(Batesville, IN) – State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) and representatives Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) and Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) gave an overview of the 2026 Indiana General Assembly session during the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Recap and Luncheon hosted by Batesville Tool and Die on Tuesday afternoon.
More than 500 bills were filed during the short session; 165 measures passed and were sent to the governor for consideration.
Affordability, education, and public safety were prime topics of focus during the session, which began in December during the redistricting debate and adjourned last Friday evening.
Significant bills passed included those related to tax conformity such Senate Enrolled Acts 212 and 243, housing (House Enrolled Act 1001), childcare (HEA 1152, HEA 1177, and SEA 4), and township modernization (SEA 270).
Zimmerman says it’s always good to visit Batesville to talk to the business community about what happened at the Statehouse and how they can better help them in Indianapolis.
“I really enjoyed some of the questions that we get asked,” Zimmerman said. “They’re not some of the routine questions we get asked.”
Patterson says it was a good conversation, with lots of questions and feedback.
She also looked ahead to writing legislation at next year’s session.
“I’ve once again asked everyone here to get a hold of me sooner rather than later so that I can get all the phone calls made, all of the relationships and all of the information I need to author those bills for my constituents,” Patterson said.
The event began with all three lawmakers discussing bills they authored, supported or voted against, followed by questions and answers.
