Rep. Lopez Shares First Half Statehouse Highlights
With the first part of the 2026 legislative session coming to a close, State Rep. Danny Lopez (R-Carmel) is preparing to carry six bills during what promises to be a busy second half. These bills cover topics including Medicaid, disability and home health services, hate littering, higher education, economic development tax credits and more.
“As the second half of the legislative session gets underway, my focus remains on practical commonsense solutions that make Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family,” Lopez said. “That means continuing to strengthen protections for foster youth, advancing economic development and addressing public safety issues that impact everyday life in our communities.”
A breakdown of Lopez’s sponsored legislation:
SB 15: Empowers foster youth by creating a Foster Youth Bill of Rights, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of youth in Indiana’s foster care system, and provides a process under which it can be updated.
SB 160: Protects Hoosiers and their communities by making wearing a mask while committing a crime a sentencing aggravator and aims to fight the growing issue of hate littering in Indiana by making it a Class A misdemeanor to leave trash on another person’s property with intent to cause fear.
SB 242: Adjusts the manner of distribution and the permitted uses for the Hamilton County Innkeeper’s Tax to support tourism and investment.
SB 254: Strengthens the board and primary missions of Ivy Tech Community College, the nation’s largest single-accredited community college, as it pertains to workforce development. This legislation would update its governance structure while helping the university meet the evolving needs of the state’s economy.
SB 264: Permits the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to adjust the use of Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credits to incentivize existing Hoosier employers to retain their workers at higher salaries.
SB 275: A comprehensive Family and Social Services Administration bill that tightens the timeframe during which the agency must approve or deny requests for increased services for individuals with disabilities. It also adjusts Medicaid eligibility for certain Medicare beneficiaries.
Additionally, Lopez’s bill aimed at strengthening the governance and accountability of the Marion County Superior Court, HB 1033, will make its way through the Senate following an 88-2 vote in the House. HB 1177, a bill Lopez co-authored, addresses Indiana’s growing child care challenge through expanded tax credits and incentives for employers who assist their employees with child care. It moves to the Senate for further consideration.
To learn more about these bills and to track legislation during the 2026 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
Lopez represents House District 39, which includes a portion of Hamilton County.