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Advocacy Update | 01.15.25

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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It is the second week of the Indiana General Assembly. Here are some deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. 

  • Thursday, January 16, 2025: Last day Senate bills may be assigned to Senate committees. 
  • Monday, January 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2) 

This week, the Advocacy Leadership team met and discussed several bills that they will be watching throughout the General Assembly. They will continue to watch the progression of these bills and others as the legislative session continues. 

The following bills have been discussed, but there is no stance taken at the time of this release. 

Senate Bills: 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

SB-347: Indiana economic development corporation 

SB-392: Property tax relief for seniors and veterans 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

House Bills: 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

HB-1402: Local government finance 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

You can find a copy of the 1si 2024 Advocacy Agenda by visiting https://1si.org/advocacy/ or downloading a PDF copy here. 

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Advocacy Update | 01.08.25

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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We are ready to dive back into advocacy in the new year! The 2025 Session of the Indiana General Assembly has officially begun. Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. 

  • Thursday, January 9 – Deadline for filing Senate bills (no later than 4:00 p.m.) 
  • Tuesday, January 14 – Deadline for filing House bills. 
  • Thursday, January 16 – Last day Senate bills may be assigned to Senate committees. 

One Southern Indiana (1si) kicked off January with the Advocacy State Leadership Breakfast, sponsored by the following organizations: 

  • Presenting Sponsor: MAC Construction 
  • Platinum Sponsors: AT&T, Baptist Health, and Duke Energy 
  • Gold Sponsor: Dan Cristiani Excavating Co. Inc. and Mister “P” Express, Inc. 
  • Silver Sponsor: Frost Brown Todd, LLP 

The following senators and representatives were in attendance: 

  • Senator Gary Byrne, Dist. 47 
  • Representative Ed Clere, Dist. 72 
  • Representative Wendy Dant Chesser, Dist. 71 

Background and Priorities 

At the 2025 State Leadership Advocacy Breakfast, local officials kicked off the event sharing their legislative priorities. Senator Gary Byrne emphasized addressing utilities and energy costs. Then, Representative Wendy Dant Chesser outlined priorities including road funding, ethics in governance, childcare affordability, and senior care. Finally, Representative Ed Clere, voiced his focus on navigating the first budget without COVID funds since 2020, Medicaid reform, and property tax concerns. 

Workforce Development and Heathcare 

The discussion also explored workforce barriers and solutions. Representative Dant Chesser stressed aligning school systems with economic needs and addressing transportation challenges. Senator Byrne touched on education and advocated for school schedule adjustments to enhance job readiness. Expanding on the theme of workforce development, Representative Clere called for inclusive workforce policies, emphasizing support for underrepresented groups. Representative Clere also explored how Medicaid will impact the current workforce and highlighted the need to fix it as a systemic issue. 

Infrastructure and Community Engagement 

Stressing the importance of road infrastructure, Representative Dant Chesser proposed solutions while also acknowledging long-term challenges. The officials also shared broader goals: Senator Byrne introduced a workforce-focused bill, Representative Dant Chesser emphasized engaging with local communities and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed, and Representative Clere pushed for property tax reforms and increased transparency in local government agreements. 

You can find a copy of the 1si 2025 Advocacy Agenda by visiting www.1si.org/advocacy or downloading a PDF copy here. 

 

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Advocacy Update | 03.13.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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The 2024 Legislative Session is officially over! If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here. As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

New this Week:

HB-1183 passed and was signed by the President of the Senate on 3/12/2024. This bill will have an impact on economic development projects for our region, but we as 1si are still learning about what that impact will be. The Advocacy Leadership group will continue to monitor the bill and will provide an update once more information is received by the State.

SB-2 passed and was signed by the President of the Senate on 3/12/2024. The childcare bill makes it easier for childcare workers to find subsidized care for their children and makes families whose income is lower than the state’s median eligible for childcare vouchers and programs. The bill also requires a compensation study done on early childhood educators and caregivers for out-of-school programs and make that data available for review. Click here to read the most up-to-date version of SB-2.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1121 – Local Income Taxes
    • Passed and was signed by the President of the Senate on 3/12/2024.
  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land
    • Passed and was signed by the President of the Senate on 3/12/2024.
  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Passed and was signed by the President of the Senate on 3/12/2024.

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports: SB-2 – Child care

  • Passed and was signed by the President of the Senate on 3/12/2024.

Thank you for following along with us on this session. If you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download a PDF copy here.

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Advocacy Update | 03.07.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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We’re almost to the end of this session! If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here.

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continued the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

New this Week:

Bills continue to move throughout the Senate and House this week, as both are on their third readings for bills that are still active.

Two bills that 1si has been monitoring are now labeled as “inactive”; SB-61 and SB-295.

1si continues to monitor HB-1183 as it moves through the process, as additional amendments have been added.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1121 – Local Income Taxes
    • Passed third reading in the Senate on 3/4/2024 and returned to the House with amendments. The House dissented from those amendments on 3/5/2024.
  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land
    • Passed third reading in the Senate on 3/5/2024 and returned to the House with amendments. The House dissented from those amendments on 3/6/2024.
  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Passed third reading in the Senate on 2/29/2024 and returned to the House with amendments on 3/1/2024.
  • SB-61 – Tourism Improvement District
    • Currently labeled as “inactive”
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    • Currently labeled as “inactive”

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports:

  • SB-2 – Child care
    • Passed third reading in the House on 3/4/2024 and returned to the Senate with amendments on 3/5/2024. Motion to concur was filed same day, and the Senate concurred in House amendments on 3/6/2024.

Opposes:

  • The one bill that 1si opposes, HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development, has been labeled as “inactive.”

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.

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Advocacy Update | 02.29.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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The 2024 Legislative Session has been moving! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. This year’s session seems set to conclude by the March 14, 2024, deadline.

  • Monday, March 4th – Last Day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in House
  • Tuesday, March 5th – Last day for Senate adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval
  • Tuesday, March 5th – Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in the Senate
  • Thursday, March 14th – Last day for adjournment of both houses

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here!

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

New this Week:

Significant movement on HB-1183 (Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land) has caused concern. The amendments made are not favorable to economic development projects. The final version of the bill would prohibit individuals or a company that is majority owned by foreign individuals from purchasing land that has been used as farm, timber or pasture land in the last five years and also prohibits the purchase of any land that is within 50 miles of a military base or 10 miles of a national guard armory or maintenance facility.

With the second reading scheduled for today, we anticipate having some major updates to discuss at our next leadership meeting and will continue to keep you updated on this bill’s progress.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1121 – Local Income Taxes
    • Passed the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee on 2/27/2024.
    • Scheduled for second reading on 2/29/2024.
  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land
    • Passed the Agriculture Committee on 2/27/2024.
    • Scheduled for second reading on 2/29/2024.
  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Amendment #1 and the second reading occurred on 2/27/2024.
    • Third reading scheduled for 2/29/2204.
  • SB-61 – Tourism Improvement District
    • No movement since 2/21/2024
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    • No major updates.

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports:

  • SB-2 – Child care
    • Bill is on second reading, scheduled for 2/29/2024.

Opposes:

  • The one bill that 1si opposes, HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development, has been labeled as “inactive.”

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.

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Advocacy Update | 02.21.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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The 2024 Legislative Session has been moving! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. This year’s session seems set to conclude by the March 14, 2024, deadline.

  • Tuesday, February 27 – Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval.

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here!

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

New this Week:

SB-61 has had significant amendments made to the original document and is now a bill that 1si does not fully support; it has been moved to the bills that 1si is monitoring. The 1si Advocacy Leadership team has also fielded questions on HB-1121, Local Income Taxes, and added that to the monitoring list.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1121 – Local Income Taxes
    • The first reading was on 2/7/2024 and referred to the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy.
  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land
    • No updates since last week, 2/14/2024
  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Recommends passage as amended, Yeas: 14; Nays:0 on 2/20/2024
  • SB-61 – Tourism Improvement District
    • Bill is scheduled for a hearing on 2/21/2024 through the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    • No updates since last week, 2/14/2024

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports:

  • SB-2 – Child care
    • Bill is scheduled for a hearing on 2/22/2024 through the House Committee on Family, Children, and Human Affairs.

Opposes:

  • The one bill that 1si opposes, HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development, has been labeled as “inactive.”

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.

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Advocacy Update | 02.14.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

Advocacy-Update-Email-Header2The 2024 Legislative Session has been moving! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.  

  • Tuesday, February 27 – Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval.  

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here! 

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.  

New this Week: 

Members of the 1si Team and Board of Directors visited the Indiana Statehouse for the Indiana Chamber Executive Association (ICEA) Chamber Day. The group attended a unique opportunity to meet and greet Governor Holcomb with other area chambers. Afterward the group attended panels and presentations focused on legislation, READI 2.0 and updates, tourism and community marketing, and advocacy.  

 

 

 

The group met with the following legislators while in Indianapolis: Senator Gary Byrne (Dist. 47), Representative Zach Payne (Dist. 66), Representative Rita Fleming (Dist. 71), and Representative Ed Clere (Dist. 72) before the Chamber Day Dinner.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:  

  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land 
  • The first reading occurred on 2/12 in the Senate, referred to the Committee on Agriculture. 
  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law 
  • The first reading occurred on 2/7 in the Senate, referred to the Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy. 
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation  
  • The first reading occurred on 2/12 in the House, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.  

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes: 

Supports: 

  • SB-2 – Child care 
  • The first reading was on 2/6/2024 and was referred to the Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee; no updates since then. 
  • SB-61 – Tourism Improvement District 
  • The first reading occurred on 2/12 in the House, referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. 

Opposes:  

  • The one bill that 1si opposes, HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development, has been labeled as “inactive.” 

 

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.  

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Advocacy Update | 02.07.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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It’s week five of the Indiana General Assembly, and we’re almost to the halfway point of the 2024 session! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.

  • Tuesday, February 27 – Last day for House adoption of conference committee reports without Rules Committee approval.

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here!

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

New this Week:

This week, the 1si Advocacy Leadership team focused on and discussed the bills that we are currently monitoring to see if there has been any progress or updates that need to be acted upon. The team also continued the conversation around SB-61, Tourism Improvement District, that Chair Jim Epperson originally was going to testify on behalf of 1si.

Any bill that did not receive a hearing or got voted out of a committee last week is now dead for the year, as the deadlines for both the House and Senate were last week. Bills have been heard on the House and Senate floors, and 1si continues to monitor the bills on our lists below.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land
    • Referred to Senate on 2/2/2024.
  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Referred to Senate on 1/31/2024.
  • HB-1368 – Riverfront Economic Development Tax Area
    • Has been with Local Government (House) since 1/10/2024. Labeled as “Inactive.”
  • SB-155 – Compensation for Business Losses
    • Has been with Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee since 1/18/2024. Labeled as “Inactive.”
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    • Referred to the House on 2/2/2024.

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports:

  • SB-61 & HB-1345 – Tourism Improvement District
    • SB-61 – The third reading passed on 2/2/2024 and has been sponsored by Rep. Baird and cosponsored by Rep. Karickhoff.
    • HB-1345 has been with the Ways and Means Committee since 1/10/2024 and is considered “inactive”.
  • SB-2 – Child care
    • The first reading was on 2/6/2024 and was referred to the Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee.
  • HB-1165 – Regulatory Sandbox Program and Right to Start Act
    • No major updates: labeled as “inactive.”

Opposes:

  • HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development
    • No major updates: labeled as “inactive.”

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.

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Advocacy Update | 01.31.24

by with No Comment Advocacy

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It’s week four of the Indiana General Assembly and we’re almost to the halfway point of the 2024 session! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.  

  • Monday, February 5 – Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in House 
  • Tuesday, February 6 – Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate  

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here! 

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.  

New this Week: 

Advocacy Leadership Committee Chair Jim Epperson traveled on behalf of the committee to testify on SB-61, Tourism Improvement District. The bill received the following amendments from the committee: 

  • Removed Marion County from the bill. 
  • Changed the renewal of a district after the term ends to re-establishment.  
  • Increased the threshold of businesses needed to approve the district from 50% (original number) to 65%. This would make Indiana have the highest approval threshold in the country.  
  • Adding language on how the petition threshold is calculated.  

The Tax and Fiscal Committee did not take testimony regarding the amendments, and it passed the committee on Tuesday, the 30th. 1si continues to engage and provide feedback to the authors regarding this bill and the amendments made.      

Bills 1si is Monitoring:  

  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law – House Bill is currently on Third Reading 
  • HB-1368 – Riverfront Economic Development Tax Area – No major updates 
  • HB-1183 – Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land – Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 
  • SB-155 – Compensation for Business Losses – Sitting with the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee  
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation – Senate Bill is currently on Third Reading 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes: 

Supports: 

  • SB-61 & HB-1345 – Tourism Improvement District – SB-61 – recommends passage as amended. Yeas: 12; Nays: 0 – HB-1345 has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee 
  • SB-2 – Child care – Senate Bill is currently on Third Reading 
  • HB-1165 – Regulatory Sandbox Program and Right to Start Act – No major updates 

Opposes:  

  • HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development – No major updates 

 We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.  

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Advocacy Update | 01.24.24

by with No Comment 1si NewsAdvocacy

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It’s week three of the Indiana General Assembly. With week three comes a flurry of committee meetings, bills moving in committees and the floor, and more! Here are some upcoming deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward.

  • Monday, February 5 – Last day for 3rd reading of House bills in House
  • Tuesday, February 6 – Last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate

If you want to see our earlier Advocacy updates, please click here!

As a reminder, this year’s Call to Action continues the conversation with talent attraction and retention, focusing mainly on housing development, availability and affordability of childcare and eldercare, incumbent worker training options, employability of people with disabilities, and eliminating worker shortages.

This week, the Advocacy Leadership team met and discussed several bills circulating in the General Assembly.

Here is the current list of bills that 1si is taking a position on:

SB-2 – Child Care: Covers annual fund reporting, voucher program(s), third-party evaluations, compensation study, child care providers and regulations, and shared state resources regarding background checks. 1si SUPPORTS this bill, with the caveat that any deregulation must result in continued child safety and care quality. The Advocacy Leadership team is working on a letter of support with language in it regarding the deregulation portion of the bill and submitting some additional ideas on credentials.

  • This bill now sits with the Appropriations Committee after being with the Health and Provider Services Committee.

HB-1165 – Regulatory Sandbox Program and Right to Start Act: Establishes a regulatory sandbox program. 1si SUPPORTS this bill.

  • This bill has been referred to the Government and Regulatory Reform Committee, scheduled to be heard on 1/23/2024.

Bills 1si is Monitoring:

  • HB-1199 – Repeal of Economic Enhancement District Law
    • Referred to Ways and Means Committee, scheduled to be heard on 1/24/2024.
  • SB-155 – Compensation for Business Losses
    • This bill has been reassigned to the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee after being with the Local Government Committee.
  • SB-295 – Indiana Economic Development Corporation
    • Referred to Commerce and Technology Committee
  • HB-1368 – Riverfront Economic Development Tax Area
    • Referred to Local Government Committee

Current List of Bills 1si Supports or Opposes:

Supports:

  • SB-61 & HB-1345 – Tourism Improvement District
    • SB-61 has been referred to the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
    • HB-1345 has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee

Opposes:

  • HB-1157 – Non-Disclosure Agreements in Economic Development
    • No major updates

 

We’ll keep you updated, but if you’d like more information on our 2024 Advocacy Agenda, or to download a copy of it, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy or download your PDF copy here.