2018 Legislative Session

Indiana University Office of Government Relations

 Statehouse Report 10

Introduction

Second and third reading deadlines have now passed in both the House and Senate. Several bills moved through each chamber and are now awaiting the Governor’s signature. However, the chambers have still not come to an agreement on other bills, and those will ultimately be dealt with in conference committee. Final changes on bills will soon go to both chambers for a final vote, and those that pass both chambers will then go to the Governor for signature.

Additionally, this past week, the IU Government Relations team, along with Vice President James Wimbush and Joyce Rogers from the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, jointly hosted members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus for dinner. It was a great opportunity to discuss higher education’s role in helping the group pursue its priorities.

Bills that Moved

House Bills

HB 1002 – Workforce Funding and Programs: This bill would establish many new programs related to workforce development and expand some already existing programs. Examples include requiring an annual workforce program review by the legislative service agency and establishing a career navigation and coaching program in Indiana high schools. The bill passed third reading in the Senate, but the House dissented to amendments made in the Senate. The bill will now go to conference committee where it will be worked out in conjunction with SB 50, the Senate’s workforce development bill.

HB 1039 – 529 Plans: This bill, which calls for a study of topics surrounding 529 plans and bars a state tax credit for payments not made for qualified higher education expenses out of a 529 plan, passed third reading in the Senate this week. The bill now goes back to the House for consideration on amendments made in the Senate.

HB 1047 – Education Benefits for Veterans: This bill would exclude veterans’ benefits from the financial aid determination process, as well as provide an automatic tuition refund to members of the Indiana National Guard and Reservists called to active duty post-course enrollment. This bill was signed by the governor this week and will become law.

HB 1074 – Various Higher Education Matters: This is the annual bill representing legislation being pursued by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE). It would make changes to the renewal of 21st Century Scholars scholarships, modify procedures for state universities to sell real estate, and address other student financial aid matters. This bill is now being debated in conference committee.

HB 1242 – Resident Tuition for Serving on the USS Indiana: This bill allows certain persons who serve or have served on the USS Indiana to be eligible for resident tuition at state educational institutions. The House concurred with amendments made in the Senate, and the bill will now go to the Governor for signature.

HB 1426 – Education Matters: This bill would establish a single Indiana high school diploma with different designations for general, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, Core 40 with Technical Honors, and a diploma option for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This bill passed second and third reading in the Senate, but the House dissented on amendments adopted in the Senate. It will now go to conference committee for further deliberation.

Senate Bills

SB 50 – Workforce Development; Career and Technical Education: This bill is the Senate’s version of legislation dealing with workforce development. Among the bill’s several provisions, it would establish new workforce grant programs and require new workforce-related studies. This bill passed third reading in the House, but the Senate dissented to amendments made by the House, thereby sending the bill to conference committee. It will be considered in conference committee in conjunction with HB 1002, the House’s workforce development bill.

SB 240 – Emotional Support Animals: This bill provides who may use an emotional support animal, who may prescribe an emotional support animal, and when an individual may be prescribed an emotional support animal. The bill also provides that an individual with a disability that is not readily apparent who submits a request for an emotional support animal that falsely suggests the individual has a disability that entitles the individual to the use of an emotional support animal in a dwelling commits a Class A infraction. The Senate concurred on amendments made in the House. The bill will now go to the Governor for signature.

SB 410 – Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: This bill would replace the term “advanced practice nurse” with “advanced practice registered nurse” and require the State Board of Nursing to adopt rules about advanced practice registered nurses prescribing drugs. The Senate concurred on amendments made in the House, and the bill will now go to the Governor for signature.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

If all goes according to schedule, the 2018 General Assembly will conclude next week on Wednesday, March 14th. For the remaining days of session, the IU Government Relations team will be engaging with legislators as conference committees and final votes take place.

Next week will be the final Statehouse Report of the 2018 session. As we move into the final week of session, the Government Relations team feels very good about how this session has gone, and we look forward to sharing our analyses with you next week.