Indiana Lawmakers Reject Tenderloin Tribute and Other Bills

Several conservative bills failed to advance in the Indiana legislature, including a proposal to designate the breaded tenderloin as the state sandwich.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Indiana legislature saw a number of bills fail to advance by a key committee deadline, including a proposal to name the breaded tenderloin as the state sandwich. Other bills that did not move forward addressed topics like gender definitions, abortion drug restrictions, utility project siting, and regulations on ultra-processed foods in schools.

Why it matters

The failure of these bills highlights the political dynamics and priorities within the Indiana legislature, as well as the challenges that certain conservative measures face in gaining traction. The tenderloin tribute, in particular, showcases how even seemingly innocuous bills can get caught up in the legislative process.

The details

Senate Bill 21, which would have named the breaded tenderloin as Indiana's state sandwich, passed the Senate in January but was never heard by the House Committee on Governmental and Regulatory Reform. Two other conservative bills that drew Democratic opposition in the Senate also failed to advance, including one related to gender definitions and another targeting abortion drugs. A bill that would have eased the siting of utility and data center projects, as well as a measure restricting additives in student meals, also did not receive hearings.

  • The bills failed to advance by a key committee deadline on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • Senate Bill 21, the tenderloin tribute, passed the Senate in January 2026.

The players

Senate Bill 21

A bill that would have named the breaded tenderloin as Indiana's state sandwich.

Senate Bill 182

A bill that would have defined male and female consistently throughout Indiana code, required prisoners be housed according to biological sex, ensured biological sex is reflected on birth certificates, and required school bathroom usage by biological sex.

Senate Bill 236

A bill that would have targeted abortion pills used in the state by allowing Hoosiers to sue their neighbors.

House Bill 1333

A bill that would have eased the siting of utility, data center and other projects, sometimes against local officials' wishes.

House Bill 1137

A bill that would have restricted certain additives in student meals and snacks in public schools participating in federally funded or assisted meal programs.

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What they’re saying

“These common-sense bills are backed by an overwhelming number of Hoosiers who believe in the dignity of human life and recognize there are only two sexes: male and female. Now is not the time for House Leadership to abandon their principles and the social conservatives who elected them to office.”

— Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne (dailyjournal.net)

“The 'permitted use language in House Bill 1333 will not be moving forward'”

— Sen. Eric Koch, Senate sponsor of House Bill 1333 (dailyjournal.net)

The takeaway

The failure of these bills highlights the political dynamics and priorities within the Indiana legislature, as well as the challenges that certain conservative measures face in gaining traction. Even seemingly innocuous proposals like the tenderloin tribute can get caught up in the legislative process.