Around the House

Interim study committees will soon meet as lawmakers begin reviewing key policy issues and gathering input ahead of the 2027 legislative session. These groups meet throughout the summer and fall to study a wide range of topics, hear from experts and consider recommendations that may shape future legislation. State Reps. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) and Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) discuss how their committees will evaluate judicial priorities and address infrastructure and transportation demands while developing solutions.

Several new laws passed during the 2026 legislative session took effect July 1. State Reps. David Abbott (R-Rome City) and Craig Snow (R-Winona Lake) talk about bolstering public safety, cutting taxes for working Hoosiers, supporting farmers and small businesses and protecting Hoosier children.

Many parents and families are concerned about the impact of social media on Hoosier kids. Hear from State Reps. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) and Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) about a new law that empowers parents and protects students online.

A new law addresses energy affordability and prioritizes Hoosier ratepayers. Hear from State Reps. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-Noblesville), Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) and Dave Hall (R-Norman) as they discuss legislation aimed at reducing energy costs on this week's Around the House.

This year, legislators passed a new law prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices during the school day. State Reps. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) and Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) describe how this new law will help Hoosier learners.

Indiana recently expanded a state website to help Hoosiers compare healthcare prices and quality. Hear from State Reps. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) and Tony Isa (R-Angola) on this week's episode of Around the House.

New laws are strengthening support for foster youth and families across the state. Hear from State Reps. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) and Dale DeVon (R-Granger) on this week's episode.

State Reps. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) and Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) discuss the significance of the Indianapolis 500, Indiana's growing leadership in sports tourism, economic development and the traditions that make Memorial Day weekend special in the Hoosier State.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, lawmakers are highlighting a new law that strengthens transparency, supports patients and aims to improve outcomes at mental health and addiction recovery centers. State Reps. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) and Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) discuss how these reforms support Hoosiers seeking mental health and addiction recovery services.

State Reps. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) and Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) discuss Indiana adding nearly 39,000 residents last year, outpacing all neighboring states and the national average in population growth.

May is Military Appreciation Month, and Indiana lawmakers are backing up their gratitude with action. Hear from State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) about new laws that support Hoosier veterans and their families.

The State Budget Committee recently allocated an additional $200 million for the Child Care and Development Fund to expand access to child care for low-income families. Hear State Reps. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) and Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) discuss the legislation that made this funding possible.

More than 400 Hoosier schools were recently honored at the Statehouse for achieving a 95% or higher passage rate on the 2025 IREAD test. State Reps. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) and Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) discuss this achievement and how this trend is a positive step for Indiana's future.

House Republicans are raising awareness about the increase in phishing scams targeting Hoosiers and highlighting current laws aimed at strengthening consumer protections. State Reps. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) and Andrew Ireland (R-Indianapolis) discuss how to spot these scams and what steps to take to stay protected.

Indiana House Republicans recently passed new laws that modernize the state's approach to digital assets and protect consumers.

House Republicans took steps this legislative session to add protections for Hoosier students on social media and to keep them on task during the school day. State Reps. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) and Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) discuss these new laws and why they're important for our youth on the latest edition of Around the House.

Indiana lawmakers passed legislation during the 2026 legislative session to support workers and strengthen oversight of state programs. New policies eliminate the state income tax on tips and overtime so workers can keep more of what they earn. Lawmakers also approved reforms to improve accountability in Indiana’s Medicaid program and ensure it remains sustainable for those who rely on it. State Reps. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) and Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) discuss how these changes support Hoosier workers while protecting taxpayer dollars.

Indiana House Republicans are highlighting their Statehouse internship program through the students who experienced it firsthand. Our interns share what they learned, the relationships they built and why they recommend the program to other students interested in government and public service.

The 2026 legislative session has officially ended, and all House Republican priority bills have either been signed into law by the governor or await his signature to become law. Listen as State Reps. Alaina Shonkwiler (R-Noblesville) and Matt Lehman (R-Berne) highlight how these laws will lower costs for Hoosier families and reduce government bureaucracy.

In this episode of Around the House, Indiana House Republicans spotlight a provision in House Bill 1210 to expand property tax relief for Hoosier veterans and their families. State Reps. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) and Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) discuss this effort that is projected to provide millions of dollars in additional savings for veterans.

Indiana is mourning the tragic loss of 17-year-old Fishers resident Hailey Buzbee. In this episode, we examine how Indiana House Republicans are advancing legislation to strengthen the Amber Alert system and bolster protections around youth social media use.

With the 2026 legislative session expected to conclude at the end of February, several Indiana House members reflect on their years of public service as they approach their retirement. Hear from retiring lawmakers on the work that defined their time at the Statehouse.

This session, House Republicans advanced legislation to increase access to affordable child care. State Reps. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) and Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield) discuss their legislation to incentivize more child care options and remove regulatory barriers.

State Reps. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) and Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus) discuss legislation to support childhood independence and allow children to engage in age-appropriate unsupervised activities without fear of child services intervention.

House Republicans announced priorities for the 2026 legislative session that include removing unnecessary regulations to expand opportunity and lower the cost of living. This episode of Around the House focuses on how these proposals will reduce bureaucracy and make government more efficient.

House Republicans recently announced priorities for the 2026 legislative session aimed at lowering housing and utility costs and reducing burdensome regulations to make life more affordable for Hoosier families. This episode of Around the House breaks down these priorities and how they could impact communities across Indiana.

Beginning Jan. 1, Indiana's SNAP program will no longer cover the cost of sugary drinks and candy. State Reps. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) and Hunter Smith (R-Zionsville) talk about the launch of Smart SNAP and how these reforms will support healthier choices and improved health outcomes for Hoosiers.

Indiana lawmakers took steps this year to lower property taxes for Hoosiers. Through Senate Enrolled Act 1, property owners will save more than $1.3 billion in property taxes over the next three years. The law also includes new transparency and accountability measures to protect taxpayers. State Reps. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) and Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) share how this new law helps lower property taxes for homeowners, seniors and families while supporting growing communities.

Indiana House Republicans wish all Hoosiers a joyful Christmas and a blessed new year!

Indiana high school seniors and college students planning to pursue a career in teaching are invited to apply for a Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. State Reps. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) and Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) talk about how this scholarship helps aspiring teachers pay for college and encourages more students to establish their careers in Indiana.

This year we celebrate 25 years of Indiana's Safe Haven Law, which gives parents in crisis a secure and legal option to surrender an infant without fear of arrest or prosecution. Listen as State Reps. Dale DeVon (R-Granger) and Joanna King (R-Middlebury) highlight the impact of this law and the importance of protecting Hoosier life.

The 2026 legislative session is officially underway as legislators gathered for Organization Day this week at the Statehouse. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) says the state has positioned itself well, leading many states in economic growth and attracting new residents, but there is more work to do.

November marks National Adoption Month, and State Reps. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) and Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) highlight steps lawmakers took this year to support Indiana's most vulnerable children and outline resources for Hoosiers exploring adoption.

Indiana high school students can get a head start and save money on their college education with Indiana College Core, which offers up to 30 credit hours of college-level coursework. State Reps. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) and Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) discuss more about this program.

Recently, Taiwan signed agreements to purchase over $6 billion worth of Indiana corn and soybeans over the next four years. State Reps. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle), Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) and Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) discuss why this is a win for Hoosier farmers and showcases the state's agricultural significance.

New data shows Indiana's student chronic absenteeism rate has improved three straight years. But while school attendance is increasing, State Reps. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) and Hunter Smith (R-Zionsville) say more needs to be done to get the rate back to pre-pandemic levels.

In the last two years, the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program has helped Hoosier communities add over 3,000 housing units across Indiana. State Reps. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) and David Abbott (R-Rome City) discuss how more communities can benefit from the next round of funding.

Indiana House Republicans are seeking college students and recent graduates to work and learn as paid interns for the upcoming 2026 legislative session. State Reps. Kyle Pierce (R-Anderson) and Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) discuss the benefits of this program for young Hoosiers.

Indiana schools are set to receive over $27 million for safety upgrades through the Secured School Safety Grant Program this year, benefiting 494 school across the state. State Reps. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland) and Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) discuss the importance of these grants and how they're helping students and schools.

Gov. Mike Braun recently joined state legislators to ceremonially sign new laws at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. State Reps. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) and Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) discuss how the state is supporting military service members and addressing a nursing shortage.

95 Indiana family farms were recently honored with Hoosier Homestead awards for being in operation for over 100, 150 and 200 years. State Reps. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) and Dave Hall (R-Norman) discuss these awards and the impact of these farms on Indiana's agricultural industry.

Indiana passed a law this year to launch grant programs for pediatric and breast cancer research. Join State Reps. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) and Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) as they discuss a new law to encourage more research and innovative treatment.

Indiana dedicated the most funding yet for K-12 education through the new state budget to help Hoosier children succeed. State Reps. Becky Cash (R-Zionsville) and Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) discuss Indiana's recent progress in education.

First responders often face stressful and dangerous situations on the job. State Reps. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) and Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) authored and sponsored new laws to support Indiana's police, firefighters and first responders.

Indiana lawmakers are diving into important topics through summer study committees, helping shape future legislation by gathering feedback and exploring solutions. State Reps. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) share these committees' function and their impact on the upcoming legislative session.

New education laws took effect July 1! Join State Reps. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) and Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) as they discuss changes in Indiana K-8 schools and how this will affect students and teachers.

In July, several new laws will take effect in Indiana. State Reps. Chris May (R-Bedford) and Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) highlight a few key measures effective July 1.

Reducing health care costs was a top priority for House Republicans this legislative session. State Reps. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) and Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) discuss their legislation that was recently signed into law by Governor Mike Braun.

Public safety was a top priority for House Republicans this legislative session. State Reps. Ethan Lawson (R-Greenfield) and Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) discuss their legislation recently ceremonially signed into law by Governor Mike Braun.

This weekend we remember the fallen men and women who have bravely served, but we also take the time to thank and support our active duty military members and veterans. State Reps. Matt Commons (Williamsport) and Craig Haggard (Mooresville) talk about ways to honor our Hoosier heroes and assist military families.