STATEHOUSE (July 13, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"With these new laws, we will propel our state forward even more while remaining fiscally responsible," Lehman said. "In addition to protecting taxpayers, we took important steps to keep our communities safe, connect more Hoosiers to critical mental health services and maintain election security. I look forward to building on these efforts, and working hard to ensure Hoosiers and our communities continue to succeed."
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. Lehman 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.
Lehman also highlighted the following new laws:
Lowering Health Care Costs
In an effort to lower patient and employer costs, Lehman co-authored a new law providing greater transparency and oversight of Indiana's largest hospital systems through a new Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force. He said 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.
Increasing Mental Health Treatment
Law enforcement will have the ability to refer low-risk, non-violent individuals suffering from a mental illness, or impairment from drugs and alcohol to the nearest mental health facility instead of the county jail. Individuals will not be turned away due to an inability to pay for services. Local mental health and addiction referral programs will also be available to help those who are incarcerated get treatment.
Maintaining Election Security
Lehman said to ensure the absentee vote-by-mail process is as secure as voting in person, when submitting an absentee ballot application, voters will need to include a form of ID, like the last four digits of their Social Security number and either a driver's license number, state ID number or voter registration number. Voters can also submit a photocopy of their driver's license or an ID card for non-drivers.
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, the state took actions to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Lehman said Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) represents House District 79,
which includes all of Adams County, and portions of Jay and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
