KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Indiana

HB1422 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.

Labor
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Zach Payne
Last action
2026-01-15
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific information on enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or the detailed content of the required reports.

Indiana Immigration Hiring and Funding Rules

This bill changes how Indiana state agencies hire workers and fund services related to immigration.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires state agencies to prefer hiring U.S. citizens or nationals over non-U.S. citizens if both are equally qualified for a job.
  • Limits state agencies from sponsoring new H-1B visas after July 1, 2026, unless the attorney general approves it.
  • Needs state agencies to report on each employee they sponsored for an H-1B visa in the past year and post these reports online.
  • Stops the state or local governments from funding services related to immigration proceedings for people with unlawful status or entities trying to delay federal law enforcement.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Indiana state agencies
  • U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens applying for jobs at Indiana state agencies
  • Entities involved in legal actions against federal immigration laws

Terms To Know

H-1B visa
A type of work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.
Attorney General
The chief legal officer for a state who enforces laws and provides legal advice.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if the attorney general does not approve an H-1B visa sponsorship.
  • It is unclear how this bill will be enforced or what penalties there are for breaking it.
  • The exact details of the reports that state agencies must submit have not been fully defined.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-15 House

    Representatives Bascom, Prescott added as coauthors

  2. 2026-01-08 House

    Authored by Representative Payne

  3. 2026-01-08 House

    Coauthored by Representative Ireland

  4. 2026-01-08 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory Reform

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.
Immigration matters.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning state and local administration.

Immigration matters.

Requires certain state agencies to give hiring preference to an individual who is a citizen or national of the United States over another individual who is an alien if the two individuals are equally qualified. Provides that the state agencies may not sponsor an individual for a new H-1B visa after July 1, 2026, unless certain information is submitted to the attorney general and the attorney general approves the state agency sponsoring the individual. Requires the state agencies to prepare and submit a report that includes certain information regarding each employee the state agency sponsored for a new H-1B visa during the immediately preceding state fiscal year. Requires the attorney general to post the reports on its website. Prohibits the state or a political subdivision from directly or indirectly funding services related to an immigration proceeding to an individual with unlawful status or to an entity that is a party to a legal action for the purpose of challenging, obstructing, or delaying the enforcement of certain federal immigration laws. Provides a private right of action for a violation of this prohibition.