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Advocacy Update | 02.19.25

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Our latest updates in advocacy are here! Check out deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Read below for more information about the bills and keep an eye out for more updates. 

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House. 
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2) 

Join 1si February 20th for our 5 O’clock network where you will meet with local elected officials, discuss the matters you and your business find important, and learn how you can advocate for the benefit of our region. You can register here. 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports: 

SB-463: Child Care Matters 

Explanation: Adds additional qualified childcare for purposes of the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and extends the credit availability through July 1, 2027. The bill will help support adequate funding and staffing for Indiana childcare centers. The bill strongly ties to 1si’s call to action which emphasizes the affordability and quality of childcare. 

  • Status: 
  • 2/17/2025- Amendment #1 (Garten) prevailed; voice vote 
  • 2/17/2025- Second Reading: amended, ordered engrossed 
  • 2/13/2025- Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

Explanation: The bill proposed to increase business tax exemption by $20,000. This change should help reduce the administrative burden on small businesses, especially those with few fixed assets. However, the impact of the increase is expected to be minor, as it is a relatively small adjustment. 

  • Status:  
  • 2/14/2025- Referred to the House 
  • 2/13/2025- House sponsor: Representative Snow 
  • 2/13/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 127:
    • Yeas: 39
    • Nays: 7 
  • 2/13/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/11/2025- Second reading amended, ordered engrossed 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

 HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Status: 
  • 2/12/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/11/2025- Senate sponsor: Senator Buchanan 
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 
    • Yeas: 131 
    • Nays: 7 
  • 2/11/2025- House Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/10/2025- Second reading ordered engrossed 
  • 2/10/2025- House Bills on Second Reading 
  • 2/6/2025- Committee Report amend do pass, adopted  

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

Explanation: The bill will help prioritize foster parents to gain assistance through the Childcare Development Fund. The bill strongly connects to 1si’s call to action to increase the availability and affordability of childcare. 

  • Status:  
  • 2/17/2025- Committee Report: Amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/29/2025- Amended, reported—Do pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 

 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring: 

Senate Bills: 

SB-1: Property Tax Relief 

Explanation: We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. In light of the bill, we are strongly advocating for the clarity of the expected impacts of this bill on businesses and individuals from our local government officials and elected state officials. We strongly advise our members to understand the bill’s effect within our communities. 

  • Status: 
  • 2/17/2025- Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 
  • 2/17/2025- Third Reading: Passed; Roll Call 132: 
    • Yeas: 37 
    • Nays:10 
  • 2/13/2025- Amendment #4 (Young M) failed; Roll Call 119: 
    • Yeas: 16 
    • Nays: 30 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-212: Natural Gas and Electric Utility Infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-251: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 

SB-305: Rural communities 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Agriculture 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax 

  • Status: 
  • 2/11/2025- Referred to House 
  • 2/10/2025- Third reading passed, roll call 90: 
    • Yeas: 45 
    • Nays: 4 
  • 2/10/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 

SB-347: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-377: Funding for regional economic development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading referred to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 2/4/2025- Referred to House 
  • 2/3/2025- House sponsor: Representative Soliday 
  • 2/3/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 60 
    • Yeas 41 
    • Nays:7 
  • Senate Bills on Third Reading 

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 2/11/2025- House Sponsor: Representative Soliday 
  • 2/11/2025- Third reading passed; Roll Call 108 
    • Yeas: 46 
    • Nays: 3 
    • 2/11/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/10/2025- Amendment #1 (Koch) prevailed; voice vote 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- Senate Bills on Third Reading 
  • 2/17/2025- Senate reading ordered engrossed 
  • 2/17/2025- Senate Bills on Second Reading 
  • 2/13/2025- Committee Report amend do pass, adopted 

 

House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- First Reading: Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 2/5/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/04/2025- Senate sponsor- Senator Zay 
  • 2/4/2025- Third Reading passed; Roll Call 85: 
    • Yeas: 89 
    • Nays:0 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Status: 
  • 2/3/2025- Amended, reported – Do Pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 
  • Will be redirected somewhere else 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 2/17/2025- Senate Sponsors: Senators Walter K and Qaddoura 
  • 2/17/2025- Third Reading: Passed; Roll Call: 
    • Yeas: 94 
    • Nays: 0 
  • 2/13/2025- Amendment #1 (Dant Chesser) prevailed; voice vote 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Status: 
  • 2/18/2025- First Reading- Referred to Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions 
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33: yeas 91, nays 1  

HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

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

Advocacy Update | 02.12.25

Our latest updates in advocacy are here! Check out deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Read below for more information about the bills and keep an eye out for more updates.

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House.
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2)

Join 1si February 20th for our 5 O’clock network where you will meet with local elected officials, discuss the matters you and your business find important, and learn how you can advocate for the benefit of our region. You can register here.

Current List of Bills 1si Supports: 

SB-463: Child Care Matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Reported favorably—Do pass; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations 
    • Explanation:
    • Adds additional qualified childcare for purposes of the employer childcare expenditure tax credit and extends the credit availability through July 1, 2027. The bill will help support adequate funding and staffing for Indiana childcare centers. The bill strongly ties to 1si’s call to action which emphasizes the affordability and quality of childcare. 

HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Status: 
  • 2/6/2025-Amended, reported—Do pass.  

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Amended, reported—Do pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 
  • Explanation 
    • The bill will help prioritize foster parents to gain assistance through the Childcare Development Fund. The bill strongly connects to 1si’s call to action to increase the availability and affordability of childcare. 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring: 

Senate Bills: 

SB-1: Property Tax Relief 

  • Status: 
  • 1/14/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 
    • Explanation: 
    • We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. In light of the bill, we are strongly advocating for the clarity of the expected impacts of this bill on businesses and individuals from our local government officials and elected state officials. We strongly advise our members to understand the bill’s effect within our communities. 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Staus: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-212: Natural Gas and Electric Utility Infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-251: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 

SB-305: Rural communities 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Agriculture 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax 

  • Status: 
  • 2/4/2025- Amended, reported favorably – Do pass. 

SB-347: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-377: Funding for regional economic development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading referred to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025- Amendment #1 failed; voice vote 
  • 1/30/2025- Second reading: ordered engrossed 
  • 1/27/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended Yeas: 10; Nays:1 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Utilities, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 2/6/2025- Amended, reported favorably – Do Pass. 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

  • Status: 
  • 1/28/2025- Reported favorably—Do Pass. 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Reported favorably—Do pass; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations 
  • Likely to be integrated into the budget bill than as a senate bill 
  • Has bipartisan support 
  • 1si Note: Contact Tony Waterson  
House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025- Reported—Do pass. 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Status: 
  • 2/3/2025- Amended, reported – Do Pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33: yeas 91, nays 1  
  • 1/27/2025- Second reading: order engrossed 
  • 1/21/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions 

HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

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 | 02.05.25

Advocacy-Update-Email-Header2

Read this week’s latest advocacy updates to stay informed about policies affecting our local communities. Here are some deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Read below for more information about the bills and keep a look out for more updates. 

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House. 
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2) 

Join 1si February 20th for our 5 O’clock network where you will meet with local elected officials, discuss the matters you and your business find important, and learn how you can advocate for the benefit of our region. You can register here. 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports: 

HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025-Amended, reported—Do pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3. 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring: 

Senate Bills: 

SB-1: Property Tax Relief 

  • Status: 
  • 1/14/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 
  • Explanation: 
  • We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes will significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. Please contact your local elected official to learn about the potential impacts of this bill. At this time, 1si is working with local elected officials to learn more about the bill to keep our business community informed. 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-212: Natural Gas and Electric Utility Infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-251: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 

SB-305: Rural communities 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Agriculture 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax 

  • Status: 
  • 1/28/2025- Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-347: Indiana Economic Development Corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-377: Funding for regional economic development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading referred to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025- Second reading: ordered engrossed 
  • 1/27/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended Yeas: 10; Nays:1 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Utilities, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

  • Status: 
  • 1/28/2025- Reported favorably—Do Pass. 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-463: Child Care Matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Reported favorably—Do pass; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Reported favorably—Do pass; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations 
House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/30/2025- Reported—Do pass. 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- House Government and Regulatory Reform, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Amended, reported—Do pass. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to Rule 126.3 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Referred to the Senate 
  • 1/28/2025- Third reading: passed; Roll call 33: yeas 91, nays 1  
  • 1/27/2025- Second reading: order engrossed 
  • 1/21/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions 

 HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

 

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 | 01.29.25

Advocacy-Update-Email-Header2

It is the fourth week of the Indiana General Assembly. Here are some deadlines to keep in mind as the session moves forward. One Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce continues to watch for bills that impact our current businesses and communities according to our 2025 advocacy agenda. Read below for more information about the bills and keep a look out for more updates. 

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House. 
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2) 

Join 1si February 20th for our 5 O’Clock network where you will meet with local elected officials, discuss the matters you and your business find important, and learn how you can advocate for the benefit of our region. You can register here. 

Current List of Bills 1si Supports: 

HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025-House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/8/2025-Referred to House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development 
  • Moved to “For” 

Current List of Bills 1si is Monitoring: 

Senate Bills: 

SB-1: Property Tax Relief 

  • Status: 
  • 1/14/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 
  • Explanation: 
  • We are closely monitoring this bill because the changes to residential and personal taxes will significantly impact infrastructure, municipal funding, and workforce education. Based on the reports from the Indiana Association of Indiana Counties, you can see the impact of SB-1 here. Please contact your local elected official to learn about the potential impacts of this bill. At this time, 1si is working with local elected officials to learn more about the bill to keep our business community informed. 

SB-20: Economic development and foreign trade 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-212: Natural Gas and Electric Utility Infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Senate Utilities 

SB-251: Indiana economic development corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology 

SB-305: Rural communities 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Agriculture 

SB-314: Pass through entity tax 

  • Status: 
  • 1/28/2025- Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/21/2025- Senate Tx and Fiscal Policy, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-347: Indiana economic development corporation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-377: Funding for regional economic development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/16/2025- Senate Appropriations, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading referred to Committee on Appropriations 

SB-423: Small modular nuclear reactor pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/27/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Committee recommends passage, as amended Yeas: 10; Nays: 1 
  • 1/23/2025- Senate Utilities, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-426: Water utility infrastructure 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- First reading and referred to Committee on Utilities 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

  • Status: 
  • Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-463: Child Care Matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/29/2025- Senate Health and Provider Services and bill is scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Health and Provider Services 

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- Pursuant to Senate Rule 68(b); reassigned to Committee on Pensions and Labor 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career Development 

House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- House Government and Regulatory Reform, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

  • Status: 
  • 1/22/2025- House Family, children and Human Affairs, bill scheduled for hearing 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Family, Children and Human Affairs 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Status: 
  • 1/27/2025- Second reading: order engrossed 
  • 1/21/2025- Committee report: amend do pass, adopted 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions 

HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

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

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Advocacy Update | 01.23.24

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

  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day for third reading of House bills in House. 
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: Latest day session must reconvene (IC 2-2.1-1-2) 

This week, Lance Allison (1si President), John Launius (1si Vice President and Director of Economic Development), and Melissa Spigler (1si Director of Investor Relations) went to the Statehouse Wednesday to hand deliver our advocacy agenda. We look forward to seeing the impact 1si and its constituents will make by advocating for policies that benefit local communities and businesses. 

 

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 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Transportation 

SB-93: Common Construction wage 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to committee on Pensions and Labor 

SB-347: Indiana economic development corporation 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-392: Property tax relief for seniors and veterans 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-443: Business personal property tax 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy 

SB-463:  Childcare Matters

  • Current Status:
  • 1/13/2025 – Read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services

SB-488: Skills training pilot program 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career Development 

House Bills 

HB-1021: Training in human trafficking 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code 

HB-1106:  Medicaid Buy-in

  • Current Status:
  • 1/8/2025 – Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health

HB-1151: Advanced practice registered nurses 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1154: Behavioral health preceptorship tax credit 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 

HB-1172: Office of entrepreneurship and innovation 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/29/2025-House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 
  • 1/8/2025-Referred to House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development 

HB-1180: Mental health care for veterans with PTSD 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 

HB-1214: Worker’s compensation 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/8/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions 

HB-1223: Tourism development projects 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/23/2025- House Government and Regulatory Reform, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Government and Regulatory Reform 

HB-1226: Medicare supplement insurance 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Insurance 

HB-1247: Prohibited food ingredients 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/9/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health 

HB-1248: Child Care and Development Fund 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/22/2025- House Family, children and Human Affairs, (Bill Scheduled for Hearing) 
  • 1/9/2025- Referred to House Family, Children and Human Affairs 

HB-1296: Artificial intelligence and policies 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Education 

HB-1347: Real estate matters 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/21/2025- Read first time and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions 
  • 1/13/2025- Amended, reported – Do Pass. 

HB-1402: Local government finance 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

HB-1408: Regional innovation development 

  • Current Status: 
  • 1/13/2025- Referred to House Ways and Means 

 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 | 01.15.25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.