Ind. Code § 4-23-36-1 "Commission"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the Indiana cultural commission established by section 3 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code ch. 4-23-36
Ind. Code ch. 4-23-36
in effectInd. Code § 4-23-36-2 "Native American Indian"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "Native American Indian" means an individual who is at least one (1) of the following:
(1) An Alaska native as defined in 43 U.S.C. 1602(b).
(2) An Indian as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b(d).
(3) A native Hawaiian as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7517(1).
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-3 Commission established
Sec. 3. The Indiana cultural commission is established.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-4 Commission membership
Sec. 4. (a) The commission consists of fifteen (15) members appointed as follows:
(1) Two (2) members of the house of representatives appointed as follows:
(A) One (1) member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(B) One (1) member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
(2) Two (2) members of the senate appointed as follows:
(A) One (1) member appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate.
(B) One (1) member appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
(3) One (1) individual who is not a member of the general assembly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(4) One (1) individual who is not a member of the general assembly appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate.
(5) The secretary of the family and social services administration, or the secretary's designee.
(6) The commissioner of the Indiana department of health, or the commissioner's designee.
(7) The secretary of education, or the secretary's designee.
(8) The commissioner of the department of correction, or the commissioner's designee.
(9) The director of the civil rights commission, or the director's designee.
(10) Four (4) individuals appointed by the governor in accordance with subsection (b).
(b) The following apply to members of the commission appointed by the governor under subsection (a)(10):
(1) The appointed individuals may not be members of the general assembly or state employees.
(2) The appointed individuals must represent the following:
(A) The Black community.
(B) The Hispanic/Latino community.
(C) Women.
(D) The Native American Indians.
(c) If a legislative member of the commission ceases to be a member of the legislative chamber from which the member was appointed, the member ceases to be a member of the commission.
(d) A member of the commission:
(1) serves at the pleasure of the member's appointing authority; and
(2) may be removed at any time by the appointing authority.
(e) If a vacancy on the commission occurs, the appointing authority who appointed the former member whose position has become vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy serves on the commission for the remainder of the unexpired term of the individual's predecessor.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-5 Terms of commission members
Sec. 5. (a) A member of the commission may be reappointed for successive terms.
(b) The following members serve a two (2) year term that expires June 30 of an odd-numbered year:
(1) A member of the general assembly appointed to the commission under section 4 of this chapter.
(2) A member appointed to the commission under section 4(a)(3) or 4(a)(4) of this chapter.
(c) A member appointed to the commission under section 4(a)(10) of this chapter serves a term that expires December 31, 2028, and each fourth year thereafter.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-6 Commission meetings; subcommittees
Sec. 6. (a) The commission shall meet:
(1) at the call of the chairperson as necessary to fulfill its duties under this chapter; and
(2) at least once quarterly in each calendar year.
(b) The chairperson shall designate the following subcommittees to meet at least two (2) times each year:
(A) Black Hoosier affairs.
(B) The Hispanic/Latino affairs.
(C) Hoosier women concerns.
(D) The Native American Indian affairs.
Each subcommittee shall submit an annual report on its activities to the full commission.
(c) A subcommittee designated under this section is comprised of at least three (3) members of the commission appointed by the chairperson who represent the community that is the concern of the subcommittee.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-7 Election of chairperson and vice chairperson
Sec. 7. (a) At the first official meeting of the commission each year, the members shall elect:
(1) a member to serve as the chairperson of the commission; and
(2) a member to serve as the vice chairperson of the commission.
(b) A member elected to serve as chairperson or vice chairperson of the commission shall serve for a term of one (1) year. The term of office expires at the first commission meeting held in the following year.
(c) A vacancy in the office of chairperson or vice chairperson must be filled by a member of the commission selected by vote of the remaining members of the commission.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-8 Quorum
Sec. 8. Eight (8) members of the commission constitute a quorum for conducting commission business. The affirmative vote of at least eight (8) members is required for the commission to take official action on any measure. A member of the commission may participate in a meeting by electronic means in accordance with IC 5-14-1.5-3.6 as long as at least five (5) members of the commission are physically present at the meeting.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-9 Per diem, mileage, and reimbursement of expenses
Sec. 9. (a) Each member of the commission who is not a state employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for mileage and traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4, and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
(b) Each member of the commission who is a state employee is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
(c) Each member of the commission who is a member of the general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid to members of the general assembly serving on interim study committees established by the legislative council. Per diem, mileage, and travel allowances paid under this subsection shall be paid from appropriations made to the legislative council or the legislative services agency.
(d) Expenses paid under subsections (a) and (b) shall be paid from appropriations made to the civil rights commission.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-10 Commission duties
Sec. 10. The commission shall do the following:
(1) Identify, study, and research issues affecting underrepresented and minority groups, including the groups described in section 6(b) of this chapter, in the following areas:
(A) Health care.
(B) Economic and business development.
(C) Employment.
(D) Education.
(E) Social and family development.
(F) Housing.
(G) Civil rights.
(H) The justice system.
(I) Any other aspect of society identified by the commission.
(2) Promote cooperation and understanding between communities throughout Indiana.
(3) Assess the needs of underrepresented and minority groups and identify recommendations to resolve those needs.
(4) Promote full participation of underrepresented and minority groups in all aspects of society.
(5) Identify legal and social barriers to underrepresented and minority groups.
(6) Identify measures that could facilitate easier access to state and local government services by underrepresented and minority groups.
(7) Make recommendations to appropriate governmental agencies regarding issues of preservation and excavation of Native American Indian historical and archeological sites, including the reburial of remains of Native American Indians, that are consistent with IC 14-21-1-25.5.
(8) Monitor legislation, policies, and other legal developments in order to make recommendations to the general assembly and the governor that support the commission's purposes.
(9) Gather, study, and disseminate information on underrepresented and minority groups through publications, public hearings, conferences, and other means.
(10) Before November 1 of each year, submit an annual report on the commission's activities to:
(A) the governor; and
(B) the legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-11 Study of topics assigned by the legislative council
Sec. 11. The commission may study topics that are not described in section 10 of this chapter as assigned by the legislative council.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-12 Powers of the commission
Sec. 12. The commission may do the following:
(1) Designate and appoint members to subcommittees in accordance with section 6 of this chapter.
(2) Transact business and enter into contracts that support the commission's purposes.
(3) Apply for, receive, and disburse gifts, contributions, and grants of funds or in-kind services.
(4) Adopt, rescind, and amend bylaws to regulate the conduct of the commission's business.
(5) Assign duties to the commission's officers under the commission's bylaws.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-13 Prohibited study topics
Sec. 13. The commission may not study or make any recommendation on the following issues:
(1) Negotiations between a Native American Indian tribe and the state or federal government concerning tribal sovereignty.
(2) Gaming on tribal land.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-14 Staff and administrative support
Sec. 14. (a) The civil rights commission shall provide staff and administrative support for the commission.
(b) Except as provided in section 9(c) of this chapter, expenses incurred under this chapter shall be paid from funds appropriated to the civil rights commission.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-15 Indiana cultural commission special fund
Sec. 15. (a) The Indiana cultural commission special fund is established to provide money for special projects of the commission.
(b) The treasurer of state shall administer the fund.
(c) Expenses of administering the fund must be paid from money in the fund.
(d) The fund consists of gifts, contributions, and money donated to the commission.
(e) The treasurer of state shall invest money in the fund not needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds may be invested.
(f) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the purposes described in subsection (a).
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Ind. Code § 4-23-36-16 Establishment of nonprofit corporation to address matters concerning Native American Indians; receipt of license plate revenue
Sec. 16. (a) As used in this section, "license plate revenue" refers to money attributable to license plate sales under IC 9-18.5 that was paid to the Native American Indian affairs commission (before its repeal) or to the commission under IC 9-18.5-22-4.
(b) The commission and the civil rights commission shall assist members of the Native American Indian community in establishing a nonprofit corporation to:
(1) advocate for the Native American Indians residing in Indiana; and
(2) promote events, programming, and services for the benefit of Native American Indians residing in Indiana.
(c) Not later than thirty (30) days after the executive director of the civil rights commission determines that the:
(1) nonprofit corporation described in subsection (b) has been established; and
(2) officers of the corporation are in place and prepared to fulfill their official duties;
the executive director shall inform the bureau of motor vehicles that the nonprofit corporation has been established and is prepared to receive revenue under IC 9-18.5-22-4 in the ensuing calendar year.
(d) Before January 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which a nonprofit corporation described in subsection (b) is established under this section, the commission shall transfer any remaining license plate revenue under its control to the treasurer of the nonprofit corporation.
As added by P.L.152-2026, SEC.36.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/4Fetched: 10/17/2026