Legislative roundup: The latest on bills IBJ is tracking this legislative session
IBJ is watching key bills that could impact the state’s economic development, health care and workforce efforts.
Legislation
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Gaming commission funding throttled by lawmakers in late-night move
A feud between the General Assembly and the Indiana Gaming Commission escalated late Friday when lawmakers approved language blocking the commission from getting more money without their approval.
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City, Indy Chamber continue push against repeal of downtown tax district
The city was joined by Indy Chamber and City-County Council President Vop Osili in opposing a proposed county-wide tax provision that would replace the downtown tax district.
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Bill that targets Blue Line clears Indiana Senate, casting doubt on planned bus route
Republican Sen. Aaron Freeman said the bill will give a state task force the chance to study the benefits of shared bus-car lanes versus dedicated bus lanes, but opponents say it’s a deliberate attempt to kill the project.
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Indiana House committee votes to repeal downtown tax district, offers county-wide income tax as alternative
The Republican-controlled Indiana House Ways and Means Committee voted to advance a bill that would repeal the economic enhancement district that Democrat-controlled Indianapolis city government approved last month. The committee chairman offered a new Marion County income tax as an alternative.
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Articles
Lawmakers propose transparency measures for Indiana Economic Development Corp.
The agency has been subject to criticism resulting from its handling of the LEAP Research and Innovation District in Boone County.
Two Senate bills propose new oversight of water withdrawals following LEAP pipeline concerns
One of the bills—which made the Senate Republican agenda—would require permits for projects that move significant amounts of water from one area of the state to another.
Lawmakers ready tax legislation ahead of session prime for reform
Policymakers have proposed at least 12 bills seeking to create or adjust property tax credits or deductions and institute freezes.
A Medicaid study committee made no recommendations this year—despite a funding shortfall
A year the Holcomb administration revealed a shortfall in the state’s Medicaid program of nearly $1 billion, lawmakers will start working in January to piece together legislation that at least in part deals with the second-largest and fastest-growing item in the state budget.
New coalition seeks to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs in Indiana
The coalition is a state branch of the national nonprofit Right to Start, which advocates for laws that provide tax breaks, provide procurement dollars and reduce regulations for startups and small businesses.
Indy councilors consider more accessible and expansive financial disclosures
For now, disclosure forms bearing councilor workplaces, board memberships and potential conflicts of interest are only available through a records request to the council office.
Reading skills, wetland, higher education laws going into effect July 1
Senate Enrolled Acts 1 and 6 address one of the most heavily debated topics of the 2024 legislative session: reading skills and proficiency among Indiana youth.
Democratic lawmaker to seek judicial changes after sentence in IMPD officer’s death
State Rep. Mitch Gore, who is a captain at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, said he would explore “all legislative remedies” to address what he said is a sentence that is too lenient. A Republican committee chair said he’s open to legislative proposals that come out of the case.
Law regulating AI usage in elections takes effect
The law requires that candidates include a disclaimer when a political ad includes the use of generative AI, and it creates a path for legal action when candidates believe they are misrepresented.
Holcomb signs university anti-‘viewpoint discrimination’ bill, 74 others
Six bills remain that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb can sign, veto or allow to become law without his signature.
Governor signs 67 bills ranging from reading remediation to bobcat hunting
More third graders will be retained due to lack of reading proficiency under a bill Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Monday, three days after the conclusion of this year’s annual legislative session.
Bill limiting land buys by ‘foreign adversaries’ goes to governor
Some critics worry the bill would compromise economic development deals in the works, but it passed easily.
Additional options for spending work-based learning funds approved by Indiana lawmakers
The final draft allows students to use up to $625 from annual CSA grants to pay for training for a driver’s license with an employer match.
Here are the education bills approved by the 2024 Indiana legislature
Stricter rules on school attendance, reading proficiency, and cellphone use in the classroom will affect Indiana students and schools beginning next year under legislation passed in the General Assembly’s 2024 session.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill defining antisemitism, with compromises
The final version accepted by both the House and Senate chambers made concessions in language that was opposed by critics of Israel.
Legislature sends new rules for Indy downtown tax district to governor
The bill, now headed to Gov. Eric Holcomb for consideration, would let some property owners opt out of paying the tax and cap the revenue but let the city expand the district.
Lawmakers consider protections for kid-run lemonade stands
A bill in the Indiana House would ban local regulations on lemonade stands, making it easier for children to operate such small enterprises without fear of running afoul of the law.
Bill to undo Mile Square property tax passes House with support from Speaker Todd Huston
As an alternative, the House approved a separate measure that would allow the City-County Council to increase the countywide local income tax by .02% to help pay for the operating costs of a homeless shelter and various improvements in the city’s Mile Square.
Bill to limit foreign ‘adversaries’ from buying Indiana farmland advances in House
The proposal builds on a previous measure passed in the 2022 Indiana legislative session, which limited foreign entities from buying more than 320 acres in Indiana for crop farming or timber production, among other restrictions.