Corporate Transparency Act: Reporting Requirements Suspended

Coffee with the County - The Springtime Itch

By Sara Patrick • March 26, 2025

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Weekly Legislative Update - March 21

By Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana • March 21, 2025

House On Monday morning, the House passed SJR 21, Terms of members of Congress , (Sponsor: Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman) with a bipartisan 66-30 vote. This resolution is an appeal to Congress to authorize a Convention for proposing Amendments under Article V of the Constitution of the United States to limit to the number of terms that an individual may serve in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate. On Tuesday, House Public Health amended, took testimony and voted on Senate Republican priority bill SB 2, Medicaid matters (Sponsor: Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond). The committee passed an amendment to remove the enrollment cap. The amended bill passed committee 8-4 and was recommitted to Ways and Means for further discussion. House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunication amended, took testimony and greatly discussed Senate priority bill SB 4, Water matters (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso). The amendment specifies that the projects returning 50% of the water are excluded and provides further clarity on sale, leases, and transfers. Ultimately the committee decided to hold the bill for more amendments and further discussion. One Wednesday morning, House Education took testimony, amended, and voted on SB 146 and SB 249 , which both deal with teacher compensation (Sponsor: Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty). For SB 146, Amendment #15 was adopted during committee to restore the bill to its original version. The amended bill passed through the committee unanimously. SB 249 addresses schools’ ability to provide supplemental payments to teachers. The committee did add one amendment to the bill before voting. SB 249 was a bit more controversial amongst committee members, passing with a party line 8-4 vote. Later that day, House Ways and Means took testimony on SB 5, State fiscal and contracting matters (Sponsor: Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne). After a brief discussion, the bill was held for anticipated amendments next meeting. As written, this bill allows state agencies to use AI for budget projections and requires them to report federal funding requests involving state fund transfers. House Ways and Means also took heard SB 306, Film and media production tax credit (Sponsor: Rep. Dave Heine, R-New Haven) on Wednesday afternoon. This bill would take an existing tax credit and make it transferable to move the state into a competitive nationwide marketplace to grow this industry in Indiana. Yesterday, representatives further amended SB 287, School Board Matters (Sponsor Rep. J.D Prescott, R-Union City) with a second reading amendment. This bill creates the framework for partisan school board elections. A committee amendment had removed the primary process for nomination and specified that a straight party vote does not count for a candidate for school board office, making the bill mirror Rep. Prescott’s HB 1230, School board elections , which made it through committee in the first half but died without a final vote on the Third Reading Deadline. Yesterday’s amendment clarified and refined the ballot presentation for candidates who do not wish to declare a political party or run as an independent. In these situations, the amendment states that there will be no identifying mark next to that candidate’s name on the ballot. The amended version of SB 287 will be eligible for a final third reading vote as early as Monday. Yesterday, a few notable bills passed the House on a final third reading vote: SB 74, Extension of lifeline law immunity passed 87-3 SB 424, Small modular nuclear reactor development costs passed 59-30 SB 426, Water utilities passed 76-15 SB 457, Carbon dioxide sequestration passed 55-37 Senate At the beginning of the week, Senate Corrections heard HB 1006, Prosecutors (Sponsor: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis) and decided to hold the bill after discussion on the proposed amendments. As written, this bill would establish the special prosecutor unit, the prosecutor review board, and the public prosecution fund and guidelines, standards for services under which counties may be eligible for reimbursement for prosecution expenditures. Previously HB 1006 passed the House 72-24 . The committee did, however, amend and vote on HB 1393, Immigration Notice , (Sponsor: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis). The amendment removes the requirement that the officer is the one required to make the notice and the requirement that an arrest must be occurring. Senators passed the bill out of committee by a 5-3 vote. The bill was heard on the floor on Thursday afternoon and received an additional amendment on second reading which removes the immunity provisions from the bill. Senate Homeland Security and Transportation heard HB 1461, Road funding (Sponsor: Sen. Micheal Crider, R-Greenfield). Following a long discussion, the committee determined that additional revisions and refinements were necessary before proceeding. As a result, members agreed to amend the legislation and will vote on an amended bill during the committee’s next meeting. Senate Health and Provider services Committee heard House Republican priority bill HB 1004, Nonprofit hospitals (Sponsor: Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown), on Wednesday morning. Among its various provisions, HB 1004 will restrict what qualifies as community benefits for certain nonprofit hospitals and will impose stricter reporting and transparency requirements. Furthermore, the bill creates a new excise tax placed on the hospital if their hospital fees exceed 265% of Medicare. Finally, the bill states that a hospital with commercial prices in excess of 300% of Medicare forfeits their nonprofit status. After extensive discussion, the bill passed out of the committee 10-1 and will be recommitted to Senate Appropriations due to its fiscal impact. Also on Wednesday, Senate Education and Career Development passed over House priority bill HB 1002, Various education matters (Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond). Instead, hearing extensive and passionate testimony from both sides of the issue on HB 1041, Student eligibility in interscholastic sports (Sponsor: Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport), which would tighten restrictions regarding transgender athletes. The bill is an expansion of the K-12 transgender sports ban from two years ago and would extend the ban to the collegiate level. Earlier in the week, the Senate Appropriations committee wrapped up budget presentations on HB 1001 , hearing from our statewide officials regarding their offices budgetary desires. Then yesterday, members of the public and various stakeholders provided testimony regarding their desires for the state’s biennial budget. Senators on the Senate Local Government committee took a first look at House Republican priority bill HB 1005, Housing and building matters (Sponsor: Sen. Linda Rogers R-Granger). This bill addresses the lack of housing options available to Hoosiers. HB 1005 seeks to finance infrastructure projects that support residential housing. This will be done by expanding the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program (RIF). The committee heard testimony on the bill from a variety of groups, but it was ultimately held for amend and vote at a later meeting.

Coffee with the County - Collaboration is King

By Sara Patrick • March 19, 2025

I first met him last year on one of our “Willing to Work Tours.” He was outgoing, funny, and engaging, and he earnestly wanted to greet me and know more about the place we were touring. He asked questions, was thoughtful in his reactions to things he learned, and was just plain enjoyable to be around. His name is Jack, and he is a client of the Arc of LaGrange County. The Chamber has partnered with the Arc of LaGrange County fairly regularly now for a couple of years, specifically with their Employment Services team. Jack is one of many clients who are pursuing vocational training and education, with his sights set on community employment. Just a couple weeks ago, it was publicly noted that Jack had secured employment with Lakeland School Corporation, where he offers cleaning services in two different buildings on their campus. While cleaning may go unnoticed, it is vital to the sustained success of a place of employment. For Jack, my bet is he’s doing it with a smile on his face because it’s who he is, and it brings added fulfillment in his days and weeks. We support efforts like these–employability awareness and skills training–because the future of LaGrange County workforce is being built today. Whether it's a high school student evaluating their future, or an adult with a disability, there are opportunities for employers to lean in, expand career awareness, and potentially source local talent in labor pools that may go untapped. Today’s workforce is ever-changing. The laws by how we manage and retain employees shift. The goals and needs of employees change from generation to generation (and sometimes, from year to year). The way in which we operate businesses is evolving, especially with the increasing leverage of technology in the workplace. As the Chamber of Commerce, our commitment to “Next-Level Workforce” serves as a “succession plan” for our members, ensuring that workers–often those who are not yet employed, but ready for the opportunity–are prepared, educated, and work-ready. There are many great initiatives growing in the name of Next-Level Workforce, some of which are under the Chamber’s program of work, and others that are supported by the Chamber: The LaGrange County Student Chamber is a brand-new program which serves as a “fast pass” for students to be placed in quality work-based learning opportunities with LaGrange County employers, all while bolstering the pipeline of future workforce to support our members’ businesses. The Field of Dreams Career Expo (happening next Tuesday, March 25 at the Michiana Event Center) is a countywide tradeshow-style event to showcase to 1,200+ students, grades 7-12, that there are valuable, quality career opportunities right here in their own communities. The goal? To plant workforce-ready students for a lifetime in LaGrange County. Willing to Work Tours are a program in partnership with the Arc of LaGrange County to increase career awareness to Arc clients in a variety of industries. The Chamber establishes a local tour itinerary and chauffeurs Arc clients, along with their Employment Services team, to different businesses. The tours have proved to be great connections between industry and local talent, while also leveraging collaboration amongst industry, intermediaries, and advocates like the Arc. Job Club is an additional partnership with the Arc in which Chamber members are invited to speak to Arc clients about their careers, the expectations of the job, and skills necessary to be successful in their field. Career awareness is the name of the game here, building a broader inventory of “what’s out there” for Arc clients. Project Search is a new initiative in which the Chamber is a supporting member. The Arc-led program partners with a local hospitality company and will eventually host Arc interns–age 18 to 35–for workplace skills training and experience to develop a bolstered resume for future community employment. If I have learned anything in my role at the Chamber, it is that collaboration is king. Our community will grow as fast as the collaborative pace we set. When we link arms, come to the table together, and elevate a solution that positively impacts all, we will ALL feel the win in one way or another. Our work with the Arc and our local school systems is just the beginning. If you are a business owner or a team leader and are interested in partnering with us in these efforts, we’d love to hear from you. All it takes is saying “yes” to solution-minded efforts. Together, we can make it happen.

Weekly Legislative Update - March 14th

By Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana • March 14, 2025

Senate This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee began budget hearings. The committee heard from Chairman Thompson about the House budget and heard presentations from Indiana’s public universities, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the various members of the Governor’s Cabinet. These discussions are the next step in the ongoing discussion of HB 1001, State budget (Sponsor: Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka). On Tuesday, Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy voted unanimously to pass an amended version of HB 1142, Local Income Tax Council (Sponsor: Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle) by a 13-0 vote. HB 1142 would extend the expiration of provisions concerning a county with a single voting bloc and the allocation of votes for a local income tax council. The amendment extended the sunset from 2026 to 2027. This bill will continue to the Senate floor for second reading. Senate Corrections and Criminal Law heard House Republican priority bill HB 1006, Prosecutors, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis). The committee took testimony and decided to hold the bill for amendments at a later meeting. As written, this bill establishes the special prosecutor unit, the prosecutor review board, and the public prosecution fund and guidelines, standards for services under which counties may be eligible for reimbursement for prosecution expenditures. HB 1006 passed the House 72-24 . House On Wednesday, House and Ways and Means thoroughly discussed a proposed committee amendment for SB 1, Property tax relief, (Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton). This amendment – the same language as HB 1402, Local government finance (Rep. Thompson) - will gradually eliminate business personal property taxes on new equipment and increase the tax exemption threshold from $80,000 to $200,000 over six years. It restructures local income tax (LIT) policies by raising the maximum county LIT rate to 2.9% in 2027, allowing cities to impose their own LIT up to 1.2%, and eliminating LIT for non-residents working in the county. Finally, it also phases out some property tax deductions in favor of a local tax credit, restructures how LIT revenue is distributed, and shifts the decision-making authority over local tax rates to county and city fiscal bodies. The discussion on this amendment was another significant milestone in the legislative process as the House continues to determine the best approach to the ongoing property tax debate. After hearing from many different organizations, the House Education Committee decided to hold SB 146 Teacher compensation, (Sponsor: Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty) for amendments and further discussion. This bill addresses the issue of teacher compensation by raising the minimum salary to $45,000 and requires that school corporations must expend an amount for teacher compensation that is not less than 65% of state tuition support. Secretary of Education Katie Jenner was there to testify on behalf of Governor Braun’s administration, as SB 146 was specifically mentioned in his State of the State address as a priority. House Courts and Criminal Code unanimously passed SB 74, Extension of lifeline law immunity , (Sponsor: Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Evansville) 13-0 . This bill grants individual's immunity from prosecution for certain crimes if they are reasonably believed to have a health condition caused by alcohol consumption and received help from someone who called emergency services on their behalf. House Elections and Apportionment heard testimony SB 10, Voter registration (Sponsor: Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer), and decided to hold the bill to amend and vote on next week. As written, the bill clarifies that school ID is not a valid form of voter identification. Counties must also update voter lists by removing inactive voters and verifying deaths through records shared by local health officers. The committee also amended and voted to pass the heavily debated SB 287, School board matters (Sponsor: Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City). This bill creates the framework for partisan school board elections. Today’s amendment removed the primary process for nomination and specifies that a straight party vote does not count for a candidate for school board office. The bill now mirrors Rep. Prescott’s HB 1230, School board elections , which made it through committee in the first half but died without a final vote on the Third Reading Deadline. After taking testimony last week, the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee discussed the impacts of SB 457, Carbon dioxide sequestration (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) and passed the bill unamended 11-2 . Amongst other regulatory provisions, this bill sets regulations for carbon dioxide transmission pipelines, requiring applicants to meet Indiana utility guidelines and prove experience in pipeline construction and operation. This bill passed the Senate narrowly 27-21 . House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications also considered SB 424, Small modular nuclear reactor development costs (Sponsor: Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso). After taking lengthy amount of testimony, the committee amended , discussed, and approved SB 424 by a 10-3 vote. This bill allows public utilities to seek approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to incur and recover development costs for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). It establishes criteria for IURC review, sets timelines for approval, and outlines how utilities can adjust rates to recover costs, including an 80/20 split between immediate and deferred recovery. This bill passed the Senate 34-14 . House Judiciary Committee heard SJR 21, Terms of members of Congress , sponsored by Rep. Dave Hall (R-Norman). The resolution passed out of committee 10-2 and has since been engrossed unamended on second reading on the House floor, clearing the way for a final third reading vote as early as Monday. This resolution would have Indiana apply to Congress for a Convention for proposing a term limit Amendment under Article V of the Constitution of the United States. House Roads and Transportation heard emotional testimony on SB 183, Rural intersection safety , (Sponsor: Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie). This bill attempts to solve the issue of clear vision at rural intersections. As written, it requires that owners or lessees of agricultural land at intersections without traffic signals must maintain a clear line of sight. Crops, vegetation, structures, or other obstructions over three feet tall are not allowed, except for trimmed trees with clear vision above six feet. Landowners or lessees who fail to comply may be notified, held liable for accidents, and certain provisions do not apply to critical infrastructure. This bill was held for amendments, with legislators noting that they are confident that they’ll be able to solve this issue. Governor’s Office Governor Braun signed two executive orders on Wednesday, both targeting the state’s environmental policies. These orders streamline regulations, reduce compliance burdens, and ensure environmental policies are based on science rather than social criteria. EO-25-37: Prohibiting the use of environmental justice in permitting enforcement or grant decisions – This executive order prohibits state agencies from using “environmental justice” as a factor in environmental permitting, enforcement, or grant decisions. EO-25-38: Creating opportunity through reduction of excessive environmental regulation – This order prevents the state from adopting environmental regulations stricter than federal standards unless required by state law or deemed necessary by the Governor’s Office. The governor then signed one more executive order this morning targeting antisemitism. The executive order directs the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to review the policies of Indiana’s state educational institutions related to antisemitism, and each institution’s response to any acts of antisemitism that have occurred on campus since the October 7 terrorist attack in 2023. When available, the EO can be viewed here .

Legislative Report - March 14

By Indiana Chamber • March 14, 2025

House Debates Property Tax Redesign HB 1402 / Chamber Supports | SB 1 / Chamber Neutral The House Ways and Means Committee reconvened this week to further examine Senate Bill 1, specifically focusing on a potential amendment incorporating provisions from House Bill 1402, authored by Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton). Representative Thompson presented the committee with an amendment intended to replace SB 1’s original language with that of HB 1402, significantly altering the approach to property tax reform. The chairman acknowledged that the bill required additional refinement but emphasized the necessity of addressing homeowners' concerns regarding the lack of tangible tax relief. House Bill 1402 proposes a phased, five-year plan transitioning Indiana from its current levy-based system to a rate-based model. Under the proposed structure, circuit breaker credit losses will be eliminated due to a combined property tax rate being capped at 3%. Thompson emphasized that this change is intended to resolve inherent conflicts between levy-based calculations and constitutional rate caps. House Bill 1402 also includes an exemption of newly acquired business personal property (BPP) as well as a phased increase in the BPP de minimis exemption and phaseout of the 30% floor on BPP. A study conducted by the Indiana Chamber Foundation estimates these reforms will increase state GDP growth by more than $3 billion and create approximately 24,000 jobs. Several committee members, including Reps. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) and Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), requested further clarification and more detailed fiscal analysis, underscoring the need for clear fiscal modeling to understand the potential consequences of the proposed amendments. Representative Slager explicitly noted concerns about unclear financial implications, suggesting that the committee needed more precise data before proceeding. With many points of contention still unresolved, the committee held the bill for further analysis, signaling ongoing debate over property tax policy. An additional hearing where members will amend and vote on the bill is anticipated in the coming weeks. Film and Media Production Tax Credit Bill a Hidden GemSB 306 / Chamber Supports A bill that the Senate passed 49-0 is flying under everyone’s radar. With no new budget allocation, it makes a meaningful change to an existing statute that will produce (at minimum) a 6:1 return on the state’s investment. In 2022, the Indiana General Assembly established the film and media production tax credit, which offers producing entities up to 30% of their qualified expenditures back in the form of a tax credit against their Indiana-based taxes. However, a problem exists in that many producers/production companies – especially those formed for a single project (i.e., special-purpose entities) – do not have significant tax liabilities to use the credits themselves. This means that producers earn a credit, but cannot use it. Senate Bill 306, authored by Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington) and sponsored by Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne), allows producer-credit recipients to sell any part of their credit to another Indiana taxpayer. So, if the producer earns a credit for $30,000, it can sell it to another entity for, say, $25,000. It’s a win-win-win: the production company receives cash for a credit it cannot use, a taxpayer pays less for a credit than the taxes it will offset and the state becomes more attractive to producers and taxpayers. At least 24 states have a film and media tax credit that's more attractive than ours because they allow producers to sell their credit to another entity or back to the state. On average, these states see a 6:1 return (tax credits to economic impact). One example is Kentucky. In 2022, its credit attracted 58 projects that had a $158 million economic impact; 2023: 61 projects, $182 million impact; and 2024: 77 projects, $203 million impact. Because Indiana’s credit is nontransferable, we’re simply not competitive. Although not public yet, there are film and media projects waiting on the sidelines watching SB 306’s destiny. Its passage will not only greenlight projects that are teed up, but also serve as a beacon to producers that Indiana wants their business. The bill, which passed unanimously, now sits in the House Ways and Means Committee’s queue for a hearing. Call to action: Please ask members of the committee to hear SB 306 and/or request that the Senate amend its language into the state budget bill (House Bill 1001). Bill to Spur Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Development Moves On SB 424 / Chamber Supports Senate Bill 424, recently advanced by the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee, proposes regulatory clarity for Indiana utilities pursuing Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs). The bill creates a framework enabling utilities to recover SMR development costs, addressing significant initial investment barriers. Advocates, including Indiana Michigan Power and Spencer County representatives, emphasize the benefits of substantial job creation, increased tax revenue and energy independence. Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski supported the bill in testimony, aligning it with Gov. Mike Braun’s legislative agenda. The Rockport Generating Station, a coal-fired facility in Spencer County operated by Indiana Michigan Power, has been identified as a potential site for SMR deployment. Opponents argue SB 424 could shift financial risks of unproven SMR technology onto ratepayers, highlighting concerns over cost recovery prior to project completion and insufficient consumer protections. Critics also question the economic viability compared to existing renewable energy alternatives. An amendment removed the bill's sunset provision, aligning it with similar provisions in House Bill 1007. The Indiana Chamber continues its support for SB 424, recognizing the importance of facilitating the evaluation and potential implementation of advanced nuclear technology. The bill will now advance to the full House for further consideration. Education, Workforce Progress Tempered by Fiscal Uncertainty This week, House and Senate education committees held hearings on a variety of K-12 and workforce legislation, including measures to reestablish A-F school accountability, increase the minimum compensation for public school teachers and mandate parental leave benefits, require partisan school board elections, strengthen literacy programs and a package of initiatives to focus on improving math instruction and student performance in the state. In the coming weeks, additional workforce-related proposals are expected to receive consideration, including efforts to better align postsecondary education with workforce needs, enhance data collection and expand career coaching programs. Meanwhile, Senate budget hearings have begun to review funding requests from colleges and universities. A common concern throughout these discussions is the overall funding level for education and workforce programs, spanning pre-K, K-12, higher education and workforce training. Lawmakers are working within a particularly constrained budget environment. The House-passed budget includes a modest 2% increase in tuition support for K-12 public schools over the next two fiscal years. A potentially greater, long-term and structural funding change may be coming for public school districts from property tax changes. Approximately 40% of K-12 public school funding in the state comes from local property tax revenues. The likely expansion of school vouchers and potential requirement of sharing of property tax referendum dollars between school districts and charter schools would create even greater funding pressure on urban school districts.

Coffee with the County - Squared Away

By Sara Patrick • March 12, 2025

A few years ago, my husband and I moved into one of the biggest projects of our lives–a stick-built homestead that we get to call home. Truthfully, we both learned a lot in the process. I am so fortunate to have a husband who can do just about anything–he rigged the house up with electrical lines and most of the plumbing. He learned how to hang and finish drywall with the help of his skilled father, and he can hang siding like a pro. He’s a self-taught do-it-all man who married a self-taught hire-it-out woman. (Insert chuckling here.) All kidding aside, I can typically figure out a problem on my own, but I am not usually the one who rolls up my sleeves to build something. It’s never been my strong suit. I can throw a hammer just like anyone else, but more than likely, I’ll hit my thumb (which I’ve done many times in this life). My husband was so patient with me during our home-building project, because he had to teach me about all of the terms, processes, and structures. I cast the vision for our dream home, and he built it. (And really, that’s what makes us so great together!) One piece I learned about was the process of surveying. I was–if I may admit–quite naive when it came to all that had to happen for a house to be built: the permitting, the blueprints, and those three-legged surveying instruments that I only understood to be Hollywood-like cameras on the side of a road or property. Little did I know, that part of the process was vital to our purchasing land and building a new home. In 2020, we met Scott Zeigler, owner and lead surveyor of Hand to the Plow Surveying. I remember thinking, “Wow, that business name seems awfully fitting for our new neighborhood.” We’re blessed to have a neighborhood full of hardworking, generous families within the Amish community, and we often see the hands to the plows–literally! Scott was much like our neighbors, and was very kind and helpful in our project. He got us all squared away (literally and figuratively), and helped us establish the boundaries which we’d call ours. I’ve gotten to know Scott over the past few years as one of our Chamber members, and one of the few active (and very busy, I might add!) surveyors in our area. He has been particularly active in our Field of Dreams Career Expo, and has been one of the frontrunners in speaking with teenagers about local career pathways here in our communities. Even more so, he shares with students about the high demand for professionals like him in the surveying field, and that is a sentiment that I hear from others within the construction industry. The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) designates a National Surveyors Week to commemorate the work and public service that surveyors provide day-in and day-out. March 16, National Surveyors Day, starts the commemoration this year, which runs through the 22nd. Even larger, March 21 celebrates Global Surveyors Day. Why the commemoration? Surveyors provide a service that is significant to the success and sustainability of both public and private projects. They measure and map out land for development, construction, and other purposes. Bridges, roads, residential to industrial construction, and even underwater infrastructure require the help of surveyors, and “geospatial experts” leverage innovative technology and strategies to produce the safest, strongest, and best solutions in all of these areas. In honor of Scott and others like him this National Surveyors Week, allow me to share a few unique facts and statistics about the surveying profession: Today, there are about 90,000 professional licensed land surveyors that work around the world (gonzalez-strength.com). George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were all land surveyors before they took office as the President of the United States (mooreengineering.com). The Mason-Dixon Line is actually a survey line. “Charles Mason, an assistant astronomer at Greenwich Observatory, and Jeremiah Dixon, an astronomer, mathematician, and surveyor, were hired to survey an agreed-upon line to settle a dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland. It took 4 years and cost $75,000 to run the 233 mile line. Modern surveys have shown it to be an accurate survey, within a couple of seconds of latitude” (mooreengineering.com). Surveying is one of the oldest professions, dating back to 3,000 B.C. in which The Egyptian Land Register was created, which shows various land owners and locations of land (mooreengineering.com). While we may not require the help of surveyors on a daily basis, this commemoration allows us the opportunity to appreciate their work from afar. The truth is, our world wouldn’t be quite as measured, square, or calculated if it weren’t for surveyors, and in today’s world, the surveying workforce is short-handed. Thank you, surveyors, for your daily hard work to make LaGrange County what it is! Did you know? In the world of construction and advancement, LaGrange County approved an updated Unified Development Ordinance last year. The 313-page document provides regulatory guidance for land, structures, and more, which touch the lives and work of residents, businesses, and more. To see the final document, visit the Document Center at www.lagrangecounty.org. Want to get on the books at Hand to Plow Surveying? Give Scott and his team a call at (260) 593-0693.

Weekly Legislative Update - March 7

By Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana • March 7, 2025

The Week in Review On Tuesday, the House Insurance Committee took testimony on Senate priority bill SB 3, Fiduciary duty in health plan administration (Sponsor: Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne). The bill was ultimately held for amendments and a vote at a later committee meeting. SB 3 seeks to require that health plan intermediaries act in the best interests of Hoosier workers. The bill provides that a third-party administrator, pharmacy benefit manager, employee benefit consultant, or insurance producer acting on behalf of a plan sponsor owes a fiduciary duty to the plan sponsor. Senate Education and Career Development met on Wednesday to consider House Republican priority bill HB 1002, Education matters (Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond), this bill seeks to clean up education language in Indiana Code removing around 35,000 words from Title 20 in the Indiana Code. The hearing was testimony only and will be voted on at the next committee meeting. The sweeping deregulation bill targets expired programs that are no longer being funded and removes multiple may provisions throughout the code in an effort to establish more local control. Later that day, the House Elections and Apportionment committee heard lengthy testimony but ultimately did not vote on SB 287, School board matters (Sponsor: Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City). SB 287 requires a candidate for school board to declare a political party. Candidates must be nominated like all other elected officials, replacing the current nomination process. It also increases school board member pay from $2,000 to up to 10% of the district’s lowest starting teacher salary. This controversial bill narrowly passed the Senate 26-20. Also on Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee which held testimony only hearings on two major taxation bills, SB 1, Property tax relief and SB 518, School property taxes , both sponsored by Committee Chairman Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton. Both bills drew extensive testimony lasting well into the night (10:38 pm to be exact), and the committee is expected to amend and vote on the bills at a later date. SB 1 is a Senate Republican priority bill. It is a property tax reform bill that allows counties to create a program to defer $10,000 in property taxes. It also adjusts tax deductions for seniors and veterans, expands a first-time homebuyer tax credit, and changes how tax referendums are placed on ballots. This bill passed the Senate 37-10 . Notably, Governor Braun has expressed his displeasure with the changes the Senate made to the original version of the bill (which was Gov. Braun’s version of property tax relief). The governor has indicated that if additional relief is not added to SB 1 in the second half of the legislative session, he may use his veto power to attempt to bring legislators back to the drawing board. SB 518 was the second of the two major bills heard. SB 518 would require school districts that approve new property tax levies for projects, school safety, or operating costs after May 10, 2025, to share a portion of that revenue with certain specified charters in their area. In 2028, all school districts must share their operations fund levy with eligible charter schools (some schools are exempt). This bill also adjusts grant funding for charter schools based on the property tax revenue and adds new rules for charter school governance and closures. The bill drew both heavy support and heavy opposition from testifiers in the committee with more than 100 people signing up to speak on the bill.

Indiana Legislative Report - March 7

By Indiana Chamber • March 7, 2025

A READI Alternative in the Works? Absent some miraculous revision in the state’s revenue forecast, there will not be another $500 million appropriation for the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program. Even if there was newfound cash, the general consensus is that another round of READI would be premature given the amount of READI 1.0 and 2.0 funds that remain unspent. That said, some regions are further along in the execution of their strategic regional growth plans and need creative ways to ensure the economic flywheel continues to spin. The Indiana Chamber was part of a stakeholder group that met with legislative and administration leadership this week to float a concept that may provide such a solution. The simplest way to conceptualize the proposal is as a regional TIF, in which the region uses projected increases in tax revenue to leverage bond financing for infrastructure and construction necessary to drive economic growth. The tax increments that could be collected include commercial and business personal property, as well as state income and sales taxes. Some READI regions already have bonding authority but others, like the Northwest Indiana (NWI) Forum, do not because they are organized as a nonprofit rather than a statutory regional development authority. As such, the proposal would allow the NWI Forum, and others like it, to establish a regionwide finance authority that could issue bonds. As drafted, the proposal has an overwhelming amount of safeguards and requires buy-in from state and local officials before it can be implemented. Lawmakers have long cautioned regions that they should not expect continual funding from the state to support regional economic development projects and have pleaded with regions to find funding alternatives. Feedback from the meetings this week was positive, and legislative leaders were encouraged with the plan because it burdens regions to put more proverbial skin in the game when it comes to financing their economic growth strategies. Whether the proposal is incorporated into legislation this year remains uncertain. But, if our discussions this week are any indication, we are certain that if a regional economic growth measure is passed this year, then this is the most likely vehicle. It is also important to note that nearly every READI recipient has signed a letter supporting the measure as well; a signal that, if passed, the proposal has a realistic chance of gaining local support for implementation.

Coffee with the County - Over Very Own Power Tool

By Sara Patrick • March 5, 2025

I remember onboarding into my current position back in 2021 and trying to ingest as much of the firehose water as I could. It was a bit overwhelming as I tried to learn the ropes and remember all of the Chamber details I was being spoon-fed. I remember hearing the word “advocacy” get tossed around a bit, and with different connotations. Given my background, an advocate was quickly associated with a spokesperson or ally for someone needing additional support (for example, underserved children or persons with disabilities). In the “Chamber world,” the word often is quickly associated with governmental affairs and lobbying efforts. In my short tenure thus far, I have learned that the concept of advocacy in LaGrange County is multifaceted. At your LaGrange County Chamber, we define it in this way: Advocacy does not just translate to lobbying. Advocacy is keeping our members involved and educated on local, state, and federal legislative work. Advocacy is promoting and supporting our members. Advocacy is connecting our businesses to businesses, and our communities to businesses. In practicality, that looks different from week to week, and sometimes, from day to day. It can be formatted through various events–the ConnectHER Conference, the Small Business Workshop, the Field of Dreams Career Expo, the HR Roundtable, Coffee with the County, the Woman2Woman Roundtable, Chamber After Hours, or the monthly luncheons (all of which we host on a regular basis, and all of which are described with more information on our website). Advocacy can also look like marketing–eblasts with up-to-date state General Assembly bills and information from our members, or regular updates about new member businesses on our social media pages. But, as I have seen in real time in LaGrange County, oftentimes our most powerful tool for advocacy is not an event, initiative, email, or organization. Advocacy is most strongly rooted in our words, and when used to support and strengthen others, makes a world of difference. March 3 through 7 is “Words Matter Week.” Ironically enough, I have heard many times that there is no “right” way to communicate in LaGrange County. Our people use so many different forms of communication–newspaper, radio, mail, email, social media, magazines and other publications–that it can be difficult to communicate to the masses. But the one thing we’re really good at is sharing news from one person to the next. Word of mouth is our strongest tool of communication. Words Matter Week is a time to intentionally recognize the value and importance of words. They can be the foundation of our relationships, they can inspire, and they can create change. Equally, words can be destructive, they can reject and criticize, and they can cause tension and division. Isn’t it crazy that the same, powerful tool can be used for both good and bad in the same breath? Every day is an opportunity to use your “power tool” for the good. Take a moment this week to look around and discover how you might be a momentous influence of advocacy for our communities. Here are some ideas: March is Women’s History Month. How about a social media shout-out to the women leaders and women business owners making a difference in our communities? The first quarter of the year can be disheartening or frustrating as the state legislation writes, changes, and pushes forward different legislation, especially in the world of education. Take some time to send your local superintendent, principal, or teacher a word of encouragement and tell them specifically what you appreciate about them. We spend money every day. Consider your favorite local restaurant, boutique, financial institution, or grocery store (among others, of course). The next time you visit, take a moment to tell the owner or frontline worker how much you enjoy their establishment, and call out your favorite part of their business. Our next generation is being built up today. Find a teenager or student in your life and encourage them. Tell them what makes them great, and point out some of their greatest strengths. Relay to them that they have a friend and advocate in you. This week, as we walk through “Words Matter Week,” take some time to do a personal inventory. How do your words matter, and how are you using your “power tool” to make a difference in LaGrange County? Words matter, and today is our chance to influence our communities for the good. Did you know? Want to make a difference in the lives of the next generation of LaGrange County? Consider registering your business or organization as a vendor at the 2025 Field of Dreams Career Expo, taking place on March 25 in Shipshewana. This tradeshow-style event showcases the multitude of career opportunities for students, right here in their hometowns. More information is available on our website at www.lagrangechamber.org. Ladies, are you looking for an avenue to connect with other local gals, and grow as a professional? Join us at the 3rd annual ConnectHER Conference on April 30 in Shipshewana! Registration is now open and available on our website.

Weekly Legislative Update 3.3.25

By Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana • March 3, 2025

First Half of the 2025 Legislative Session We have officially completed the first half of the 2025 Indiana Legislative Session! All legislation has either been passed on a third reading vote in its chamber of origin or is now considered to be dead and no longer eligible for passage. For those keeping tabs at home, the House passed 178 bills and 1 joint resolution while the Senate passed 156 bills and 2 joint resolutions (for an overall 27% pass rate). Legislators have returned to their districts for a week of rest and will return on Monday, March 3 rd to continue the legislative process. Once the bills have switched chambers, legislators in the receiving chamber act as “sponsors” (rather than authors) for legislation arriving from the other chamber. The sponsor acts on behalf of the author to get the legislation passed by their chamber. Below, you’ll find a recap of some of the major bills that saw movement in the first half of this session. Senate Republican Agenda On the first day of session, Indiana Senate Republicans revealed an agenda that prioritized property tax reform, restraining Medicaid costs, lowering health care costs, responsible management of water resources and fiscal integrity and contract accountability. These priorities were filed as Senate Bills 1 – 5. SB 1, Property tax relief (Sen. Travis Holdman R-Markle) is an extensive, 91-page bill that seeks to reform property taxes. In its current form, SB 1 will allow counties to create a program that lets eligible homeowners defer up to $10,000 in property taxes. It also modifies property tax growth limits, adjusts tax deductions for seniors, veterans and expands a tax credit for first time homebuyers. Additionally, it changes how referendums on tax increases can be placed on ballots, restricts bond issuances, and establishes a property tax portal for taxpayers to compare potential tax changes. This bill includes language from Introduced SB6 , SB8 & SB9 . It passed the Senate with a vote of 37-10 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) and Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen). Notably, Governor Braun has shown his displeasure with the changes the Senate made to the original version of the bill (which was Gov. Braun’s version of property tax relief). The governor has indicated that if additional relief is not added to SB 1 in the second half of the legislative session, he may use his veto power to attempt to bring legislators back to the drawing board. SB 2, Medicaid matters (Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka) seeks to improve controls on Medicaid eligibility in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Indiana’s alternative to Medicaid expansion. SB 2 requires that the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services report Medicaid data to oversight committees and enforce a five-year lookback period. It prohibits marketing the Medicaid program, mandates eligibility redeterminations using federal and state data, introduces a part time work requirement for eligibility (with notable exceptions), and sets performance standards for hospitals handling presumptive eligibility. It also outlines corrective actions for hospitals failing to meet standards and specifies rules for the Healthy Indiana Plan. This bill passed the Senate 40-9 and will be sponsored by Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) and Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) in the House. SB 3, Fiduciary duty in health plan administration (Sen. Justin Busch, R-Fort Wayne) seeks to require that health plan intermediaries act in the best interests of Hoosier workers. The bill provides that a third-party administrator, pharmacy benefit manager, employee benefit consultant, or insurance producer acting on behalf of a plan sponsor owes a fiduciary duty to the plan sponsor. SB 3 passed the Senate unanimously 47-0 and will be sponsored by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne). SB 4, Water matters (Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford) prohibits a water utility from building, buying, selling, or easing a long-haul water pipeline without first getting approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Large water transfers out of a basin or from restricted areas require a permit from the Department of Natural Resources, which will only be granted if the transfer does not deplete water resources and is in the public interest. The department can issue penalties for violations, and permits can be renewed, revoked, or modified as required. This bill passed the Senate without any opposition with a vote of 48-0 and will be carried by Representative Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) in the House. SB 5, State fiscal and contracting matters (Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville) improve the State’s fiscal oversight of taxpayer dollars. It allows state agencies to use AI software for budget projections and requires agencies to report new federal funding requests to the budget committee if they involve state fund transfers. Vacant full-time positions must be reviewed after 90 days, contracts must be posted on the Indiana transparency website, and agencies must submit quarterly contract reports. Competitive procurement is required for all state-funded contracts, with existing nonpublic contracts terminating by the end of 2025, and stricter oversight is established for Medicaid financial reporting and trends. This bill passed the Senate unopposed 49-0 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw). House Republican Agenda Early in the second week of session, the House Republican caucus also released their agenda, which includes multiple bills focused on fiscal responsibility, reducing government regulations, lowering the cost of living, and strengthening our communities. You can read more about their legislative priorities here . HB 1001, State Budget (Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton) was the top priority for the House during the first half of session. HB 1001 received the House Republican Amendment in Ways and Means, which was largely in line with Governor Braun’s proposed budget barring some of the governor’s proposed tax cuts. These items included a 2% increase in K-12 funding annually and the requested funding for the Medicaid forecast. Additionally, the budget expands the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program to all families in the state who wish to participate. The amended budget heard lengthy discussion from both the Republican and Democrat caucuses before ultimately being voted out of the House in a party line 66-28 vote. The Senate sponsors for the bill are Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) and Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). HB 1002, Education matters (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis) is bill that seeks to clean up education language in Indiana Code removing around 35,000 words from Title 20 Education in the Indiana Code. The sweeping deregulation bill targets expired programs that are no longer being funded, as well as removing multiple may provisions throughout the code in an effort to establish more local control. The bill passed out of the House with a 75-16 vote and will be continuing its way to the Senate. The Senate sponsors for the bill will be Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) and Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger). HB 1003, Health matters (Rep. Brad Barrett, R-Richmond) focuses on improving transparency in healthcare pricing and billing. It also gives patients an increased say in their treatment options and gives them easier access to their health data. HB 1003 passed the House by a 66-32 vote. As the bill continues through the Senate, it will be sponsored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) and Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo). HB 1004, Nonprofit Hospitals (Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne) passed out of the House on third reading deadline last week with a vote of 68-26 . Among its various provisions, HB 1004 will restrict what qualifies as community benefits for certain nonprofit hospitals and will impose stricter reporting and transparency requirements. In addition to this, the bill creates a new excise tax placed on the hospital if their hospital fee exceeds 265% of Medicare. Finally, the bill states that a hospital with commercial prices in excess of 300% of Medicare forfeit their nonprofit status. HB 1004 will be sponsored by Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne), Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo), and Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) in the Senate. HB 1005, Housing and building matters (Rep. Doug Miller, R-Elkhart) hopes to combat the lack of housing options available to Hoosiers. HB 1005 seeks to finance infrastructure projects that support residential housing. This will be done by expanding the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program (RIF). The bill was voted out of the House with a 93-0 vote. The bill will be sponsored in the senate by Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger) and Chris Garten (R-Charlestown). HB 1006, Prosecutors (Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers) seeks to provide more funding to prosecutors via a newly established special prosecutor unit, a prosecutor review board, as well as the public prosecution fund. The bill also establishes guidelines where counties may be eligible for reimbursement for prosecution expenditures. HB 1006 passed out of the House with a 72-24 vote and will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) and Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (R-Indianapolis). HB 1007, Energy generation resources (Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) addresses the rising need for electricity due to the surge in energy demand to meet economic development opportunities while also modernizing the grid and reducing costs through the encouragement and upkeep of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). During committee, Rep. Soliday passed an amendment to provide a 20% tax credit to build SMRs in the state of Indiana and allowed Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to qualify for an expedited process. The amendment also noted that IURC generators will be subject to review if they’re not producing 85% of peak demand. The bill was voted out of the House with a 67-25 vote. HB 1007 will be sponsored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) during the second half of the session. HB 1008, Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission (Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers) would create the commission to evaluate the possibility of Indiana taking in 33 counties that wish to secede from Illinois rather than the counties forming a new 51 st State. The bill which drew national attention was ultimately voted out of the House with a 69-25 vote. Senator Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) will be sponsoring the bill in the Senate. Education Legislation SB 146, Teacher compensation (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) is the bill that will increase the minimum salary for a teacher employed by a school corporation to $45,000 (current law requires $40,000). It also increases the required portion of state funding that schools must spend on teacher salaries from 62% to 65% and requires the Department of Education to report on the feasibility and cost of expanding school employee health plan options by November 1, 2025. This bill passed the Senate 50-0 and will be sponsored by Representative Jake Teshka (R- North Liberty) in the House. SB 287, School board matters (Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville) requires a candidate for school board to declare a political party. Candidates must be nominated like all other elected officials, replacing the current nomination process. It also increases school board member pay from $2,000 to up to 10% of the district’s lowest starting teacher salary. This bill narrowly passed the Senate with a vote of 26-20 and will be sponsored by Representative J.D. Prescott (R-Union City). Notably, Rep. Prescott’s companion bill, HB 1230, School board elections , died in the House on last week’s Third Reading Deadline when it was not called down for a final vote. SB 518, School property taxes (Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger) requires that starting in May 2025, school corporations that pass new property tax levies for projects, safety, or operations must share revenue with charter schools in their district. By 2028, all school corporations must also share revenue from their operations fund levy, with a phased-in approach. This bill will also adjust charter school governance, set rules for their closures and link grant funding to property tax revenue received from school corporations. This bill is highly controversial due to the changes in school funding. SB 518 narrowly passed the Senate 28-21 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton), Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis), Rep. Andrew Ireland (R-Indianapolis) and Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty). SB 523, School chaplains , (Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport) allows public and charter school principals or superintendents to hire or approve volunteer school chaplains if they meet certain requirements. Chaplains may offer secular support and, under specific conditions, religious guidance. In most cases, student communications with a chaplain are confidential. This bill passed the Senate 32-16 and will be sponsored by Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), Rep. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland), and Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) in the House. HB 1041, Student eligibility in interscholastic sports (Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) would prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s sports at the collegiate level. HB 1041 expands on legislation from 2022 that banned participation at the K-12 level. The bill was voted out of the House with a bipartisan 71-25 vote. The bill will be sponsored by Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) in the Senate. HB 1498, School accountability (Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis) seeks to improve the system, for measuring and providing ratings to the schools throughout the state to designate their performance. This would end the current practice of assigning an A-F letter grade to schools. The bill received the support of Secretary of Education Katie Jenner who testified and helped present the bill in committee. The bill passed out of the House with a 62-28 vote and will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) and Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terra Haute). Other Notable Legislation SB 43, Study of relocation of gambling operations (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) requires the Indiana Gaming Commission to hire an independent research firm to study and identify the top three regions for relocating a riverboat casino. The commission must present the study's findings to the state budget committee by October 1, 2025. SB 43 is a follow up to Sen. Zay’s SB 293, Relocation of riverboat gambling operation (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington), which would have allowed the licensed owner of a riverboat casino in Rising Sun to relocate gaming operations to a casino in New Haven. SB 293 did not receive a vote in the Senate Public Policy Committee. SB 43 passed the Senate 33-16 and will be sponsored by Representatives Ethan Manning (R-Logansport), Garrett Bascom (R-Lawrenceburg) and Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon). SB 306, Film and media production tax credit (Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington) takes an existing tax credit and makes it transferrable to help the film and media industry to boost investment in the state. This bill passed the Senate 49-0 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne), Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) and Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) SB 346, Rural business growth (Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon) creates a state tax credit for certain capital investments in rural funds. The legislation requires a capital investment firm to invest $100 million in rural businesses, $60 million of which is provided by the state in tax credits. The tax credits are subject to recapture if the investment threshold is not met and requires annual reporting to the IEDC. This bill passed the Senate 47-2 and will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper), Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) and Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) SB 480, Prior authorization (Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo) establishes rules for utilization review entities that require prior authorization for health care services. It also ensures that reimbursement claims cannot be denied solely because the referring provider is out of network. This bill passed the Senate with a vote of 47-2 and will continue to the House. The sponsors for the bill are Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond), Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), and Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury). HB 1393, Immigration notice (Rep. Garrett Bascom, R-Lawrenceburg) would require law enforcement agencies to notify the proper authorities if they have probable cause to believe that the suspect of a felony or misdemeanor arrest is not a legal citizen of the United States. The bill heard a large amount of testimony and was ultimately voted out of the House with a 61-28 party line vote. The bill will be sponsored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) and Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guildford) in the Senate. HB 1461, Road funding (Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie) provides new and expanded options for state and local road funding, including incentives for improvements, increases in county transportation tax limits, expanded access to bonds for road construction, potential tolling of interstate lanes, and enables adjustments to grants and matching funds based on local needs. The bill was passed out of the House with a 72-21 vote. Senate sponsors for the bill are Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) and Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen). HB 1601, Quantum research tax incentives (Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso) will change the tax exemptions to benefit and encourage the creation of a quantum corridor that would stretch throughout the state to connect various higher education institutions, military bases, research laboratories, and military defense agencies. The quantum corridor would lay the base for a possible multibillion dollar return on investment for the state once it comes to fruition. The bill applies the existing state and local exemptions to data centers to quantum research infrastructure. This bill passed out of the House with a 76-18 vote. It will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon). Dead Bills Not every bill makes it through the legislative process – some stall in committees, whilst others fail to garner enough votes to be approved by the full body. Here is a look at some key bills that met their demise in the first half of this session. SB 201, Closed primary elections (Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton) this bill allows individuals to choose a political party affiliation when registering to vote, with a specific question and space on the registration form. Voters must affiliate with a party at least 119 days before a primary election to vote in that party's primary, though exceptions are made for new Indiana residents or young voters reaching voting age. It also allows voters to change party affiliation close to the primary if they move districts and requires provisional voters to declare their party affiliation on an affidavit. This bill was voted out of the Senate Elections Committee, but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor. SB 284, Early voting (Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville) would have reduced the period during which in-person absentee voting may occur at the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office established by the county election board to a 14-day period ending at noon on the day before election day. Similar to SB 201, this bill was voted out of the Senate Elections Committee, but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor. SB 317, Health care debt and costs (Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis) sought to increase the options for payment plans and protections when facing medical debt. SB 317 would have required that hospitals offer payment plans, provide charity care program information, and include financial assistance details on billing statements. Hospitals with at least $20 million in annual patient revenue must also notify patients about eligibility for payment plans or charity care. Additionally, health care debt cannot be garnished or attached as a lien on the consumer's home for individuals meeting income eligibility requirements. This bill was defeated on the Senate floor 23-26 after Republicans argued that the bill went too far in its reforms. HB 1136, School corporation reorganization (Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty) was assigned to House Education but never received a hearing. This bill ultimately would have dissolved five Indiana school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), turning their schools into charter schools. HB 1233, Local government reorganization (Rep. Karen Engleman, R-Georgetown) would have dissolved township governments in the state in all counties except for Marion County. Their duties would have been shifted to the county. The bill was assigned to House Local Government but never received a hearing. HB 1432, Various gaming matters (Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Logansport) was a robust bill that would have authorized iGaming and iLottery, established a new responsible gaming program through the state, and made changes to casino revenue sharing. HB 1432 was amended multiple times, including an amendment to increase the sports wagering tax. The bill was passed out of the House Public Policy Committee but did not receive a hearing in Ways and Means after being recommitted due to its fiscal impact. HB 1502, State employee health plan payment limits (Rep. Julie McGuire, R-Indianapolis) was a bill that aimed to curb rising healthcare costs in relation to the state employee health plan. The bill would have done this by capping payments to hospitals at 200% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for any individual covered under the state employee health plan. The bill was not engrossed on second reading before the deadline. HB 1561, Tax increment financing (Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany) was a bill that sought to change the way that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) worked in the State. Despite making it out of the Ways and Means Committee, the bill was not called down for final third reading vote on the House floor. HB 1662, State and local policies on homelessness (Rep. Michelle Davis, R-Whiteland) would have prohibited an individual from camping or sleeping on land owned by the state or a political subdivision. This bill was not called down for a third reading before the deadline last week. Governor’s Office Governor’s Inauguration On January 13, Mike Braun was inaugurated as Indiana’s 52 nd Governor. In his inaugural address, Governor Braun honored the state’s history of hardworking pioneers and entrepreneurs and emphasized the need to continue that legacy through bold leadership and innovation. Braun called for reducing government inefficiencies, lowering healthcare costs, empowering education, and fostering small business growth. Braun’s tone was optimistic and determined to take action-driven leadership to ensure Indiana remains a land of opportunity and prosperity. State of the State Governor Mike Braun addressed a Joint Session of the General Assembly for his State of the State address on January 29. The Governor highlighted Indiana’s resilience despite economic struggles and rising costs and emphasized the need for decisive action to improve the state. His agenda focuses on tax relief, government efficiency, public safety, economic growth, healthcare reform, and education. Some key proposals include property tax cuts, reducing regulations, supporting law enforcement, securing the southern border, incentivizing workforce training, lowering healthcare costs, and expanding school choice (most already introduced by legislators, and signed executive orders). Furthermore, Governor Braun called for bipartisan collaboration to seize opportunities and make Indiana a national leader in innovation and prosperity. He concluded his speech with a message of unity and determination to build a stronger future for Hoosiers. Read more here . Executive Orders In the first half, Governor Braun signed several Executive Orders (all of which can be found here ) that had targeted effects on the following: Cabinet Structure: Governor Braun has ushered in a new Cabinet structure in the executive branch, which he says seeks to model “efficiency, accountability, and communication in state government.” State agencies have now been assigned to “verticals”, or policy areas, which are led by secretaries who have been appointed by and report directly to the governor. Streamline State Government and Boost Efficiency: Governor Braun signed a flurry of orders that focused on government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and regulatory reform. Some key actions include creating a public database for executive orders, enforcing budget discipline (with performance-based incentives), prioritizing skills-based hiring over degree requirements, reducing regulations, and replacing DEI with Merit, Excellence and Innovation (MEI). Furthermore, Governor Braun directed state agencies to return to pre-pandemic in-office work, streamline professional licensing and enhance their cyber security and finally implement performance-bonus for improved government operations. Healthcare: Governor Braun released a series of executive orders last month targeting the rising healthcare costs in the state of Indiana. These executive orders seek to improve transparency in costs and ensure financial responsibility and efficient use of taxpayer funds. The orders also encourage the use of data to improve health outcomes and government efficiency. Additionally, they examine hospital tax exemptions to protect taxpayers and ensure appropriate charity care. Ultimately, these measures collectively strive to enhance the healthcare system for Hoosiers Immigration: Governor Braun also released an executive order supporting the new federal immigration policies. The order directs law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The order also emphasizes the importance of sharing information and intelligence regarding criminal and terrorist activity with the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center. Overall, this executive order focuses on cooperation between state and federal entities to enforce immigration laws and improve public safety within Indiana. Second Half of Session The House and Senate will both reconvene at 1:30 pm on Monday, March 3 to begin the second half of the 2025 Legislative Session. No committees have been scheduled at this time. Here are a few important dates to be aware of in the coming weeks: April 10 - Committee Report Deadline April 14 – Second Reading Deadline April 15 – Third Reading Deadline April 16 – Conference Committees begin April 29 – Sine Die (statutory) This part of the legislative session, especially the conference committee period, often brings the most significant developments. During a conference committee, bill language can be swiftly added or removed as conferees work to reach an agreement. Typically (not always), only language that previously passed at least one chamber during the same session can be included in the final conference committee report. At this stage, legislation can change drastically—some bills may be entirely rewritten, with their original content replaced, while others may fail due to unresolved differences between the House and Senate version. We will continue to provide you with the most up-to-date information throughout the second half and recommend that you continue to closely monitor your individual bill tracking lists provided below. On behalf of Team Catalyst, thank you for allowing us to be your advocate in the Indiana General Assembly. We are excited to begin the second half of the legislative session and will fight tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard!