Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1013
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 1-2-18.
Synopsis: Designation of state nickname. Provides that "The Hoosier
State" is designated as the official nickname of Indiana. Provides that
the designation is to recognize and memorialize the legacy of Harry
Hoosier. Makes certain findings in recognizing Harry Hoosier as the
namesake of The Hoosier State.
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Prescott
January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Government and Regulatory
Reform.
2025 IN 1013—LS 6224/DI 150 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1013
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
general provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 1-2-18 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS
2 A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
3 1, 2025]:
4 Chapter 18. State Nickname
5 Sec. 1. "The Hoosier State" is designated as the official
6 nickname of Indiana.
7 Sec. 2. "The Hoosier State" is designated as the official
8 nickname of Indiana to recognize and memorialize the legacy of
9 Harry Hoosier.
10 Sec. 3. The general assembly finds the following in recognizing
11 Harry Hoosier as the namesake of The Hoosier State:
12 (1) That Harry Hoosier was likely born into slavery in
13 Maryland around 1750.
14 (2) That Harry Hoosier was freed from slavery before
15 becoming a Methodist minister in the 1770s.
16 (3) That Harry Hoosier was also known by the names Harry
17 Hosier, Harry Hosher, and Harry Hossier, and that the
2025 IN 1013—LS 6224/DI 150 2
1 consensus of modern historians is that each variant of his last
2 name was pronounced "Hoosier".
3 (4) That Harry Hoosier traveled and preached with Francis
4 Asbury, taking the Methodist message to people throughout
5 the mid-Atlantic area and the Appalachian frontier.
6 (5) That Harry Hoosier preached to black and white
7 congregations during the period known as the Second Great
8 Awakening.
9 (6) That Harry Hoosier was a highly respected preacher and
10 orator despite being illiterate.
11 (7) That Harry Hoosier died in 1806 and that the History of
12 the Methodist Episcopal Church records that he "was borne
13 to the grave by a great procession of both white and black
14 admirers, who buried him as a hero".
15 (8) That new Methodist believers who identified with the
16 ministry of Harry Hoosier became known as Hoosiers.
17 (9) That many of Harry Hoosier's faithful followers brought
18 their Methodist beliefs and Hoosier nickname to Indiana in
19 the decades before and after Indiana was granted statehood
20 in 1816.
2025 IN 1013—LS 6224/DI 150