Statehouse Update 4
Introduction
The General Assembly reconvened on Monday after the cancellation of all committee meetings and sessions last week. There was an uptick in activity this week, and bills began to move through second and third readings on the House and Senate floors.
The Ball State Governmental Relations team also hosted a virtual meet and greet event with Ball State students who are serving as General Assembly interns this session. They are our best ambassadors to the General Assembly, and we are very proud of their service to the State of Indiana.
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 1002 - Civil immunity related to COVID-19: The bill protects health care providers from professional discipline for certain acts or omissions related to the provision of health care services during a state disaster emergency. Provides that the protection applies to the provision of health care services after February 29, 2020, and before April 1, 2022. The bill advanced through its second reading on Thursday and will be considered for a final House vote next week.
HB 1169 - Cybersecurity incidents: The bill provides that the office of technology shall maintain a repository of cybersecurity incidents. Provides that a state agency and a political subdivision shall report any cybersecurity incident to the office without unreasonable delay and not later than two business days after discovery of the cybersecurity incident in a format prescribed by the chief information officer. Allows the office of technology to assist a state agency with certain issues concerning information technology. The bill was approved by the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee with a 13-0 vote and is eligible for a 2nd reading in the House.
HB 1553 - Next generation Hoosier educators scholarship: The bill changes the eligibility requirements for the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship and provides that a student may qualify for the scholarship by achieving a cumulative grade point average upon graduation of at least a 3.75 on a 4.0 grading scale during grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. The bill received an initial hearing in the House Education Committee and will be considered by the committee again next week for amendments and a final committee vote.
SB 1 - Civil immunity related to COVID-19: The bill provides civil immunity for damages resulting from exposure of an individual to COVID-19 on the premises owned or operated by a person, on any premises on which the person or an employee or agent of the person provided property or services to the individual, or during an activity managed, organized, or sponsored by the person. The bill was approved by the Senate with a 40-8 vote and is now eligible for consideration by the House.
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 bill was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee with a 9-2 vote and is now eligible for a 2nd reading in the Senate.
SB 36 - Psychology interjurisdictional compact: The bill establishes the psychology interjurisdictional compact concerning interjurisdictional telepsychology and the temporary authorization to practice psychology in another compact state. Sets forth requirements of a compact state. Sets forth the duties of the psychology interjurisdictional compact commission. The bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services with a 10-0 vote and is now eligible for a 2nd reading in the Senate.
SB 54 - FAFSA requirement: The bill requires all students, except for students at certain nonpublic schools, in their senior year to complete and submit the FAFSA unless: (1) a parent of a student or a student, if the student is an emancipated minor, signs a waiver that the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it; or (2) the principal of the student's high school waives the requirement due to extenuating circumstances. The bill received an initial hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and will be considered by the committee again next week for amendments and a final committee vote.
SB 93 - Tuition charges for 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 had an initial hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and was referred to the Rules Committee with a 12-0 vote. The bill was approved by the Rules Committee and is eligible for a 2nd reading in the Senate.
SB 333 - Education matters: The bill amends the membership of the state board of education. Requires the state board to establish a maximum per diem rate for meetings of members of governing bodies of school corporations, including Indianapolis Public Schools. Removes a provision that provides that, if the members of a governing body is totally comprised of appointed members, the appointive authority must approve the per diem rate before the governing body may make payments to the members. The bill received an initial hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and will be considered by the committee again next week for amendments and a final committee vote.
Looking Ahead
Now that all legislation has been introduced and assigned to committee, the legislative committees will move into full swing in order to hear and pass legislation before the House and Senate deadlines next month. Activity on the House and Senate floors will continue to increase, with second reading amendments and third reading votes.
