Rep. Bartels authors legislation to streamline dozens of Indiana boards and commissions

Recent legislation authored by State Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty) aims to reform dozens of state boards and commissions.

House Bill 1003 would eliminate, sunset or restructure dozens of redundant or inactive boards and commissions, aiming to streamline government and improve efficiency across multiple policy areas. In a press conference last week, Bartels joined House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) to announce that HB 1003 is part of the House Republican caucus' 2026 legislative priorities to reduce government bureaucracy.

Bartels is a member of the General Assembly's Government Reform Taskforce which met last fall to discuss the approximately 250 boards and commissions that currently exist in Indiana. Bartels said that HB 1003 is a result of those discussions, which found examples of state boards and commissions that were doing the same work or no longer active at all.

"The various boards and commissions in our state do important work, however, some of them serve similar purposes and have similar goals. Under this bill, many of these would be combined, reformed or eliminated to better serve Hoosiers," Bartels said. "This is about streamlining efforts and reducing government bureaucracy. We did this using a thoughtful and responsible approach while working closely with stakeholders every step of the way."

HB 1003 would also consolidate various cultural-focused commissions under one Indiana Cultural Commission (ICC), centralizing resources for communities across Indiana. Bartels emphasized that this proposed change is not about taking anything away but keeping the essential functions of the boards and commissions while retooling them to operate more effectively.

Bartels said that he worked alongside members of the Government Reform Task Force, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and members of boards and committees themselves to identify areas for potential reforms.

HB 1003 has been referred to the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee for consideration. To read more about this bill and follow session, visit iga.in.gov.