Indiana · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 256 is a bill introduced in the Indiana Senate on January 8, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries. Primary sponsor: Chris Garten (Republican), Eric Koch (Republican), Aaron Freeman (Republican), Matt Commons (Republican). It lists 11 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (March 5, 2026): Public Law 131.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 15
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Garten | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 45 |
| Eric Koch | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 44 |
| Aaron Freeman | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 32 |
| Matt Commons | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 13 |
| Ron Alting | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 22 |
| Scott Baldwin | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
| Liz Brown | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 15 |
| Justin Busch | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 16 |
| Gary Byrne | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 47 |
| Blake Doriot | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 12 |
| Andrew Ireland | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 90 |
| Chris Jeter | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 88 |
| Chris Judy | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 83 |
| Randy Maxwell | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 43 |
| Daryl Schmitt | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 48 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official 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
- Senator Alting added as coauthor
- Signed by the President Pro Tempore
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history