Celebrating a Successful Session and Stronger State

John,

This has been an incredible week for Hoosier Republicans, as we celebrate the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session and Governor Mike Braun’s continued leadership. With the support of our Republican legislators, Governor Braun has advanced key priorities of his Freedom and Opportunity Agenda, delivering real results for Hoosiers across the state.

From passing a fiscally responsible biennial budget to enacting meaningful property tax relief for homeowners, farmers, and small businesses, this session has been defined by bold, conservative action. Governor Braun and our conservative general assembly also championed universal school choice, expanded healthcare transparency, and worked towards ensuring state government remains efficient and accountable to the people it serves.

In addition to legislative victories, Governor Braun continued to advance the Freedom and Opportunity Agenda through executive action, creating the Indiana Rare Earth Recovery Council—an important step in securing an American supply chain for critical materials through innovation and the use of Indiana’s own resources. Governor Braun also announced an independent forensic audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), reaffirming his administration's commitment to transparency and responsible governance.

The Indiana GOP is proud to stand alongside Governor Braun and our Republican representatives as we they to make Indiana an even better place to live, work, and raise a family, and join them in celebrating a successful session.

As always, thank you for being a part of our team. Please feel free to reach out if there's anything I can assist with.

Lana Keesling, Indiana GOP Chairwoman

Governor Mike Braun Signs Executive Order on Rare Earth Minerals

Governor Mike Braun, on Monday, signed an executive order to create the Indiana Rare Earth Recovery Council, which will spearhead efforts to reclaim rare earth elements and critical materials from legacy coal byproducts.

What he said: “American advanced manufacturing can’t be dependent on China for rare earth elements. Indiana is stepping up with our new Rare Earth Recovery Council to leverage our coal sites to build an American domestic supply chain for these critical materials that power the modern economy."

- Governor Braun, via a press release.

Governor Braun Initiates Audit of the IEDC and Signs Executive Order to Require all State-Affiliated Foundations go 'Above and Beyond' in Reporting Disclosuers

Governor Mike Braun announced an audit of the IEDC, paid for with IEDC funds and conducted by an independent forensic audit team. With the IEDC having received hundreds of millions of dollars, Governor Braun views it as a priority that the agency be transparent in its spending and disclosures,.

What he said: “Indiana is a great place to do business and our environment will only grow stronger and healthier through this transparency work. We are committed to growing well-paying Hoosier jobs across the state and we will do so in an accountable, transparent way.”

- Governor Braun, via a press release.

St. Joseph County Dyngus Day

Allen County Lincoln Day

Washington County Lincoln Day

Chairwoman's County Visits: 26

Indiana GOP is Hiring Interns for the Spring Semester

Looking to jumpstart your career in politics, public relations, or grassroots organizing? The Indiana Republican Party is now accepting applications for our Summer and Fall Internship Program!

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✅ Work alongside state leaders and build valuable connections
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Apply Today! Spots are limited!

🔗 https://www.indiana.gop/internships

📱 News You Can Use

Governor Mike Braun celebrated the conclusion of the 2025 Indiana Legislative Session, highlighting the work done on the economy, healthcare, school choice, and property tax relief.

Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith interviewed Dr. Phil Willingham, the founder of the Sunshine Community Center Network, an organization that empowers children with special needs and their families.

Secretary Diego Morales spoke at the County Recorders Association Conference, stating, thanking local elected officials for the important work they do.

Treasurer Daniel Elliott spoke to Indiana’s 911 Directors at their 2025 training summit in Noblesville, thanking them for their service in coordinating emergency response with precision and care.

Comptroller Elise Nieshalla attended the Emerging Leaders Conference in Evansville, connecting with state financial leaders nationwide.

Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — of which USCIS is part — to compel federal cooperation to verify the citizenship of Indiana voters.

Senator Todd Young reintroduced the the Adult Education WORKS Act to reauthorize adult education programs and expand upon the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Senator Jim Banks led a bipartisan CODEL in Slovakia and Germany with Rep. Shreve to strengthen the Indiana National Guard Partnership and visit Indiana servicemembers

Congressman Rudy Yakym met with La Porte County Farm Bureau members to talk about reconciliation and the early progress made under President Trump.

Congressman Marlin Stutzman announced Syria's president said he was open to normalizing ties with Israel, following a meeting with President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Congressman Jim Baird met with sixth-grade students in their social studies class to share his insights into the legislative process, the importance of civic engagement, and the responsibilities of elected officials.

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz reintroduced a comprehensive health care package to combat hospital monopolies, drive much needed transparency to stop fraud, waste, and abuse, and foster competition

Congressman Jefferson Shreve toured the USPS Indianapolis distribution hub to seek answers to the ongoing package delivery delays in response to constituent concerns.

Congressman Mark Messmer joined officers for a ride-along in Evansville, thanking them for their service.

Congresswoman Erin Houchin celebrated Guardian Bikes announcing a $19M investment to bring bicycle manufacturing back to America, thanking President Trump's policies for bringing jobs and manufacturing back from China and into southern Indiana.

SEA 409: Prohibits an employer from taking an adverse employment action against an employee as a result of the employee's absence from work to attend an attendance conference or a case conference committee meeting with respect to the employee's child, except under certain circumstances. Provides that an employer is not required to pay an employee for travel or attendance time with respect to a conference or meeting. Requires certain persons to provide documentation related to a conference or meeting under certain circumstances.

SEA 420: Establishes a procedure for the transfer of an inmate from a county jail to another county jail or the department of correction if the inmate: (1) poses a serious risk of escape; (2) demonstrates violent or aggressive behavior; or (3) needs to be protected from other inmates.

SEA 4: Requires water utilities to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission before constructing long haul water pipelines and outlines application requirements, conditions for approval, and cost recovery through rates. It also mandates a transfer permit from the Department of Natural Resources for significant interbasin water transfers, sets criteria for permit approval, and allows for penalties for noncompliance.

SEA 119: Prohibits the submission of an application for a certificate of public advantage (application) after May 13, 2025. Changes the time frame in which the Indiana department of health has to review and make a determination on an application filed during a specified time frame.

SEA 143: Provides that a governmental entity may not substantially burden certain parental rights unless the burden, as applied to the parent and the child, is required to advance a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of advancing the governmental interest. Prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) advising, directing, or coercing a child to withhold certain information from the child's parent; or (2) denying a child's parent access to certain information. Allows a parent to bring an action against a governmental entity for certain violations and provides for certain relief. Specifies that the parent of a child does not have a right to access certain medical care on behalf of the child if the child does not have an affirmative right of access to the medical care.

SEA 462: Reenacts an expired provision in the definition of "practitioner" as it relates to behavior analysts.

SEA 491: Allows the city of Alexandria in Madison County to annex noncontiguous property for use as an industrial park.

SEA 1126: Alters the membership of a watershed development commission board that includes the Maumee River basin (Maumee watershed development commission). Provides that a Maumee watershed development commission may take certain actions with respect to certain flood plains. Expands permitted uses for certain funds collected by a Maumee watershed development commission and establishes certain budget limits. Provides that the department of natural resources's division of water shall provide a Maumee watershed development commission with a written summary of the division's review of certain public works projects within 30 days of the review. Makes conforming changes.

SEA 1376: Amends the definition of "emergency medication".

SEA 1478: Removes the sunset provision for pro bono legal services fees.

SEA 1595: Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to reapply before September 1, 2025, for a Medicaid state plan amendment that provides for the establishment of the long term care partnership program and the discontinuance of the current long term care program.

SEA 1633: Requires the secretary of state to do the following: (1) Study scheduling of local elections and requiring all counties to use vote centers. (2) Conduct at least three public meetings on the topics studied. (3) Report the results of the studies to the legislative council before November 1, 2025.