The Indiana General Assembly finished its seventh week of legislative action for the short session. Some important deadlines are facing our legislators this week. The Senate’s Committee Review Deadline is Thursday, February 24 and each Bill must pass through the Senate no later than Tuesday, March 1. The House’s Committee Review Deadline is today, Tuesday, February 22 and each Bill must pass through the House no later than Monday, February 28. Due to the short session, Conference Committees start at the beginning of March and will last until adjournment on Monday, March 14.
Last week members of the 1si Advocacy Leadership team attended Chamber Day at the Statehouse, an event hosted by the Indiana Chamber Executive Association. This event allowed the team to hear issues impacting the business community and potential legislation impacting talent attraction. The team visited with our local State Senators and State Representatives, and photos of our visit can be seen on 1si social media at facebook.com/OneSouthernIndiana
The 1si Leadership Team continues to review those Bills that are being heard and are consistent with 1si’s 2022 Advocacy Agenda.
Live Bills that 1si Leadership have taken position on:
- HB1094 – includes a business will provide adequate employer liability and worker’s compensation insurance coverage for students enrolled in a work-based learning course. The Bill also provides that the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) shall designate certain career and technical education (CTE) programs as youth apprenticeship programs. This Bill passed out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee 11-0. 1si LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS PRO-WORKFORCE BILL.
- SB264 – establishes the Administrative Rules Review Taskforce to oversee state agencies that create fees. This Bill is authored by Senator Garten and co-authored by Senator Houchin and Senator Boehnlein. While visiting with Senator Garten, he expressed that this bill might go to a Summer Study Committee. 1si LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
- SB408 – amends the statute authorizing a bank or trust company to make investments in community-based economic development to also authorize investments in: (1) any community and economic development entity, community development project, or other public welfare investment; and (2) tax equity finance transactions; subject to the investments being made in compliance with applicable federal regulations and any regulation, rule, policy, or guidance adopted by the department of financial institutions. This bill passed the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee 11-0. 1si LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
- SB390 – phases out food and beverage taxes that do not otherwise contain an expiration date as of the later of: (1) January 1, 2042; or (2) the date on which all bonds or lease agreements outstanding on March 15, 2022, are completely paid. This Bill hinders an Economic Development Tool that can be used for the development of quality of place projects. As talent attraction and tourism play a huge role on business retention/expansion and business attraction, we need to ensure the opportunity of having these methods of economic development financing. 1si LEADERSHIP OPPOSES THIS BILL.
Other Bills we are currently monitoring:
- HB1002 – phases out of business personal property tax, the repeal of utilities’ receipts tax and sales tax exemption certain manufacturing inputs. Co-authored by Representative Clere and Representative Engleman. (Still in committee).
- SB4 – authorizes a local unit (municipality, township, or school) to establish a workforce retention and recruitment program and fund for the purposes of recruiting and retaining individuals. (Still in committee).
- SB5 – establishes a procedure to grant licenses and certificates to practice certain health care professions in Indiana. (Passed two committees unanimously).
- SB361 – creates an Innovation Development District in an agreement between municipalities and IEDC, among other incentive changes. (Still in committee).
- SB370 – creates a procedure to establish a community infrastructure improvement district. (Still in committee).
We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2022 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.