Statehouse Update 11
Introduction
This week we experienced an increase in committee activity as the House and Senate worked to move bills through their assigned committees and onto the chamber floors for 2nd reading amendments and 3rd reading votes.
On Thursday, President Mearns visited the Statehouse to give a brief budget presentation to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Included in the proposal were an update on the Muncie Community Schools partnership and the University’s capital and line item requests.
Also on Thursday, the Senate also adopted a change to its rules to adjourn by April 21. This will mean new deadlines for all other actions, including committee reports and 2nd and 3rd reading. Speaker Huston in the House of Representatives told Statehouse media that he expects an early adjournment for the House, but did not specify a date.
Please see below for a list of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that have moved during the last week. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at gov@bsu.edu.
Bills That Moved
HB 1437 - Electronic communication at public meetings: The bill allows, with certain exceptions, a governing body of a political subdivision (except for an airport authority or a local department of aviation) to allow its members to participate in a meeting of the governing body by any means of electronic communication if: the public agency adopts a written policy establishing the procedures for electronic participation; and the means of communication permits simultaneous communication between the members and allows the public to attend and observe the meeting. The bill was approved by the Senate Local Government Committee with a 5-2 vote and is now eligible for 2nd reading in the Senate
SB 2 - Funding for virtual instruction in public schools: The bill establishes a definition of "virtual instruction" for purposes of determining a school corporation's basic tuition support using the 2021 spring count of average daily membership (ADM). The Senate concurred with House amendments with a 44-4 vote, and the bill is now eligible for action by the Governor.
SB 93 - Tuition charges for qualified nonresident veterans: The bill provides that a: qualified nonresident veteran; or spouse or dependent of a qualified nonresident veteran; who enrolls in a state educational institution not later than three years after the date of the qualified nonresident veteran's discharge or separation from the armed forces of the United States or the Indiana National Guard is eligible to pay the resident tuition rate at a state educational institution. Establishes requirements for eligibility. The bill was approved by the House Education Committee and is now eligible for 2nd reading by the House.
SB 101 - Education and higher education matters: The bill amends requirements regarding the development of a student's graduation plan. Provides that a student who is at least 17 years of age has full legal capacity to enter into a contract for a next generation Hoosier educators scholarship. Provides that the requirement that a postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution that ceases operation submit student records to the Indiana archives and records administration applies regardless of any outstanding debts owed to the institution. Repeals a provision that requires a student to develop an initial graduation plan in grade 6. The bill was approved by the House with a unanimous vote and is now eligible for concurrence or dissent by the Senate.
Looking Ahead
Next week, committees will continue to increase activity and, as bills are passed out of committee, legislation will continue to move to the House and Senate floors to receive 2nd and 3rd readings.
Next Tuesday, Governor Holcomb will give a statewide address to talk about the impact of COVID-19 and the State's plan moving forward. The address will begin at 5:30 p.m.
