Stephen R. Bartels
Candidate for State Representative, 74th District
Background
- Occupation
- Owner, Patoka Lake Marina and Patoka Lake Winery
- Lives in
- Eckerty
- Campaign website
- sbartels.com
State representative for House District 74 (Crawford, Perry and Spencer counties and parts of Dubois and Orange counties) and chair of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee; owner of Patoka Lake Marina and Patoka Lake Winery. Retired military officer with 22 years of service, former law enforcement officer and former Crawford County Council president.
Documented positions
Public safety
Authored raising the death benefit for National Guard members.In office
Bartels is the first-listed author of House Bill 1111 (2025); described here as introduced. Enacted (as amended) as Public Law 155-2025.
ReportHouse Bill 1111 (2025 session), "Indiana National Guard": introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Increases, from $8,800 to $20,000, the amount that shall be paid by the state if a member of the Indiana National Guard dies”
House Bill 1111 (2025 session): bill details and actionsGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Authored changes to the military family relief fund.In office
As introduced, it also requires engine cut-off switches on certain boats. Bartels is the first-listed author of House Bill 1343 (2026); described here as introduced. Enacted (as amended) as Public Law 94-2026.
ReportHouse Bill 1343 (2026 session), "Military and veteran matters": introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Makes changes to the purpose of the military family relief fund (fund).”
House Bill 1343 (2026 session): bill details and actionsGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Education
Authored counting school social workers as teachers for pay rules.In office
Applies to the requirement that school corporations spend a set share of state tuition support on teacher compensation. Bartels is the first-listed author of House Bill 1045 (2025); described here as introduced. The bill was not enacted.
ReportHouse Bill 1045 (2025 session), "Teacher compensation": introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Includes school social workers and school psychologists in the definition of "teacher"”
House Bill 1045 (2025 session): bill details and actionsGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Economy & jobs
Authored a regulatory framework for hemp and craft hemp.In office
As introduced, it bars selling specified products to people under 21. Bartels is the first-listed author of House Bill 1130 (2026); described here as introduced. The bill was not enacted.
ReportHouse Bill 1130 (2026 session), "Craft hemp": introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Establishes a regulatory framework for hemp and craft hemp.”
House Bill 1130 (2026 session): bill details and actionsGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Health & human services
Authored grants for athletic trainers at rural schools.In office
Bartels is the first-listed author of House Bill 1185 (2025); described here as introduced. The bill was not enacted.
ReportHouse Bill 1185 (2025 session), "Athletic trainers": introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Establishes the rural athletic trainer support program (program) to address the shortage of health care providers in rural communities”
House Bill 1185 (2025 session): bill details and actionsGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Stephen R. Bartels on them.
- Government & transparencyNo documented position found.
All sources (18)
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Crawford County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Dubois County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Orange County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Perry County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Spencer County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Representative Steve Bartels, House District 74: member page, Indiana General Assembly
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- State Rep. Steve Bartels: biography
Government record · Indiana House Republican Caucus · indianahouserepublicans.com
- House Bill 1111 (2025 session), "Indiana National Guard": introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1111 (2025 session): bill details and actions
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1343 (2026 session), "Military and veteran matters": introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1343 (2026 session): bill details and actions
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1130 (2026 session), "Craft hemp": introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1130 (2026 session): bill details and actions
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1185 (2025 session), "Athletic trainers": introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1185 (2025 session): bill details and actions
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1045 (2025 session), "Teacher compensation": introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- House Bill 1045 (2025 session): bill details and actions
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.