Sue Errington Week in Review at the Indiana General Assembly

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The filing deadline for the introduction of bills this session has now passed. Senate members introduced 582 bills and 15 joint resolutions, while House members filed 711 bills and 11 joint resolutions. Committee activities are gaining momentum in the Senate and several bills have begun to make their way to the chamber floor for consideration by the full body. The following brief summary highlights some of the issues being considered this week.

Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

As the economy continues to struggle, many states, including Indiana, are experiencing high unemployment rates. Last December, the national unemployment rate hit 7.2%, its highest level since 1986. Statistics indicate that more than 2.5 million jobs were lost in 2008. In Indiana, the unemployment rate is currently 7.1% and it is projected to be more than 8% by 2010.

Unemployment insurance benefits are paid out of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The fund is financed from employer tax contributions paid to the Department of Workforce Development. Unfortunately, Indiana faces a critical shortage in its Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The state is now drawing on a line of credit from the federal government having borrowed $216 million since January 2008. State lawmakers are looking at options to fix the structural imbalance in this fund. The Pensions and Labor Committee heard testimony this week on one proposal, Senate Bill 477. This bill would authorize the Department of Workforce Development to collect delinquent unemployment insurance assessments and benefit overpayments after filing a judgment lien for the amount due. Among other provisions, the bill would add collection fees to the judgment lien amount.

Other committee action this week

The Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services heard testimony on several bills this week including Senate Bill 216 pertaining to the regulation of retail health clinics. The legislation would require retail health clinics to meet specified standards and implement certain policies for the monitoring of quality of care. Also, the bill would require the State Department of Health to ensure compliance by the clinics and allow the department to conduct inspections.

Among bills reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, Senate Bill 225 targets the foreclosure of rental properties and provides safeguards for tenants. The bill would require property owners of rental units to notify tenants if a judgment of foreclosure is entered concerning the property, and permits the tenant to terminate a rental agreement if the judgment is entered against the owner. Additional provisions would authorize a tenant to bring a civil action if the owner does not comply with the notice provisions as well as require the return of a damage deposit. The General Assembly will be reviewing several other bills dealing with foreclosure issues including Senate Bill 492 which would slow down the home foreclosure process and require mediation between the lender and the homeowner. The House Committee on Financial Institutions has also begun hearing foreclosure prevention bills. One would require timely notification of renters before their homes are foreclosed. Another proposal would prohibit foreclosure filing by mortgage-serving companies that do not own the mortgage. A third House bill would require mediation, similar to provisions included in Senate Bill 492.

Members of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 39, a bill to expand the state’s tuition-free benefit to all of the state’s Purple Heart recipients. Last year legislation was enacted that provided an exemption for tuition and fees at state colleges and universities to Purple Heart recipients who entered active duty service after September 10, 2001. Statistics indicate that there are 1,350 Purple Heart recipients from World War II, 360 from the Korean War and 2,070 from the Vietnam War. The state also provides the tuition and fees exemption to children of Purple Heart recipients. Testimony revealed that 265 students qualified for the benefit in 2008.

Upcoming deadlines

February 19       Deadline for committee reports for bills in house of origin

February 25       Last day for House and Senate bills to pass their respective chambers

April 9               Deadline for committee reports for bills in second house

April 15             Last day House and Senate can approve bills sent over by the opposite chamber

April 29             Session adjourns

To stay informed about legislation moving through the state legislature or to track legislation, log on to www.in.gov/legislative. This site provides complete bill information as well as committee hearing dates and agendas. From this site, you can also watch and listen to House and Senate floor debate while the chambers are in session as well as some committee hearings.

In addition, citizens can stay current on legislation scheduled for action through a free online program available at www.BillWatch.in.gov. Track up to ten bills at a time and receive e-mail notifications only when action is taken on those bills.

Visit my Senate web site at www.in.gov/s26 and subscribe to receive periodic e-mails from me about the major issues being debated this session.

Personal contact with constituents has a direct impact on the legislation we consider and what ultimately becomes law. Feel free to contact me with your comments and concerns regarding pending legislation or if I can provide any assistance.

Mailing address:            Statehouse, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Telephone:                    1-800-382-9467, ext. 2-9526

Email address:              s26@iga.in.gov

Source: Sue Errington Press Release