Week in Review at the Indiana General Assembly

Bills in conference committee

State budget bill - Housed in HB 1001, the state's $26 billion budget proposal for the next two years is under heavy negotiations. Paramount in this discussion will be state funding for public education. Overall state funding for schools was reduced in the Senate version of the bill. For 2008, the House formula was $5,550 per student, while the Senate formula only appropriated $5,517 - a difference of $33 per student. For 2009, the difference jumps to $65 per student. Concerns were also expressed that appropriations included in the Senate version are  contingent upon the passage of three other bills in conference committees: HB 1478 contains a comprehensive property tax restructuring proposal; HB 1835 would provide for electronic gaming at Indiana's two horse racing facilities; and SB 577 would allow the governor to privatize the state's lottery.

Health insurance for state's working poor - Both the House and Senate approved different plans to provide health insurance to many of Indiana's 850,000 low-income citizens. SB 503 was heavily amended in the House including a provision that would increase the income limit for Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. Conference committee members will also have to devise a way to pay for the program as the bill includes no funding. Errington is an advisor on this conference committee.
 

Fireworks - SB 9 provides that counties and municipalities may adopt ordinances to regulate the time and location for the use, ignition or discharge of fireworks and that the ordinances may not limit the use of fireworks during certain times July 2-5 and on New Year's Eve.

Illegal gambling - Legislation that would create a special prosecutor and add 25 new excise officers to enforce stricter penalties for illegal gambling is contained in HB 1510. The measure targets taverns, truck stops and gas stations around the state that allow patrons to play illegal video poker and electronic slot machines such as cherry masters. On top of enhanced penalties, businesses could also lose their retail licenses, liquor permits and the ability to sell cigarettes and lottery tickets.

Divestment of public funds in Darfur - Legislative efforts that would prevent taxpayer dollars from being invested in companies that are actively funding the genocide that is occurring in Darfur are underway. Lawmakers are proposing to include this language in HB 1067. Several other states have already taken action to divest their public employee retirement dollars from companies who actively support the Sudanese government which is aiding and abetting the genocide.

Mass transit alternatives - Under SB 105, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) would be required to conduct six feasibility studies on mass transit in Indiana by region to be completed by July 1, 2008. The bill was amended to establish a joint study committee on mass transit and transportation alternatives. As the bill passed the Senate, it would also prohibit public-private agreements concerning passenger or freight railroad systems unless the General Assembly enacts a statute authorizing such an agreement. In addition, the bill would create a legislative review committee for proposals concerning the Illiana Expressway and requires INDOT to perform an independent study concerning the proposed expressway. Errington is co-author of this bill and an advisor on the conference committee.

Veterans' benefits - Legislation which would exempt active duty military pay earned by members of the National Guard and Reserves from the individual income tax is under review by a conference committee. SB 480 would also phase-in over eight years the deduction of all military pay, retirement benefits and survivor's benefits from the individual income tax. In addition, the bill currently provides various forms of tuition assistance at state universities for certain active duty military personnel, their dependents and some veterans.

Seat belts - Various provisions of HB 1237 would require all occupants in most motor vehicles, including pickup trucks, to wear seat belts. Some exceptions include trucks used for farming operations, persons participating in a parade and occupants of the living quarters area of a recreational vehicle or the treatment area of an ambulance.

SB 327 requires a school to provide information to each parent of a female child entering sixth grade about the link between cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and that an immunization is available. Errington co-authored of this legislation.

Under SB 403, Hoosiers will have another tool to provide protection against identity theft. The bill requires consumer reporting agencies to abide by requests to prevent access to consumer reports by placing a security freeze on them. The freeze would limit the agency from releasing a credit report or any other information without specific authorization from the consumer. The bill also stipulates that no fees be charged for this service.

SB 271 changes the state’s current statute which designates a person’s spouse as their legal next of kin. Specifically, the bill will remove next of kin privileges from spouses or guardians who have committed murder, voluntary manslaughter or another criminal act.

Among the provisions of SB 129, a city or town with a population of 7,000 or more would be required to meet and confer with the representative of its full-time police or fire department employees concerning pay issues and conditions of employment.

SB 371 pertains to mobile camps for railroad employees and requires a railroad company to provide drinking water at assembly points where at least two employees meet (current law applies to assembly points where at least six employees meet). Another provision requires the State Department of Health to adopt rules to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons living in mobile camps.

SB 445 requires a non-attorney who advertises as a notary public or notario publico to include a disclosure stating that the person is not an attorney or face a Class A misdemeanor charge.

To stay informed about legislation moving through the General Assembly, log on to www.in.gov/legislative/. From this site, you can research bills, review both committee calendars and legislative floor calendars and watch Senate and House sessions live as well as some committee hearings.

Deadline dates