Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS — New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by local lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.

“This legislative session we took action on several pieces of legislation that will benefit Hoosiers and local communities,” said State Rep. David Abbott, R-Rome City. “Our ability to make significant investment in priorities like K-12 education while providing much-needed tax relief is due to Indiana’s strong fiscal standing.”

Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year on July 1.

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.

“Indiana’s new state budget is balanced and makes responsible investments in critical services while cutting taxes for hardworking Hoosiers,” said State Rep. Craig Snow, R-Warsaw. “We also tackled a number of Hoosiers’ top priorities like strengthening education and supporting vulnerable newborns.”

Local lawmakers also highlighted the following new laws:

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.

Boosting Housing Options

Indiana will partner with local communities to help finance public infrastructure projects like installing water and gas lines, which are critical to serving housing developments. As demand and costs increase, Abbott said this opportunity is especially beneficial to rural communities as they work to boost affordability and availability of housing options.

Supporting Vulnerable Newborns

Currently, infants surrendered under Indiana’s safe haven laws are taken into custody by the Department of Child Services before being placed. Moving forward, Snow said a child-placing agency could also take custody to help connect vulnerable newborns with adoptive families more quickly.