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Walker achieves 99% voting record in Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEHOUSE (March 24, 2026) —State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus) achieved a 99.7% voting record for the 2026 legislative session. This record reflects Walker's stellar attendance during session.

"The most important part of a legislator's job is showing up and being the voice of our constituents," Walker said. "Every issue means something to someone, and that is why I make it a point to be on the Senate floor, listening to debate, understanding the bills and casting an informed vote. I am here to be the voice for Senate District 41, and I take that responsibility very seriously."

The following are just some of the new laws Walker supported in the 2026 session.

Protecting young Hoosiers and families in the DCS system
Several new laws came through the Senate Committee of Family and Children Services, which Walker chairs, to improve the Department of Child Services systems and better protect and support children and families in the foster care system.

  • Senate Enrolled Act 15 creates and publishes 'the foster youth bill of rights.'
  • Senate Enrolled Act 171 strengthens the pathway for children in crisis within the DCS system to find a permanent loving home.
  • House Enrolled Act 1257 better protects Hoosier children in the Department of Child Services system by adding legislative oversight mechanisms to the policies of DCS to prevent future tragedies in Indiana.
  • House Enrolled Act 1036 requires in-person contact when abuse is suspected before an assessment or court case may be closed.
  • House Enrolled Act 1357 strengthens the background check requirements for employees working in child welfare and placement settings.
  • House Enrolled Act 1307 tightens the requirements for the ombudsman of the DCS office, who investigates, mediates and resolves complaints regarding DCS actions.
  • House Enrolled Act 1018 strengthens Indiana's school age child care grant by allowing funds to be used for transportation costs, including after school and summer programs.

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.

Walker encourages constituents to contact him by filling out a Contact Me form online at IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Greg-Walker or by calling 800-382-9468.

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State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus) represents Senate District 41, which includes portions of Bartholomew and Johnson counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

Contact: Kristen Gorski, Press Secretary
Kristen.Gorski@iga.in.gov
317-232-9539