Church Blog

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.
 
The session has ground to a halt over collective bargaining issues primarily but school choice has also been cited as another reason the House Democrats refused to take part in the process. This week is the half-way juncture for the session. Typically, House and Senate switch bills for consideration. But if the Democrats come back next week the House will try to extend the first half by a week to clear the budget and other significant bills. This is an attempt to keep bills moving.
 
In the House, collective bargaining issues lay quiet until Monday when the Employment Committee heard HB 1468, Right to work. HB 1468 makes it unlawful for an employer to require an employee to join a union (create a union shop). The bill does not affirmatively outlaw unions or deny workers the right to organize but the bill could impede unions and their strength. It passed committee 8 - 5 on a party line vote but died because the committee report was not accepted by the House, which is why the Democrats kept the House from having a quorum to conduct business.
 
There are enough Republicans in the Senate to have a quorum; hence, Democrats could not stop action on bills dealing with similar topics. SB 575, Teacher collective bargaining, passed the Senate 30 - 19. It allows collective bargaining but puts limits on the terms and conditions which may be negotiated; primarily it limits bargaining to wages and benefits. SB 273 deals with state employment. Besides establishing a civil service system, it prohibits the state to recognize, bargain collectively with, enter into a collectively bargained agreement with, or require an employee to join or financially support an employee organization. It allows a state employee to be a member of or otherwise associate with an employee organization but prohibits state employees from striking. SB 273 passed committee and second reading, but it was not called for third reading.
 
Despite pleas to consider the significant costs to state and local law enforcement and the harm to individuals, families and businesses, SB 590, Illegal immigration matters, passed the Senate 31 - 18. Those who opposed the bill reminded the proponents that the bill's features are like those in Arizona, which are being litigated and unenforceable at this time. If this becomes law, Indiana too will incur litigation costs. SB 590 is one of the most stringent and sweeping laws in the nation. Because of its breath and severity SB 590 received more no votes (18) than previous bills. In fact, one senator spoke against the bill because of its effects, but said he would hold his nose and vote for it. The real answer to enforcement of immigration laws is to address it on the Federal level. The best way to send a message to Indiana legislators and to Congress is to sign the Indiana Compact. You can do so by going to www.indianacompact.com
 
SB 328, Abortion matters and physician privileges, passed the Senate 39 - 9. It now goes to the House for consideration. The House's version of this bill, HB 1210, was held up during the walkout. HB 1210 contained similar language informing the woman of fetal development and alternatives. However, the House also proposed to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks. The House could amend its language into SB 328 when it considers it next month. Or it could move should the House extend the time one week. HB 1474, Terminated pregnancy form, requires recording the age of father of a terminated pregnancy is in the same situation.
 
A pro-life bill that died in the walkout was HB 1205, Abortion funding. It would have prohibited Indiana from contracting for services (other than abortion) with any organization that provides abortions. In effect, it would take funding from Planned Parenthood. It died when the committee report could not be accepted due to the walk-out.
 
SB 340, Charity gaming, provides more flexibility to charities in conducting fund raising events and in the use of the proceeds. Among its provisions it would allow non-gaming income at events to be excluded from the licensing fees and makes it easier for volunteers to sell raffle tickets. It also allows the charity to use the proceeds to pay salaries of full time employees. The bill passed 47 - 2 and now moves to the House.
 
Reform of township government failed to pass the Senate. SB 405 failed 21 - 28. Also, SB 303 which provided for counties to reorganize using a single executive rather than the Commissioners structure failed 22 - 27. However, bills dealing with nepotism and public employees holding elected office did pass in both houses. HB 1022, Officeholder qualifications and nepotism, passed 79 - 21, and SB 302, Nepotism, public employee holding elected office, passed 30 - 19. Both prohibit public employees from serving on a fiscal body overseeing the city or county while serving as an employee. Both deal with nepotism regarding contracting with and supervision of close relatives. Differences will have to be reconciled in the coming month before becoming law.
 

In addition to the Update, one can obtain more detailed information regarding the bills and detailed information about the legislative process through the ICC Legislative Action Center. Under "policy tools" click on "issues and legislation" and access the state or federal bills by clicking "current legislation". Also, you can access the archived updates, ICC positions and other background information at the ICC web site, www.indianacc.org
 

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