Senate Democrats: Last Week in Review at the Indiana General Assembly

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Last week (January 14-18, 2008) members of the Indiana General Assembly held two joint sessions in the House Chamber to hear the Governor's annual State of the State address Tuesday evening followed on Wednesday by the State of the Judiciary. During a second fast-paced week, committee hearings dominated activities as more bills moved through the committee process and advanced to the floor of each chamber to be considered by the full body. The following brief summary highlights some of this week's legislative activities.

State of the State Address

In his shortest State of the State address to date, Governor Mitch Daniels outlined his property tax plan, contained in House Bill 1001, and discussed what he hopes the legislature can accomplish by mid-March. While reactions were mostly positive inside the chamber, a small group of protesters gathered in the halls outside the chamber calling for a complete repeal of property taxes. A repeal is not included in the governor's proposal, and he explained that action would require a dramatic increase in sales and income taxes to replace lost revenue. In reaction to the governor's speech, some legislators expressed concerns about the state of the economy and the loss of jobs in Indiana, and emphasized the importance of enacting property tax relief that will go to those Hoosiers who need it most - working families and seniors.

Another highlight of the speech included a plea to approve a package of bills that would provide additional tools to assist the state with the collection of child support payments. The governor reported that "45 cents of every court-ordered payment dollar still goes unpaid, and each cent represents more than five million dollars straight to single parents struggling to give children a decent upbringing."

Property tax payments

Among the many bills dealing with property taxes under consideration this session, Senate Bill 208 would allow homeowners to utilize automatic bank deductions to pay property taxes. The bill would allow homeowners to participate in a voluntary program to pay property taxes by automatic deduction from a checking account, a system increasingly used by many individuals to pay other monthly bills. By spreading one year's property tax payment into twelve installments, homeowners could budget and pay their property tax bills throughout the year, rather than in two lump sums. The bill would also provide taxpayers with the option to pay regular installments by check. Counties would benefit by receiving a constant flow of income and avoid the necessity of year-end borrowing. SB 208 is now before the full Senate for further consideration.

Annexation

Legislation which would make a major change in public policy regarding annexations passed out of the Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections this week by a slim vote of 6-4. Senate Bill 114 would reduce from 65 percent to 51 percent the number of property owners needed for remonstrance to stop an annexation, require that municipalities submit annexation fiscal plans to the Department of Local Government Finance for approval, and allow a territory to incorporate without obtaining the consent of a municipality that is within a four mile radius. Opponents said the bill would hinder economic development and hurt the environment because it would prevent cities and towns from obtaining waivers to remonstrate against future annexations in exchange for the extension of sewer and water services to persons living in areas surrounding cities and towns. Opponents also raised constitutional concerns about the fact that the bill is retroactive and would affect the rights of parties already in an annexation remonstrance process.

Immigration issues

The Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor held a hearing this week on Senate Bill 335, a bill dealing with illegal immigrant matters. The proposal would require the State Police Superintendent to obtain federal permission to create a pilot program and obtain funding for the training of law enforcement officers in matters relating to illegal immigrants. Another provision would require the Attorney General to investigate complaints against employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants. In addition, the bill would make it a crime to shield, harbor or conceal from detection any illegal immigrants. This section was amended to exclude churches, hospitals and emergency medical technicians. The legislation was held pending further consideration by the committee.

Regulation of loan brokers

In continuing efforts to provide additional safeguards for prospective home buyers, the Senate Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters reviewed legislation regarding the regulation of loan brokers. Senate Bill 89 would require loan brokers applying for a license or certification to submit their fingerprints for an FBI criminal history background check. The bill would also prohibit a loan broker from recommending a loan or procuring a loan for a prospective borrower without first determining the suitability of the loan. The bill was recommended by the Interim Study Committee on Mortgage Lending Practices and Home Loan Foreclosures established last summer. In 2006, the U.S. Foreclosure Market Report indicated that Indiana ranks sixth in the nation for home mortgage foreclosures.

Lead poisoning

Comprehensive legislation has been introduced this session which targets the prevention of lead poisoning in children. Senate Bill 143, also known as the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, would establish the Indiana Lead-Safe Housing Advisory Council; enact a Consumer Product Protection Act; require an annual lead risk assessment on child care facilities; ensure accurate blood lead testing results are promptly delivered to local health officials so children can receive appropriate services; mandate a "Lead Safe Work Practices" training program for building contractors; and seek to remediate homes known to have caused or contributed to elevated blood lead levels. Passage of this important initiative would also streamline the current patchwork of requirements and enforcement around the state. Children exhibiting high blood levels of lead exhibit impaired cognitive, motor, behavioral and physical abilities.

Upcoming deadlines

• January 24 - Last day for committee hearings-house of origin

• January 29 - Second reading deadline-house of origin

• January 30 - Third reading deadline-house of origin

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

In addition, citizens can stay informed on bills scheduled for action in the House and Senate chambers through a free on line program available at www.BillWatch.in.gov/. This program allows you to track up to ten bills. Email notifications are sent once per day if action is taken on tracked bills and/or resolutions. If no action is taken, e-mail notifications will not be sent.

Source: Indiana Senate Democrats Press Release

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