Terri currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Rules & Legislative Procedures Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Financial Institutions Committee, the Public Policy Committee, and the Joint House-Senate Rules Committee.

During her time in the House, she has championed legislation to help improve the lives of Hoosiers and to advance the state’s economic climate through transportation, technology, education, small business, and workforce development.

In 2005, she authored Indiana’s landmark law to protect small business from burdensome regulations, earning her the “Guardian of Small Business” award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). In 2009, she was awarded the “Friend of Economic Development” by the Indiana Economic Development Association. She has also been recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Operators, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Indiana Chiropractors Association.

Rep. Austin currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Women in Government, a national, nonprofit, bipartisan organization established for the education for women legislators providing leadership opportunities, networking, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues.

In 2007, she was appointed Vice–Chair of the Transportation Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and co–chairs NCSL’s Task Force on Public Private Partnerships. From 2003–2006, she served as Vice–Chair of the Economic Development, Trade and Cultural Affairs Committee for NCSL.

Terri’s legislative appointments have also included the Ways & Means Committee; the Technology, Research & Development Committee; and the Commerce & Utilities Committee.

In addition to her legislative responsibilities, Terri is an Adjunct Professor of Education at Anderson University. Prior to joining Anderson University, she served as a classroom teacher and administrator for Anderson Community Schools for 20 years.

Terri is an active member in the Anderson Rotary Club, the League of Women Voters, and the American Association of University Women.

Terri’s husband, Michael, is an attorney in Anderson. They are the parents of two sons. She attends Park Place Church of God in Anderson.