SJR 7, Definition of marriage, failed in the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee on a 5 – 5 vote. The opponents were able to create doubt in several House members. The rationale for voting against SJR 7 rested on part “b” of the amendment. In some cases the reason was the legal dispute of whether the amendment would affect domestic violence statutes and domestic partner benefits. Because there was no strong legal consensus on the effect of part “b’, several members who voted for the amendment in the past voted no this time. Citing recruitment and image, several large employers voiced opposition, but they did concede that the amendment wording would not make it unlawful or keep them from providing benefits. The bill is dead for this session. However, there may be an attempt by some House members to resurrect the bill on a procedural motion from the floor. If this happens, it is unlikely to be successful.
 
HB 1027 Economic matters (minimum wage) was amended and passed the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee 10 – 1. As expected, the inheritance tax aspects were removed; also the minimum wage amount was changed to coincide with the Federal law. Should the bill pass, Indiana’s minimum wage will match the Federal wage level. Hence, when the Federal wage is changed, Indiana’s workers not covered by Federal law will be covered also. Originally the bill called for a slightly higher minimum than the proposed Federal level and implementation on a different schedule. The bill now goes to the Senate for passage.
 
In other committee action, the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee amended and passed HB 1510, Charity gaming. The amendment did not substantively change the charity gaming portions of the bill. It primarily addressed illegal gaming at bars and other venues. The bill increases the penalties for gambling and especially for use of electronic gaming devices. It establishes a special prosecuting attorney to prosecute gambling crimes if the county prosecutor is unable to prosecute. This bill is the opposite of what some tavern owners and some legislators have been advocating – legalizing the gambling, especially electronic devices, and collect fees. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. ICC has supported the bill because it clarified the charity gaming law; ICC supports the amended bill.
 
SB 503, Healthier Indiana Insurance program, was amended and passed the House Public Health Committee on a 10 – 1 vote. The bill provides some of the Governor’s plan to address the health care needs of low income and uninsured Hoosiers. As amended it includes some of the House Democrats’ ideas about this same issue. It is a blending of the market approach and health savings approach of the Governor and many of the areas Democrats see as priorities. All indications are that the cigarette tax will be increased by approximately 40 cents to pay for the program. At this point the tax is not in SB 503. Tax increases have to originate in House bills. The tax is likely to be added to a House bill, perhaps the budget bill, during conference committee negotiations. ICC has supported the efforts to address the health care needs of many uninsured and underinsured persons. It also supports an increase in the cigarette tax, provided the revenue is dedicated to health care.
 
There is good news to report regarding the Sudan divestment bill. Senate leadership has committed to finding a way to provide a strong bill. House and Senate legislators met with interested lobbyists, including ICC, to work on amendments and language to provide clarity and immunity for the retirement funds. Although HB 1484 is dead, its language can be amended into another bill, dealing with similar subject matter, during conference committee. Bills were identified and authors notified. We are optimistic that Sudan divestment will pass before the session ends. As a result of this effort, Senator Walker withdrew the resolution, SCR 74.
 
Several bills cleared the second house.
 
SB 327, Immunization for school age girls, passed the House 81 – 14. It was amended again taking it back to the version which passed the Senate. The bill requires the state to provide information to parents as girls enter sixth grade and for parents to decide if immunization is prudent for their daughter. Parents are asked to report their decision to the school but the law allows parents to decline providing that information. ICC sought to change the bill early in the process to make it a parental decision. Because there were some changes in the bill, it now must be agreed to by the Senate author or go to conference committee.
 
HB 1348, Umbilical Cord Blood Bank, is now known as “Medical reimbursement authorization for umbilical cord blood and report”. The Senate amended the bill to provide that Medicaid reimburse a healthcare provider for the collection of cord blood from Medicaid recipient upon the birth of a newborn. It also requires the State Department of Health to report to the Health Finance Commission on progress in developing a program for the statewide collection of cord blood. The bill now sets in motion a mechanism for collection and authorization to work on developing a system for its storage and use. The bill has received wide support. It passed second reading without amendment and will pass the Senate. We expect the House to concur when it passes.
 

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