updates-calls to action-indiana legislation

Rallies

Join us every Saturday, 12-1, in Highland at the Highway of Flags Veterans Memorial on the SE corner of Ridge and 41.Click here for details and to sign up–& bring a friend!

Join us for our 3^rd No Kings Day on March 28, 12-2 at the Highway of Flags Veterans Memorial! We’ll rally on the SE corner, the NE corner and the NW corner of Ridge & 41.We’ll have speakers & music along with rallying. Bring your signs and your passion. Read details here—and let us know you’re coming.

Events!

On Thursday, March 19, at 6pm at the Merrillville Library we will host a forum for the Democratic candidates for Sheriff.Please register here–& bring a friend!

On Sat., April 2, 9:30-11:30, join our Indivisible Book Club at the Grindhouse Café, 3805 Ridge Rd in Highland. We will discuss Giving Up Is Unforgiveable by Joyce Vance, MS NOW legal analyst, podcaster and recently named fellow at the Brennan Institute for Justice.
Giving Up Is Unforgivable is a clarion call to action, putting our current crisis in historical context and sketching out a vision for where we go next. Vance’s message is hopeful at its heart, even as it acknowledges the daunting challenges that lie ahead. She is the constitutional law professor you never knew you needed, explaining the legal context and the political history— and why the rule of the law still matters. At the same time, she empowers the reader to do something, both as individuals and collectively. Please let us know you’re coming and sign up here.

Volunteer!

And more

Congressman Mrvan is hosting Community Forums on 
Monday – March 9, 2026

• 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Chesterton Town Hall – Community Room, 726 Broadway, Chesterton, IN 46304
• 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – VFW Auxiliary Post 717, 10400 West 93rd Avenue, Saint John, IN, 46373

Watch and listen to our recent forum with the Democratic candidates for Secretary of State here. Read about the duties and responsibilities of the office too.

More No Kings Events:

• Gary/Miller—gather with family, friends, neighbors and all freedom loving Individuals. US Route 20 & Lake Street, 9-11am. Accepting donations for NWI Humane Society. Bring dog & cat food, treats, & bleach for our furry friends.
• Crown Point—Crown Point Courthouse Square, 12-2
• Valparaiso—Valparaiso City Hall, 11-2

Take Action! 
Unfortunately, the National Center for Atmosphere Research (NCAR) out in Boulder is still slated to be dismantled/broken apart, and the National Science Foundation is taking comments on to dismantle NCAR through the 19th. Please call your US Senators and House Representative to ask them to support NCAR, not break it apart, and introduce legislation that will protect it. It is the mothership of weather research, and dismantling it will hurt us all (see link for the research that is done there that benefits the US and YOU!). Please call and/or email your reps (sample script below, phone numbers for calling, and link for an email).
Link about research NCAR does: https://researchworks.ucar.edu/
Take easy action:
Click to email you elected officials
Sample script: “I am calling to ask you to oppose the dismantling and breaking apart of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. Please introduce legislation that will protect NCAR. Research done here supports agriculture, aviation, the military, and the quality of our forecasts. Breaking it apart will ultimately jeopardize the quality of research produced here, which will jeopardize our forecasts, the safety of Americans, and the prosperity of our country.  Thank you for your support.
And Call:
US Senator Todd Young for IN: (202) 224-5623
If you press number two on the options menu, you will have a better chance of speaking to a real person
US Senator Jim Banks for IN: (202) 224-4814
If you press option 3, you will have a better chance of speaking to a real person
US House Rep District 1 Frank Mrvan: (202) 225-2461

Indiana 2026 Legislative Session

The 2026 legislative session has ended. Check out significant legislation that made it past the finish line on our website: Indiana 2026 Legislative Session – Indivisible NWI

Signed into law:

Affordability
House Enrolled Act 1007, which requires large load manufacturers to pay at least 80% of the costs for new energy infrastructure needed to power certain buildings, like data centers. Residents would be stuck paying the rest, advocates say. But even those numbers aren’t so straightforward. Ben Inskeep, program director for the Citizens Action Coalition environmental advocacy group, said utility companies only charge data center customers a small percentage of the overall costs of building new power infrastructure. So it’s possible community members could end up footing even more of the bill. (Mirror Indy)
 
HB 1002. Electric utility affordability. Seeks to enhance customer financial stability, improve utility accountability, and create a structured rate-making process. These changes include mandating budget billing options, offering opt-out mechanisms without penalties, and implementing multi-year rate plans with performance metrics.

Child Labor

HB 1302. Various labor and safety matters. Repeals various provisions concerning the Indiana department of labor employer database for youth employment. Indiana will no longer track where teens under 18 years old are working, further unraveling guardrails aimed at ensuring compliance with child labor laws and protecting minors from labor exploitation. The legislation deletes all references in existing state law to the Youth Employment System, a database where employers with 5 or more teens on payroll register their business, and self-report the number of minor employees on payroll and their employment status, among other details. The database was launched after Indiana eliminated work permits and stripped the Department of Education of the oversight of child labor. (Indy Star) The vote in the senate: HB1302.252_S.pdf The vote in the House: HB1302.394_H.pdf
 
Education

Senate Bill 199. Various education matters. Senate Bill 199 directs the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to review programs whose graduates earn median wages below the average earnings of a high school graduate in Indiana — ranging roughly from $24,000 to $35,000 — and determine whether those programs should continue, be restructured or be consolidated. Opponents argued that the approach puts salaries over public value and risks destabilizing programs that still contribute to the state’s workforce. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

SB 88: Various education matters. Prior to being amended, SB 88 mandated that public school curriculum include instruction on the 10 Commandments, and restrictions on discussions about racism, sexism, and classism. This section has since been removed, but concerns remain: the bill mandates that schools include instruction on the importance of waiting until marriage to have children as part of being a “good citizen.” This is out of scope for a public school, and risks shaming students for their personal circumstances. The bills also mandates that colleges accept the Classic Learning Test (which emphasizes conservative content and Christian texts), in addition to the SAT and ACT. The CLT is used mostly by religious-affiliated private schools. It’s clear this bill is intended to elevate conservative, Christian perspectives within the public education sphere. It’s also worth noting that language within this bill is basically copy-paste from the Heritage Foundation, and did not originate from Hoosiers’ real concerns.

House Bill 1408. Education matters. Language from SB 199 to restrict social media use by those under age 16 was inserted at the last minute into this bill. In the final bill, social media providers meeting specific criteria must obtain “verifiable parental consent” before allowing an Indiana resident under 16 to create an account. Only social media platforms who meet certain criteria, such as $1 billion in revenue, will be required to comply. Read more atIndiana Capital Chronicle.

Environment

SB 277. Indiana Department of environmental management.  As if this bill weren’t bad enough, it was amended to add a loophole through which PFAS can flow freely. The amendment allows corporations to continue using PFAS chemicals, gives polluters a pass on toxins already found in Indiana’s water and wildlife, and makes it harder for IDEM to research and test most PFAS. Under SB 277, when faced with evidence of “imminent and substantial endangerment” to human health caused by pollution, the IDEM Commissioner would no longer be required to go to court to stop the pollution. That means, in contrast to the current law, the Commissioner will have the option to do nothing to protect Hoosiers’ health livelihoods. In addition to considering whether a state rule is “more stringent than” the applicable federal regulation, the IDEM Commissioner will now be legally required to consider whether that rule would be “burdensome” to the affected industry – but not Hoosiers’ health, livelihoods, or future. In short, SB 277 dismantles Indiana’s system of environmental management and makes enforcement of any remaining environmental protections essentially optional. (Hoosier Environmental Council)
This bill was authored by Sen. Rick Niemeyer, District 6; he is up for re-election in Nov.

Healthcare

SB 1. Human services matters. This bill imposes harsh administrative burdens on Medicaid and SNAP recipients and narrows program eligibility, compounding the harms of the Big Beautiful Bill.
This bill is a priority proposal for the chamber’s Republican caucus, would end Indiana’s expanded eligibility for SNAP, which allows those with slightly more assets to participate than under the federal baseline. That would push an estimated 3,000 households off the program, according to a fiscal analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency. Significantly tightens eligibility and administrative requirements for SNAP and Medicaid. Terminating “expanded categorical eligibility” (BBCE) means Indiana will revert to stricter federal income and asset limits, estimated to lead to significant benefit cuts or terminations for millions, including working families and seniors. Expands mandatory work or training requirements to age 64. Requires verification of immigration status and reporting of non-verified individuals. Moving from annual to semiannual (every 6 months) eligibility renewals increases the risk of “procedural” disenrollment, where eligible people lose coverage due to missed paperwork, as well as increases administrative burden and administrative costs. Other provisions would set legal status requirements for SNAP participants — but count all of the income and assets of ineligible immigrants toward their household’s eligibility determination and benefit allotment.

Immigration

SB 076 . Immigration matters. Mandates that Indiana law enforcement, post secondary schools, universities and local governments comply and cooperate with federal immigration authorities and agencies, including ICE, or be sued for $10,000 per violation.

Other
We oppose:
SB 285. Housing Matters. Criminalizes homelessness

HB 1343. Military or veteran affairs. Gov. Mike Braun would be able to deploy an Indiana National Guard unit with police powers anywhere in the state for any reason. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Some wins
HB 1177 Child care assistance. Expands the Indiana’s Employer Child Care Expenditure Credit to incentivize more businesses to provide child care benefits. Allows redevelopment commissions to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to provide financial assistance for the construction or expansion of child care facilities. This turns child care into a piece of local infrastructure, similar to roads or utilities, to attract businesses to specific districts.
 
HB 1036. Children in need services. Requires DCS to conduct an in-person assessment before closing an investigation involving a child who the department has reason to believe is a child in need of services (CHINS). That is, a situation where a minor faces abuse, neglect, abandonment, or poses a danger to themselves, and their parents can’t or won’t provide necessary care like food, shelter, medical help, or supervision.

SB 225. Hospital matters. Increases oversight of hospital business practices and protects patients from aggressive debt collection. Requires hospitals to provide advance notice of closure (120 days for entire hospital, 90 days for a service, like OBGYN department).
 
Passed both chambers of the legislature, but not yet signed into law. Let the governor know what you think.
Education
We oppose:
 
SB 200. Public school matters. Mandates that schools must allow “youth patriotic organizations” (currently limited to certain organizations as determined by the federal government, like FFA and the Boy and Girl Scouts) to provide information to students on school grounds at least two times per school year. If a school refuses this access, an organization may submit a grievance to the Indiana Department of Education. Schools found in violation of these access requirements may face a reduction in funding or other consequence. Here is why we’re concerned: If federal law changes to classify Turning Point as one of these eligible “youth patriotic” organizations, schools will effectively have their hands tied and be forced to work with them.
 
SB 239. Various education matters. Creates additional pathways for converting existing public schools into charter schools. Unlike public schools, charter schools don’t have elected school boards accountable to taxpayers and voters. They are also exempt from some regulations required of public schools and have a well-documented history of fraud and closure.
 
A win that still needs to be signed into law
SB 091 Syringe exchange program extension. Extends Indiana’s syringe exchange program until July 1, 2036, which has helped reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Without this extension, the program will expire.
 
Read more bills of concern and significance on our webpage: Indiana 2026 Legislative Session – Indivisible NWI
 
And remember these bills? You made your voice heard–& they failed. They would have

• banned abortion pills and created a citizen bounty system
• legally erased trans and nonbinary Hoosiers, mandated sex-segregated bathrooms and prohibited changes to birth certificate
• shortened the early voting window 
• allowed posting 10 commandments in classrooms?
• redistricted congressional seats mid-decade

In other news
The governor has signed Executive Order 26-06, It directs Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith to lead the Faith-Based Institutions Initiative, which will “promote collaboration between state government and faith-based partners” to assist in issues including addiction, helping facilitate prisoner reentry into society, and increasing civic engagement. (Indiana Public Media)
 
In a 5-2 vote, the Valparaiso City Council approved the resolution to condemn tactics by federal immigration enforcement agencies and recenter the importance of public safety during immigration arrests. (NWI Times)

To find and contact your Indiana legislators: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/