Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Indiana General Assembly concluded the 2026 legislative session last week with Senate Republicans successfully championing government reform, public safety and fiscal discipline measures.
As states across the nation face billions of dollars of welfare fraud, Indiana Senate Republicans remain dedicated to rooting out waste, fraud and abuse and protecting benefits for the Hoosiers who need them most.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 is Indiana's latest effort to catch bad actors and preserve programs like SNAP and Medicaid for needy Hoosier families. This bill would increase eligibility checks for these public assistance programs by requiring the state government to verify the immigration status of people applying for Medicaid and SNAP, stopping illegal immigrants from receiving Hoosiers' benefits.
SEA 1 also builds upon work done by Senate Republicans during the 2025 legislative session to reform Medicaid by including a work requirement for able-bodied, working-age adults, and improving verification of recipients' eligibility.
Senate Republicans also focused on protecting the public. Many states allow the most dangerous suspects to be held without bail, but currently, the Indiana Constitution only allows a person to be held without bail in the very limited circumstances of murder and treason.
Senate Joint Resolution 1 seeks to amend the Indiana Constitution by letting judges deny bail to those deemed a substantial threat to public safety. To pass this amendment, a question will go on the November ballot this year, where a majority of Hoosiers must vote in favor of the amendment for it to become part of the Indiana Constitution.
Senate Republicans were also focused on helping keep more money in Hoosiers' pockets. Two key pieces of legislation focused on tax cuts and utility bills to accomplish this goal.
House Enrolled Act 1002 creates the biggest electric ratemaking shift in over 100 years. These changes promote affordability, predictable monthly bills and service reliability for utilities.
Senate Enrolled Act 243 eliminates taxes on tips, overtime and loan interest on American-made vehicles, which is expected to help Hoosiers save up to $237 million on their 2026 state and local taxes.
While the 2026 legislative session has ended, senators will continue to work for Hoosiers in the months ahead as they begin preparing for the 2027 legislative session.
