Senate Bill

SB 256

Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries.

In plain English

Requires certain people acting for a hostile foreign country to register with the attorney general, and requires state technology contracts to include a promise that the contractor and its subcontractors are not prohibited persons. Creates a process to deny state benefits to people who aid a foreign terrorist organization, bars certain people and businesses from buying Indiana real property, and makes other changes.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

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.

Latest action: Public Law 131, March 5, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Chris Garten, Eric Koch, Aaron Freeman, Matt Commons

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Justin Busch, Scott Baldwin, Gary Byrne, Daryl Schmitt, Blake Doriot, Randy Maxwell, Liz Brown, Ron Alting, Chris Judy, Chris Jeter, Andrew Ireland

Roll-call votes

4 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Jan 26, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 256 - Garten - 3rd Reading

Passed

44 yes0 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 37 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 7 yes, 0 no, 3 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 19, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 256 - Commons - 3rd Reading

Passed

93 yes1 no6 did not vote

Republicans: 64 yes, 0 no, 5 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 1 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (93)

No (1)

Did not vote (6)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 256 - Garten

Passed

49 yes0 no1 did not vote

Republicans: 40 yes, 0 noDemocrats: 9 yes, 0 no, 1 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 256 - Commons

Passed

82 yes13 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 65 yes, 0 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 16 yes, 13 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (82)

No (13)

Did not vote (5)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.