The clock is ticking, and committee deadlines are less than two weeks away. This week, legislative committee agendas were dense with proposals as lawmakers race to move large pieces of priority language across the midpoint. The state’s two-year budget bill also made its first appearance in House Ways and Means committee. What will make it past the switch-over and on to the second half of the session? Only time will tell, and an uptick of Democrat bills up for committee consideration is providing for a more bipartisan outcome than usual. There was a lot on the docket this week. Let’s dive in …
House Budget Bill Heard in Ways and Means
The House Republican version of HB 1001, the biennial budget bill, was heard in Ways and Means committee on Thursday, clocking in at a full five hours of discussion. In addition to funding K-12 education and mental health, the public testified in support of home health services funding, increases to the opioid settlement fund, regulations for local health departments, animal shelter needs, and an increase in pay for public defenders, amongst many other topics. Expect to see more committee discussion (and amendments!) next week and before this bill ultimately makes it to the House floor for approval.
Childcare Cost Relief Measure Advances
A bill to expand income eligibility for the On My Way Pre-K program gained committee approval this week. Under SB 375, the income eligibility threshold would increase from 127% of the federal poverty level (just over $35,000 annually for a family of four), to 200% (or $55,500 annually). Additionally, families making up to 260% of the federal poverty level roughly $72,000 per year), would still qualify for at least 25% of the subsidy. This would alleviate a benefits “cliff” where parents become ineligible for funding when their income increases slightly. SB 375 now heads to Senate Appropriations for further consideration after passing out of Senate Family and Child Services on Monday.
Earned Income Tax Credit Sees Unanimous Approval, Moves to Senate
HB 1290, a proposal to help low to moderate income workers and families get a tax break, now moves to the Senate for consideration. The bill would let Hoosiers claim – as a state credit – up to 12% of what they received through the federal version of the credit. Those who qualify could use the credit to reduce taxes owed or increase a refund.
Work Share Proposal Passes out of Senate Committee
A bill to assist employers who provide for employees through a potential layoff period was approved by nearly all members of the Senate Labor and Pensions committee on Wednesday. Under SB 347, the affected employees would retain their key benefits, like insurance, but would only be paid a percentage of their regular wages. The portion of their wages cut would be covered by unemployment insurance. This bill now heads to Senate Appropriations for further consideration.
Driving Card Legislation Advances to Appropriations
Driving cards for immigrants without documentation could become a reality for foreign-born Hoosiers living and working in the state. Currently, undocumented immigrants are not afforded the ability to travel to work, school drop-off, doctor visits, and other routine activities due to lack of a driver’s license. Under SB 248, drivers would have to show they pay taxes in Indiana, have proof of insurance, get fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check, and renew the card every year. This driving card could not be used as identification for voting purposes. This bipartisan piece of legislation has the support of the business community, advocates for Hispanic affairs, and law enforcement around the state.
Housing Infrastructure Bill Gains Overwhelming Support
A bill to create a Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program passed out of the House with overwhelming support on Tuesday. HB 1005 was crafted in response to a Housing Task Force that met this past summer and fall and would specifically pay for the vital infrastructure needs not otherwise considered in alternate grants or programs.
The fund will be overseen by the Indiana Finance Authority, and the money could be used for sidewalks, curbs, sewer, water, and other infrastructure. The overall goal of the bill is to increase the state’s housing supply. The bill passed 91-6 and now heads to the Senate.
Legislature Considers Expansion to Birth Control Access
Numerous proposals to expand contraceptive access and prevent unintended pregnancies are being discussed in both chambers. HB 1568 would permit pharmacists to prescribe birth control and advanced out of House Public Health committee on Tuesday, just before the full Senate approved SB 252 by a vote of 49-0, which would allow Medicaid recipients same-day access to contraceptives.
Additionally, SB 266 requires a hospital that operates a maternity unit to ensure that a woman giving birth in the hospital has the option of having a long-acting reversible subdermal contraceptive, like an intrauterine device (IUD), implanted after delivery and before the woman is discharged. Allowances for faith-based objections are included in the bill, which passed by an 8-4 vote in Senate Health and Provider Services committee on Wednesday, now moves to the Senate Floor.
Health Care Proposals Advance in Senate, Still Waiting in House
A priority Senate bill has advanced out of Public Health committee despite bipartisan support and bipartisan opposition. SB 6 passed 8-4, with concerns voiced by all committee members. Expect continued debate on this proposal to curb hospital prices charged in outpatient care facilities, often known as “site of service.”
HB 1004, a cumulative healthcare bill including fines for hospitals and tax credits for doctors who are unaffiliated with large healthcare systems, is awaiting final consideration in House Public Health. Additionally, HB 1003, which takes on the insurance component of this session’s collection of healthcare cost regulations, awaits final committee passage in the House Committee on Insurance. Look for additional committee action on these to come down to the wire this week.
Non-Competes for Physicians
Additionally, a bill to eliminate non-compete clauses in physicians’ contracts has advanced with the support of physicians and medical consumer groups in hopes that few restrictions on where doctors can practice will lower health costs by a vote of 95-5. The current version of SB 7 would not affect existing agreements, but it would prohibit new ones after the law goes into effect. Ironically, on the national level, the Federal Trade Commission is considering a new rule banning all non-competes across all industries, nationwide.
Privacy Legislation Continues to Advance
Priority legislation to protect Hoosier consumers gained Senate approval on Thursday. The bill creates a “bill of rights” for Hoosier data privacy and would allow consumers to monitor how their data is used and provide an option to delete it. SB 5 also includes a requirement for businesses to have annual data protection assessments and security checks. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 49-0 and moves to the House for further consideration.
Partisan School Boards Bills Update
HB 1428, a bill to allow local school boards to decide whether or not school board candidates should disclose their party affiliation, passed out of House Elections and Apportionment committee on Wednesday. The bill was amended to allow school boards the decision to decide if they want to allow for partisan elections. The Senate heard their version of this proposal, SB 188, in Senate Elections committee last week but has not yet been put back on the schedule for further consideration.
Optional Firearm Safety Training for School Employees
A bill to provide optional firearm safety training for school teachers passed out of House Education committee on Wednesday. HB 1177 would reallocate funding from the Indiana Safe Schools and related funds for the training. State law already affords teachers and other staff the ability to carry a firearm on school grounds if authorized by their local school boards. The bill also provides funding for counseling services for students, teachers, school staff, and employees in the event of a school shooting. The bill passed out of committee by a vote of 9-4 and now heads to the full House for potential amendments.
Next Week
With committee report deadlines on February 21 and February 23 in the House and Senate, respectively, we anticipate committees will be meeting with extremely full agendas – especially in the fiscal committees as they tackle not only the House budget, but also bills that were recommitted for further consideration. Torchbearer Public Affairs will be there monitoring, testifying, and advocating for your needs. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.