STATEHOUSE (July 13, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by local lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"This session we focused on Hoosiers' priorities and that included making sure they keep more of their hard-earned money through additional tax relief," said State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. "We also built on our efforts to expand mental health access and affordability, because there's growing demand for these services across our state."
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, authored by State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Thompson, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, 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.
"Our state's next budget is a big win for families, students, K-12 education and mental health," Thompson said. " We were able to responsibly cut taxes, pay down debt and wisely invest in our future."
Local lawmakers also 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. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, Thompson authored a law 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.
Improving Mental Health Services
To increase access and availability of quality care, Indiana will launch a new statewide infrastructure for mental health services through House Enrolled Act 1001, including expanding the number of behavioral health clinics. The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline will expand through Senate Enrolled Act 1, which Baird and State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) co-sponsored, to ensure Hoosiers in crisis have someone to call, somewhere to go and someone to respond during an emergency.
"These new laws will make Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family," Negele said. "We worked hard to address a wide range of issues like increasing mental health treatment options and supporting a diverse energy plan that looks out for Hoosier consumers."
Supporting a Diverse Energy Plan
Indiana's new statewide energy plan, co-authored by Negele, is based on five pillars, including reliability, resiliency, stability, affordability and environmental sustainability. To ensure the dependability of future energy sources, utilities will also have to increase their electric generating capacity to cover demand within their territory even in extreme weather events.
"This session, we were able to tackle many of the issues that matter most to our communities," said State Rep. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort). "From accelerating income tax cuts to investing in mental health services, these new state laws will make Indiana stronger."
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44,
which includes all of Putnam County and a portion of Montgomery County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) represents House District 41,
which includes portions of Boone, Clinton, Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) represents House District 13,
which includes all of Benton and Warren counties and portions of Fountain, Jasper,
Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) represents House District 28,
which includes portions of Boone, Hendricks and Montgomery counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
