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2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Indiana House, District 59

Indiana House of Representatives. 2-year term.

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What this office does

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives write and vote on state laws as part of the Indiana General Assembly. The House has 100 members, each representing one district for a two-year term [1].

The job in full — the duties the Indiana Code puts in it, the term, what it pays and who sets that, and what to ask a candidate.

Term
2 years [1]
Term limit
None [1]
Seats
100 [1]
On the 2026 ballot
All 100 [2]
What the law puts in this job (2)
  • Introduces and votes on state legislation as one of the two chambers of the Indiana General Assembly [1].
  • Must be at least 21 years old when taking office and have lived in the district for at least a year [1].

About this race

  • House District 59 covers part of Bartholomew County, including Columbus, per the House Republican caucus [3].
  • Lauer was unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary (4,186 votes); no Democratic candidate appeared on the District 59 primary ballot [11]. Josh Burbrink is the Democratic nominee on the November ballot [2].
  • Lauer was re-elected with 63.8% of the vote in 2024, per Wikipedia's compilation [4].
  • No debate or candidate forum for this race was found.
  • Key differences: Burbrink criticizes Lauer's vote for the 2025 property-tax law (SEA 1), saying it shifted costs to local services such as the library, and calls for limits on data centers' water and power use [12, 13]. Lauer voted for SEA 1 and lists lowering property taxes for lower- and middle-income families among his priorities [8, 14].

Candidates on the ballot

Josh Burbrink

Democratic

Work
Business intelligence director at Mainstream Fiber Networks [15]

Josh Burbrink is a broadband business intelligence director, volunteer firefighter and library-support nonprofit president from Bartholomew County [15]. His campaign centers on the effects of the 2025 property-tax law on local services and on data center regulation [13].

Burbrink's background

  • Business intelligence director at Mainstream Fiber Networks, which brings high-speed internet to rural Indiana, per his campaign [15, 16].
  • Volunteer firefighter with the Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department since 2017; president of the Friends of the Bartholomew County Public Library; member of the Bartholomew County Planning and Zoning Board; executive committee member of the Sierra Club's Winding Waters Chapter [15].
  • Ran unsuccessfully for Bartholomew County Council in 2022 and county commissioner in 2024 [15, 16]. Lives in Harrison Township, Bartholomew County [15].

Burbrink's positions

Property taxes

  • Says "SEA 1 handed businesses billions while homeowners got a $300 cap" and that the law's costs fall on schools, the library and fire departments [12, 13].

Libraries & schools

  • Says the county library faces a $761,490 cut and pledges to "defend both the funding and the freedom to read" [12].

Data centers

  • Calls for hard limits on water withdrawals with independent review before permits, and says data centers should pay for their own power and water infrastructure [16].
  • Opposes undisclosed land deals and projects reclassified to skip public notice: "If it affects your town, your town gets a vote" [16].

Energy & utilities

  • Says new electricity demand should be met with solar, wind and storage rather than extending existing coal and gas plants [16].

Economy & jobs

  • Opposes tax breaks or subsidies that lack "a real, enforceable community benefit" [16].

Other

  • His issues page also addresses reproductive rights, immigration and local control, public health, equality, and license plate cameras [13].

How Burbrink would run the office

  • Says he is running because "our community deserves someone who will show up and do the work" [15].

Burbrink on the current officeholder

  • Says "Ryan Lauer voted for a property tax cut that doesn't cost the state a dime" and "He cut your services so the state could keep your money" [13].
  • Says Lauer voted yes on HB 1406, a bill Burbrink connects to library funding [13].

How Burbrink got on the ballot

  • Did not appear on the May 5, 2026 primary ballot, which had no Democratic candidate for District 59 [11]; he is listed as the Democratic nominee on the November ballot [2].

What we could not find about Burbrink

  • How Burbrink was selected as nominee (likely a Democratic Party ballot-vacancy selection after the primary) was not confirmed from freely available sources; local coverage (The Republic, Columbus) could not be reviewed for this profile.
  • Burbrink's claim that Lauer voted yes on HB 1406 was not checked against a roll call; the bill's content was not independently verified.
  • He did not answer iVoterGuide's questionnaire. No fundraising data found.
  • No endorsements are listed on his campaign site [12].

Burbrink's campaign website

Sources for Burbrink

Ryan Lauer

RepublicanIncumbent

Work
Technical specialist at Cummins for more than a decade [3]

Ryan Lauer is the Republican incumbent, first elected in 2018 [3, 4]. He lists protecting abused and neglected children, property tax relief and a balanced budget as his priorities [14].

Lauer's background

  • Technical specialist at Cummins for more than a decade; Indiana University biochemistry graduate [3].
  • Elected to the Bartholomew County Council in 2010 and named its president in 2014; served on the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Merit Board and the Community Corrections Advisory Board [3].
  • Lives in Columbus [3].

Lauer's positions

Child welfare

  • On Safe Baby Courts: "When dealing with a CHINS case, time is always of the essence to return them to their guardians or find a new home" [5].

Public safety

  • On HEA 1286: "When a victim of domestic violence goes to court seeking a protective order, they should have every tool ready and available to them" [6].
  • Says he co-authored Indiana's constitutional carry law, which he describes as allowing all adult citizens to possess firearms [14].

Property taxes

  • Lists "Lowering or eliminating property taxes for lower and middle class families" as a legislative priority [14]; voted for SEA 1 in 2025 [8].

Education

  • Wrote that "Taxpayer funds should follow the student" [14].

Health care

  • On cancer research grants: "Through this new law, we can support their efforts to help those battling this terrible disease" [7].

Abortion

  • Wrote: "I am pro-life and believe life is precious" [14].

Elections & redistricting

  • Voted for the 2025 congressional redistricting bill (HB 1032) [10]; no public statement from Lauer on the vote was found.

How Lauer would run the office

  • Priority legislation he proposes, in order: "Protecting abused and neglected children"; "Lowering or eliminating property taxes for lower and middle class families"; "Improving road safety and maintaining a balanced budget" [14].

Lauer on the current officeholder

  • Is the current officeholder. No statements by Lauer about Burbrink were found; his campaign site does not discuss the 2026 race [17].

How Lauer got on the ballot

  • Unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, receiving 4,186 votes [11].

Lauer's endorsements and funding

  • His campaign site lists the Indiana Firefighters Union, Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, Indiana Right to Life, National Rifle Association, Indiana State Police Alliance, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Manufacturers Association and NFIB [17]; the site does not say which election cycle these apply to.

What we could not find about Lauer

  • Local coverage (The Republic, Columbus) of his 2026 campaign could not be reviewed for this profile.
  • No fundraising data found.
  • No public explanation of his HB 1032 redistricting vote was found.

Lauer's record in office

Indiana House record, District 59 (2023-2026) · compiled from the official record, Oct. 12-13, 2026

Authored
29
3 became law
Co-authored
36
20 became law
Sponsored
1
1 became law
Co-sponsored
14
12 became law

Committees, 2026 session

  • Family, Children and Human Affairs (Vice Chair)
  • Financial Institutions
  • Veterans Affairs and Public Safety
  • Child Services, Interim Study Committee on (House Majority Member)

Floor votes

  • 2023: Yes 429, No 51, Excused 11
  • 2024: Yes 280, No 29, Not voting 1
  • 2025: Yes 419, No 89, Not voting 2
  • 2026: Yes 277, No 100
How Lauer voted on 37 selected bills
The 80 bills Lauer carried

  • HB 1092: Columbus Learning Center.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Appropriates $5,075,665 from the state general fund to the department of administration for the total operating expense of the Columbus Learning Center lease payment for each year of the budget biennium.

  • HB 1093: Consumer information protection.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that certain consumers may submit proper identification to a credit reporting agency, request certain information, and submit a dispute with the credit reporting agency.

  • HB 1175: Child placement and permanency.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a juvenile court in a child in need of services (CHINS) proceeding: (1) may extend the time to complete the required factfinding hearing: (A) for good cause shown; and (B) if the court determines that the extension is in the child's best interests; (2) may (rather than shall, under current law) dismiss a CHINS case without prejudice if the factfinding hearing is not held before the s

  • HB 1176: CHINS dispositional hearing data.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of child services to prepare a report containing certain information for all cases in which a parent, guardian, or custodian has been ordered to participate in the plan of care for a child.

  • HB 1188: Compliance with CHINS dispositional decrees.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that if the department of child services (department) takes a child into custody, the department may not release the child to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian if: (1) the parent, guardian, or custodian, or a household member of the parent, guardian, or custodian, is the subject of a substantiated allegation of abuse of a child; and (2) the child expresses a desire to not be rele

  • HB 1189: Child fatality information.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the department of child services (department) shall disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities.

  • HB 1231: Gender transition procedures for minors.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits specified health care professionals from providing gender transition procedures to a minor that are intended to alter the gender of the minor or delay puberty.

  • HB 1232: Child removal and gender identity.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the department of child services may not classify a report of child abuse or neglect as substantiated, and a child may not be removed from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, solely on the basis of the parent, guardian, or custodian: (1) referring to and raising the child consistent with the child's biological sex; or (2) declining to consent to the child receiving: (A) speci

  • HB 1314: Pediatric cancer research and treatment grant.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the pediatric cancer research and treatment grant program (grant program) to be administered by the Indiana department of health (state department).

  • HB 1351: Conduct of CDL physical by physical therapists.

    2023 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "certified medical examiner".

  • HB 1008: Pension investments.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Specifies certain entities, actions taken, or factors considered to which the ESG commitment provisions do not apply.

  • HB 1034: Income tax exemption for military pay.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Exempts military pay for members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard from the individual income tax.

  • HB 1035: Township assessors.

    2023 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Provides that, in counties that have one or more township assessors, the county election board shall place on the ballot at the November 2024 general election a public question asking whether the office of township assessor should be abolished or continued.

  • HB 1038: Data security.

    2023 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Removes the remedies from chapter 3 of the data security breach statute and adds a reference to relief available under chapter 4 of that statute.

  • HB 1134: Department of child services interview with child.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of child services to obtain a court order to interview a child at the child's school without notice to the child's parent or guardian.

  • HB 1163: Elimination of local income tax councils.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Eliminates local income tax councils beginning July 1, 2024, and instead provides that the county fiscal body is the adopting body in all counties for purposes of the LIT.

  • HB 1169: Separation of siblings in child placement.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that if a child is placed in a temporary out-of-home placement in a location in which a sibling of the child resides, the department of child services shall, before changing the placement of the child, consider whether separating the child from the child's sibling is in the child's best interest.

  • HB 1201: Rare disease advisory council.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the rare disease advisory council (council) to address various issues concerning the needs of patients in Indiana with rare diseases and their caregivers and providers.

  • HB 1236: Protections for motor vehicle dealers.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Specifies the amount of compensation by a manufacturer or distributor to a dealer for a part.

  • HB 1286: Toxicology screening for xylazine.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, if the coroner reasonably suspects the cause of the person's death to be accidental or intentional overdose of an opioid or if the person was administered an overdose intervention drug prior to death and was unresponsive to the overdose intervention drug, the coroner shall test certain bodily fluids to determine whether the bodily fluid contained any amount, including a trace amount

  • HB 1388: Tuition and fee exemptions.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that certain eligible applicants for higher education cost exemptions are entitled to receive instruction in a state educational institution without the payment of any educational costs.

  • HB 1406: High school equivalency pilot program.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Adds Elwood Community School Corporation, Anderson Community Schools, Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation, Center Grove Community School Corporation, Greenwood Community School Corporation, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation to the school corporations that are part of the high school equivalency pilot program.

  • HB 1446: Case management after family reunification.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that if the dispositional decree entered in the case of a child who is removed from the home of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian provides for reunification of the child with the parent, guardian, or custodian, the department of child services (department) shall conduct random, unannounced, in-home, face-to-face assessments of the child not less than once each week for the first

  • HB 1501: Nonaccredited nonpublic secondary schools.

    2023 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that a high school diploma (diploma) or credential issued by a nonaccredited nonpublic secondary school is legally sufficient to demonstrate that the recipient of the diploma or credential has met the requirements to complete high school.

  • HB 1570: Family and juvenile law matters.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Makes changes in various adoption law provisions to provide 15 days (rather than 30 days) to contest certain adoptions.

  • HJR 1: Gubernatorial line of succession.

    2023 · Co-authored · enacted: became law (no signature action listed)

    Removes the superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant.

  • SB 1: Behavioral health matters.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in

  • SB 151: Foster families.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the amount of foster care support tax credits allowed may not exceed $2,000,000 in each calendar year beginning after December 31, 2023, and ending before January 1, 2028.

  • SB 176: Small modular nuclear reactors.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Changes the rated electric generating capacity from 350 megawatts to 470 megawatts for purposes of the definition of "small modular nuclear reactor" as used in the statutes concerning: (1) certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the Indiana utility regulatory commission for the construction, lease, or purchase of electric generation facilities; and (2) financial incentives for e

  • SB 187: Public safety matters.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a unit shall provide by ordinance the number of police reserve officers a law enforcement agency may appoint.

  • SB 236: Learner's permits.

    2023 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, to obtain a learner's permit, an individual who is less than 18 years of age must provide the bureau of motor vehicles with an emergency contact person who is not the holder of the learner's permit to be listed in the Indiana emergency contact data base for the individual who holds the learner's permit.

  • HB 1101: Courts for children three years of age and younger in need of services.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes a safe baby court as a type of problem solving court.

  • HB 1152: Assessed value deductions for disabled veterans.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Eliminates the assessed value cap that applies to the property tax deduction for a veteran who: (1) has a total disability; or (2) is at least 62 years of age and has at least a 10% disability.

  • HB 1230: Child fatality information.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the department of child services (department) shall disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities.

  • HB 1310: Children in need of services.

    2024 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that if a child has been removed from the child's parent for at least 12 of the most recent 22 months at the time of a periodic case review, the child's permanency plan must include at least one intended permanent or long term arrangement for care and custody of the child other than reunification of the child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

  • HB 1391: CHINS dispositional hearing data.

    2024 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires the department of child services to prepare an annual report containing certain information for all cases in which a parent, guardian, or custodian has been ordered to participate in the plan of care for a child.

  • HB 1001: Education and higher education matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the definition of "eligible student" to include a sibling of a student with a disability with regards to the education scholarship account program (ESA).

  • HB 1002: Enforcement of equal educational opportunity.

    2024 · Co-authored · passed both chambers; vetoed by the Governor

    Defines "antisemitism", specifies that the public policy of the state is to provide educational opportunities free of religious discrimination, and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, or national origin.

  • HB 1004: Pension matters.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment.

  • HB 1064: DCS technical changes and adoption subsidies.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Relocates the definition of "foster youth".

  • HB 1070: Mental health grants.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Allows the division of mental health and addiction to award mental health grants to for-profit community mental health organizations if a nonprofit organization does not qualify for the grant.

  • HB 1233: Robotics competition program.

    2024 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the robotics competition program (program) definition of "allowable expenses" to allow a robotics competition team to use grant funds on expenses associated with a robotics competition.

  • SB 171: Reunification plan for a child in need of services.

    2024 · Sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends the circumstances under which reasonable efforts to reunify a child with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or preserve a child's family are not required.

  • SB 169: Child caring institutions and group homes.

    2024 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires specified types of residential child care facilities to: (1) implement specified personnel policies, including with regard to: (A) minimum qualifications for specified employee classifications; and (B) maintenance of personnel records; (2) comply with specified restrictions on caseloads; (3) obtain specified health records, immunizations, and examinations for each child under the facility

  • SB 181: Citizenship and immigration status.

    2024 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that, if the attorney general determines probable cause exists, the attorney general, rather than any person lawfully domiciled in Indiana, shall bring an action to compel a governmental body or postsecondary educational institution to comply with statutes requiring cooperation with federal immigration officials.

  • HB 1152: Child fatality information.

    2025 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Provides that the department of child services (department) shall disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities.

  • HB 1158: Participation in the 287(g) program.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Requires each sheriff with regard to a county jail to: (1) enter into a written agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in the immigration program established under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act not later than January 1, 2026; and (2) beginning October 1, 2025, notify the department of correction quarterly of the status of a writt

  • HB 1164: School transportation.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that the governing body of a school corporation must minimize or eliminate school bus route stops that require a student to cross certain roads.

  • HB 1193: Township assessors.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Abolishes the office of township assessor, effective January 1, 2028.

  • HB 1211: Prevention of elder abuse.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Precludes certain individuals who have been convicted of a battery offense or neglect of a dependent from providing certain types of in-home care for compensation.

  • HB 1311: Adoption for abandoned infants.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that when the department of child services (department) or a licensed child placing agency takes custody of a child who is voluntarily left with an emergency services provider or in a newborn safety device, the department or licensed child placing agency shall: (1) not later than 72 hours after taking custody of the child, contact each licensed child placing agency in Indiana and request

  • HB 1486: Use of SNAP benefits.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from using SNAP benefits to purchase accessory foods, including: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) soft drinks; (4) corn or potato chips; and (5) prepared desserts, including cookies, candy, ice cream, cakes, and pies.

  • HB 1488: Pediatric cancer research and treatment grant.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Establishes the pediatric cancer research and treatment grant program (grant program) to be administered by the rare disease advisory council (council).

  • HB 1570: Social Security number search requests.

    2025 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "Social Security number search request" (search request) as a request made by a consumer to a consumer reporting agency to conduct a search of all files maintained by the consumer reporting agency to determine if the consumer's Social Security number is associated with one or more consumer credit files not associated with the consumer.

  • HB 1007: Energy generation resources.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides a credit against state tax liability for expenses incurred in the manufacture of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in Indiana.

  • HB 1120: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment program.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Extends the Indiana department of veterans' affairs (department) hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program (program) to June 30, 2027.

  • HB 1273: Child welfare task force.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the child welfare task force (task force) to study specified topics regarding child welfare services in Indiana.

  • HB 1320: Beauty apprenticeships.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that an individual who completes a United States Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for barbers or manicurists is eligible to take the licensure examination of the applicable profession.

  • HB 1337: Time observance in Indiana.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Exempts Indiana from daylight saving time.

  • HB 1453: Cancer research and treatment grants.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that a program may be established to provide grants to cancer centers in Indiana to increase breast cancer research projects or breast cancer clinical trials.

  • HB 1485: Court appointed counsel for certain minors.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Provides that courts are required to appoint counsel for eligible children with certain exceptions.

  • HB 1528: Discrimination in providing financial services.

    2025 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits a financial services provider from discriminating in providing financial services to a consumer by using a social credit score as a basis for directly or indirectly: (1) declining to provide to the consumer full and equal access to one or more financial services; or (2) providing the consumer with one or more financial services on less favorable terms and conditions than would otherwise

  • HB 1605: Juvenile law matters.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires the family and social services administration (FSSA) to provide address information to the department of child services (department) under specified circumstances subject to federal approval of a state plan amendment or waiver allowing FSSA to do so.

  • HB 1634: Math education.

    2025 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires each school corporation and charter middle school to automatically enroll a student who meets certain conditions in a middle school advanced math course.

  • HB 1643: Campaign finance.

    2025 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate

    Modifies the definition of "auxiliary party organization".

  • SB 424: Small modular nuclear reactor development costs.

    2025 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Amends as follows the Indiana Code section concerning certificates of public convenience and necessity (certificates) for small modular nuclear reactors: (1) Authorizes a public utility to petition the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for approval to incur, before obtaining a certificate, project development costs for the development of one or more small modular nuclear reactors.

  • SB 430: Grants for participation in the 287(g) program.

    2025 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House

    Establishes the 287(g) agreement grant program.

  • SB 486: Family and social services matters.

    2025 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Requires a sheriff to assist an individual who: (1) has been incarcerated for at least 30 days in a: (A) county jail; (B) community based correctional facility for children; (C) juvenile detention facility; or (D) secure facility other than a child caring institution; and (2) is eligible for Medicaid; in applying for Medicaid before the individual's release from the facility.

  • SB 497: Tax credit for newborn children.

    2025 · Co-sponsored · passed the Senate only; did not pass the House (not reported from House committee)

    Establishes a tax credit for newborn children, which an eligible taxpayer may claim only in the first taxable year in which a particular newborn child is eligible for the exemption allowed under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

  • HB 1263: Use of SNAP benefits.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits recipients from using SNAP benefits to purchase accessory foods, including: (1) energy drinks; (2) sweetened beverages; (3) soft drinks; (4) corn or potato chips; and (5) prepared desserts, including cookies, candy, ice cream, cakes, and pies.

  • HB 1264: Child fatality information.

    2026 · Authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Provides that the department of child services (department) shall disclose to the public certain information regarding child fatalities or near fatalities.

  • HB 1280: Social Security number search requests.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Defines "Social Security number search request" (search request) as a request made by a consumer to a consumer reporting agency to conduct a search of all files maintained by the consumer reporting agency to determine if the consumer's Social Security number is associated with one or more consumer credit files not associated with the consumer.

  • HB 1286: Military protective order.

    2026 · Authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Specifies that a party to a protective order proceeding has a duty to inform the court of any military protective orders issued by a military commander in effect between the parties.

  • HB 1306: Prevention of elder abuse.

    2026 · Authored · not reported from House committee

    Precludes certain individuals who have been convicted of particular crimes from providing certain types of in-home care for compensation.

  • HB 1027: Sale of bureau of motor vehicles information.

    2026 · Co-authored · not reported from House committee

    Prohibits the bureau of motor vehicles (BMV) from selling the personal information of an individual who: (1) is less than 21 years of age; (2) is 65 years of age or older; or (3) opts out of the sale of the individual's personal information.

  • HB 1035: Permissible unsupervised activity.

    2026 · Co-authored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Defines "independent activity".

  • HB 1315: Township reorganization.

    2026 · Co-authored · passed the House only; did not pass the Senate (not reported from Senate committee)

    Provides that on January 1, 2028, certain townships are dissolved and their powers, duties, offices, and property are transferred to a municipality or county.

  • SB 227: Counter action against unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Provides that the state police department is the statewide coordinating agency for counter-UAS activities authorized under federal law.

  • SB 258: Nuclear facility permits.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Makes the following changes to the Indiana Code chapter concerning the issuance of permits for nuclear powered generating facilities and nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (facilities) by the department of environmental management (department): (1) Repeals a provision that prohibits a person from constructing or operating, or increasing the capacity of, a facility without a permit from the departmen

  • SB 27: Stadium authority.

    2026 · Co-sponsored · enacted: signed by the Governor

    Establishes the northwest Indiana stadium authority (stadium authority) for the purpose of acquiring and financing certain facilities.

How this record was put together, and what it does not show

What we list: 28 bills chosen by a rule that does not look at topic: both state budgets, four bills named in advance, the 2025-26 redistricting bill, and in each session and chamber the 3 bills whose final-passage vote drew the most “nay” votes.

  • Votes reflect party caucus dynamics. Indiana has Republican supermajorities in both chambers, and many floor votes split along party lines; a single vote says little without the bill and its context.
  • Bills often die for procedural reasons, such as no committee hearing or a deadline, and a bill marked “not reported from committee” may have become law inside another bill.
  • A third-reading vote is on the version in front of the chamber at that time; the final version can be very different.
  • Authoring and co-authoring are different: co-authors sign on, often in large numbers, and usually did not write the bill.
  • Attendance counts roll calls on bills and joint resolutions (about 89% of numbered roll calls). “Excused” is an absence the chamber approved; “not voting” means no vote was recorded.

Where Lauer's record came from

Lauer's campaign website

Sources for Lauer

Key points

  • House District 59 covers part of Bartholomew County, including Columbus, per the House Republican caucus. (Indiana House Republicans (caucus description))
  • Key differences: Burbrink criticizes Lauer's vote for the 2025 property-tax law (SEA 1), saying it shifted costs to local services such as the library, and calls for limits on data centers' water and power use. (Josh Burbrink campaign)
  • Lauer was unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary (4,186 votes); no Democratic candidate appeared on the District 59 primary ballot. Josh Burbrink is the Democratic nominee on the November ballot. (Indiana Election Division, Indiana Election Results (ENR))

Sources

Researched Saturday, October 10, 2026

  1. Indiana House of Representatives (Wikipedia)
  2. 2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
  3. State Rep. Ryan Lauer — House District 59 (Indiana House Republicans (caucus description))
  4. 2026 Indiana House of Representatives election (Wikipedia)
  5. Governor ceremonially signs into law Lauer's bill launching safe baby courts in Indiana (Indiana House Republicans)
  6. Rep. Lauer: Governor ceremonially signs new law to help protect domestic abuse victims (Indiana House Republicans)
  7. New law co-authored by Lauer creating cancer research grant programs ceremonially signed by the governor (Indiana House Republicans)
  8. House Roll Call 433: SB 1 (Local government finance), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  9. House Roll Call 28: HB 1032 (Redistricting), third reading (Indiana General Assembly (roll-call PDF mirrored by FastDemocracy/BillTexts))
  10. 2026 Primary Election results (certified), State Representative (Indiana Election Division, Indiana Election Results (ENR))
  11. Josh Burbrink for State Representative (Josh Burbrink campaign)
  12. The Issues (Josh Burbrink campaign)
  13. Ryan Lauer — Indiana State Representative, District 59 (candidate questionnaire) (iVoterGuide)
  14. About Josh (Josh Burbrink campaign)
  15. Josh Burbrink (BallotReady)
  16. Ryan Lauer for State Representative (Ryan Lauer campaign)
What's included
the U.S. House, statewide offices, every Indiana House and Senate district on the ballot, Indiana's statewide public questions and judicial retention questions, and county, township, city, town and school board races from the Indiana Election Division's candidate list.
Everything else
Local races (county, city, school board, judges) and anything else on your ballot are on your official sample ballot: IndianaVoters.in.gov.
Candidate lists
As of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
At the polls
Indiana law lets you bring a list of candidates and public questions into the polling place, including one stored on your phone, as long as you don't electioneer. IC 3-11-8-18.5

This is not an official ballot. Confirm your registration, polling place and ballot with your election office through vote.gov.