Wireless communication device policy. Amends definitions, requirements, restrictions, and exceptions regarding wireless communication device policies adopted and implemented by school corporations and charter schools. Requires the department of education to publish model policy language and implementation guidance. Provides that, with exceptions, a school corporation, a school maintained by a school corporation, and a charter school, including school personnel, are immune from civil liability for any actions taken in good faith to comply with the school's wireless communication device policy.

IN SB0078 2026

Indiana Classroom Mandate Act

Immigration matters. Provides that if a law enforcement officer, governmental body, or postsecondary educational institution is made a party to a civil suit and the attorney general determines that the suit has arisen out of certain immigration matters, the attorney general may defend the law enforcement officer, the governmental body, or the postsecondary educational institution if representation is requested and the actions subject to the suit do not violate federal or state law. Provides that the prohibition on governmental bodies or postsecondary educational institutions limiting or restricting the enforcement of federal immigration law applies regardless of whether the enforcement related activity is carried out by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency. Removes the mens rea standard in the statute concerning governmental bodies or postsecondary institutions violating the citizenship and immigration status information and enforcement of federal laws chapter. Provides that if the attorney general determines that probable cause exists that a governmental entity has not complied with certain requests, the attorney general may bring a court action to: (1) enjoin an act or practice constituting a violation; (2) impose a civil penalty for noncompliance; and (3) and obtain other such relief as is necessary. Provides that before bringing an action against a county jail for certain violations, the attorney general shall consult with the department of correction concerning the most recent inspection report and provide the county jail with notice of the attorney general's probable cause determination. Provides that a governmental body that has the custody of an individual who is the subject of an immigration detainer request shall: (1) provide the judge authorized to grant or deny the individual's release on bail notice that the individual is subject to an immigration detainer request; (2) record in the individual's case file that the individual is subject to an immigration detainer request; (3) comply with the immigration detainer request; and (4) inform the individual that the individual is being held pursuant to an immigration detainer request. Provides immunity to a governmental body or an employee of a governmental body for any action taken concerning an immigration detainer request as long as the action does not violate federal or civil law. Requires a judge who receives notice that an individual is subject to an immigration detainer request to ensure that the notice of the immigration detainer request is recorded in the court's record. Provides that the department of correction shall, in consultation with the attorney general, identify options for training concerning minimum standards for county jails. Provides that compliance with certain standards and the results of an inspection do not preclude and are not a defense to the attorney general bringing an action under IC 5-2-18.2. Provides that the department shall submit to the state budget committee status update reports. Requires the office of the secretary to submit a report to the legislative council concerning certain immigration matters. Provides that each hospital shall, not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each calendar quarter, file with the state department beginning January 1, 2027, in cases where Medicaid is the patient's payor, the form of identification, if any, used by the patient when the patient was admitted. Specifies that it is unlawful for an employer to knowingly or intentionally recruit, hire, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien in Indiana. Allows the attorney general to bring an enforcement action against an employer if the attorney general determines that probable cause exists that the employer has violated certain recruitment and hiring restrictions concerning an unauthorized alien. Prohibits an employer from discharging or discriminating against an employee because the employee communicated or cooperated with the attorney general.Provides that indecent nuisance means a place in which human trafficking is conducted and is not limited to a public place. Provides that a governmental entity that employs a prosecuting official is entitled to investigative costs, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in an indecent nuisance action if the existence of an indecent nuisance is admitted or established in the action. Makes technical changes.

IN SB0076 2026

Indiana Immigration Enforcement & E-Verify for Employers

Scanning ballots. Specifies a process by which certain counties may scan voted optical scan ballot cards during the early voting period and on election day without using secrecy envelopes. Makes conforming amendments. Reduces the period during which in person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office from 28 days to a 16 day period ending at noon on the day before election day.

IN HB1359 2026

Early Voting Reform Act

Redistricting. Allows the general assembly to amend congressional districts at a time other than the first regular session of the general assembly convening immediately following the United States decennial census. Specifies requirements that apply to any action challenging the apportionment of congressional districts or general assembly districts. Establishes new Indiana congressional districts. Provides for expiration of the current congressional districts on the date of the 2026 general election. Specifies that for purposes of the 2026 primary and general election, a precinct may cross the boundary of a congressional district. Requires the election division to assist each county voter registration office with the implementation of this act. Makes technical and necessary changes in related statutes.

IN HB1032 2025

Redistricting

Quantum research tax incentives. Amends the state sales and use tax exemption for data centers to include projects for investments in a quantum computing research, advanced computing, and defense infrastructure network that result in a minimum qualified investment within five years of at least $50,000,000.

IN HB1601 2025

The Quantum Carveout Act

Immigration notice. Provides that if a law enforcement officer arrests an individual for a felony or a misdemeanor and there is probable cause to believe that the individual is not lawfully present in the United States, the jail or detention facility shall notify the county sheriff of the probable cause during the individual's intake process, and the county sheriff shall notify the proper authority.

IN HB1393 2025

Criminal Alien Notification Act

Voter registration. Specifies that proof of identification may not include a document issued by an educational institution. Requires a county voter registration office to perform voter list maintenance within 48 hours of receiving information that requires  voter list maintenance activity.  Clarifies the circumstances under which an individual may be removed from the computerized list. Requires a county voter registration office to conduct a voter list maintenance program concerning a voter who has not cast a vote in the two most recent general elections. Repeals obsolete provisions concerning a memorandum of understanding with the Kansas Secretary of State. Requires the secretary of state to contact each state to request that the state or a group of states execute an agreement to share certain information concerning voter information for the purpose of maintaining the statewide voter registration list. Requires the secretary of state to take certain actions with respect to these agreements and the information exchanged. Provides that a voter's consular report of birth abroad (CRBA) is proof of citizenship. Requires a local health officer to share certain records concerning all deaths, including all death certificates, within that officer's jurisdiction with the county voter registration office on a quarterly basis.

IN SB0010 2025

Voter ID & Citizenship Verification

Absentee ballot retraction. Requires a county election board to test certain voting machines to ensure that an absentee ballot can be retracted before tabulation of the ballot if the ballot is required to be rejected. Requires the public test of a voting system to test whether a rejected ballot is retracted. Voids a March 25, 2022, advisory opinion adopted by the Indiana election commission. Provides that, to be approved by the Indiana election commission for use in Indiana, a voting system must meet certain standards of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines adopted by the United States Election Assistance Commission on February 10, 2021. Allows a county to continue to use an optical scan ballot card voting system or an electronic voting system if certain matters concerning the voting system were approved before October 1, 2025. Allows a voting system to include a retraction feature concerning certain votes cast on absentee ballots.

IN SB0526 2025

Indiana Voting Machine Testing & Absentee Ballot Security

E-sports industry development study. Requires the Indiana economic development corporation to study methods and strategies to allow Indiana to become a leader in the development of the e-sports industry and to submit a report on the results of the study to the governor and the general assembly.

IN HB1608 2025

E-sports industry development study.

State educational institution matters. Amends the duties of state educational institutions' diversity committees. Provides that certain offices or individuals established or employed by a state educational institution (institution) regarding diversity programming must include within the mission of the office or position programming that substantially promotes both cultural and intellectual diversity. Establishes various requirements and restrictions for institutions regarding free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity that does the following: (1) Requires the establishment of certain policies regarding: (A) disciplinary actions for certain persons that materially and substantially disrupt protected expressive activity; (B) limiting or restricting the granting of tenure or a promotion if certain conditions related to free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity are not met; and (C) disciplinary actions that will be taken if, after a review, a determination has been made that a tenured faculty member has failed to meet certain criteria related to free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity. (2) Requires the review and consideration, at least every five years, of certain criteria related to free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity. (3) Requires the establishment of a procedure that allows students and employees to submit complaints that a faculty member or contractor is not meeting certain criteria related to free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity and establishes requirements regarding the procedure and submitted complaints. (4) Establishes consideration requirements before an institution renews an employment agreement or other contract with, makes a bonus decision regarding, or completes a review or performance assessment of a faculty member or contractor. (5) Prohibits requiring an applicant, employee, or contractor to pledge allegiance to or make a statement of personal support for: (A) certain policies or actions; or (B) political or ideological movements. (6) Establishes restrictions regarding awarding admission, enrollment, employment, benefits, hiring, reappointment, promotion, or granting tenure to an applicant, employee, or contractor on the basis of the viewpoints expressed in a submitted pledge or statement. (7) Requires certain information be included in an institution's programming for new students. (8) Requires the adoption of a statement on neutrality that makes a distinction between the official positions of an institution from the individual viewpoints of the institution's employees, contractors, students, and alumni. (9) Allows the commission for higher education (commission) to establish a survey that attempts to collect information from students regarding the current perceptions of whether free speech and academic freedom are recognized and fostered by an institution in a manner that welcomes expression of different opinions and ideologies and requires an institution to promote and provide the survey to students. (10) Establishes various reporting requirements by institutions or the commission concerning complaints submitted regarding faculty members or contractors who are not meeting certain criteria related to free inquiry, free expression, and intellectual diversity. (11) Provides that certain individuals may request the commission to review a final decision by an institution concerning a violation of these provisions. Provides that the commission may enter into an agreement with the office of administrative law proceedings to review violations of certain provisions and issue an opinion on behalf of the commission. Requires each institution to submit certain information by September 1, 2024, and on September 1 of each year thereafter.

IN SB0202 2024

Indiana Higher Education Free Speech & Anti-DEI

Release for religious instruction. Requires a principal to allow a student to attend religious instruction conducted by certain entities following the principal's receipt of written notice from the student's parent.

IN HB1137 2024

Supporting Religious Education for Students

Administrative authority; COVID-19 immunizations. Allows the secretary of family and social services (secretary) to issue a waiver of human services statutory provisions and administrative rules if the secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to claim certain enhanced federal matching funds available to the Medicaid program. Allows the secretary to issue an emergency declaration for purposes of participating in specified authorized federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments. Requires the secretary to prepare and submit any waivers or emergency declarations to the budget committee. Allows the state health commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designated public health authority to issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least five years old (current law limits the age for the commissioner's issuance of standing orders, prescriptions, and protocols for individuals who are at least 11 years old). Defines "Indiana governmental entity" and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if the individual has complied with the requirements for seeking an exemption from an employer's COVID-19 immunization requirements and was discharged from employment for failing or refusing to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.

Vernon Smith

Indiana | District 14

37.50

Lifetime Key Issues Score

Learn More About Vernon Smith

American Culture

N/A

Big Tech & Free Speech

100.00%

Border Security

00.00%

Election Integrity

25.00%

Educational Freedom

50.00%

Second Amendment

N/A

Health & Medical Freedom

100.00%

Taxes and Spending

00.00%

Votes

Vote Key

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Bill	TPAction Position	Smithposition	Comments	Year
IN SB0078 2026	Y	NV	Indiana Classroom Mandate Act	2026
IN SB0076 2026	Y	N	Indiana Immigration Enforcement & E-Verify for Employers	2026
IN HB1359 2026	Y	N	Early Voting Reform Act	2026
IN HB1032 2025	Y	N	Redistricting	2025
IN HB1601 2025	N	N	The Quantum Carveout Act	2025
IN HB1393 2025	Y	N	Criminal Alien Notification Act	2025
IN SB0010 2025	Y	N	Voter ID & Citizenship Verification	2025
IN SB0526 2025	Y	Y	Indiana Voting Machine Testing & Absentee Ballot Security	2025
IN HB1608 2025	N	Y	E-sports industry development study.	2025
IN SB0202 2024	Y	N	Indiana Higher Education Free Speech & Anti-DEI	2024
IN HB1137 2024	Y	Y	Supporting Religious Education for Students	2024
IN HB1001 2022	Y	Y	COVID-19 Employer Vaccine Mandate Exemptions	2022

RioSlum Studio

37.50

Lifetime Key Issues Score

Learn More About Vernon Smith

American Culture

N/A

Big Tech & Free Speech

100.00%

Border Security

00.00%

Election Integrity

25.00%

Educational Freedom

50.00%

Second Amendment

N/A

Health & Medical Freedom

100.00%

Taxes and Spending

00.00%

Votes

Vote Key

DONATE