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SPONSORED LEGISLATION
SB0286 - Selection of poet laureate.
Greg Goode, R. Michael Young, Ronnie J. Alting
Last updated 6 months ago
10 Co-Sponsors
Selection of poet laureate. Amends the membership of the poet laureate selection committee. Provides that the selection committee shall meet on a biennial basis or as needed. Provides that a person selected as poet laureate may serve one additional consecutive term. Amends the commission's payments for the poet laureate.
STATUS
Passed
HB1328 - Department of local government finance.
Craig Snow, Dave Heine, Christopher N. Judy
Last updated 6 months ago
7 Co-Sponsors
Department of local government finance. Provides that a county fiscal body may provide a stipend, not to exceed $2,500, to a circuit court clerk that serves as a voter registration officer each year in which a general election is held. Requires a political subdivision to upload to the Indiana transparency website any contract: (1) related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services; or (2) entered into with another unit or entity that provides fire services or emergency medical services. Requires a political subdivision to annually attest that the political subdivision uploaded any contract related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services as a part of the political subdivision budgeting process and specifies the consequence for failure to satisfy the attestation requirement. Provides that for purposes of public purchasing, the term "public funds" does not include proceeds of bonds payable exclusively by, or used by, a private entity. Provides a 15% procurement price preference to a business offering to provide supplies or services under a contract awarded by a state agency to a business that provides "specialized employee services" to its employees. Extends the duration of an entrepreneur and enterprise district (district) to the later of: (1) December 31, 2029 (rather than December 31, 2024); or (2) five years after the date the district is designated. Amends provisions of a statute pertaining to the assessment of rental property. Requires the department of local government finance (department) to notify the county assessor of the department's tentative assessment, or information related to tentative valuation changes, of a utility company's distributable property not later than June 1. Reinstates a provision that was repealed in SEA 325-2023 (P.L.182-2023) that includes as a "homestead" property that is an individual's principal place of residence, is located in Indiana, and is owned by an entity, if the individual is a shareholder, partner, or member of the entity that owns the property. Requires a county auditor to submit an amended certified statement of the assessed value for the ensuing year to the department by the later of: (1) September 1; or (2) 15 days after the certified statement is submitted to the department. Requires the proper officers of a political subdivision that desire to appropriate more money for a particular year than the amount prescribed in the budget for that year as finally determined to hold a public hearing after submitting information regarding the proposed additional appropriation to the department's computer gateway. Provides for a maximum property tax levy increase for Knox Township in Jay County. Prohibits certain civil taxing units that determine they cannot carry out their governmental functions for an ensuing calendar year under various levy limitations from submitting an appeal unless the civil taxing unit receives approval from the appropriate fiscal body to submit the appeal. Similarly prohibits a participating unit of a fire protection territory from submitting an appeal unless each participating unit of the fire protection territory has adopted a resolution approving submission of the appeal. Requires the department, regarding the referendum process for bonds or leases for certain projects, to certify its approval or recommendations to the county auditor and the county election board not more than 10 days after both the required certification of the county auditor and the language of the public question are submitted to the department for review. Provides for the staggering of terms for property tax assessment board of appeals members. Provides that if the department determines that certified computer software or a certified provider is not in compliance with certain specifications or standards or the rules of the department, the department may request that the provider develop a corrective action plan. Provides that a contract with a computer provider under a corrective action plan is not void unless the department: (1) determines that the provider has failed to substantially correct the noncompliance; and (2) revokes the provider's certification. Establishes corrective action plan provisions for noncompliant computer providers. Provides the amount of the additional penalty added to taxes payable if a person fails to file a personal property return within 30 days after the due date. Amends a provision regarding the local income tax rate for local costs of the state judicial system in the county. Requires the department to approve a lower levy freeze tax rate if it finds that the lower rate, in addition to: (1) the supplemental distribution as determined in an adopted resolution; and (2) the amount in certain repealed stabilization funds, as applicable; would fund the levy freeze dollar amount. Provides that certain acute care hospitals may apply to the division of mental health and addiction for certification as a community mental health center. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to review applications for certification as a community mental health center: (1) to ensure an applicant meets certain standards; and (2) without consideration for previously established exclusive geographic primary service restrictions. Requires the department to send its decision regarding referendum language to the governing body of a school corporation not more than 10 days after: (1) the certification of the county auditor; and (2) the resolution is submitted to the department. Provides that, for purposes of the transportation levy component of an operations fund property tax levy, a school corporation, whose budget for the upcoming year is subject to review by a fiscal body, may not submit an appeal to the department unless the school corporation receives approval from the fiscal body. Provides that a county fiscal body may establish a salary schedule that includes a stipend, not to exceed $2,500 in a year, to be paid to the county auditor for duties when warranted as determined by the county fiscal body. Requires a county recorder to provide the owner of a farm with: (1) a copy of the recorded document that contains the name of the owner's farm; and (2) documentation of a description of the land to which the name of the farm applies. Provides that for a county having a United States government military base that is scheduled for closing, the expiration date of the allocation area may be extended for the purposes of paying certain expenses. Repeals a provision that prohibits a local unit from amending the boundaries of an economic improvement district (EID). Instead, allows a local unit to amend the boundaries of an EID only if an owner of real property wishes to include the owner's real property in the EID and voluntarily enters into a written agreement with the legislative body of the local unit in which the owner requests and consents to increasing the boundaries of the EID to include the owner's real property. Specifies that, for real property subject to such a written agreement that is subsequently sold to a new owner, the new owner of that real property may opt out of the prior owner's agreement. Provides that no ordinance or safety board action to fix compensation may provide for any increase in the compensation of any member of a police department or fire department, or any other appointee, from the prior budget year if the city has not fixed a budget, tax rate, and tax levy for the ensuing budget year. Allows a qualified taxpayer to file a property tax exemption application before September 1, 2024, for eligible property for assessment dates beginning within assessment dates occurring within the six years prior to the assessment date at issue. Provides that if a qualified taxpayer files a property tax exemption application for eligible property: (1) the property tax exemption for the eligible property is allowed and granted for the applicable assessment date by the county assessor and county auditor of the county in which the eligible property is located; and (2) the qualified taxpayer is not required to pay any property taxes, penalties, interest, or tax sale reimbursement expenses with respect to the eligible property for the applicable assessment date. Provides that, to the extent the qualified taxpayer has paid any property taxes, penalties, or interest with respect to the eligible property for an applicable assessment date, the qualified taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the amounts paid.
STATUS
Passed
SB0200 - Nonprofit loan center loans for state employees.
Spencer R. Deery, Eric S. Bassler, Greg Walker
Last updated 8 months ago
8 Co-Sponsors
Nonprofit loan center loans for state employees. Provides that not later than: (1) September 1, 2024, in the case of a state agency other than a state educational institution or a school corporation; (2) September 1, 2025, in the case of a state agency that is a state educational institution; or (3) September 1, 2026, in the case of a state agency that is a school corporation; a state agency shall partner with each nonprofit loan center (NLC) operating in Indiana to become a participating employer in the NLC's nonprofit loan center program (NLC program) by offering voluntary payroll deductions for eligible full-time employees to make payments toward the balance of a nonprofit loan center loan (NLC loan) made by a nonprofit loan center lender (NLC lender). Provides that after becoming a participating employer in an NLC program, a state agency shall allow an eligible employee to: (1) voluntarily request and establish payroll deductions for an NLC loan at any time; and (2) revoke the employee's authorization for payroll deductions for an NLC loan at any time; including any time that falls outside a designated open enrollment period for employee benefits. Defines an "NLC loan" as a loan that meets certain requirements with respect to the principal amount, loan term, finance charge, authorized fees, method of repayment, and other loan terms. Authorizes the state comptroller to authorize the electronic transfer of funds from the state treasury to a designated NLC lender in payment of an NLC loan on behalf of an eligible employee who has voluntarily given the state comptroller written authorization, through the eligible employee's employing state agency, to make the transfer. Specifies that: (1) a loan made under the bill's provisions; or (2) a person that makes a loan under the bill's provisions; is subject to the requirements of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code chapter governing consumer loans. Provides that a depository institution may make a loan under the same terms and conditions that apply with respect to a nonprofit loan center loan to an employee of: (1) a state agency; or (2) any other employer; as long as the loan is made in compliance with any applicable law. Allows a wage assignment to be made for the purpose of making payment to a depository institution in repayment of a loan that is made to the employee by the depository institution under the same terms and conditions that apply with respect to an NLC loan. Authorizes the electronic transfer of funds from the state treasury on behalf of an employee of a state agency in payment of a loan made by a depository institution to the employee under the same terms and conditions that apply to an NLC loan.
STATUS
Engrossed
SB0005 - Lead water line replacement and lead remediation.
Eric Allan Koch, Ed Charbonneau, Andrea Hunley
Last updated 6 months ago
32 Co-Sponsors
Lead water line replacement and lead remediation. Specifies that, for purposes of the statute concerning the replacement of customer owned lead service lines by water utilities, a municipally owned utility includes a utility company owned, operated, or held in trust by a consolidated city. Provides that the following apply with respect to the owner of a building, structure, or dwelling, other than a multi-family residential property that contains more than four dwelling units, that is served by a customer owned lead service line within or connected to a water utility's system: (1) That upon request by the water utility, the owner shall replace, or cause to be replaced, the customer owned portion of the lead service line by: (A) enrolling in the water utility's lead service line replacement program; or (B) replacing the customer owned portion of the lead service line through the owner's own agents or contractors and at the owner's own expense. (2) That if the owner: (A) does not enroll in the water utility's lead service line replacement program; (B) does not replace the customer owned portion of the lead service line; or (C) fails to communicate with the water utility regarding the replacement; the water utility or the water utility's agent may enter the property to replace the customer owned portion of the lead service line. (3) That the: (A) water utility; and (B) occupant of the property, if the property is occupied by a person other than the owner; are not liable to the owner with respect to any replacement made under these provisions. (4) That if a water utility attempts to avail itself of the remedies set forth in these provisions and is prevented from doing so by the owner of the property, the water utility may, in accordance with state law, disconnect water service to the owner's property. Provides that the following apply with respect to the owner of a multi-family residential property that contains more than four dwelling units: (1) That the owner may elect to participate in the water utility's lead service line replacement program. (2) That the owner must communicate to the water utility the owner's election to participate not later than 45 days after receiving the water utility's request. (3) That if the owner does not communicate the owner's election to participate within this 45 day period, the owner, or any future owner of the property, is responsible for replacing the customer owned portion of the lead service line through the owner's own agents or contractors and at the owner's own expense. Provides that in the case of a: (1) building; (2) structure; or (3) dwelling; that a water utility has determined to be abandoned or unserviceable, the water utility may disconnect water service to the property and require the owner, or any future owner, of the property to install a new service line. Provides that these provisions may be incorporated, without the need for further approval by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC), into a water utility's lead service line replacement plan that has been previously approved by the IURC.
STATUS
Passed
HB1079 - Low THC hemp extract.
Jake Teshka, Ethan Manning, Steve Bartels
Last updated 8 months ago
10 Co-Sponsors
Low THC hemp extract. Defines "work in progress hemp extract" for purposes of the statute concerning industrial hemp. Provides that a licensed hemp handler may possess, manufacture, store, transport, or sell work in progress hemp extract. Provides for purposes of the statute concerning the adulteration or misbranding of foods, that a food is not considered adulterated for containing low THC hemp extract. Requires a food establishment that serves food containing low THC hemp extract to disclose in writing to a consumer that the food contains low THC hemp extract. Sets forth certain restrictions with respect to the packaging of low THC hemp extract. Establishes criteria for the analysis of low THC hemp extract, and prohibits the sale of low THC hemp extract to a person less than 21 years of age if the low THC hemp extract contains certain elements. Makes other changes
STATUS
Engrossed
SB0264 - Religious exemption from worker's compensation.
Eric S. Bassler, Mark B. Messmer, Linda Rogers
Last updated 8 months ago
10 Co-Sponsors
Religious exemption from worker's compensation. Provides an exemption from worker's compensation and occupational diseases coverage for a member of certain religious sects or a division of a religious sect who meets certain requirements and obtains a certificate of exemption (certificate) from the worker's compensation board (board). Provides that if certain information about an individual who holds a certificate is no longer true: (1) the individual and the individual's employer must take certain steps; and (2) the certificate is no longer effective. Makes conforming changes.
STATUS
Engrossed
SCR0007 - Urging INDOT to rename the bridge over I-70 and North College Avenue the "John Leslie 'Wes' Montgomery Memorial Bridge".
Greg Taylor, Andrea Hunley, Scott Alexander
Last updated 7 months ago
55 Co-Sponsors
Urging INDOT to rename the bridge over I-70 and North College Avenue the "John Leslie 'Wes' Montgomery Memorial Bridge". A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename that portion of the I-65N bridge over I-70 and North College Avenue the "John Leslie 'Wes' Montgomery Memorial Bridge".
STATUS
Passed
SB0002 - Child care.
Ed Charbonneau, Spencer R. Deery, Shelli Yoder
Last updated 6 months ago
21 Co-Sponsors
Child care. Requires the Indiana economic development corporation to annually report to the general assembly regarding funds dedicated to supporting child care under specified state and federal programs. Defines an "out-of-school-time program". Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services (FSSA) to publish on the FSSA website a dashboard providing monthly information regarding state and federal child care subsidies available to Indiana residents. Provides that a household is eligible to begin receiving assistance under the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program if the household, at the time of FSSA's initial determination of the household's income eligibility: (1) has a household income that does not exceed 85% of Indiana's state median income for the household's family size; (2) includes an individual who is employed by a licensed child care center, a licensed child care home, or a licensed or registered child care ministry; and (3) otherwise meets federal eligibility requirements for the CCDF program. Provides, with respect to the individual with certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) required to be present at all times when a child is in the care of a child care provider that is eligible to receive reimbursement through the CCDF program, that the individual is not required to be recertified in CPR annually. Provides that: (1) the early learning advisory committee must commission a third party evaluation to assess existing regulations for child care providers not later than May 1, 2024 (rather than July 1, 2024, under current law); and (2) FSSA must initiate the process of amending FSSA's rules in consideration of the findings of the third party evaluation not later than July 1, 2024. Requires, not later than September 30, 2024, the early learning advisory committee to: (1) complete a study regarding compensation in Indiana for early childhood educators and caregivers at out-of-school-time programs; (2) create an online dashboard to allow access to compensation data; and (3) issue a report containing the committee's findings and recommendations. Amends provisions regarding the On My Way Pre-K voucher program (program) to: (1) provide eligibility for children of child care employees; and (2) amend references to funds provided to children under the program as prekindergarten vouchers, rather than grants. Requires FSSA to establish a micro facility pilot program, under which FSSA shall: (1) develop a regulatory model that: (A) is applicable only to certain licensed or registered child care providers that provide child care for not less than three children and not more than 30 children for at least four hours per day (micro facilities); and (B) incorporates waivers or variances from FSSA's rules applicable to certain child care providers; (2) apply the regulatory model to at least three micro facilities and evaluate the operation of the micro facilities under the regulatory model; and (3) not later than October 1, 2026: (A) make a determination as to whether FSSA will adopt rules specific to micro facilities that incorporate some or all aspects of the regulatory model; and (B) submit to the general assembly a report regarding the pilot program. Requires FSSA to do the following: (1) Amend FSSA's rules to define a "substitute educator" caregiver type for purposes of FSSA's rules pertaining to all categories of child care providers regulated by FSSA. (2) Amend FSSA's rules to allow an employee of a child care provider who: (A) is 16 or 17 years of age; (B) is assigned to a lead caregiver who supervises the employee at all times during which the employee is supervising a child; (C) is never left alone with a child; and (D) meets specified qualifications; to be counted in child/staff ratios for school age child care rooms. (3) Amend FSSA's rules to allow an employee of a child care provider who: (A) is at least 18 years of age; and (B) meets specified qualifications; to serve as the staff person in charge of an infant/toddler room. (4) Issue a report to the general assembly not later than October 31, 2024, documenting the results attributable to: (A) the employer sponsored child care fund; and (B) the employer child care expenditure credit. (5) Study, in collaboration with other specified state agencies, opportunities for resource sharing across state agencies and local units of government to facilitate the fingerprinting of individuals for purposes of conducting national criminal history background checks and issue a report to the governor and the general assembly regarding the results of the study. Makes technical corrections.
STATUS
Passed
SB0273 - Biomarker testing coverage.
Ed Charbonneau, Vaneta G. Becker, Jean Leising
Last updated 6 months ago
14 Co-Sponsors
Biomarker testing coverage. Requires a health plan (which includes a policy of accident and sickness insurance, a health maintenance organization contract, the Medicaid risk based managed care program, and a state employee health plan) to provide coverage for biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of an enrollee's disease or condition when biomarker testing is supported by medical and scientific evidence. Requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning to provide biomarker testing as a Medicaid program service, and to apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for approval of any waiver necessary under the federal Medicaid program for the purpose of providing biomarker testing. Provides that coverage is not required for biomarker testing for screening purposes. Provides that if a prior authorization requirement applies to biomarker testing, the health plan or a third party acting on behalf of the health plan must: (1) approve or deny a request for prior authorization; and (2) notify the covered individual of the approval or denial; in not more than five business days in the case of a nonurgent request or in not more than 48 hours in the case of an urgent request. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to report certain information to the budget committee on Medicaid reimbursement rates provided for biomarker testing.
STATUS
Passed
HB1233 - Robotics competition program.
Chuck Goodrich, Robert W. Behning, Michael Karickhoff
Last updated 6 months ago
11 Co-Sponsors
Robotics competition program. Amends the robotics competition program (program) definition of "allowable expenses" to allow a robotics competition team to use grant funds on expenses associated with a robotics competition. (Current law allows expenditures for expenses associated with attendance at a robotics competition.) Amends the program definition of "eligible school" to include a nonpublic school accredited by a national or regional accreditation agency that is recognized by the state board of education. Amends the program definition of "eligible team" to include a community based robotics competition team. Requires the department of education (department) to consider the number of participants when developing a guideline to award grants. Requires the department to award grants for each school year not later than August 1 of the applicable school year. Specifies that the program and any participation by a team mentor and team coach in the program is not subject to collective bargaining.
STATUS
Passed
BIOGRAPHY
INCUMBENT
Senator from Indiana district SD-039
COMMITTEES
Indiana Senate
BIRTH
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ABOUT
Eric S. Bassler is from Dover, DE. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware. After college, Eric worked for various businesses before opening Bassler Property Services. In 2018, Eric was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives. He currently serves on the Environment & Energy committee where he focuses on clean water and renewable energy initiatives. Eric is an advocate for small businesses, improved infrastructure, and quality education.read less
OFFICES HELD
Indiana Senate from Indiana
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