IndianaState auditors would investigate Indiana's economic development agency
State auditors would investigate Indiana's development agency, while the agency would post spending charts and study how proposed projects could affect utility customers.
What it does
State auditors would name a watchdog to investigate the development agency and its nonprofit subsidiary. The agency's funding would pay for the work, with budget approval required above $99,000.
For proposed development investments, the agency would check possible effects on utility costs. If it expects harm to customers, it would carry out a plan to offset the project's related costs.
The agency would post charts showing tax money spent, jobs created, tax money spent per job, and where spending and jobs occur.
The agency's board would include a state House member and a state senator as advisers. Neither could vote on board decisions.
Argument forPublic charts could help residents compare tax spending with jobs created across Indiana.
Argument againstPaying for the watchdog from the development agency's funding could leave less money for the agency's other work.
More detail
State auditors would choose a watchdog to investigate misconduct and audit programs. The watchdog would review Indiana's economic development agency and its nonprofit subsidiary. Money set aside for the development agency would pay the watchdog's costs. If the watchdog's budget exceeds $99,000, the state budget agency may approve, change, or deny the proposed budget. These watchdog provisions would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.
The development agency would review proposed investments for effects on utility costs. The review would cover the cost of water, wastewater, electric, and gas service to customers. The agency must consider existing utility systems, any new systems a project needs, and available water. If it expects a project to harm customers, it must make and carry out a plan to offset the related utility costs. These review and planning rules would take effect upon passage if the bill becomes law.
The development agency would post a public dashboard with charts about its spending and jobs. People could reach the dashboard through the agency's website or its transparency portal. The dashboard requirement would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.
The House speaker and Senate leader would each appoint one adviser to the development agency's board. The advisers would be one state representative and one state senator. The advisers could take part in board work but could not vote. The board seat provisions would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 8First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and TechnologyLatest
- Jan 8Authored by Senator DeeryIntroduced
Government & EthicsEconomy & JobsConsumer Protection