Jan. 12, 2026, 6:05 a.m. ET
The 2026 legislative session is off to a rapid second start.
Though the session officially started in December when lawmakers considered and rejected mid-decade redistricting, the General Assembly picked up its normal course of business on Jan. 5. With two weeks already spent in December, leaders are aiming to wrap up unusually quickly, by the end of February.
A number of bills got some action the first week, from a bell-to-bell school cell phone ban to a criminalization of doxing ― an homage to the threats and intimidation lawmakers received over the redistricting drama. Here’s where things stand on the most consequential bills that were heard in committee the week of Jan. 5.
Senate Bill 78: Cell phone ban
Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond
What it does: The bill would ban cell phones and smart watches for students during the entire school day, rather than just during instructional time as current law states.
Status: Passed the Senate education committee on Jan. 7 by a 12-1 vote.
Senate Bill 199: Social media use by minors
Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond
What it does: Among other things, the bill would require social media companies to obtain written parental permission for their child under 18 years old to have an account.
Status: The Senate education committee heard the bill on Jan. 7 but did not take a vote.
House Bill 1343: Militarizing the Indiana National Guard
Lead author: Rep. Steve Bartels, R-Eckerty
What it does: Buried within a number of other veterans matters, the bill authorizes the adjutant general to give police powers to members of the Indiana National Guard during state active duty.
Status: Passed the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety on Jan. 8 by aundefined
Senate Bill 76: Immigration
Lead author: Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne
What it does:The bill would require law enforcement agencies to hold immigrants for up to 48 hours if requested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prohibit employers from “recklessly” hiring undocumented immigrants and penalize universities or government bodies who limit immigration enforcement.
Status: Passed out of the Senate judiciary committee on Dec. 9 by a 6-2 vote.
Senate Bill 140: Doxing
Lead author: Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville
What it does: The bill would make doxing ― posting publicly someone’s personal information as a retaliatory threat ― a misdemeanor or felony, depending on whether the act led to the targeted person being harmed.
Status: The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard the bill on Jan. 6 but did not take a vote.
House Bill 1078: Online lottery
Lead author: Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport
What it does: The bill would legalize an iLottery in Indiana, allowing lottery tickets to be sold online.
Status: Passed the House public policy committee on Jan. 6 by a 9-3 vote.
Senate Bill 11: Execution by firing squard
Lead author: Sen. Mike Young, R-Indianapolis
What it does: The bill would legalize execution by firing squad in death penalty cases if lethal injection drugs are unavailable, or if the inmate chooses death by firing squad.
Status: The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard testimony on the bill but has not yet taken a vote.
Senate Bill 161: Low-earning degrees
Lead author: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond
What it does:The bill would deny grants and scholarships administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to college degree programs that don’t provide a sufficient return on investment for graduates. It’s based off a similar provision in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which blocks federal student loans and other aid from “low earning” degrees.
Status: The Senate education committee heard the bill on Jan. 7 but did not take a vote.
House Bill 1137: Ultraprocessed food and beverages
Lead author: Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis
What it does: The bill would ban public and charter schools that participate in federally funded or assisted meal programs from selling, or allowing a third-party to sell, “ultraprocessed” food and beverages. The term is defined in the bill as a food or beverage that contain ingredients off a list of 13 chemicals and food dyes. That would include food items like Fruity Pebbles or nacho cheese Doritos.
Status: The House Education Committee heard testimony on the bill but did not vote on it.
Senate Bill 21: Pork tenderloin state sandwich
Lead author: Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen
What it does: The bill would designate the pork tenderloin as the official state sandwich.
Status: Passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology on Jan. 8.
Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17.
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.
