Statehouse Update 5
Introduction
As the General Assembly began their second month of work and moves closer to the committee report deadlines, activity in committees and on the House and Senate floors kicked into high gear. The Ball State Governmental Relations team continues to monitor committee hearings and floor action on bills we are tracking.
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 was approved by the House with a 76-21 vote and is now eligible for consideration by the Senate.
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 with a unanimous vote and is now eligible for consideration by the Senate.
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: (1) the public agency adopts a written policy establishing the procedures for electronic participation; and (2) the means of communication permits simultaneous communication between the members and allows the public to attend and observe the meeting. The bill was assigned to the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee and is scheduled for a hearing.
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 House Judiciary Committee with a 9-4 vote and is now eligible for a 2nd reading in 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 and is now eligible for consideration by the House.
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 and is now eligible for consideration by the House.
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 advanced out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and is now eligible for a 2nd reading in the Senate.
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 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 333 - Education matters: The bill amends the membership of the state board of education (state board). 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 advanced out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee with a unanimous vote and is now eligible for a 2nd reading in the Senate.
Looking Ahead
Next week bills will continue to move through the committee process as February’s committee report deadlines come into view: February 16 for the House and February 18 for the Senate. We can also expect the number of bills moving to the House and Senate floors continue to increase as the bills move on to second reading amendments and third reading votes. The Governmental Relations team will continue to closely follow bills that could impact Ball State.
