Indy Standard

The Indiana General Assembly has reached the midpoint of its 2025 legislative session. During this time, the House of Representatives will review bills passed by the Senate, and vice versa. Representative O'Brien has authored several bills addressing issues such as health care, economic development, and sports tourism.

One notable proposal is a provision in House Bill 1001 concerning the state budget. This measure seeks to increase funds from the Evansville Professional Sports and Convention Development Area to support local sports tourism initiatives. O'Brien notes that this effort mirrors similar developments in Fort Wayne and South Bend. By raising the revenue cap, there is potential for investment in sports infrastructure projects like revitalizing the downtown riverfront. Such projects could attract visitors from across the tri-state area and significantly impact Evansville's economy by retaining up to $90 million in revenue locally.

In another initiative, House Bill 1489 proposes establishing an Indiana-Ireland Trade Commission. According to O'Brien, Ireland was Indiana's largest importer in 2023, with over $20.8 billion worth of goods imported from there. Additionally, 53 Irish-based companies operate within Indiana across 24 counties. The proposed commission aims to foster new business opportunities and enhance Indiana's global standing.

As the session progresses towards its April 29 conclusion, O'Brien remains focused on reviewing Senate bills and representing constituents from House District 78 effectively.

For updates on these bills and others during their legislative journey, visit iga.in.gov.