[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260967,"mediaKeyId","3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7","parentId",3125748,"title","Senate narrows ballot-retraction definition to accommodate vendor; passes bill 40-10","audioSeconds",634,"startMs",10759000,"endMs",11393000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7&start=10759&end=11393","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7/thumbnail_10759000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260967/Indiana/Senate-narrows-ballot-retraction-definition-to-accommodate-vendor-passes-bill-40-10","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260967-77c151975c87c360b1655221576dac66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149057&Signature=GZWUce5-ocUlc6Ol2pumvGIt-CLhPOsnfYRlxcd3urK~hnnyN4G~cjoXdOKtyDK2E06xKU7p8R-wPJawmX69HK5UrYVg7ugHXNpG9wS3B4xwXQ18NT2WgsoCSuYhU4qjp-mO~8jm~5K-RyarHLt2hQwdxbpUOIqcLeQDjTdCE9kPbjYox5dLlmS50uSsU1Ui2mjSgrD6ygSjyxMxYQzV9V9JdedQw6WTWx64UwairghulvBZFqMCmUFD7sB3L4mYjxeOb8tFmjUP0tYYznjB17GXQuaLrU9L3UY3ZTajGhtLreNPCjSZriIOlBxugqZgB4VtH7NZyolqPWk2qEXyvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Indiana Legislature","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Indiana Senate concurred with changes to Senate Bill 526 on Thursday, approving language that clarifies how counties may retract early in-person absentee ballots in limited circumstances such as voter death or felony conviction.

Senator Gaskell, presenting the committee report, said the bill standardizes a process for retracting an early in-person absentee ballot stored in an electronic system used by some counties. \"In order for them to be able to retract an early in-person absentee vote,\" she said, \"they have to assign some type of number to where the system can go in.\" The language in the bill lists certain data types that cannot be used as the unique identifier for an absentee electronic envelope; the conference report removes one item from that prohibited list so a widely used vendor would not need system reprogramming.

Senator Ford questioned the amendment, saying the voter-identification number had been protected precisely to prevent a ballot's identifier being tied back to an individual voter. \"I am concerned that we are deleting the voter identification number,\" Ford said. Opponents argued the change sacrifices a privacy protection to accommodate vendor practices; sponsors said the security safeguard is the requirement that any retraction must happen before tabulation begins.

Supporters also noted the bill extends an existing grandfathering provision so counties operating older equipment will not be forced to make immediate, costly replacements.

After floor questions and debate, the motion to concur was adopted on a roll call vote: 40 ayes, 10 noes. The conference report will be transmitted to the House for action; the bill includes implementation details for election administrators.

The debate focused on balancing ballot privacy and administrative practicality for counties that use direct-recording electronic systems versus those that use paper ballots for early votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Indiana Senate Legislative Session Part 1 April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate approved a change to state law governing retraction of early in-person absentee ballots, voting 40-10 to adopt the conference committee report on Senate Bill 526.","taxTitle","2025 Senate Legislative Sessions, 2025 Legislature IN, Indiana","taxId",77717,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260972,"Senate passes broad \"unlawful discrimination\" measure after hours of floor debate",7393,2942000,10335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7&start=2942&end=10335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7/thumbnail_2942000.jpg","/articles/6260972/Indiana/Senate-passes-broad-unlawful-discrimination-measure-after-hours-of-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260972-1c01e1b6d52305b04f93d156cd03c280/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149057&Signature=h~to1dovYcTUgSHWamaVQsj4td9ZlhMeqe7GFmH7LCsXvwrpWZO8C1P9tKB5-mq9fNJ8BQJuBLHVUsRS48OQbP-S9dba3bIioZPBp3JnM57CkERJL9YKCB2HcN06MWr4BnXa2V6r0-0zFldxsXd92vH~gUjcD-uob4HLgRsg0Q2B-icJta1enoaZnuf3u40~o314HNvxGCGBWl6Kumr8HdUBES8-Fmulh86Yshg6rU4NhVF6bgy8Jlr2OOx0L1Fm6SuI6b9czdYsBvtLM8uBtUIlYmhHPlf-SC6O~6N4OBDsEYFwnMlWZIxwo6kW68VkmZfvpDlMfXqRH3Gfv7Yi1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indiana Senate approved a conference committee report on Senate Bill 289 on Thursday after several hours of floor debate over language opponents called an attack on programs aimed at historically marginalized communities.

Senator Burns, the bill
uthor, described the measure as a prohibition on government-required trainings and policies that ask employees or students to \"affirm\" propositions that treat people as inherently superior or inferior because of personal characteristics. \"Government should not discriminate,\" he said on the floor, framing the bill as a narrow protection against compelled speech.

Opponents, including Senator Cadore, Senator Taylor and Senator Jackson, argued the bill erases longstanding race-conscious programs and ignores historical discrimination. Cadore urged colleagues to consider the history of legalized discrimination that persists in structures and called the measure harmful because it would \"give a blind eye to historical injustices.\" Senator Jackson invoked constitutional amendments and said the bill runs counter to efforts to address racial inequities.

Part of the conference committee solution preserved several named teaching scholarships but changed eligibility from race-based criteria to residency in five \"underserved\" counties (Allen, Marion, Lake, St. Joseph and Vanderburgh) and a commitment to teach in one of those counties. Senator Burns said the change was negotiated in the House to preserve existing scholarship programs after potential legal risk; he said the five counties were chosen because they are short on teachers and the scholarships target teacher recruitment there.

Several senators pressed for precise definitions in the bill
nd raised concerns about how the language would apply in ordinary educational contexts (for example, whether a school providing a prayer room or an accommodation for religious practice could run afoul of the new provisions). Senator Hundley and Senator Robert both described scenarios where the bill's sweeping language could preclude commonplace training or practices.

After extended debate and numerous points of personal privilege and questioning, the conference committee report was placed on passage and the Senate recorded a final roll call in which the measure passed (tally reported on the floor). The bill will be transmitted to the House and, if the conference report is concurred by the House, proceed to the governor.

Floor debate highlighted the bill's interaction with a wider national conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion policies in public institutions; members expressed sharply divergent interpretations of its effect on scholarships, hiring and training.

(Recorded roll-call tally reported on the floor.)","The Indiana Senate approved a conference committee report on Senate Bill 289 after several hours of extended floor debate over whether the measure restricts diversity- and equity-related training and programs in state institutions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260977,"Senate approves bill letting school board candidates list party on ballot after heated debate",1530,328000,1858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7&start=328&end=1858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6260977/Indiana/Senate-approves-bill-letting-school-board-candidates-list-party-on-ballot-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260977-9cbd87bdfcc3c5c335fa7e0218707da4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149057&Signature=NxYKPrw3x3-gFZIgsfrPDreUIDgnBPgwrOPHCccuy~b4jP71KgDP67XQ0y03qUIIaD-WWSEDVw-pW7T8ih5Gq8egcYOk4Qr4temS6eqqzQmEodNodgJfEERc3QDhBdCF5yTZl8X6LbWGs5IY5a7k60FUKR2-4LlCC32JAmOHpkUX09IwQRFQOU6NaN2Ho-XsM5BPOCpP9GyA~wG530g-g6fpf3JkqBxxIFD1gX29nnJKp67tt2nGzq2oIazaw1Md1Ouw5I22Q1NUoYbsZ~IDOt5QbFk1HS5pKXSWnlj0BrojtJAs3QPWj~uyquNp4ecmXYBseW0e0fw9j1ZVKVT4gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indiana Senate on Thursday voted 26-24 to concur with changes to Senate Bill 287, a measure that would allow school board candidates to choose to list a political party next to their name on the general-election ballot.

Senator Byrne, speaking as the bill
uthor, said the measure \"is about allowing school board candidates to put their party affiliation on the ballot. It's an issue of transparency for voters.\" He told colleagues the House version removes a primary-party requirement and instead gives candidates the option to display a party label, list themselves as independent or run with no party listed.

The bill drew sustained opposition from several Republican and Democratic senators who said the change would narrow the pool of candidates in many districts. \"By trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist in my community, [this bill] unnecessarily eliminates so many candidates,\" said Senator Brown, who argued that many qualified school board members would be barred from running if their federal employment triggered the Hatch Act. Senator Bassler said the change would disqualify federal employees if a single candidate in a race presents as partisan, and urged colleagues to vote no.

Supporters disputed that SB 287 alters the operation of the Hatch Act, a federal law. Byrne said the Hatch Act already applies in some school board races and that this bill does not create the federal restriction; he cited a March 2025 McLaughlin poll he described as showing 65% of Hoosiers support listing party affiliation on school board ballots.

Senators also debated whether party labels improve voter information or simply increase polarization in local school governance. Opponents warned that partisan elections would \"turn our classrooms into battlegrounds for ideological purity,\" Senator Yoder said; proponents said voters deserve to know candidates' philosophies.

The motion to concur passed on a roll call: 26 ayes, 24 noes. The Secretary will inform the House of the Senate's action; the bill now proceeds toward the governor under the usual enrollment and transmittal process.

Votes at the floor included a recorded roll call on the concurrence motion.","The Indiana Senate voted 26-24 to concur with changes to Senate Bill 287, allowing school board candidates the option to display party affiliation on general-election ballots. Supporters called the change a transparency measure; opponents said it risks excluding federal employees and injecting partisan politics into local schools.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260962,"Votes at a glance: key bills and conference reports approved by the Senate",12294,223000,12517000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7&start=223&end=12517","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3125748-a4a643ea0bb1fa312015788b27d300d7/thumbnail_223000.jpg","/articles/6260962/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-key-bills-and-conference-reports-approved-by-the-Senate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260962-39960c83e3ec79a2130014d8d567be9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149057&Signature=gOOvhkyJGEtKvLzDEpcpc1FXcokR0WTH5slf2Gj8UgncxbN5P4hTwS~xIH7oS0JB85xopz2UrQ-NPEBJFdQcxZQFO7At6ABXeVSaURxLIGzNYYDU7-zUY76G~MZZpCOiUPOfW0C1WeHaO8vsgDmtZLZ~YVKrdo5Vw~HB9ZxgOb3Y0unRKnPcv7OyAeTthNfZQrfBOey8w5GRRU4JPt5P-49O0f2wdxGMfJ4XvNqK6DWEDVOScrNs5VCDwMiqIt3RjtEX05rbj1jq9ZOejLStcCq7UhI8kmULy85zx7TKOiSy0BzoDjDNid3rb4qwHIdQ5ZgPy1bEiwI~e6d6TJDxAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indiana Senate recorded a series of votes on conference committee reports and bills during Thursday's floor session. Most of these items were presented briefly by committee sponsors and then placed on passage; the roll-call tallies are below.

- Senate Resolution 72 (recognition): Adopted by voice vote. (Senator Alexander)
- Senate Resolution 73 (recognition): Adopted by voice vote. (Senator Zay)
- Rules committee report: Adopted by voice vote.

Conference reports and bills (selected roll-call tallies reported on the floor):

- Senate Bill 157 (conference committee report on squatters language): Passed 50 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Bill 289 (conference committee report on ‘‘unlawful discrimination’’): Passed (tally recorded on the floor; detailed debate recorded). [See main article for debate coverage.]
- Senate Bill 358 (curriculum/evaluation provisions, CCR): Passed 37 ayes, 12 noes.
- Senate Bill 373 (education-related provisions, CCR): Passed 31 ayes, 19 noes.
- Senate Bill 425 (utilities / energy production zones CCR): Passed 31 ayes, 19 noes.
- Senate Bill 453 (Department of Revenue annual bill, CCR): Passed 50 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Bill 482 (student discipline / attendance CCR): Passed 48 ayes, 2 noes.
- Senate Bill 526 (absentee ballot retraction): Passed 40 ayes, 10 noes. (See separate article for debate.)

House conference committee reports and bills (selected roll-call tallies):

- House Bill 1003 (health matters, CCR): Passed 30 ayes, 20 noes.
- House Bill 1221 (post-retirement benefit, CCR): Passed 39 ayes, 11 noes.
- House Bill 1390 (various insurance/consumer provisions, CCR): Passed 31 ayes, 19 noes.
- House Bill 1460 (utilities / energy, CCR): Passed 46 ayes, 4 noes.
- House Bill 1425 (cultivated meat moratorium, CCR): Passed 43 ayes, 7 noes.
- House Bill 1577 (mobile retail food matters, CCR): Passed 50 ayes, 0 noes.
- House Bill 1587 (insurance matters, CCR): Passed 50 ayes, 0 noes.

Several other conference reports were placed upon their passage with brief sponsor presentations and voice-vote adoption or roll-call tallies; the Secretary will inform the House of the Senate actions and the bills will proceed under legislative transmittal rules.

This roundup lists the formal outcomes as recorded on the Senate floor; it does not attempt to summarize extended debate on multi-issue bills (see individual articles for full coverage of the most contested measures).","The Senate approved multiple conference committee reports and bills with largely procedural presentations and limited floor debate. Tallies and brief descriptions of each action are listed for reference.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate narrows ballot-retraction definition to accommodate vendor; passes bill 40-10

Senate passes broad "unlawful discrimination" measure after hours of floor debate

Senate approves bill letting school board candidates list party on ballot after heated debate

Votes at a glance: key bills and conference reports approved by the Senate