New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Reps. Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
“Most of the legislation we passed is the direct result of input from our constituents who reached out to legislators for solutions,” VanNatter said. “From additional tax relief to boosting school safety across the state, these new laws will go a long way to help support our communities.”
Under the state’s newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana’s K-12 spending makes up about half of the state’s $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
“This session, we were able to tackle many of the issues that matter most to our communities,” Genda said. “From accelerating income tax cuts to investing in mental health services, these new state laws will make Indiana stronger.”
Genda and VanNatter also highlighted the following new laws passed during the recent session, which took effect at the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year on July 1:
Providing Tax Relief for Homeowners
Property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took actions to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
Improving Mental Health Services
To increase access and availability of quality care, Genda said Indiana will launch a new statewide infrastructure for mental health services through House Enrolled Act 1001, including expanding the number of behavioral health clinics. The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline will expand through Senate Enrolled Act 1 to ensure Hoosiers in crisis have someone to call, somewhere to go and someone to respond during an emergency.
VanNatter said Indiana’s successful school safety program that has helped to increase security at over 400 schools across the state will be significantly expanded. More schools will receive help covering the costs of much-needed technology upgrades to have better coordination with local government and law enforcement.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.