Ryan Mishler State Senator - District 9
https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/mishler
Contact My Office
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9467
www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Mishler
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Legislative and State Government Updates
Spet. 4, 2026
Local Farms Honored with Hoosier Homestead Award
Locally owned farms in Senate District 9 were recently honored at the Indiana State Fair with the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
The Hire farm in Elkhart County received Centennial and Sesquicentennial awards, and the Stiffler farm in Kosciusko County received a Sesquicentennial Award.
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year.
Paid Senate Internships Available
College students and recent graduates can now apply for paid internships with the Indiana Senate Republican Caucus. Spring-semester internships are available in the communications, information technology, legal, legislative, page and policy offices for the 2027 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Each day, interns work directly with state senators and professional staff to address real issues impacting Hoosiers across Indiana. The internship program provides a great opportunity to build resumes, expand professional networks and gain meaningful experience in the workplace.
Interns earn a $900 biweekly stipend and benefit from scholarship and academic credit opportunities, professional development, community involvement and networking.
Senate internships are full-time positions at the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis that typically begin with a mandatory orientation in late December or early January and conclude at the end of the legislative session in April.
Enjoying State Parks this Fall
With cooler temperatures and colorful leaves just around the corner, Hoosiers can look forward to getting outside this fall and enjoying Indiana's amazing state parks, forests and trails.
From the rolling Indiana Dunes and the sandstone ravines and forest trails of Turkey Run, to the expansive hills and beautiful colors of Brown County State Park, there is something in every region of the state to experience.
Upcoming Free Youth Hunting and Fishing Days
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources invites young Hoosiers to participate in the first Free Youth Hunting Days of 2026 on Sept. 5 and 6. During this period, residents 17 or younger can hunt any legal game in season, with the exception of those 16 or older hunting waterfowl, who still need a Federal Duck Stamp.
Hoosiers are also encouraged to take advantage of the final Free Fishing Day of 2026 on Sept. 26.
This is a great opportunity to introduce a friend or family member to hunting or fishing without having to buy a license!
Community Calendar
Contact My Office
800-382-9467
www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Mishler
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August 24, 2026
State Disaster Relief Fund for Eligible Hoosiers
Following the recent storms in northwest Indiana, eligible Hoosiers can now request up to $5,000 from the State Disaster Relief Fund.
The recent devastating storms have left many Hoosier families displaced from their homes. This emergency assistance can help replace basic items like food and clothing.
In addition to the disaster relief funds, the governor has activated emergency SNAP benefit replacements for eligible recipients who lost food due to the storms. An affidavit must be submitted for replaced benefits and can be uploaded to the FSSA Benefits Portal or dropped off at any Division of Family Resources office.
My heart is with all Hoosiers impacted by these recent storms. As we continue through the recovery process, it's important for Hoosiers to come together, help our neighbors and remember to put safety first during this challenging time.
Reporting Storm Damage to Indiana 211
Anyone who has experienced damage caused by recent storms is encouraged to report it to Indiana 211.
You can report damage by calling 866-211-9966 or visiting on.in.gov/IN-211.
This assessment will help the state determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process. Indiana 211 can also help residents connect to local resources to aid in response and recovery.
Reading Scores Improve Again
Congratulations are in order for Hoosier students, parents and educators for the great results we saw this year in early reading achievement.
New data shows the percentage of students passing the 2026 IREAD test increased by 1.5% - the second-largest single-year increase since the test began over 10 years ago. Nearly 89% of students are now reading proficiently by the end of third grade, which surpasses pre-pandemic levels.
The ability to read is foundational to academic success, and I am thrilled to see Hoosier students are making such strong improvements.
Since 2023, Senate Republicans have led the way in ensuring the Science of Reading curriculum was implemented in our classrooms. Those efforts were paired with funding when the General Assembly and the Lilly Endowment partnered to invest $170 million in efforts to improve reading instruction and reward schools that are successfully implementing the Science of Reading.
These improved test scores are a testament to the renewed focus Indiana placed upon reading instruction, and I am very grateful for the hard work of the students, teachers and parents who contributed greatly to achieve these results.
Community Calendar
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Contact My Office
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9467
www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Mishler
Follow the caucus on social media
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Legislative and State Government Updates
June 26
New Laws Going Into Effect on July 1
Many of the new laws passed by the General Assembly in 2026 will go into effect July 1.
Some of these new laws will:
- Protect Indiana's safety net programs by fighting waste, fraud and abuse within the welfare programs;
- Support the federal government's work to stop illegal immigration in Indiana;
- Prevent Hoosiers from paying unnecessary Homeowner's Association fines; and
- Allow drivers to get their license at age 16, not 16 and 90 days.
During the 2026 legislative session, 90% of bills received bipartisan support on Senate final passage and more than 50% received unanimous support on Senate final passage.
A full list of laws passed during the 2026 legislative session can be found by visiting iga.in.gov.
As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments you may have by filling out a “Contact Me" form online or by phone at 800-382-9467.
Assistance for Severe Weather Damage
In recent weeks, severe weather has impacted many communities throughout Indiana, causing damage to homes and businesses.
Hoosiers affected by the storms can check Indiana 211 or the American Red Cross Resource Directory for assistance and resource referrals.
Community Calendar
Contact My Office
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9467
www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Mishler
Follow the caucus on social media
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JUNE 19, 2026
Legislative and State Government Updates
The Work Continues
The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature and only meets for a few months each year, which ensures we adhere to deadlines and complete our work for Hoosiers in a timely manner. It also means lawmakers spend more time living and working in our communities, so we can keep our thumb on the pulse of what’s important to the Hoosiers we represent at the Statehouse.
In the summer and fall months when the legislature is not in session, we use interim study committees to take a closer look at issues important to Hoosiers. These meetings allow us to hear directly from stakeholders, industry experts and our neighbors as we talk about these topics.
Some of this year's study topics include property tax assessments, childcare funding, workforce programs, tax incentives, crime trends and opportunities to advance our state's agriculture industry.
As policymakers and state agencies prepare for next year's budget session, input from Hoosiers will be critical to ensuring the Indiana General Assembly passes legislation that reflects the needs of the state.
I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments you may have by filling out a “Contact Me" form online or by phone at 800-382-9467.
Big Names Announced for Indiana State Fair Free Stage
From classic rock stars to country legends, this year's Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair will have plenty of acts for music lovers to enjoy.
This year's state fair will run from Aug. 7-23 and will include plenty of entertainment, food and competitions for all Hoosiers.
Assistance for Severe Weather Damage
This week, severe thunderstorms hit Senate District 9, causing damage to homes from strong winds and falling trees.
Hoosiers affected by the storms can check Indiana 211 or the American Red Cross Resource Directory for resource referrals.
Community Calendar
Contact My Office
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9467
www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Mishler
Follow the caucus on social media
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JUNE 12, 2026
Legislative and State Government Updates
Shrinking Government
Senate Republicans work consistently to eliminate red tape and strengthen efficiency within state and local government.
Because I believe our state operates best without government interference, I supported new laws this year that:
- Improve government efficiency;
- Reduce outdated and unneeded regulations in K-12 education;
- Cut red tape for Hoosier farmers; and
- Remove overly burdensome requirements for pharmacists.
I want you to have confidence that here in Indiana we value less government – not more. I believe these new laws will cut red tape and signal that we will always hold state and local governments accountable to Hoosier taxpayers.
State Seeking Golden Hoosier Nominations
Indiana is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Golden Hoosier Award, which recognizes senior citizens for their lifetime of volunteer service to our local communities.
The award is open to any Hoosier 65 and older who has volunteered in their communities for the past three years or more.
Community Calendar
Contact My Office
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9467
www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Mishler
Follow the caucus on social media
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Office of Senator Ryan Mishler
February 27, 2026
Legislative and State Government Updates
Lowering Hoosiers' Energy Bills
Hoosiers are understandably frustrated by rising utility bills. With that in mind, I voted for House Enrolled Act 1002, which would overhaul Indiana's ratemaking process for electric utilities to promote affordability, predictable monthly bills and reliable service.
One of the major reforms in HEA 1002 is switching to performance-based ratemaking, which requires companies to meet affordability and reliability goals to collect their full return on investment.
Under this model, if a utility's average residential bill increases significantly faster than national electricity prices, the utility's return will be cut by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Service providers would also need to ensure their utility is reliable, and if the total duration of a utility's service outages significantly increases, their return will be cut.
Switching to a performance-based model is the biggest change to Indiana's ratemaking process in over 100 years. Our state has historically operated under a cost-of-service model, where companies could charge customers to recoup their costs. Going forward, the amount utilities can collect will be based on the quality of service they provide to customers.
Preparing Students for Life After High School
Indiana is leading the way in preparing Hoosier students for life after high school according to a new nationwide study of policies by the nonpartisan organization XQ Institute.
In recent years, the Indiana General Assembly has supported legislation that reinvented high school by expanding Indiana's work-based learning opportunities and redesigned high school diplomas to give students more flexibility in their post-secondary careers.
This Week at the Statehouse
Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority Bill Signed by Governor
This week the Senate passed Senate Enrolled Act 27, which I authored, with bipartisan support. SEA 27 creates the framework to establish the northwest Indiana stadium authority for the possibility of bringing the Chicago Bears to northwest Indiana. The bill has already been signed by Gov. Braun. Thank you to my colleagues for their support on this legislation. I look forward to what comes next for Northwest Indiana!
Community Calendar
Elkhart CountyMarshall CountyKosciusko CountySt. Joseph County
Contact My Office
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9467
