Small and rural communities across Indiana are key to our identity as a state. From family farms to main street festivals, our rural areas are the source of a lot of Hoosier pride and hospitality. That's why I consistently support laws that help these communities.

Protecting farmland, water

To preserve Hoosier farmland, I supported a 2024 law that prohibits the purchase of land within 10 miles of a military base or the purchase of any farmland by citizens and companies of foreign nations officially recognized as America's adversaries, some of which include Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

Indiana is fortunate to have abundant natural resources – like water – that play a vital role in our state's success. To protect those resources, I supported a law that ensures our state's water supply is managed properly and restricts the ability of big corporations to use too much of a community's water.

Expanding access to health care in rural communities

Recognizing the unique needs of rural communities, I have supported laws that protect and expand access to health care in rural parts of the state.

For example, a new 2026 law requires medical students in Indiana to do a rotation working in a rural community. Hopefully, this law will spur more of our doctors in training to choose to practice in our small towns. Another recent law prevents large hospital networks from making anti-competitive contracts with insurers that put our rural hospitals at a financial disadvantage.

Restoring property rights

In recent years, Senate Republicans have heard loud and clear from property owners who were feeling micromanaged by the government.

Landmark legislation from 2024, which I supported, updated Indiana laws to make sure property owners can use their land without overly burdensome regulation. HEA 1383 ensures significant wetlands are protected in Indiana, but without needlessly driving up the cost of buying a home, operating a business or farming. The law also gives property owners more options to mitigate development of an isolated wetland.

Hoosier property owners – especially farmers – have also expressed frustration with what they feel is government micromanagement of drainage activities on their land, which is why I joined Senate Republicans in leading the way on updating, clarifying and simplifying those laws.

Finally, another 2024 law updated the way the Department of Natural Resources makes determinations and communicates with property owners about floodplain status, in order to give property owners more transparency about regulations that could affect their land.

Fostering economic prosperity

Smaller rural communities have unique economic development needs. In recognition of this, I have consistently supported economic development in our small towns.

This includes creating a state Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation to support small businesses, creating a state revolving loan fund to make it easier for rural communities to invest in new housing development, and providing tens of millions of dollars in economic-development projects through the READI Grant program.

I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments by filling out a "Contact Me" form online or by phone at 800-382-9467.