Rep. Carolyn Jackson

Abolishes the office of township assessor, effective January 1, 2023. Transfers the duties of the township assessor to the county assessor of the county in which the township is located. Provides that if the office of township assessor becomes vacant before January 1, 2023, the office is abolished and the duties of the township assessor are transferred to the county assessor.

Provides that in lieu of arresting a person who has allegedly committed a misdemeanor (other than a traffic misdemeanor) in a law enforcement officer's presence, the officer may issue a summons and promise to appear unless the person: (1) has committed a violent misdemeanor offense that involves a victim or a weapon or involves an offense related to the impaired operation of a motor vehicle; (2) poses a safety risk to the person, the officer, or the public; or (3) has falsely identified the person to the officer. Requires that the summons set forth substantially the nature of the offense and direct the person to appear before a court at a stated place and time not later than seven business days after issuance of the summons.

Allows a property owner to subdivide a parcel by deed, if the parcel is being subdivided to build or expand a residential structure or home, the use is a permitted use, the deed is recorded, a plat drawing is submitted to the political subdivision, and the lot is served by a permitted septic system, sewer system, or package plant for sewage treatment. Provides that the subdivision of a parcel is not subject to any requirements or approvals of the political subdivision with regard to zoning the property with certain exceptions.

Provides that: (1) the natural resources commission (commission) has exclusive authority to establish standards for approval of; and (2) the department of natural resources has exclusive authority to determine whether to approve; the placement of a seawall or other permanent structure on or within the natural ordinary high water mark of Lake Michigan. Provides that a county, city, or town has no authority to regulate the construction or maintenance of seawalls and other permanent structures in or near Lake Michigan. Authorizes an owner of a private property located adjacent to Lake Michigan to remove sand that has accumulated on or near the private property and to remove unwanted vegetation from the beach on or near the private property according to rules or guidelines of the commission. Defines the term "recreational activity". Provides that the citizens of Indiana have a vested right to: (1) enjoy the natural scenic beauty of Lake Michigan; (2) enjoy and use the natural resources of Lake Michigan; and (3) use Lake Michigan for a recreational activity. Specifies that an owner of land that borders Lake Michigan does not have the exclusive right to use the water or land below the ordinary high water mark of Lake Michigan. Provides that the owner of a private property that is adjacent to Lake Michigan does not incur liability for an injury to an individual or damage to property: (1) that occurs when an individual is crossing the private property to enter, or upon leaving, the span of the beach in which the public has a vested right to engage in recreational activities; and (2) that is caused by an act or omission of the owner, except for an act of the owner constituting intentional misconduct. Allows the department of natural resources to identify an administrative ordinary high watermark on the land adjoining the waters of Lake Michigan in certain instances. Provides the commission with rulemaking authority in certain instances.

Recognizing Strack and Van Til on the occasion of their 91st Anniversary.

Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Allows the county executive and county fiscal body to remove the auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, coroner, or assessor (county officer) for failing to be physically present in the county officer's office for at least one work day each month, unless the county officer takes leave to which the officer is entitled by law or county personnel policy. Provides that the county officer's removal is initiated by adoption of a resolution by the county executive (in Marion County) or the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members of the county executive (in a county other than Marion County). Provides that the county officer's removal is effective upon the county fiscal body adopting a resolution by an affirmative vote of at least: (1) 17 members, in the case of the 25 member Marion County fiscal body; (2) seven members, in the case of the nine member St. Joseph County fiscal body; or (3) five members, in the case of the seven member county fiscal body of any other county. Requires the resolutions of the county executive and county fiscal body to state identical findings and facts supporting the county officer's removal. Allows a county officer who has been removed from office to petition a court for judicial review. Provides that, if the court determines that the resolutions' findings are not supported by substantial evidence, the county officer is reinstated for any unexpired term and entitled to any salary withheld pending judicial review.

Provides that it is an unlawful employment practice to: (1) pay wages that discriminate based on sex for substantially similar work; (2) discharge, discipline, discriminate against, coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any employee or other person because the employee inquired about, disclosed, compared, or otherwise discussed the employee's wages; (3) require as a condition of employment nondisclosure by an employee of the employee's wages; or (4) require an employee to sign a waiver or other document that purports to deny the employee the right to disclose the employee's wage information. Provides that the civil rights commission has jurisdiction for the investigation and resolution of complaints of these employment actions.

Requires a railroad corporation to inform the local law enforcement authority of a blocked railroad-highway grade crossing in certain instances.

Recognizing FIRST Indiana Robotics and FIRST Indiana Robotics teams.