Tim Lanane: Week in Review at the Indiana General Assembly

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Cold temperatures and a foot of snow did not deter the fast-paced atmosphere surrounding the General Assembly this week. Committee agendas were long and much testimony has already been presented on a myriad of issues facing our state. Many bills have advanced out of committee and to the floor of the House and Senate for further consideration. This brief summary highlights some of this week’s Statehouse activities.

Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home

Lawmakers heard from members of the Indiana American Legion and other veteran groups who rallied in the Statehouse this week in efforts to prevent the closing of the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown, Indiana. The home has provided care to thousands of destitute children of veterans since it opened in 1865. It’s now home to at-risk children with preference in admission given to those of veterans. Children from the home, along with alumni, spoke on behalf of saving the residential school and seeing its funding returned to the State Department of Health’s budget. The school is currently home to 114 at-risk students in Grades 5-12, but has the capacity to hold up to 1,000. The cost of education per student is $249.88 per day. When factored on a 188-day classroom calendar, the cost jumps to $485.13 per day.

Energy Study Symposium

Many legislators participated in a day-long Energy Study Symposium held Wednesday in the Senate Chamber. Topics discussed ranged from nuclear power production to green job creation. Despite the varying topics, the speakers all held a consistent theme – Indiana needs change. Lawmakers were asked to help the state move away from its dependence on coal while moving toward renewable energy sources. Wind, solar and nuclear power were all discussed as alternative methods to provide Hoosiers with a cleaner energy supply. Consumers were also called upon to do their part by conserving energy. Suggested steps included replacing incandescent bulbs and ensuring that homes are properly insulated.

Senate floor action

The Senate approved several bills this week including Senate Bill (SB) 21, a proposal to toughen penalties for theft of valuable metals. Amid growing concerns regarding the theft of materials from public utilities and other critical infrastructure sites, the legislation would expand current law to include any metal that is commonly resold by removing the provision that exempts valuable metal transactions under $100 from reporting requirements. SB 21 would also require dealers to photograph the person from whom the dealer purchases valuable metal and the metal itself at the time of an acquisition. SB 41 provides that an attempted sex offense may be used to establish that a person is a repeat sex offender. SB 225 would require the owner of commercial or residential real property containing a rental unit to notify the tenants if a judgment of foreclosure is entered concerning the property, and would permit a tenant to terminate a rental agreement. SB 228 would require the operator of a school bus or special purpose bus to visually inspect each seat within the bus at the end of each trip during which students are transported to determine that no students remain on the bus. These bills now advance to the House of Representatives for its consideration.

Senate committee action

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation & Veteran Affairs approved several bills this week including Senate Bill 16 which would require more experience behind the wheel of a motor vehicle for teenagers seeking a driver’s license. Testimony revealed that the number of auto accidents involving teenage drivers is four times higher than those involving experienced drivers. A few of the bill’s provisions include raising the minimum age for the issuance of a learner’s permit, setting requirements for practice driving before a probationary operator’s license could be issued, and prohibiting a driver under the age of 18 from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone. Lanane is co-author of this measure.

Another bill advanced by the committee, Senate Bill 196, includes a Class C infraction for a person who uses a handheld device while operating a motor vehicle as a public passenger chauffeur, such as cab and bus drivers. The same penalty would apply to drivers that have a video monitor, portable computer, or other similar device capable of providing a visual display that can be seen by the driver. Public safety vehicles would be exempt. A Class C infraction carries a $500 maximum fine.

Committee members also approved Senate Bill 391 to allow the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to provide for the renewal of most driver licenses online or by mail. This was the most common request from Hoosiers who responded to BMV surveys last year. The legislation stipulates qualifications required including drivers whose license is not suspended or expired, drivers younger than 75, the most recent renewal was done in person, no written exam is required to renew, no name or address change to report, and a valid digital image of the driver is on record. 

The Senate Elections Committee received testimony this week on legislation which includes several recommendations advanced by the Kernan-Shepard Commission on the reorganization of local government. Senate Bill 452 calls for moving municipal elections to even-numbered years, moving school board elections, where applicable, to the general election cycle, expanding the existing vote center pilot program to an option for all counties, and turning the elected position of city clerk or clerk-treasurer into a position appointed by the mayor. Under the proposal, clerks or clerk-treasurers elected in 2007 would serve until January 1, 2012.

Upcoming deadlines

February 19       Deadline for committee reports for bills in house of origin

February 25       Last day for House and Senate bills to pass their respective chambers

April 9               Deadline for committee reports for bills in second house

April 15             Last day House and Senate can approve bills sent over by the opposite chamber

April 29             Session adjourns

To stay informed about legislation moving through the state legislature or to track legislation, log on to www.in.gov/legislative. This site provides complete bill information as well as committee hearing dates and agendas. From this site, you can also watch and listen to House and Senate floor debate while the chambers are in session as well as some committee hearings.

In addition, citizens can stay current on legislation scheduled for action through a free online program available at www.BillWatch.in.gov. Track up to ten bills at a time and receive e-mail notifications only when action is taken on those bills.

Visit my Senate web site at www.in.gov/s25 and subscribe to receive periodic e-mails from me about the major issues being debated this session.

Personal contact with constituents has a direct impact on the legislation we consider and what ultimately becomes law. Feel free to contact me with your comments and concerns regarding pending legislation or if I can provide any assistance.

Mailing address:            Statehouse, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Telephone:                    1-800-382-9467, ext. 2-9534

Email address:              s25@iga.in.gov