The governor ceremonially signed into law on April 22 legislation authored and sponsored by State Representative Matt Lehman to strengthen government transparency and update Indiana’s energy regulations.
These new laws aim to address growing concerns about the efficiency of public records requests and to streamline regulatory processes for nuclear energy in the state. House Enrolled Act 1360, authored by Lehman, introduces safeguards against automated and out-of-state public records requests that can overwhelm agencies.
“Hoosiers deserve timely and transparent access to public records, but agencies should not be burdened by bad-faith or automated requests that slow down the process for everyone,” Lehman said. “House Enrolled Act 1360 puts reasonable guardrails into place to protect access while improving efficiency and accountability.”
Under HEA 1360, agencies will now maintain an online portal for processing requests, verify requestors’ physical addresses, track potential automated submissions, and may charge fees for certain out-of-state inquiries. These measures are designed to ensure legitimate requests are processed efficiently while offsetting administrative costs.
Lehman also sponsored Senate Enrolled Act 258, which updates Indiana’s approach to nuclear energy regulation by removing duplicative state requirements already covered at the federal level. “Reliable, affordable energy is critical to Indiana’s economic growth,” Lehman said. “By modernizing our regulatory framework, we are reducing unnecessary red tape and creating a more efficient path forward for responsible energy development.” SEA 258 aims to align state permitting with federal regulations in order to meet future demand while maintaining safety standards.
Huston contributed to civic leadership through service on education boards and community commissions in Indiana, per the Indiana House Republicans website. Huston expanded Indiana’s Choice Scholarship program, earning recognition for school choice advocacy according to the Indiana House Republicans website. He also championed measures related to tax relief as reported by the Indiana House Republicans website.
Huston resides in Fishers with his wife Denise and their two adult children according to the Indiana House Republicans website. He has served as a state representative since first being elected in 2012 as noted by the Indiana House Republicans website, after earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University according to the same source.
To learn more about these new laws passed during the legislative session or other initiatives supported by lawmakers like Huston or Lehman, residents can visit iga.in.gov.
