2018 Legislative Session

Indiana University Office of Government Relations

 Statehouse Report 5

Introduction

The Government Relations team had another busy week of committee hearings and legislative action. The committee report deadline passed in both chambers this week, as did the House second reading deadline. All legislation must switch chambers by the end of next week in order to continue through the legislative process. 

Bills that Moved

House Bills

HB 1016 – Student Journalism: This bill would codify free speech provisions for student journalists and provide civil immunity to state educational institutions for actions born out of student journalism activities. The bill moved through second reading this week.

HB 1399 – Elementary School Teacher Content Area Licenses: This bill would establish elementary school teacher content area licenses in math and science. The bill moved through second reading this week.

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, and Core 40 with Technical Honors. It was amended on second reading to include a diploma option for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The bill is now eligible for its final vote before the full House.

Senate Bills

SB 28 – Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Grant Program: This bill would establish a loan repayment program aimed at addressing the nursing faculty shortage in Indiana. The bill moved through second reading this week.

SB 50 – Workforce Development: This bill would create several workforce-related programs and studies, including a college and career funding review committee. The bill passed out of committee this week and is now eligible for second reading on the Senate floor.

SB 380 – Improvements in Historic Districts: This bill aims to speed up road improvements in historic sites by requiring the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology to meet more frequently to review permit applications. The bill passed its third reading vote unanimously.

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. It passed out of committee and is now eligible for second reading.

Looking Ahead

The House and Senate will rush to meet their third reading deadlines this next Monday and Tuesday, then enjoy a long weekend in their home districts as the legislature will not convene Wednesday or Thursday. A large number of the bills introduced will officially die after the third reading deadlines have passed. This will make for an action-packed couple of days. We are also looking forward to hosting IU East for their legislative lunch on Monday.