STATE BILLIN SB 251ENGROSSED

OWI penalties.

State of Indiana

OWI penalties. Provides that if a person has one prior OWI conviction, the court shall order that the person be imprisoned for at least 10 days or perform community service, and if a person has two prior OWI convictions, the court shall order that the person be imprisoned for at least 20 days or perform community service. Provides that a person receives good time credit while serving a sentence imposed under this statute (under current law, a person does not receive good time credit).Provides that this statute does not increase the maximum sentence for the offense as provided by either IC 35-50-2 or IC 35-50-3. Specifies that "vehicle", for purposes of the crime of operating while intoxicated, includes a watercraft, and repeals the separate crime of operating a motorboat while intoxicated. Provides that an initial hearing may be waived and allows a person to apply for a specialized driving privilege after an initial hearing. Adds operating while intoxicated due to use of a controlled substance to the habitual traffic violator statute. Authorizes the use of a roadside chemical test under certain circumstances. Specifies that ignition interlock devices may only be used when the underlying offense is operating while intoxicated resulting from the use of alcohol. Makes certain provisions concerning pretrial administrative suspension of driving privileges discretionary with the court.Provides that the budget director shall review and determine before December 31, 2026, whether federal highway administration funding to the state will or will not be reduced due to the amendment of provisions concerning administrative suspension of driving privileges. Requires the budget director to notify the budget committee of the determination and those provisions may not be implemented until after budget committee review. Makes conforming amendments.

Status
Engrossed
Passed its first chamber
Status date
Jan 29, 2026
287 days ago
Current chamber
House of Representatives
Session
2026 Regular Session
IN SB 251 · EngrossedJan 29

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Bill details

Last action
Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3 · Feb 12, 2026

Sponsors

AFAaron FreemanSenator · Republican · SD-032Primary sponsor
CCCyndi CarrascoSenator · Republican · SD-036Primary sponsor
ECEd CharbonneauSenator · Republican · SD-005
CJChris JeterRepresentative · Republican · HD-088
JOJulie OlthoffRepresentative · Republican · HD-019

Bill history

Newest first.

Feb 12, 2026Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3House
Feb 12, 2026Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedHouse
Feb 3, 2026Representative Olthoff added as cosponsorHouse
Feb 2, 2026First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal CodeHouse
Jan 29, 2026Referred to the HouseSenate
Jan 28, 2026House sponsor: Representative JeterSenate
Jan 28, 2026Third reading: passed; Roll Call 124: yeas 47, nays 1Senate
Jan 26, 2026Second reading: ordered engrossedSenate
Show 5 earlier actions
Jan 22, 2026Senator Charbonneau added as coauthorSenate
Jan 22, 2026Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedSenate
Jan 13, 2026Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on AppropriationsSenate
Jan 8, 2026First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal LawSenate
Jan 8, 2026Authored by Senators Freeman, CarrascoSenate

Recorded vote

Senate - Third readingJan 28, 2026 · Senate · 47 yea · 1 nayPassed

Read the bill at the source

This page follows the bill as the legislature records it. For the bill's full text and the official record, use the legislature's own site.

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