PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Tim O'Brien (center right) joins Gov. Mike Braun (seated) for a ceremonial signing of House Enrolled Act 1001 on April 13, 2026, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. O'Brien co-authored HEA 1001 to increase housing stock in the state. Others pictured are (from left) Maggie McShane Indiana Association of Realtors, Marcy DeShong Indiana Builders Association President, bill author State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart), Rick Wajda CEO the of Indiana Builders Association, Mark Fisher CEO of Indiana Association of Realtors, Brian Spaulding President at Indiana Apartment Association, Drew Fox Indiana Apartment Association and Carlie Hopper Governmental Affairs Director of Indiana Builders Association.
STATEHOUSE (April 15, 2026) – The governor recently ceremonially signed a law co-authored by State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) to increase home ownership across the state.
In 2021, the National Association of Home Builders estimated that government regulation accounted for approximately 25 percent of the cost of a single-family home and more than 40 percent of the cost of a typical multifamily development, significantly increasing housing prices and limiting supply. O'Brien said House Enrolled Act 1001, a House Republican priority effort, delivers housing affordability by limiting local mandates and regulatory barriers that impede development and increase the cost of new homes.
"Many hardworking Hoosiers and families are struggling to find a quality home at a price they can afford," O'Brien said. “This legislation reduces regulations that are driving up costs, helping to expand access and bring the dream of homeownership within reach for more Hoosiers."
O'Brien said affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues facing our state today. He also said the new law limits burdensome regulations that are inflating costs, including impact and development fees, complex and outdated building standards, and lengthy and unpredictable hearing and review processes.
To increase transparency and accountability, the new law requires local governments to report various housing development metrics to identify and address bottlenecks. It also makes it easier to convert commercial buildings into housing and modernizes building standards that unnecessarily increase construction costs.
O'Brien said HEA 1001 is the next step to unleash the housing market, encourage the construction of new homes and provide more Hoosiers access to housing they can afford.
To learn more about HEA 1001, click here.
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State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) represents House District 78,
which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
