Submitted by Office of Speaker Todd Huston
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) and members of the House Republican Caucus released priorities for the 2026 legislative session on Thursday, Jan. 8, which is focused on lowering costs for Hoosier families and reducing government bureaucracy.
Huston said this year’s priorities build on efforts advanced in recent years to reduce costs, get government out of the way and grow the economy.
Huston
“House Republicans are focused on making sure Indiana remains a low cost of living state and supporting Hoosier families,” Huston said. “The best way to reduce cost burdens on Hoosiers is to roll back regulation and bureaucracy, unleash the economy and expand opportunity.”
Over the last few years, Indiana’s GDP grew at a faster rate than all of our neighboring states, and Indiana ranks seventh in the country for attracting new residents. A recent MarketWatch report shows Indiana as one of 15 states currently experiencing expansion and growth – faring better than most other states in the country.
Huston said this year’s priorities are aimed at continuing this momentum while tackling some of the highest costs for Hoosiers, including home ownership and utility costs.
Lowering costs for families & reducing government
- Expand Indiana’s housing supply and drive down costs of home ownership by rolling back costly regulations that impede development (House Bill 1001, authored by Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart)
- Prioritize energy affordability by adding performance-based accountability to ensure utilities are hitting targets aimed at reducing costs and increasing reliability (House Bill 1002, authored by Rep. Alaina Shonkwiler, R-Noblesville)
- Reduce government by combining, eliminating or streamlining dozens of redundant or inactive boards and commissions (House Bill 1003, authored by Rep. Steve Bartels, R-Eckerty)
- Cut red tape in education by eliminating unnecessary rules and regulations, freeing up resources and giving K-12 schools more flexibility to focus on educating our kids (House Bill 1004, authored by Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis)
Last year, House Republicans prioritized cost-saving efforts including reducing health care costs (HEA 1003, HEA 1004), helping communities invest in housing infrastructure (HEA 1005), expanding energy generation (HEA 1007) and advancing the first phase of K-12 education deregulation (HEA 1002).
The legislature also advanced more than a billion dollars in tax cuts last year, including property tax relief and continued cuts to the state income tax to one of the lowest rates in the nation.
The 2026 legislative session is expected to conclude at the end of February. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about proposed legislation, view calendars, and watch committee meetings and session.
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) represents House District 37, which includes a portion of Hamilton County.
