FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEHOUSE (March 24, 2026) — State Sen. Dan Dernulc (R-Highland) achieved a 99% voting record for the 2026 legislative session. This record reflects Dernulc's stellar attendance during session.
"As your state senator, I take great pride in every vote that I participate in at the Statehouse," Dernulc said. "I was sent there to represent my constituents in Senate District 1. Every decision I make at the Statehouse is for them, and I put a lot of thought and effort into making informed votes in the Senate. This is the most important part of a legislator’s job, and that is why I do my best to be present to vote every day in session."
The following are just some of the new laws Dernulc supported in the 2026 session.
Preventing human trafficking and child grooming
Senate Enrolled Act 119, authored by Dernulc, adds more specific facilities, locations and events to the list of restricted places where convicted child predators cannot enter, attend or work. It also provides that if a person repeatedly contacts a child about inappropriate sexual behavior, or with the intent to make the child less resistant to inappropriate sexual behavior in the future, that person has committed sexual grooming and will be charged accordingly.
Prevent waste, fraud and abuse
Senate Enrolled Act 1, Senate Republicans' top priority, will help prevent waste, fraud and abuse in Indiana's SNAP and Medicaid programs by increasing eligibility checks for public assistance programs. It also requires the state government to verify the citizenship or immigration status of people applying for Medicaid and SNAP to help prevent illegal immigrants from claiming benefits and preserve the integrity of the program for the Hoosiers who need it most.
Improve public safety
Senate Joint Resolution 1 seeks to amend Indiana's constitution so judges can hold arrestees without bail if there is no way to release them without threatening the safety of the public. While most states already allow judges to deny bail for dangerous suspects, current Indiana law only allows bail to be withheld in instances of murder and treason. Under Indiana's constitutional amendment process, Hoosier voters will have a chance to vote on SJR 1 on this November's ballot. Senate Enrolled Act 2 is a companion law that will guarantee all arrestees have legal protections like the right to an attorney at their bail hearing, the right to present evidence and the right to have their bail set in a timely manner.
No taxes on tips, overtime
Senate Enrolled Act 243 couples Indiana's tax code to the federal tax code regarding no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and no tax on loan interest for American-made vehicles in 2026. This means Hoosier workers will benefit from those same tax cuts passed in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill on their state taxes. These cuts are estimated to save Hoosiers up to $237 million on their state and local taxes this year.
Lower utility rates
House Enrolled Act 1002 is the biggest change to Indiana's ratemaking process in over 100 years, changing from a fee-for-service model to a performance-based ratemaking model. HEA 1002 will ensure electric utilities promote affordability, predictable monthly bills and reliable service by tying the amount utilities can collect to the quality of service they provide to customers.
Dernulc encourages constituents to contact him by filling out a Contact Me form online at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Dernulc or by calling 800-382-9468.
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State Sen. Dan Dernulc (R-Highland) represents Senate District 1, which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Kristen Gorski, Press Secretary
Kristen.Gorski@iga.in.gov
317-232-9539
