STATEHOUSE (July 7, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Reps. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) and Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"As a newly elected representative, I was eager to support creating more earn-and-learn partnerships between local schools and businesses to help skill up our high school students," Culp said. "Now there is more flexibility for work-based learning and credentials to count toward graduation requirements."
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. 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.
"So much of the legislation we passed this session is a result of input we received from constituents," Pressel said. "From providing tax relief for homeowners to lowering health care costs, these new laws support all Hoosiers."
The local legislators highlighted the following new laws:
Increasing High School Relevancy
Culp said to boost the number of career-ready students, those in grades 10-12 can soon use Career Scholarship Accounts to pay for career training or industry-recognized certification while in high school. Additionally, the state will review graduation requirements to better accommodate work-based learning experiences. Public high schools will host annual career fairs to encourage connections between students and employers.
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. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
Lowering Health Care Costs
Pressel 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.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents House District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
