Mark Messmer in IN legislative records

On Abortion: Voted YES on de-funding Planned Parenthood

Indiana has lost its battle to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business--as a judge today issued a permanent injunction in a lawsuit over the de-funding law.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana is Indiana's largest abortion provider and does more than 5,000 abortions each year. Indiana became the first state of several to kick the abortion business out of its program in May 2011. A provision of the law, HB1210, would prevent Medicaid patients from obtaining services at Planned Parenthood & other facilities that provide abortions.

Governor Mitch Daniels signed the law, which would cut off anywhere from $2 million to $3 million the Planned Parenthood abortion business receives in federal funds via the Indiana government through Medicaid. [Planned Parenthood sued, which led to the court ruling].

Legislative record:Passed House 66-32-2 on 4/27/11; passed Senate 35-13-2 on 4/19/11; signed by Governor 5/10/11; Rep. Mark Messmer voted YEA.

Source: LifeNews.com on 2013 Indiana voting records for HB1210 Apr 27, 2011

On Abortion: Prohibit abortion for race, sex, diagnosis of disability

HB1337: Prohibits a person from performing an abortion if the person knows that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion solely because of: (1) the race, color, national origin, ancestry, or sex of the fetus; or (2) a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of the fetus having Down syndrome or any other disability.

ACLU opinion in opposition (April 7, 2016): Racial justice, gender equality, and disability rights advocates have opposed legislative proposals like the Indiana law. They point out that if politicians were serious about addressing inequities based on race, gender or disability status, they could expand access to high quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Legislative Summary: Passed Senate 37-13-0 on Mar/1/16; State Sen. Mark Messmer voted YES; passed House 60-40-0 on Mar/9/16; signed by Governor Mike Pence on Mar/24/16.

Source: Indiana State Legislature voting records HB1337 Mar 1, 2016

On Civil Rights: Religious Freedom Act is not about LGBT discrimination

Summary by Kokomo Tribune, Sep 24, 2015:The most hot-button issue of all during the 2015 General Assembly, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was signed in March. Proponents of the bill said it was designed to keep local and state laws from "substantially burdening" the deeply-held religious principles of individuals, businesses or religious institutions. Those against the bill felt it opened a Pandora's box for discrimination against minorities, especially the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) community. "This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it," Pence said at the time. "For more than 20 years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation's anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana."

Legislative Summary: Passed House 63-31-5 on Mar/23/2015; Passed Senate 40-8-2 on Mar/24; Sen. Messmer co-authored and voted YES.

Source: Kokomo Tribune on Indiana Voting Records for bill SB101 Mar 24, 2015

On Education: Supports teaching creation science in public schools

Legislative Summary: SB373: A public secondary school student may receive elective academic credits for released time religious instruction classes.

Summary by Washington Times-Herald, 2/20/19: SB373 introduced sweeping changes to the role religion plays in public schools, opening the door for schools to teach courses on creation science and Bible studies. Under SB373, public high schools would be able to count time spent by a student on optional religious instruction as academic credit.

Columbia Law School update: On Feb. 21, 2019, the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development approved amendments to SB373. The amendments removed the section allowing the governing body of a school corporation to require the teaching of creation science and other theories regarding the origin of life.

Legislative Summary: Passed House 67-26-7 on 4/2/19; Passed Senate 40-8-2 on 4/8; Sen. Messmer voted YES; Signed by Governor on 5/5.

Source: Columbia Law School analysis of Indiana voting record SB1318 Apr 8, 2019

On Environment: For climate bill compromise by industry & environmentalists

HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082 Apr 4, 2016: A bill that originally would have required "no more stringent" regulations than federal rules was vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence, despite a compromise on the bill agreed to by both industry and environmental groups. Under the compromise on HB 1082, IDEM could propose regulations more stringent than the federal government, but would have been required to report them to the General Assembly. The regulations would not have taken effect until the conclusion of the following legislative session.

Legislative Summary: Passed Senate 48-2-0 on Mar/1/16; Sen. Mark Messmer voted YES; Passed House 65-30-5 on Mar/3/16; vetoed by Gov. Mike Pence.

Source: HECweb.org "Pence Vetoes" on Indiana Voting Records HB 1082 Apr 4, 2016

On Gun Control: Prohibit local gun laws; require statewide standard

SB292: Preemption of local firearm regulation. Prohibits, with certain exceptions, a political subdivision from regulating: firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.

NRA-ILA statement in support (5/6/11): In one of the most successful pro-gun legislative sessions in the Hoosier State’s recent history, the Indiana General Assembly passed and sent several pro-firearm freedom bills to the governor. The NRA's top legislative priority, the "Firearm Preemption Reform" bill, passed in the General Assembly on the final day of the 2011 legislative session. Senate Bill 292 would mandate a statewide standard for all firearm laws in Indiana ["pre-empting" local city ordinances for more firearm restrictions].

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-24-6 on Apr/29/11; State Rep. Mark Messmer voted YES; passed Senate 40-10-0 on Apr/29/11; signed by Governor Mitch Daniels on May/10/11.

Source: NRA-ILA on Indiana Legislature voting records SB292 Apr 29, 2011

On Immigration: Allow local arrests for possession of immigration documents

SB590: Makes various changes concerning enforcement of federal immigration laws.

ACLU-IN statement in opposition (3/2913): U.S. District Court struck down Indiana's immigration law SB590. The law permitted local law enforcement officers to make warrantless arrests of people in possession of certain immigration-related documents, even though the possession of those documents is not a crime. The law also made the use of identification cards issued by consulates of foreign countries illegal. The decision, Buquer v. City of Indianapolis et al, "runs afoul of the Fourth Amendment [because it authorizes state and local law enforcement officers to] effect warrantless arrests for matters that are not crimes."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 68-31-1 on Apr/29/11; State Rep. Mark Messmer voted YES; passed Senate 35-15-0 on Apr/29/11; Signed by Governor Mitch Daniels on May/10/11.

Source: ACLU-Indiana on Indiana Legislature voting records SB590 Apr 29, 2011

The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Indiana House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts from Legislative voting records for Indiana House and Senate. Click here for other excerpts by Mark Messmer. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Sep 02, 2025