State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes all of Owen County, and portions of Clay, Monroe and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
