FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATEHOUSE (March 26, 2026) — State Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) achieved a perfect 100% voting record for the 2026 legislative session. The 100% record reflects Tomes' attendance during session, never missing a vote taken on the Senate floor.
"Throughout session and the interim, I am always answering calls and emails from constituents in my district who are expressing their concerns and asking for my help," Tomes said. "With this in mind, I show up to each vote to ensure their voices are heard during important decisions as the senator they elected to represent them at the Statehouse. It is an honor to continue to serve the people of Senate District 49, and I don't take their trust in me for granted."
The following are just some of the new laws Tomes supported in the 2026 session.
Protecting shooting ranges
Senate Enrolled Act 176, authored by Tomes, prohibits a county, city or town from using planning and zoning powers to effectively prohibit the use, maintenance and expansion of shooting ranges. The bill maintains that these ranges and any future improvements are permitted use if they comply with applicable building and safety regulations.
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.
Tomes encourages constituents to contact him by filling out a Contact Me form online at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Tomes or by calling 800-382-9468.
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Contact: Samantha Deese, Press Secretary
Samantha.Deese@iga.in.gov
317-234-9133
