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Advocacy Update | 02.15.23

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Welcome to the 1si Advocacy Update! Every Wednesday while the General Assembly is in session, you will receive an update of 1si’s advocacy efforts. If you missed any of our previous updates from this session, please click here.

Over the last month, the Advocacy Updates have listed bills and the position that 1si has taken on those bills. Below, we will talk about why each of the following bills have been supported or opposed. As a reminder, our 2023 Call to Action includes talent attraction and retention which has four main concerns: Quality of Place, Housing Growth, Availability of Childcare, and Enhance Healthy Lifestyles.

Bills on which 1si is taking a position:

Supporting:

  • HB 1005: Establishes the residential housing infrastructure assistance program and residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund.
    • Passed House third reading and has been referred to the Senate.

1si’s second Call to Action is to “develop new and enhanced tools to build and maintain infrastructure in support of housing growth.” 1si is in support as this bill provides a tool for local communities to meet the needs of housing shortages and prepare for future housing growth.

  • HB 1160: Creates funding for workforce training program and fund.
    • Passed committee, awaiting hearing on House floor.

One of 1si’s 2023 Priorities is “Meeting Workforce Demands.” 1si is in support as this bill would increase access to and fund workforce training and education programs for career support. As workforce shortages are a need for our businesses in Southern Indiana and throughout the State, this bill provides a tool to help booster the pipeline of potential individuals to be trained to enter or reenter the workforce.

  • HB 1436 & SB 414: Provides alternatives solutions to residential onsite sewage system fails.
    • HB 1436 not likely to move forward and will focus on SB 414.
    • SB 414 passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.
    • These bills are written word for word the same.

1si’s second Call to Action is to “develop new and enhanced tools to build and maintain infrastructure in support of housing growth.” 1si is in support as these bills would establish an alternative for homeowners needing to replace and upgrade their septic systems so that their houses can remain viable. These bills provide homeowners with a tool to build and maintain infrastructure to support existing homes that may be deemed unlivable without these upgrades.

  • SB 35: Requires students to take a financial literacy course.
    • Passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.

One of 1si’s Governing Principles is “Career-Ready Workforce and Educational Initiatives.” 1si is in support as this bill requires an individual to successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course before the individual may graduate and creates requirements for content that must be covered in a personal financial responsibility course.

  • HB 1046: Provides that a military base reuse authority (such as River Ridge) is qualified to receive funds for an eligible project from the local road and bridge matching grant fund.

One of 1si’s 2023 Priorities is “Infrastructure and Housing.” “This is the time to assist communities in building and maintaining roads and bridges…which are essential economic growth strategies for Southern Indiana.” 1si is in support as this bill would allow River Ridge and other military base reuse authorities to apply for a grant fund to support road or bridge projects.

Opposing:

  • HB 1278: Prohibits the Indiana economic development corporation, any other public authority, or any party negotiating on behalf of any of those entities (like 1si) from entering into a non-disclosure agreement designed to keep the details of the negotiation private until approval by a public body is warranted.
    • No movement.

One of 1si’s Governing Principles is “Sustainable Economic Growth” as 1si serves as the Lead Economic Development Organization for Clark, Floyd, and Scott Counties. 1si is in opposition as this bill prohibits the State, or any party negotiating on behalf of any public authority for economic development proposes from entering into nondisclosure agreements. This bill would eliminate a tool that is used frequently in economic development to help meet the needs of different businesses. If passed, this would give Indiana a disadvantage to surrounding States that use nondisclosure agreements.

We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.

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Advocacy Update | 02.08.23

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Welcome to the 1si Advocacy Update!  Every Wednesday while the General Assembly is in session, you will receive an update of 1si’s advocacy efforts.  If you missed any of our previous updates from this session, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.

The fourth week of the Indiana General Assembly came with a flurry of committee meetings and hearings throughout the floors of the House and Senate.  Several priority bills were heard and debated as legislators, advocates, and constituents swarmed the hallways of the Capitol.

At 1si, our 2023 Call to Action includes talent attraction and retention which has four main concerns: Quality of Place, Housing Growth, Availability of Childcare, and Enhance Healthy Lifestyles. Of these focus areas, we are watching several childcare-focused bills in the Senate, hoping that one will catch traction in the coming weeks.

Bills on which 1si is taking a position:

Supporting:

  • HB 1005: Establishes the residential housing infrastructure assistance program (program) and residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund (fund).
    • Passed two committees, heading to House floor.
  • HB 1160: Creates funding for workforce training program and fund.
    • Passed first committee, awaiting hearing in Ways and Means committee.
  • HB 1436 & SB 414: Provides alternatives solutions to residential onsite sewage system fails.
    • HB 1436 passed first committee, awaiting hearing in Ways and Means committee.
    • SB 414 passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.
  • SB 35: Requires students to take a financial literacy course.
    • Passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.

Opposing:

  • HB 1278: Prohibits the Indiana economic development corporation, any other public authority, or any party negotiating on behalf of any of those entities (like 1si) from entering into a non-disclosure agreement designed to keep the details of the negotiation private until approval by a public body is warranted.
    • No movement.

Monitoring:

  • HB 1502: Establishes the workforce development board grant program and the workforce development board grant program fund.
  • HB 1085: Provides that 20% of the incremental property taxes of any new tax increment financing area shall be allocated to school corporations that maintain an attendance area that includes all or part of the allocation area.
  • SB 317: Provides that a political subdivision may make advance payments to contractors to enable the contractors to purchase materials needed for a public works project of the political subdivision.
    • Passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.
  • HB 1439: Requires a city council to approve all expenditures of a city redevelopment commission.
  • SB 37: Requires local units of government that imposes a food and beverage tax to annually report information concerning distributions and expenditures of amounts received from the food and beverage tax.
    • Passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.
  • SB 411: Authorizes local units of government to adopt a commercial property-assessed clean energy program (PACE program) as a financing mechanism to allow commercial property owners to obtain financing for energy-efficient improvements.
  • HB 1449: Amends the twenty-first century scholars program eligibility requirements for certain students and auto enrolls those students but students may opt-out.
  • SB 186: Establishes a state tax credit for a taxpayer that makes qualified child care expenditures or qualified child care resource and referral expenditures in providing child care to the taxpayer’s employees.
  • SB 375: Requires the family and social services administration (FSSA) to develop a schedule for child care and development fund reimbursement of childcare providers under which the highest rate does not differ from the lowest rate by more than 50%.
  • HB 1001: Appropriates the State budget.
  • SB 347: Establishes a work-sharing unemployment insurance program.

We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.

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Advocacy Update | 01.31.23

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The third week of the Indiana General Assembly came with a flurry of committee meetings and bills moving both in the committee and throughout the floors of the House and Senate. Some bills have already passed their third reading and are waiting to switch chambers.

The focus of our Call to Action in 2023 includes talent attraction and retention which has four main concerns: Quality of Place, Housing Growth, Availability of Childcare, and Enhance Healthy Lifestyles.

As 1si is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), we are following the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC). IBLC announced their priorities for this session on January 23. For a full description of the IBLC’s 2023 legislative priorities, see the press release here.

Bills on which 1si is taking a position:

Supporting:

  • HB 1005: Establishes the residential housing infrastructure assistance program (program) and residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund (fund).
    • Passed first committee, heading to Ways and Means committee.
  • HB 1160: Creates funding for workforce training program and fund.
    • Passed first committee, heading to Ways and Means committee.

Opposing:

  • HB 1278: Prohibits the Indiana economic development corporation, any other public authority, or any party negotiating on behalf of any of those entities (like 1si) from entering into a non-disclosure agreement designed to keep the details of the negotiation private until approval by a public body is warranted.
    • No movement.

Monitoring:

  • HB 1502: Establishes the workforce development board grant program and the workforce development board grant program fund.
  • HB 1599: Provides for creation of a tourism improvement district within a county, city, or town to fund tourism-based amenities. Specifies the contents of the tourism improvement district plan that must be filed with a petition to establish a district.
  • HB 1085: Provides that 20% of the incremental property taxes of any new tax increment financing area shall be allocated to school corporations that maintain an attendance area that includes all or part of the allocation area.
  • HB 1439: Requires a city council to approve all expenditures of a city redevelopment commission.
  • SB 37: Requires local units of government that imposes a food and beverage tax to annually report information concerning distributions and expenditures of amounts received from the food and beverage tax.
    • Passed Senate third reading and has been referred to the House.
  • SB 411: Authorizes local units of government to adopt a commercial property assessed clean energy program (PACE program) as a financing mechanism to allow commercial property owners to obtain financing for energy efficient improvements.
  • SB 35: Requires students to take a financial literacy course.

As the session moves forward, the 1si Advocacy Leadership Team will review those bills that are being heard and weighing in with positions that are consistent with the 1si’s 2023 Advocacy Agenda.

We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.

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Advocacy Update | 01.24.23

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 The second week of the Indiana General Assembly came with a flurry of committee meetings and new bill lists. More than 1,100 bills have been filed between the House and Senate.  While new bills continue to be released, the deadline to assign bills to committee was Friday (1/20), so we anticipate no new bills to review moving forward.  

 Several House and Senate majority priority bills had initial hearings in committee last week. Ways and Means Committee held several hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget and will likely introduce the House amendment to the Governor’s budget sometime in the next two weeks. 

 Several bills have been submitted that align with the 1si Advocacy Agenda. The focus of our Call to Action in 2023 includes talent attraction and retention which has four main concerns: Quality of Place, Housing Growth, Availability of Childcare, and Enhance Healthy Lifestyles.  

 Bills that 1si is taking a position: 

Supporting: 

  • HB 1005: Establishes the residential housing infrastructure assistance program (program) and residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund (fund). 

Opposing: 

  • HB 1278: Prohibits the Indiana economic development corporation, any other public authority, or any party negotiating on behalf of any of those entities (like 1si) from entering into a non-disclosure agreement designed to keep the details of the negotiation private until approval by a public body is warranted. 

Monitoring: 

  • HB 1502: Establishes the workforce development board grant program and the workforce development board grant program fund. 
  • HB 1599: Provides for creation of a tourism improvement district within a county, city, or town to fund tourism-based amenities. Specifies the contents of the tourism improvement district plan that must be filed with a petition to establish a district. 
  • HB 1085: Provides that 20% of the incremental property taxes of any new tax increment financing area shall be allocated to school corporations that maintain an attendance area that includes all or part of the allocation area. 
  • SB 37: Requires local units of government that impose a food and beverage tax to annually report information concerning distributions and expenditures of amounts received from the food and beverage tax. 
  • SB 411: Authorizes local units of government to adopt a commercial property-assessed clean energy program (PACE program) as a financing mechanism to allow commercial property owners to obtain financing for energy-efficient improvements. 

 As the session moves forward, the 1si Advocacy Leadership Team will review those bills that are being heard and weighing in with positions that are consistent with the 1si’s 2023 Advocacy Agenda.   

 We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.   

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Advocacy Update | 01.17.23

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The Indiana General Assembly is ramping up with exciting action to come!  The deadlines for filing bills in both the House and Senate passed last week, so we now can review each bill.  

January 12 was the deadline for filing House bills and January 13 was the deadline for filing Senate bills. There were roughly 400 bills submitted on both sides. Bills will be on the state website by Wednesday.

Other key dates during session include: 

  • February 27 – last day for 3rd reading of House bills in House 
  • February 28 – last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in Senate 
  • April 17 – last day for 3rd reading of Senate bills in House 
  • April 18 – last day for 3rd reading of House bills in Senate 
  • April 19-27 – Conference Committees 
  • April 27 – Anticipated Final Day of Session 
  • April 29 – Statutory Sine Die  

 Need a refresher on the legislative process?  Here are a few resources: 

  •  Many of you may remember School House Rock’s “I’m Just A Bill” cartoon from Saturday mornings.  Watch again, as it is still accurate. 
  •  The Indiana Chamber of Commerce created a better graphic (without the catchy tune) on Indiana’s legislative process which can be found in the “How a Bill Becomes a Law.” 
  •  To follow bills as they move throughout both houses and to find your local legislator, please visit the Indiana General Assembly website 

And, finally, look to 1si to deliver weekly updates on our Advocacy positions and activities.   As the session moves forward, the 1si Advocacy Leadership Team will review those bills that are being heard and weigh in with positions that are consistent with the 1si’s 2023 Advocacy Agenda.   

 We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.   

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Advocacy Update | 01.10.23

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If you attended the 1si Legislative Breakfast on Friday, you know that the 2023 Session of the Indiana General Assembly begins this week!  During the Legislative Breakfast, four of our legislators gave us a preview of the upcoming session, including their thoughts on the Governor’s proposed budget and bills that each of them are watching and supporting. Our panelists included Senator Garten, Senator Byrne, Representative Clere, and Representative Fleming.  

 The 1si Advocacy Leadership team will meet each Monday to review the previous week’s activities and will report our actions to you in the One Weekly.   Members of this committee include: 

  • Jim Epperson, SoIN Tourism and Chair of the Advocacy Council  
  • Laurie Kemp, Momentum Title and Chair of the 1si Board of Directors  
  • Lyn Longmeyer, America Place 
  • Bryan Wickens, MAC Construction 
  • Beau Zoeller, Frost Brown Todd 

 We will review those bills that are being heard and weigh in with positions that are consistent with the 1si’s 2023 Advocacy Agenda.  New this year to the 1si Advocacy Agenda is the “Call to Action.” The focus of the Call to Action is talent attraction and retention which has four main concerns: Quality of Place, Housing Growth, Availability of Childcare, and Enhance Healthy Lifestyles.  

 This year is also a biennium budget year, meaning the General Assembly is required to pass a two-year budget by April. In preparation for these budget discussions, Governor Holcomb has released his 2023 Next Level Agenda. The mission of the Governor’s Agenda is to “provide pathways for Hoosier citizens, businesses, and communities to take it to their Next Levels.” The focus is on investing back into the State for growth and opportunity through four main areas: Economic Development, Educational/Workforce Development, Public Health/ Well-Being Development, and Community Development.  

 There were many areas in which the 1si Advocacy Agenda matches Governor Holcomb’s budget priorities including:  

  • Economic Development Incentive Tools 
  • Business Efficiencies and Automation 
  • Talent Attraction 
  • Childcare 
  • READI 2.0 
  • Adult Education and Higher Education 
  • Outdoor Recreation and Trails through Quality of Place Projects 
  • Broadband Development 

 Stay tuned each week to learn more about actions taken on your behalf! We will keep you updated on our actions related to the 2023 Indiana Legislative Session, but for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.   

Advocacy Update | 03.15.2022

The Indiana General Assembly ended its short session as sine die occurred at 1:00 AM on Wednesday, March 9. Any Bill that has passed both Chambers heads to Governor Holcomb’s desk, and he has seven days to take action. The bill may be signed, vetoed, or left alone to become law without Governor Holcomb’s signature.

This session the House wrote 434 Bills and the Senate wrote 417 Bills. Currently, the Governor has received 122 bills on his desk and has signed 102. You can follow the Governor’s signed Bills here. 1si Leadership discussed 25 Bills over the session. Two Bills that we have opposed have died (SB390 and HB1083) and two (SB264 and SB408) out of three Bills that we supported have been signed by the Governor, with the third Bill (HB1094) hopeful to be signed. All Bills discussed over the session can be found throughout this update.

All Bills that 1si Leadership has taken a 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.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS PRO-WORKFORCE BILL.
    • Passed House 88-0.
    • Passed Senate 49-0 with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
    • Has not been sent to Governor’s desk.
  • 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.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 49-0.
    • Passed House 90-1 without amendments.
    • Signed by the Governor on March 7.
  • SB408 – amends the statute authorizing a bank or trust company to make investments in community-based economic development projects.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 46-0.
    • Passed House 93-1 without amendments.
    • Signed by the Governor on March 7.
  • SB390 – phases out food and beverage taxes.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP OPPOSED THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 37-12.
    • Died in House Ways and Means Committee.
    • Language was added by Senate to HB 1002.
    • The language was removed in Conference Committee from HB 1002.
  • HB1083 – creates a tax on service.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP OPPOSED THIS BILL.
    • Died in House Ways and Means Committee.

Other live Bills that were monitored over the session:

  • HB1002 – phases down individual adjusted income tax rate and repeals the utility receipts and utility services use taxes.
    • Passed House with language that would reduce taxes with 68-25.
    • Senate has stripped this bill and added language from SB390 with Food and Beverage Tax.
    • SB 390 language was taken out of bill in Conference Committee.
    • Bill now looks similar to House original Bill.
    • Has not been sent to Governor’s desk.
  • SB5 – establishes a reciprocity procedure to grant licenses and certificates to practice certain health care professions in Indiana.
    • Passed Senate 47-0.
    • Passed House 89-0, returned to Senate with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
    • Has not been sent to Governor’s desk.
  • SB245 – establishes a Statewide Sports and Tourism Bid Fund.
    • Passed Senate 46-0.
    • Passed House 86-6 with amendments.
    • Senate accepted House amendments 47-0.
    • Signed by Governor on March 10.
  • SB411– establishes a state standard for commercial solar and wind energy.
    • Passed Senate 41-7.
    • Passed House 84-9 with amendments.
    • Senate accepted House amendments 34-14.
    • Signed by Governor on March 14.
  • SB290 – establishes a career coaching pilot program for high schools who wish to participate, will award grants to school corporations to establish the career coaching program.
    • Passed Senate 48-0.
    • Passed House 82-0 with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
    • Has not been sent to Governor’s desk.
  • SB361– amends certain business credits, establishes a business promotion and closing fund for Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), and creates framework for IEDC to partner with local municipalities for an Innovative Development District.
    • Passed Senate 48-1.
    • Passed House 69-27 with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
    • Has not been sent to Governor’s desk.

Thank you for following our actions related to the 2022 Indiana Legislative Session, and for more information on our Advocacy Agenda, please visit www.1si.org/advocacy.

Advocacy Update | 03.08.2022

The Indiana General Assembly is coming to the end of their short session. Conference Committees started last week and must conclude for final adjournment no later than Monday, March 14.

This session the House wrote 434 Bills with 84 still active. The Senate wrote 417 Bills with 96 still active. Currently, the Governor has signed 1 Bill into law. You can follow the Governor’s signed Bills here. 1si Leadership has discussed 25 Bills over the session consisting of 16 that have died (including two that we opposed), and nine that are still alive (including three that we support and are hopeful will be signed into law).

The 1si Leadership Team continues to review those Bills that are being heard and are consistent with 1si’s 2022 Advocacy Agenda.

All 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.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS PRO-WORKFORCE BILL.
    • Passed House 88-0.
    • Passed Senate 49-0 with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
  • 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.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 49-0.
    • Passed House 90-1 without amendments.
    • Senator Garten expressed that this would go to a Summer Study Taskforce or Committee.
  • SB408 – amends the statute authorizing a bank or trust company to make investments in community based economic development projects.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 46-0.
    • Passed House 93-1 without amendments.
    • Headed to Governor’s desk.
  • SB390 – phases out food and beverage taxes.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP OPPOSED THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 37-12.
    • Died in House Ways and Means Committee.
    • Language is being added into another bill – HB1002.
  • HB1083 – creates a tax on service.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP OPPOSED THIS BILL.
    • Died in House Ways and Means Committee.

Other live Bills we are currently monitoring:

  • HB1002 – the Senate has made several amendments that have fundamentally changed the Bill.
    • Passed House with language that would reduce taxes with 68-25.
    • Senate has stripped this bill and added language from SB390 with Food and Beverage Tax.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
  • SB5 – establishes a reciprocity procedure to grant licenses and certificates to practice certain health care professions in Indiana.
    • Passed Senate 47-0.
    • Passed House 89-0, returned to Senate with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
  • SB290 – establishes a career coaching pilot program for high schools who wish to participate, will award grants to school corporations to establish the career coaching program.
    • Passed Senate 48-0.
    • Passed House 82-0 with amendments.
    • Went to Conference Committee.
  • SB245 – establishes a Statewide Sports and Tourism Bid Fund.
    • Passed Senate 46-0.
    • Passed House 86-6 with amendments.
    • Senate accepted House amendments 47-0.
    • Headed to Governor’s Office.

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.

1si Advocacy Update | 03.01.2022

The Indiana General Assembly is coming to the end of its short session. Some important deadlines are facing our legislators this week. The Senate must pass Bills no later than today, March 1. The House deadline was yesterday.  Due to the short session, Conference Committees start this week and must conclude for final adjournment no later than Monday, March 14.

Bills that passed both chambers without amendments go straight to the governor for consideration. However, Bills that were amended in the other chamber will return to their chamber of origin. Bill authors have the option to concur or approve, the amended bill, which would then move to the governor’s desk following an affirmative vote from the chamber of origin. Bill authors also have the option to dissent, or disagree, which sends the Bill to a conference committee. The agreed-upon Bill will then be subject to a final vote in each chamber before going to the governor for consideration.

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.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS PRO-WORKFORCE BILL.
    • Passed House 88-0.
    • Passed Senate 49-0 with amendments.
    • Headed to Conference Committee.
  • 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.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 49-0.
    • Passed House 90-1 without amendments.
    • Senator Garten expressed that this would go to a Summer Study Taskforce or Committee.
  • SB408 – amends the statute authorizing a bank or trust company to make investments in community-based economic development projects.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP SUPPORTS THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 46-0.
    • Passed House 93-1 without amendments.
    • Headed to Governor’s desk.
  • SB390 – phases out food and beverage taxes.
    • 1SI LEADERSHIP OPPOSES THIS BILL.
    • Passed Senate 37-12.
    • Died in House Ways and Means Committee.
    • Language is being added into another bill – HB1002.

Other live Bills we are currently monitoring:

  • HB1002 – the Senate has made several amendments that have fundamentally changed the Bill. It will move to a Conference Committee if it passes the Senate by March 1.
    • Passed House with language that would reduce taxes with 68-25.
    • Senate has stripped this bill and added language from SB390 with Food and Beverage Tax.
    • Must be passed by March 1 and if passed will head to a Conference Committee.
  • SB5 – establishes a procedure to grant licenses and certificates to practice certain health care professions in Indiana.
    • Passed Senate 47-0.
    • Passed House 89-0, returned to Senate with amendments.
    • Senate will have a chance to accept amendments or send it to a Conference Committee.
  • SB290 – establishes a career coaching pilot program for high schools who wish to participate, will award grants to school corporations to establish the career coaching program.
    • Passed Senate 48-0.
    • Passed House 82-0 with amendments.
    • Senate will have a chance to accept amendments or send it to a Conference Committee.
  • SB245 – establishes a Statewide Sports and Tourism Bid Fund.
    • Passed Senate 46-0.
    • Passed House 86-6 with amendments.
    • Senate accepted House amendments 47-0.
    • Headed to Governor’s Office.

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.

1si Advocacy Update | 02.22.2022

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.