1. (a) Following the submission of applications under section 2 of this chapter, the commission shall review the filed applications. Not later than January 15, 2027, the commission shall:

   1. (1) make the filed applications available to the public; and

   2. (2) prepare an informational summary of the filed applications and make the summary available to the public.

      The commission may redact information that it determines to be confidential in the applications or informational summary made available to the public.

2. (b) The commission may hire independent consultants or experts to assist with evaluating applications.

3. (c) The commission must decide whether to approve or deny an application submitted under section 2 of this chapter based on documented and verifiable information, including the following:

   1. (1) The net economic benefit to the state.
   2. (2) Increased state and local tax revenue.
   3. (3) The number and quality of jobs created.
   4. (4) The amount of capital investment planned by the applicant under section 2(a)(1)(C) of this chapter.
   5. (5) The quality and durability of proposed facilities.
   6. (6) The financial stability of the applicant.
   7. (7) Site feasibility and infrastructure readiness.
   8. (8) Market sustainability.
   9. (9) The impact on other Indiana casinos and the horse racing industry.
   10. (10) Regulatory compliance history.
   11. (11) The total public value of a supplemental bid under section 5 of this chapter, if applicable.
   12. (12) Any other factor deemed appropriate by the commission.
4. (d) The commission may not decide whether to approve or deny an application submitted under section 2 of this chapter based on lobbying, political pressure, or unverifiable claims.
5. (e) The commission may hold executive sessions under IC 5-14-1.5-6.1 (b)(1) to review and discuss applications submitted under this chapter.

As added by P.L.77-2026, SEC.9.