Senators

Chris Garten

Contact Information

200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 800-382-9467
or 317-232-9400
Email: Senator.Garten@iga.in.gov

Legislative Assistant:
Emma Garelick
Phone: 317-232-9840
Email: Emma.Garelick@iga.in.gov

Media Contact:
Kellyn Harrison
Phone: 317-232-9498
Email: Kellyn.Harrison@iga.in.gov

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Chris Garten

Majority Floor Leader

State Senator - District 45


Elected

Indiana State Senate, 2018 - Present 

Political Affiliation

Republican

Standing Committees

Joint Rules, Chair
Rules and Legislative Procedure, Ranking Member
Appropriations

Education

Scottsburg High School
Indiana University Southeast

Activities

• Scott County Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President
• One Southern Indiana Advocacy Council, Board Member
• Building & Development Association of Southern Indiana, Board Member
• Indiana Builders Association, Board Member
• Indiana Farm Bureau, Member
• Scott County Public Defender, Board Member
• National Federation of Independent Business, Member
• Marine Corps League, Member
• Indiana Sheriffs Association Benefactor
• American Legion, Member
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Life Member
• National Rifle Association (NRA), Life Member
• Scottsburg Kiwanis Club
• Youth Baseball Coach (multiple organizations and ages)
• Youth Basketball Coach (multiple organizations and ages)

Military

Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
Two tours in Iraq

Honors

• “James W. Robinson Young Professional of Year” 2017 Presented by One Southern Indiana

• “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” Awarded by the Indiana Southeast Business Development Center

• “Highest Award for Achievement” Awarded by the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course

• “20 Under 40” Awarded by Southern Indiana Business Source

• “Small Business of the Year” 2014 & 2016 Awarded by Scott County Chamber of Commerce

Occupation

Founder and President of Signature Countertops, Inc.

Religious Affiliation

Northside Christian Church

Personal

Married: Beth
Children: Hayden, Hudson, and Greyson

Counties Served

Clark County and portions of Floyd County

Chris Garten

Majority Floor Leader

State Senator - District 45

The legacy of Jack Sandlin

Jack lived a life worthy of considerable admiration as a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, police officer, state senator and proud Hoosier. more »

Statement from State Sen. Chris Garten on the passing of State Sen. Jack Sandlin

Senate Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) made the following statement regarding the passing of State Sen. Jack Sandlin (R-Indianapolis) more »

Garten: Indiana Senate Republicans offering paid internships

The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus is offering paid spring-semester internships in its communications, information technology, legal, legislative, page and policy offices during the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly, said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). more »

Lowering health care costs for Hoosiers

This task force will conduct a comprehensive review of Indiana's high health care costs in a number of ways, including examining the market share of Indiana's hospital and insurance space and hearing testimony from national experts and major stakeholders with extensive knowledge in this field. As we work toward a data-driven solution to lowering the price of high-quality health care, our state remains wholly committed to improving health care accessibility and affordability for Hoosiers. more »

Garten named 2023 Indiana State Police Alliance Legislator of the Year

The Indiana State Police Alliance (ISPA) recognized State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) as a 2023 Legislator of the Year at the Statehouse Thursday, Aug. 17. more »

Garten: Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force to hold first meeting

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 16, 2023) — The Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force will hold its first meeting in the Senate Chamber Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 1:30 p.m., said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), chair of the task force. more »

State Sen. Chris Garten to chair Health Care Oversight Task Force and Government Reform Task Force

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) will serve as chair of the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force, Government Reform Task Force and a Sales and Use Tax working group within the State and Local Tax Review Task Force and serve as a member of several other study committees in preparation for the 2024 legislative session. more »

Garten: Senate Republicans' 2023 budget priority to increase pay for Indiana State Police troopers now in effect

A Senate Republican budget priority, spearheaded by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), to increase the salary and improve the pay matrix for Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers went into effect July 1. more »

Statement from State Sen. Chris Garten

Senate Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) made the following statement regarding the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session: more »

Garten: Bill mandating divestment from Chinese Communist Party interests signed into law

A bill authored by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) that protects Hoosier investments was signed into law by the governor. more »

Sen. Garten welcomes local students to Statehouse

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) welcomed the following local students to the Statehouse who served as Senate pages in March and April. more »

Sen. Garten welcomes local students to Statehouse

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) welcomed the following local students to the Statehouse who served as Senate pages in February. more »

Garten: Bill mandating divestment from Chinese Communist Party interests passes Senate

A bill authored by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) that would protect Hoosier investments unanimously passed the Senate today with bipartisan support. more »

Garten: Bill to provide small businesses tax relief signed by the governor

A Senate Republican priority bill authored by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) and State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) that provides tax relief to Indiana small businesses was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb today. more »

Garten recognizes Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council

Garten recognizes Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) welcomes the Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council (ILYAC) to the Statehouse Tuesday, Jan. 31. more »

Garten: Bill mandating divestment from Chinese Communist Party interests passes committee unanimously

A bill authored by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) that would protect Hoosier investments passed the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor this week by a bipartisan vote of 10-0. more »

Garten to spearhead caucus efforts to increase compensation for Indiana State Police

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) will be spearheading efforts to increase compensation for the Indiana State Police (ISP) this session. more »

Garten appointed to Indiana State Budget Committee

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) to serve on the Indiana State Budget Committee. more »

Garten appointed to Senate committees

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) to serve on three committees for the 123rd Indiana General Assembly. more »

Garten: Applications available for Indiana Senate Page Program

The Indiana Senate is now accepting applications for the 2023 Senate Page Program. State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) is encouraging students from Senate District 45 to apply. more »

Garten: General Assembly kicks off 2023 session

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) today gathered with fellow legislators at the Statehouse for Organization Day – the ceremonial start of the 123rd Indiana General Assembly. more »

Senate Republicans announce leadership team for 123rd General Assembly

The Indiana Senate Majority Caucus met today in Indianapolis to elect its leadership team for the 123rd General Assembly. more »

Garten: Indiana Senate Republicans offering paid internships

The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus is offering paid spring-semester internships in its communications, information technology, legal, legislative, page and policy offices during the 2023 session of the Indiana General Assembly, said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). more »

State Sen. Chris Garten to vice chair Administrative Rules Task Force

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) will serve as vice chair of the Administrative Rules Review Task Force in preparation for the 2023 legislative session. more »

Bray appoints State Sen. Chris Garten Senate Majority Floor Leader

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 17, 2022) — Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) today announced he has appointed State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) Majority Floor Leader of the Senate Majority Caucus. more »

Garten: $18 million in rural broadband grants awarded locally

STATEHOUSE (April 21, 2022) — Rural broadband projects in Senate District 45 will receive a total of $18,420,905.87 to improve broadband connectivity through the third round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). more »

Garten: Communities in Senate District 45 receive more than $4 million in road-funding grants

STATEHOUSE (April 20, 2022) — Communities in Senate District 45 will receive more than $4 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG), said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). more »

Garten: Local farms honored at the Statehouse

STATEHOUSE (April 5, 2022) – Area legislators today announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. more »

Sen. Garten welcomes local students to Statehouse

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 9, 2022) – State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) welcomed the following local students to the Statehouse who served as Senate pages in January. more »

Garten: General Assembly kicks off 2022 session

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 16, 2021) — State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charleston) gathered with fellow legislators today at the Statehouse for Organization Day – the ceremonial start of the Indiana General Assembly. more »

Veterans are receiving increased funds through SEA 316

In the 2021 session, I championed Senate Enrolled Act 316, which has allowed more military families to receive grants through the Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) by expanding the number of veterans who are eligible for the Fund. more »

Indiana Senate Republicans urge IU to rescind mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy

Members of the Indiana Senate Republican Caucus today sent a letter to Indiana University President Michael McRobbie urging the University to reconsider and rescind the policy mandating all students and staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine. more »

Bill to improve local government accountability passes Senate

A bill authored by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) that would establish an appeals process for Hoosiers to contest local health orders issued during a state-declared emergency passed the Senate today. more »

Garten appointed to key Senate committees

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) to serve in numerous key leadership roles during the 122nd Indiana General Assembly. more »

Communities in Senate District 45 receive more than $6.5 million in road-funding grants

Communities in Senate District 45 will receive more than $6.5 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). more »

State Sen. Chris Garten named Assistant Caucus Chair

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) was recently appointed Assistant Majority Caucus Chair by Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville). more »

Garten: Local farms honored with Hoosier Homestead Award

Area legislators recently announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. more »

Garten: Applications available for Indiana Senate Page Program

Garten: Applications available for Indiana Senate Page Program

The Indiana Senate is now accepting applications for the 2020 Senate Page Program. more »

Garten: General Assembly kicks off 2020 session

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) gathered with fellow legislators yesterday at the Statehouse for Organization Day – the ceremonial start of the Indiana General Assembly. more »

Dale Crafton Receives State’s Highest Honor

Dale Crafton Receives State’s Highest Honor

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), along with Gov. Eric Holcomb, presented Hanover resident Dale Crafton with a Sagamore of the Wabash Award in the governor’s office Monday, Oct. 21. more »

Garten: Communities in Senate District 45 receive nearly $3.9 million in road-funding grants

Communities in Senate District 45 will receive nearly $3.9 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG), said State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). more »

Local farms honored at State Fair

Area legislators today announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. more »

Statement from State Sen. Chris Garten

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) made the following statement today on the governor’s announcement of rural broadband grant recipients more »

Garten joins Gov. Holcomb for ceremonial bill signing

Garten joins Gov. Holcomb for ceremonial bill signing

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) joins Gov. Eric Holcomb, State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), River Ridge Executive Director Jerry Acy and One Southern Indiana CEO Wendy Chesser at the Statehouse Thursday, June 27, for the ceremonial signing of legislation Garten authored during his first session. more »

State Sen. Chris Garten to host town hall meeting

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) will host a town hall meeting with State Sen. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Clarksville Branch of the Jeffersonville Township Public Library to discuss the 2019 legislative session. more »

Chris Garten

State Senator - District 45

2023 Summary of New Laws - Sen. Garten

2023 Summary of New Laws - Sen. GartenDownload

Chris Garten

State Senator - District 45

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