Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries.
Status: Chaptered, March 5, 2026
Provides that contracts entered into, amended, or renewed by a qualified entity for the provision of a technological product or service must contain a provision requiring the contractor to confirm that the contractor and any subcontractors working under the contract for the contractor are not prohibited persons. Requires certain persons acting on behalf of a hostile foreign country to register with the attorney general. Establishes a procedure to deny state benefits to persons who aid a foreign terrorist organization. Requires a state educational institution to meet certain requirements regarding the admission and enrollment of a foreign student into qualifying programs at state educational institutions. Requires an approved postsecondary educational institution to provide to the commission for higher education the number of foreign students currently enrolled in a qualifying program and the number of foreign students enrolled in a qualifying program for each academic year for the preceding 10 years. Prohibits certain individuals and business entities from acquiring real property located in Indiana. Provides that an agreement or cooperative agreement between a unit and a prohibited person is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable. Repeals existing statutes regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land.
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning state offices and administration.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state offices and administration. SECTION 1. IC 1-1-15.3 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Chapter 15.3. Prohibition on Technology Contracts with Certain Foreign Owned Companies Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "business entity" means: (1) a corporation, professional corporation, nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or limited partnership; or (2) the equivalent of any entity described in subdivision (1). Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "controlling person" means: (1) a beneficial owner (as defined in IC 23-1-20-3.5) of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the shares of a business entity; (2) an officer, a director, or another individual who possesses inside information about a business entity because of the officer, director, or other individual's relationship with the business entity; or (3) a person, individually or as a member of a group, who has the ability to directly or indirectly affect a business entity's management or policies. Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "foreign adversary" includes the SEA 256 -- CC 1 following: (1) The People's Republic of China. (2) The Russian Federation. (3) The People's Republic of North Korea. (4) The Islamic Republic of Iran. (5) A foreign government listed in 15 CFR 791.4. (6) A country …
Sponsors
- Chris Garten (R, SD-045) · primary sponsor
- Eric Koch (R, SD-044)
- Aaron Freeman (R, SD-032)
- Justin Busch (R, SD-016)
- Scott Baldwin (R, SD-020)
- Gary Byrne (R, SD-047)
- Daryl Schmitt (R, SD-048)
- Blake Doriot (R, SD-012)
- Randy Maxwell (R, SD-043)
- Brown, Liz (R)
- Alting, Ron (R)
Latest actions
- : Public Law 131
- : Signed by the Governor
- : CCR # 1 filed in the House
- : CCR # 1 filed in the Senate
- : Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 412: yeas 82, nays 13
- : Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 316: yeas 49, nays 0
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Senator Baldwin added as conferee
- : Senator Taylor G removed as conferee
- : Senator Baldwin removed as advisor
Votes
- SB0256.05.ENGH.CCS001 (February 27, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SB0256.05.ENGH.CCH001 (February 27, 2026): 82 yea, 13 nay, passed
- SB0256.04.COMH (February 19, 2026): 93 yea, 1 nay, passed
- SB0256.03.ENGS (January 26, 2026): 44 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT; Collective Bargaining, Benefits, and Wages, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; Generally , GENERAL ASSEMBLY; Generally, ELECTIONS; Generally, PROPERTY; Generally, AGENCIES; Commission for Higher Education (CHE), STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS; Attorney General, GENERAL ASSEMBLY; Lobbying and Lobbyists
Common questions
- What is SB256?
- SB256 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries.
- What does SB256 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning state offices and administration.
- What is the status of SB256?
- Chaptered as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 131 (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB256?
- Chris Garten (R, SD-045), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB256?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/256
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.