HB 1075, Individual Development Accounts, passed the committee without opposition. An amendment was added that confirmed the fiscal limits with the budget and there was discussion of a second reading amendment to clarify that homes must be owned by the account holder and be for significant repairs. Both amendments are only clarifications of current practice and the intent of the authors, Representatives Day and Murphy.
 
Since 1997 Individual Development Accounts, (IDA) coupled with productive employment, have allowed the working poor an opportunity to save for the future by accumulating assets while learning the value of deferred gratification. Families with low incomes can have savings matched by the state to save to buy a house, go to school or start a business. ICC was instrumental in getting the original program passed 10 years ago HB 1075 adds rehabilitation of one’s house as an approved use of the savings and matching funds; it also increases the number of accounts and amount to be matched.
 
HB 1037, Home energy assistance sales tax exemption, also passed the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee without opposition. It too was amended to coincide with the budget cycle and to give time for the pilot to be further evaluated. The bill removes the charge of state sales tax on heating bills paid through the energy assistance program. The money in the program comes from Federal grants. Last year a similar bill passed the General Assembly but the exemption was only for one year.
 
After following approximately 100 bills at the start of the session, the number of active bills has dropped considerably. While language in bills can be inserted into “live” bills still in the process, the opportunities are fewer because there are fewer bills which can be amended.  ICC has been successful in keeping several bad bills from moving as well as helping some bills move and amending others.
 
The following are the salient bills that are still alive and that ICC has followed this session.
 
House bills now in the Senate
HB 1027, Economic matters, includes an increase in minimum wage and inheritance tax provisions; it is in the Pensions and Labor Committee.
HB 1037, Home energy assistance sales tax exemption, is on second reading in Senate.
HB 1074, Earned income tax credit, provides for an increase in state income tax credit for low income wage earners; it is in the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
HB 1075, Individual development accounts, is on second reading in the Senate
HB 1167, Child and dependent care tax credit, provides a tax credit for low income working families; the bill is in Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
HB 1348, Umbilical cord blood bank, provides for establishment of such a program; it is in the Health and Provider Services Committee.
HB 1351, Affordable housing and community development fund, provides funding for the program in counties and the state fund; it is in the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
HB 1484, Sudan divestment, would put pressure on companies doing business in Sudan to pressure the Sudanese government to stop the genocide. It is in the Pensions and Labor Committee.
HB 1510, Charity gaming, clarifies the rules for non-profit institutions conducting charity gaming events. The bill is in the Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation committee.
 
Senate bills now in the House
SJR 7 provides language for a state constitutional amendment and opportunity for electorate to vote on constitutional amendment defining marriage between one man and one woman. At this time the bill has not been assigned to committee.
SCR 45 creates a summer study committee on death penalty and mentally ill; at this time the bill has not been assigned to committee.
SB 190, Food establishment sanitary requirements exemption, would exempt non-profits from some retail establishment regulations. The bill is in the Public Health Committee.
SB 194, Hospital privilege requirements for physicians performing abortions, provides that abortion doctors be able to provide follow-up care in local hospitals. It is in the Public Health Committee.
SB 327 Immunizations for school age girls, provides information to parents regarding the HPV vaccine; it no longer requires vaccination. It is in the Public Health Committee.
SB 445, Notaries, provides consumer protection from notary publics fraudulently advising and misleading immigrants. The bill is in the Courts and Criminal Code Committee.
SB 463, Identification required for driver’s licenses, updates Indiana’s law with the Federal ID act and provides for documented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. The bill is in the Roads and Transportation Committee.
 
ICC is monitoring additional bills concerning the budget, adoption, commercial gaming, education, and health issues.
 

To contact your State Representative and/or State Senator

http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl#house
 
In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about legislative process on the web at http://www.state.in.us/legislative/session/calendars.html .  You can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site at www.indiana.nasccd.org