LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7386 NOTE PREPARED: Apr 7, 2025
BILL NUMBER: SB 318 BILL AMENDED: Mar 31, 2025
SUBJECT: Required Disclosures and Access of Foreign Media.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Baldwin BILL STATUS: As Passed House
FIRST SPONSOR: Rep. VanNatter
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill requires certain media entities operating in Indiana to disclose: (1)
foreign ownership; (2) foreign funding; and (3) the use of foreign sourced or influenced content. It authorizes
the Secretary of State to impose a civil penalty of not more than $50,000 for a knowing or intentional
violation of the disclosure requirements. It also provides that the Secretary of State shall publish a list of
Indiana media entities that have complied with certain requirements.
The bill also requires certain media entities to obtain special accreditation from the Department of
Administration to attend state media events and allows the Department of Administration to revoke the
special accreditation under certain circumstances.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Disclosures: The bill would increase the workload of the Secretary
of State to receive and review disclosure reports, conduct audits for compliance for certain media entities
operating in Indiana, and publish a list of Indiana media entities that complied with the requirements. The
bill’s requirements are within the agency’s routine administrative functions and should be able to be
implemented with no additional appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels.
Special Accreditation: The bill would increase the workload of the Department of Administration to establish
a special accreditation for certain media entities to attend state media events. The bill’s requirements are
within the agency’s routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no additional
appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels.
Explanation of State Revenues: Disclosure Violations: The bill may increase revenue to the state General
Fund to the extent that the Secretary of State finds and imposes violations for disclosure requirements. The
maximum civil penalty for a violation is $50,000.
Court Fee Revenue: If additional civil cases occur and court fees are collected, revenue to the state General
Fund will increase. The total revenue per case would range between $100 and $122. The amount deposited
SB 318 1 will vary depending on whether the case is filed in a court of record or a municipal court. The following
linked document describes the fees and distribution of the revenue: Court fees imposed in civil, probate, and
small claims cases.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues: Court Fee Revenue: If additional cases occur, revenue will be collected
by certain local units. If the case is filed in a court of record, the county will receive $32 and qualifying
municipalities will receive a share of $3. If the case is filed in a municipal court, the county receives $20,
and the municipality will receive $37. The following linked document describes the fees and distribution of
the revenue: Court fees imposed in civil, probate, and small claims cases.
State Agencies Affected: Secretary of State; Department of Administration.
Local Agencies Affected: Trial courts, city and town courts.
Information Sources: Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Trial Court Fee Manual.
Fiscal Analyst: Nate Bodnar, 317-234-9476.
SB 318 2