Capitol Insider

Capitol Insider

December 12, 2025

Merry Christmas from the Indiana Senate

               News. Not news.  Surely the world, at least the entire USA, has heard.  The Indiana Senate, 19-31, voted against the Washington mandate to draw new maps for the Indiana Congressional Districts.  A thank you to all who contacted  your legislators. 

               When they adjourned, both the House and Senate calendars post for legislators to come back into session on January 5. This was a huge win.  Remember how this was accomplished.  Get ready.

Senate Pensions and Labor

               The committee met on Wednesday.  Four bills were on the agenda.  Two were recommended by the Pension Management Oversight Commission. Those two, SB10 State Employee Retirement Benefits and SB 14 Pension Matters were heard and votes taken.  Both passed committee 10-0.  SB 14 proposes changing the way to calculate pensions. There was some discussion about that with a promise from Chair Rogers to “tighten” that language.

               SB 63 Thirteenth Check authored by Sen. Niezgodski was supported in testimony by AFT, AFSCME, ISTA and others.  It was held for a vote until they reconvene in January.  Sen. Niezgodski mentioned that Rep. Karickhoff is carrying a 13^th check bill. He hopes the two can be merged and pass both houses.  Lots of us hope so, too.

Senate Education

               The Education Committee met Tuesday with one bill on the agenda.  There was a lot of discussion – no conclusions.  Here’s the bill’s summary:

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE POLICY (Raatz, J) - Amends the definition of "wireless communication device". Requires each school corporation and charter school to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using or possessing a wireless communication device during the school day; (2) requires teacher directed use of a wireless communication device for educational purposes during the school day to occur only on school supplied wireless communication devices; and (3) mandates the use of a no device policy or a secure storage policy. Creates certain exceptions to a wireless communication device policy. Requires the department of education to publish model policy language and implementation guidance.

Educators and parents alike have strong opinions about this bill.  You’ll have to wait until January to hear more. 

               Sen. Qaddoura recognized the interest educators and parents have in the bill and put out there what students may have for input. He explained further that hearing from students might shed light on something the previous groups may have omitted. Interesting.

Class Dismissed!

               AFT Indiana Board and Staff send holiday cheer to you and yours. We wish you the best in the New Year.  Be safe, share your joy, and get some rest.

Helpful Links

• General Assembly page that will take you to almost anything you could want regarding the legislature and legislators.
• Find your own state legislator.
• For a list of ALL legislators, start on home page, see upper right (Search, Code, Bills, Legislators) – click on Legislators.  You have the option of ALL then download a pdf.
• All committees (then choose the one you want).
• Senate daily committee calendar.
• House daily committee calendar.
• If you click on “legislation,” you can get to bills by number, or choose by legislator, or by subject.  Resolutions are there, too.
• When the House and Senate are in session.
• Archived videos of committee hearings. 

Our Calendar

• January 30 – Convention Call in the mail to AFT Indiana Presidents
• February 16. 2026 – Tentative ICPE Day of Action at the Statehouse
• February 27, 2026 – end of legislative session (maybe)
• March 7 – Presidents’ Council, Holiday Inn City Centre, Lafayette
  • AFT Indiana Executive Board Meeting
• May 1-2 – AFT Indiana Annual Convention, Anderson