2026 Coalition Legislation

SB 9: Victim’s Impact legislation has passed into law as of July 1, 2026. View the full details of the law here: Aubree’s Law (2026)

This law requires a convicted felon to appear for their sentencing portion as well as to be present to hear the Victim’s Impact Statements made by victims and their families. Signing to law

Background and a father’s perspective: Aubree’s Dad, What he took, the collaboration

In July 2026, this law was enforced in Allen County and ensured the family of the victim had the right to be heard. Our thanks to the Allen Co prosecutors office, the Zent and More families, and the public support we had in this collaboration.

See the impact already made: Putting Aubree’s Law in use

Senate Bill 88 was an omnibus education bill passed into law. See the law here: SEA88

Our interest was in the CLT language. Then Classical Learning Test (CLT) is a comprehensive assessment for those students taught using the classical pedagogy and for many homeschool students who are used to long form assessments. This bill now requires any/all state funded colleges and universities in Indiana to accept the CLT on par with the ACT and SAT.

We are thankful for the legislators, lobbyists, and professionals who testified on behalf of classical learning and this new law.

HB 1038 (Relocation of Gaming Operations)

This bill passed into law: House Enrolled Act 1038 (2026)

The main points of this piece of legislation are as follows:

The enrolled version of HEA 1038 specifies the ballot language in SECTION 6, creating IC 4-33-6-19.5.

The bill requires the county election board in Allen County, DeKalb County, and Steuben County to place this exact question on the 2026 general election ballot:

"Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in (insert the name of the county)?"

The surrounding provisions state:

  • The county election board shall place this question on the 2026 general election ballot.

  • The question must be placed on the ballot according to Indiana election law (IC 3-10-9).

  • The circuit court clerk must certify the election results to the Indiana Gaming Commission and the Department of State Revenue.

  • If voters reject the question, a second public question may not be held in that county. The Indiana Gaming Commission may not issue a casino license for Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County unless that county's voters approve the public question. 

If the public question does pass: 

  • Operators have until Dec 1, 2026 to submit applications

  • Initial bid for this license is $150M ($100M to IN general fund and $50M to "shuttered riverboat" fund)

  • Operator must commit to spend at least $500M on "resort style" project

  • "Local Government" (aka Commissioners, councils) must supply support for project

  • 60% of the project must be completed within 2 years with a deadline for completion at 5 years

Of interest: The public, open forum scheduled by Allen County Council yielded several hundred people, most vehemently against the casino. Only 3 of 35 testimonies were “for” the casino initiative in NE Indiana, the others’ testimony were overwhelmingly opposed.

see casino research here

Visit Save NE Indiana for more analysis: Save NE IN