ICV Legislative Update – Week of February 16, 2026
With only one week remaining in the legislative session, the pace at the Statehouse has reached a fever pitch.
We are thrilled to share some significant good news: House Bill 1002, which includes components of ICV and CAC’s Ratepayer Relief package, has officially passed both chambers and is headed to Governor Braun’s desk—a victory for Hoosier families and a step toward more equitable energy costs.
However, the week also brought unexpected developments in the form of a last-minute amendment to House Bill 1359 that would slash Indiana’s early voting period from 28 days to just 16. ICV stands firmly with the All IN For Democracy coalition in condemning this transparent effort to suppress voter participation.
Finally, the situation remains concerning when it comes to Senate Bill 277. While it was held twice for amendments and vote this week, significant red flags remain across several portions of the bill, and we will continue to monitor it closely as session concludes. Please be on the lookout for notifications from us as the bill changes and moves through the process. We may have more actions for you to take next week!
ICV IN THE NEWS
📰 INDIANA CITIZEN: ‘Anti-democratic maneuver’: Critics slam GOP proposal to slash early-voting days
“Lawmakers have had the better part of two months to introduce this language, but they chose instead to sneak it into an unrelated bill with less than two weeks left,” Megan Robertson, executive director of Indiana Conservation Voters, said in the press release. “Hoosiers need to raise their voices and condemn this last-minute attempt to reduce opportunities for voters to vote in upcoming elections.”
BILL UPDATES
With one week to go, we expect a lot of activity on the floor and in conference committees before lawmakers adjourn sine die on Friday. Please follow our social media channels for the latest!
PRIORITY
🛑 OPPOSE: SB 277 Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Amends and makes changes to IDEM including permitting and rulemaking such as more “burdensome” requirements. It greatly reduces the responsibilities of IDEM, the commissioner, and the rule board. It gives the commissioner the option, rather than the obligation, to respond to the public and be held accountable for issues like water pollution. The bill was amended in committee to hamstring Indiana from evaluating thousands of PFAS chemicals and deprioritizes considering health risks when making decisions about PFAS and other pollutants. SB 277 passed out of committee with bipartisan opposition. Last week, it was held twice on second reading (where the whole House could offer amendments). The deadline for second readings is Monday, 2/23. Please contact your Representatives and urge them to oppose SB 277.
ENERGY
✅ SUPPORT: HB 1002 Electric Utility Affordability. The bill establishes a low income energy assistance program and prohibits shutoffs during high heat index days. The bill also includes language to change how utilities file for electric rate increases, sets three performance incentives for utilities to focus on affordability and resiliency, and requires utility transparency on consumer data. We are continuing to watch this bill and any changes as it moves through the process. HB 1002 was approved by the House and is headed to the Speaker of the House, then the Governor’s desk!
✅ SUPPORT: SB 240 Surplus Interconnection Service. Requires utilities to consider surplus interconnection service in their plans. Sometimes there is extra space for more energy projects on our grid, surplus interconnection service opens opportunities for small projects to get online faster using existing connections. This could help clean energy get online faster. This bill passed out of the House unanimously and the bill author agreed with the changes. The Senate vote on the final version of the bill will likely occur next week.
🛑 OPPOSE: HB 1150 Local Regulations. You may remember this bill from last year (HB 1389 CCR) when it was defeated on the Senate floor, however, it is back. Newly added language in this legislation would eliminate the Thriving Buildings program in the City of Indianapolis and any other local governments trying to address building efficiency. The Thriving Buildings program requires building owners and operators of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet to track and report their utility data to identify ways to reduce energy and water usage, a widely supported local program that takes the burden off tenants and renters. There are even proactive exemptions in place for certain buildings that cannot access this data. HB 1150 was signed by the Speaker of the House and is headed to the Governor’s desk.
🛑 OPPOSE: SB 258 Nuclear Facility Permits. Eliminates public hearings on the environmental impact of nuclear facilities in Indiana and any additional IDEM rules authority on the environmental concerns of nuclear facilities. While federal commissions have full authority on nuclear energy and radioactive waste safety, states have the ability to require additional criteria for non-nuclear reasons. This bill has been signed into law by Governor Braun.
WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES
✅ SUPPORT: HB 1062 Wake Boarding and Wake Surfing. Establishes responsible restrictions on wake boarding and wake surfing on public freshwater lakes. This could help protect the shorelines, wildlife, and plant life of our public lakes. HB 1062 passed out of the Senate on Thursday with no amendments and is headed to the Governor’s desk!
✅ SUPPORT: SB 6 Extension of Water Services. Requires a public water utility to provide additional public outreach opportunity before condemning land to extend a water or wastewater main. SB 6 passed second reading and will be headed to a vote by the full House next week.
😐 NEUTRAL: SB 224 Department of Natural Resources. Amends and makes changes to the Department of Natural Resources. There was originally some concerning language in this that has since been amended out. SB 224 passed out of committee and will be up for second reading Monday.
DEMOCRACY
🛑 OPPOSE: SB 12 Prohibition of Ranked Choice Voting. Bans future lawmakers and local governments from adopting “ranked choice voting.” This is a style of election that allows voters to rank all of the potential candidates by order of preference, and many democracy advocates believe that it does a better job of producing winners that have broad popular support. While it would be a major change to Indiana elections, there has never been a serious attempt to pass this alternative voting system here. Still, SB 12 would pre-emptively bar future lawmakers from considering the option, even if such a change had popular support. SB 12 passed out of the Senate on Tuesday without changes. It now moves to leadership for signatures and then to the Governor’s desk.
🛑 OPPOSE: HB1359 Scanning Ballots. Language added to this bill in committee transformed it from a technical bill about an obscure issue into a sneak attack on early voting. The new language cuts early voting days nearly in half – from 28 days to 16. The rushed process offered no time for meaningful public input on such a radical change, and was offered just months from a consequential election season. HB1359 passed out of committee and is eligible for a second reading in the Senate on Monday.
GOOD NEWS SATURDAY
We are proud to share that Indiana Conservation Voters Executive Director Megan Robertson has been named to the 2026 Howey Politics Indiana/State Affairs Power 50.
Published annually since 1999, the Power 50 is a reality-based assessment of where influence resides in Indiana—identifying the leaders who can move legislation, shape outcomes and affect public decision-making.
We see Megan’s dedication and leadership every day on our team. This recognition is a testament to the hard work she puts in to make Indiana a better place to live. Please join us in congratulating her!
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 24: Tippecanoe Solar Siting Campaign Update
February 26: Northern Indiana Interfaith Roundtable
March 7: From Burden to Belonging – A Community Conversation on Cost, Energy, and Care (Jeffersonville)
March 11: Solar Siting Happy Hour (Lafayette)
March 21: From Burden to Belonging – A Community Conversation on Cost, Energy, and Care (Evansville)
March 24: Tippecanoe County Testimony Prep Workshop
Know of an upcoming event you think we should include in our weekly emails? Reply to this message with the details!
