Alliance Bill Tracking
Last Updated: 2/16/10 Red bill numbers indicate active bills. Bold lettering indicates new information.Senate Bills
SB93 (Author: Boots)Synopsis: Yield to a stationary utility service vehicle. Provides that the failure to use due caution when approaching a stationary utility serve vehicle that is being used to perform utility services is a Class A infraction that may also result in the loss of driving priviledges.
Info: Assigned Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters. 1/21 Committee Report: Do pass, adopted. 1/25 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; 1/26 Sen. Buck added as 2nd author; Senator Hume added as coauthor; 1/28 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 55: Yeas 30 Nays 18; Referred to House; House Sponsor: Rep. Austin; Cosponsor: Reps. Clements; 2/2 Assigned Committee on Roads & Transportation 2/11 Committee Report: amend do pass, adopted; 2/15 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; 2/16 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 171: yeas 94 nays 0; Returned to Senate with amendments
SB110 (Author: Lawson)
Synopsis: Conservancy District Elections. Provides that if there is only one nominee for election to a conservancy district board of directors to represent an area of the conservancy district, the election for that board membership is not required to be held and the nominee is considered elected as if an election for that board membership had been held. Provides that if there is only one nominee for election to the board of directors for each area for which a director is to be elected, the election is not required to be held and each of the board members is considered to have elected as if the election had been held.
Info: Assigned Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs. 1/5 Senator Gard added as 2nd author. 1/11 Committee Report: do pass, adopted. 1/14 2nd Reading: amended, ordered engrossed; Amendment 2 (Lawson), prevailed, voice vote; Amendment 1 (Simpson), prevailed, voice vote. 1/19 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 18: Yeas 50 Nays 0; Referred to House; Cosponsors: Reps. Bischoff, Koch, Steurwald. 2/2 Assigned Committee on Natural Resources2/11 Committee Report: amend do pass, adopted; 2/15 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; 2/16 3rd Reading; passed; Roll Call 173: yeas 91 nays 2; Returned to Senate with amendments;
SB131 (Author: Holdman)
Synopsis: Appointment of town-clerk treasurer. Allows a town to change the office of clerk-treasurer from an elected office to a position appointed by a majority of the members of the town legislative body if: (1) the town legislative body adopts a resolution to put a public question on the ballot; and (2) a majority of the voters of the town vote to change the office to an appointed position. Provides that an appointed clerk-treasurer is an employee of the town legislative body and serves at the pleasure of the town legislative body. Provides that changing the office to an appointed office may not reduce the term of an incumbent elected clerk-treasurer. Allows a town to change the office of the clerk-treasurer from an appointed position to an elected office if: (1) the town legislative body adopts a resolution to put a public question on the ballot; and (2) a majority of the voters of the town vote to change the position to an elected office. Requires that an appointed clerk-treasurer must be a resident of the town.
Info: Assigned Committee on Local Government.
SB188 (Author: Boots)
Synopsis: Qualifications of public works professionals. Requires state agencies and a political subdivision to comply with certain procedures when acquiring the services of architects, engineers, and land surveyors. (Under current law, the procedures are not mandatory and do not apply to a state angency)
Info: Assigned Committee on Local Government. 1/28 Sen. Randolph added as coauthor; Committee Report: do pass, adopted; 2/1 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; Amendment 1 (Breaux), failed, Roll Call Yeas 15 Nays 34; Sen. Randolph removed as coauthor and added as 2nd author; 2/2 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call: 112 Yeas 45 Nays 5; Referred to House; House Sponsor: Rep. Michael; Cosponsor: Rep. Soliday 2/8 Assigned Committee on Labor & Employment;
SB209 (Author: Gard)
Synopsis: Environmental Issues. Repeals the electronic signature act. Amends the definition of “owner” for purposes of underground storage tank issues. Replaces the undefined term “sanitary landfill” with “solid waste landfill”. Establishes deadlines for action by the department of environmental management (IDEM) on various permit applications with respect to certain solid waste processing facilities. Expands the grounds on which the commissioner of IDEM may suspend or revoke a drinking water or wastewater operator certification. For purposes of wastewater management statutes, replaces the term “wastewater” with “septage”. Provides that wastewater management statutes apply to land application of septage. For the purpose of determining liability of certain owners and operators to the state for remediation of environmental contamination under certain circumstances, applies exemptions to the same extent the exemptions apply under federal law for certain lenders that hold indicia of ownership but do not participate in management. Provides that an environmental restrictive ordinance (ERO) is an ordinance adopted by a municipal corporation that seeks to control the use of groundwater in a manner and to a degree that protects the groundwater against unacceptable exposure to a release of hazardous substances, petroleum, or both. Requires IDEM to give written notice to a municipal corporation that the department is relying on an ERO adopted by the municipal corporation as part of a risk based remediation proposal. Requires a municipal corporation to notify IDEM of adoption, repeal, or amendment of an ERO only if the municipal corporation received the written notice.
Info: Assigned Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs. 1/21 Committee Report: amend, do pass. 2nd Reading: Senate Floor 1/25. 1/26 Sen. Breaux added as coauthor; Sen. Charbonneau added as 2nd author; 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; Amendment 1(Gard), prevailed, voice vote; 1/28 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 71: Yeas 48 Nays 0; Referred to House; House Sponsor: Rep. Dvorak; Cosponsor: Rep. Wolkins; 2/2 Assigned Committee on Environmental Affairs 2/15 Rep. Barnes added as cosponsor;
SB217 (Author: Delph)
Synopsis: Accrual accounting for political subdivisions. Requires local units of government to use a full accrual method of budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.
Info: Assigned Committee on Appropriations.
SB230 (Author: Waltz)
Synopsis: E-mail notification of local government meetings. Provides that if the governing body of a public agency of a political subdivision provides notices of public meetings to members of the governing body or public officials by electronic mail, the governing body of a public agency shall also give public notice by electronic mail to any person (excluding news media) who annually request notice of meetings.
Info: Assigned Committee on Local Government. 1/28 Committee Report: do pass, adopted; 2/1 2nd Reading: amended, ordered engrossed; Amendment 1 (Waltz), prevailed, voice vote; Sen. Mrvan added as coauthor; Sen. Schneider added as 2nd author; 2/2 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 120: Yeas 35 Nays 15; Referred to House; House Sponsor: Rep. Stilwell; Sen. Lanane added as coauthor 2/8 Assigned Committee on Local Government;
SB261 (Author: Stutzman)
Synopsis: Government employees holding office. Provides that an employee of a political subdivision is considered to have resigned from employment with the political subdivision if the employee assumes the elected executive office of the political subdivision or becomes an elected member of the political subdivision’s legislative body. Provides that the restriction does not prohibit an employee of the political subdivision from holding an elected office of a political subdivision other than the political subdivision that employs the government employee.
Info: Assigned Committee on Local Government.
SB282 (Author: Charbonneau)
Synopsis: Storm water management. Grants authority of the drainage board to receive complaints concerning, investigate, and order the removal of certain storm water related nuisances. Provides that, regarding removal of nuisances and obstructions and right of entry, the county drainage board and the county surveyor have the same authority with respect to artificial watercourses as with respect to drains and natural watercourses. Provides that a county’s policy for the management of storm water runoff from developed real property must designate the county’s surveyor’s office as the office to which storm water issues are initially directed.
Info: Assigned Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs. 1/11 Sen. Gard added as 2nd author. 1/21 Committee Report: do pass, adopted; Sen. Randolph added as coauthor. 2nd Reading Senate Floor 1/25. 1/28 Sen. Landske added as 2nd author; 2/1 2nd Reading: amended, ordered engrossed; Amendment 2 (Charbonneau), prevailed, voice vote; 2/2 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 138: Yeas 41 nays 9; Referred to House; House Sponsor: Rep. Bischoff; Cosponsors: Reps. Smith, Cheatham & Hinkle 2/8 Assigned Committee on Natural Resources;
SB331 (Author: Breaux)
Synopsis: Distribution system improvement charges. Provides that electric, gas and water utilities may implement distribution system improvement charges (DSIC) as needed. (Under current law, only water utilities may implement DSIC’s) Requires the utility regulatory commission (IURC) to approve a DSIC unless the DSIC would produce revenues exceeding 5% of the utility’s approved base revenues. Permits the IURC to approve a DSIC that produces revenues exceeding 5% of the utility’s approved base revenues if the IURC determines that the DSIC is in the best interest of the utility and the utility’s ratepayers. Provides that a public utility that implements a DSIC must appear before the IURC at least once every three years for review and revision of the utility’s basic rates and charges. (Under current law, a utility must appear before the IURC at least once every four years). Requires the IURAC to proportionately reduce the basic rates and charges of a utility that realizes cost savings from implementing a DSIC.
Info: Assigned Committee on Utilities and Technology.
SB348 (Author: Becker)
Synopsis: Municipal water rates. Provides that: (1) a municipality that operates a water utility; or (2) users of the waterworks located outside the corporate boundaries of the municipality; may petition the utility regulatory commission (IURC) under certain circumstances for review and revision of the rates and charges imposed on the users. Requires the IURC to prescribe the form and content of the petition. Provides that a petition is considered approved if the IURC does not approve or disapprove the petition within 120 days. Authorizes the IURC to adopt rules.
SB362 (Author: Broden)
Synopsis: Removal of utilities from IURC jurisdiction. Deletes provisions permitting a petition and a vote on public question following an adoption of an ordinance by a municipal legislative body to remove a municipally owned utility from the jurisdiction of the utility regulatory commission (IURC).
Info: Assigned Committee on Utilities and Technology.
SB371 (Author: Breaux)
Synopsis: Allocation of homeland security funds. Provides that after June 30, 2010, the superintendant of the Indiana state police (rather than the executive director of the state department of homeland security) shall administer the application for, and distribution of, federal and state homeland security money for all Indiana state and local governments.
SB412 (Author: Mishler)
Synopsis: Irrigation and water well pump installer licensing. Provides that a commercial or residential irrigation system installed after July 1, 2010, must have a soil moisture sensor. Requires the water pollution control board to establish a program of annual inspection of soil moisture sensors. Provides that a person must a water well installer license to install or repair water well pumps or water well pumping equipment. Requires a water well pump installer and water well driller to complete six hours of continuing education every two years. Establishes procedures for the department of natural resources (department) to approve continuing education courses. Allows the department to enter into a contract with the Indiana Ground Water Association to administer the continuing education program.
Info: Assigned Committee on Natural Resources. 1/14 Sen. Mishler removed as author; Sen. Yoder added as author. 1/25 Hearing 10:30am Rm. 431.
House Bills
HB1037 (Author: Saunders)Synopsis: Officeholder qualifications. Prohibits a county, city, or town employee from being a candidate for or serving on the legislative or fiscal body of the county, city, or town that employs the employee. Allows a county, city or town, employee serving on a fiscal or legislative body on July 1, 2010, to serve the remainder of the member’s term.
Info: Assigned Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures. 1/26 Committee Report: amend, do pass, adopted; Reps. Frizzell & Lutz added as coauthors; 2/1 2nd Reading: order engrossed; 2/2 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 149: Yeas 86 Nays 10; Referred to Senate; Senate Sponsors: Senators Merritt & Deig HB1053 (Author: Kersey)
Synopsis: Soil and septic system education and research. Establishes the soil and septic system education and research council (council). Requires the dean of agriculture of Purdue University to establish and administer a soil and septic system education and research program. Establishes the soil and septic education and research fund (fund). Provides that the council shall recommend expenditures from the fund for the soil and septic system education and research program. Requires the board of each county health department (and Marion County health and hospital corporation) to impose a fee of ten dollars on each permit issued by the county health department or the county for the operation, installation, construction, repair, or replacement of a septic system. Requires the fees to be paid to the treasurer of the state for distribution to the fund.
Info: Assigned Committee on Local Government. Hearing 1/26 10:30am Rm. 156A.
HB1079 (Author: Dembowski)
Synopsis: Conservancy district election procedures. Allows, if in the opinion of the secretary of a conservancy district (secretary) a freehold has been divided into multiple freeholds to increase the number of voters, the secretary to exclude the freeholders of the multiple freeholds from the list of freeholders eligible to vote. Provides that the determination of the secretary may be challenged by petitioning the circuit court that created the district.
Info: Assigned to Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. 1/7 Committee Report: do pass, adopted; 1/11 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; 1/12 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 21: Yeas 76 Nays 19; Reps. Cheatham, Goodin, & Dodge added as coauthors; Referred to Senate; Senate Sponsors: Senators Mishler, R. Young & Lewis; 2/1 Assigned to Committee on Natural Resources
HB1080 (Author: Cheatham)
Synopsis: Septic Tanks and sewer systems. Provides that the Indiana department of environmental management (IDEM) may not require a county to join or form a regional sewage district to provide sewer service to an unincorporated area of the county unless IDEM determines that the population density of the unincorporated area exceeds the minimum population density at which property owners in an unincorporated area of the county may be required to discontinue septic system use. Requires the legislative body of a county that contains unincorporated areas to adopt an ordinance establishing the minimum population density at which property owners in an unincorporated area of the county may be required to discontinue septic system use. Provides that a regional sewage district may not require a property owner to connect to a sewer system if the property is: (1) located in an unincorporated area; and (2) served by a septic system that is, as determined by the local health department, functioning satisfactorily.
HB1107 (Author: Battles)
Synopsis: IURC review of certain water rates. Provides that: (1) a municipality that operates a water utility; or (2) users of the waterworks located outside the corporate boundaries of the municipality; may petition the utility regulatory commission (IURC) under certain circumstances for review and revision of the rates and charges imposed on the users. Requires the IURC to prescribe the form and content of the petition. Provides that a petition is deemed approved if the IURC does not approve or disapprove the petition within 120 days. Authorizes the IURC to adopt rules.
Info: Assigned Committee on Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities. 1/26 Committee Report: amend do pass, adopted; Reps. Frizzell & Lutz added as coauthors; 2/1 2nd Reading: order engrossed; 2/2 2rd Reading: passed, Roll Call 149: yeas 86 nays 10; Referred to Senate; Senate Sponsors: Merritt & Deig; 2/8 Assigned Committee on Utilities & Technology
HB1119 (Author: Bischoff)
Synopsis: Soil and water conservation districts. Allows the governing body of a soil and water conservation district to approve payment of certain expenses subject to review and approval at the governing body’s next regular meeting. Requires the district’s fiscal officer to certify payments.
Info: Assigned Committee on Natural Resources. 1/7 Committee Report: do pass, adopted; 1/11 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; 1/12 3rd Reading: passed, Roll Call 21: yeas 76 nays 19; Reps. Cheatham, Goodin & Dodge added as coauthors; Referred to Senate; Senate Sponsors: Mishler, R. Young & Lewis; 2/1 Assigned Committee on Natural Resources; 2/16 Committee Report: do pass, adopted;
HB1137 (Author: Stevenson)
Synopsis: Recall of elected or appointed officials. Establishes a procedure for the recall of a person who holds a state, legislative, local, or school board office (other than a justice, judge, or prosecuting attorney) or who is appointed to an office of the state political subdivision, Requires that a recall petition must be signed by at least 10% of the registered voters in the jurisdiction served by the official (or at least 10% of the total vote in the last election for secretary of state if the official holds an elected state office). Removes an officeholder if: (1) at least 60% of the votes cast; or (2) a majority of the registered voters in the election district; vote for the recall. Specifies that a commissioner of a police and fire merit commission may be removed by the recall procedure under current law.
Info: Assigned Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures.
HB1143 (Author: Frizzell)
Synopsis: E-mail notification of public meetings. Provides that if the governing body of a public agency provides notice of public meetings to members of the governing body, public officials, or interested parties by electronic mail the governing body of a public agency shall also give public notice by electronic mail to any person (excluding news media) who annually requests notice of meetings.
HB1218 (Author: Davis)
Synopsis: Review of bid selection. Requires a state agency, if it awards a contract for a public work or improvement to a person other than the lowest bidder, to meet upon request with the lowest bidder and to discuss the lowest bidder’s bid with the lowest bidder. Requires each state agency to develop a policy concerning such meetings.
Info: Assigned Committee on Labor and Employment.
HB1317 (Author: Michael)
Synopsis: Use of money in city or town fund. Permits money in a cumulative capital improvement fund of a city or town to be used for any governmental purpose for which money is appropriated by the fiscal body of the city or town. Allows a city or town to reclassify certain loans from one fund to another as a permanent transfer.
Info: Assigned Committee to Local Government. 1/28 Committee Report: do pass, adopted; 2/1 2nd Reading: ordered engrossed; 3rd Reading: passed; Roll Call 113: Yeas 98 Nays 0; Referred to Senate; Senate Sponsors: Senators Boots & Broden; Reps. V. Smith, Dembowski & Saunders added as coauthors 2/8 Assigned Committee on Tax & Fiscal Policy
HB1340 (Author: Koch)
Synopsis: Government ethics: Authorizes a political subdivision to adopt an ordinance relating to the ethics of the officials, employees, former employees, appointees, and former appointees of the political subdivision. Provides that eh ordinance may exceed the standards of the statute. Requires the ordinance to establish an ethics commission with the powers to enforce the ordinance. Provides that the statute does not supersede an ethics ordinance adopted by a political subdivision before July 1, 2010, to the extent that the ordinance is not inconsistent with statute. Requires the registration as lobbyist of individuals who act or communicate to promote , delay, oppose, or otherwise influence an action of an agency of a political subdivision. Requires local lobbyist to file annual reports. Authorizes the imposition of lobbyist registration fees. Provides that a local lobbyist may not give a gift of cash to an official, employee, or appointee of the political subdivision.
Info: Assigned Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures.
