Rep. Mike Aylesworth

Increases the maximum speed limit for a vehicle having a declared gross weight greater than 26,000 pounds from 65 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour when the vehicle is operated on a highway that is: (1) on the national system of interstate and defense highways located outside an urbanized area with a population of at least 50,000; or (2) the responsibility of the Indiana finance authority. Reconciles the conflicting provisions regarding the maximum speed limit in an alley.

Alters the membership of a watershed development commission (commission) board. Allows a county to join a commission if any part of the designated watershed lies within boundaries of the county. Alters what must be considered regarding the membership and the activities of a commission. Provides that a commission may take certain actions with respect to certain flood plains. Expands permitted uses for certain funds collected by a commission and establishes certain budget limits. Provides that the department of natural resources's division of water shall provide a commission with a written summary of the division's review of certain public works projects within 30 days of the review. Makes conforming changes.

Defines "antisemitism", specifies that the public policy of the state is to provide educational opportunities free of religious discrimination, and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, or national origin.

Provides that, beginning July 1, 2024, a prohibited person may not purchase, lease, or acquire a parcel of real property that is: (1) located in Indiana; and (2) located within a 10 mile radius of a military installation; with certain exceptions. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2024, a prohibited person may not acquire or lease agricultural land or a mineral right or water or riparian right on agricultural land located in Indiana. Provides certain enforcement powers to the attorney general for a transfer of land in violation of the law.

Defines"courtroom costs". Provides that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to impose a tax rate for: (1) in the case of a tax rate adopted before January 1, 2024, county staff expenses of the state judicial system in the county; or (2) in the case of a tax rate adopted after December 31, 2023, courtroom costs of the state judicial system in the county. Provides that the revenue shall be used by the county: (1) in the case of the tax rate adopted before January 1, 2024, only for paying for county staff expenses of the state judicial system in the county; and (2) in the case of a tax rate adopted after December 31, 2023, only for paying the courtroom costs of the state judicial system in the county. Provides that the local income tax revenue spent by each county may not comprise more than 50% of the county's total operational staffing expenses related to the courtroom costs of the state judicial system in any given year. Provides that a township fire department, volunteer fire department, fire protection territory, or fire protection district may apply to the county adopting body for a distribution of local income tax revenue that is allocated to public safety purposes. Requires the county adopting body to review certain submitted applications at a public hearing.

Requires the department of agriculture to conduct an economic impact study that includes an analysis of the economic value to communities of every acre of farmland.

Provides that the state seed commissioner shall use certain federal agricultural seed and vegetable seed standards as the state germination standards and requirements for agricultural seeds and vegetable seeds. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the definition of "eligible student" to include a sibling of a student with a disability with regards to the education scholarship account program (ESA). Provides that the sibling may not use the ESA account for certain ESA qualified expenses. Provides that an annual grant amount awarded under the career scholarship account (CSA) program may be used for costs related to obtaining a driver's license if certain conditions are met. Establishes conditions regarding the amount of funds that may be used from CSA annual grant amounts for transportation costs. Amends certain requirements regarding ESA and CSA participating entities regarding providing evidence of unencumbered assets. Changes certain CSA application time frames from seven days to 30 days. Requires each state educational institution to provide to the commission for higher education (commission) certain information regarding degrees, degree completion, faculty members, administrative support staff, costs, compensation, and debt loads. Requires the commission to prepare longitudinal analysis regarding certain data. Requires each private postsecondary educational institution and each out-of-state public and nonprofit degree granting institution that offers instructional or educational services or training in Indiana to provide to the department of education information to carry out certain reporting requirements and requirements related to the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard. Allows for the revocation of an out-of-state public or nonprofit degree granting institution's authorization if the institution fails to provide the information. Adds teaching to the employment sectors eligible for the next level jobs employer training grant program. Amends requirements regarding: (1) eligibility for career coaching grants; and (2) instruction on career awareness.

Provides that a state employee may affirmatively elect to enroll in the deferred compensation plan prior to the auto enroll date on day 31 of the state employee's employment. Removes a provision that sets a maximum employer surcharge for the legislators' defined benefit plan, state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan, public employees' retirement fund, and Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (fund). Requires the board of trustees of the Indiana public retirement system (board) to develop the technological and administrative capabilities sufficient to categorize fund members into separate groups in which: (1) certain members receive a service based thirteenth check; and (2) certain members receive a cost of living adjustment. Requires the board to set the surcharge rates at a level to actuarially prefund: (1) annual indexed thirteenth checks for all current retired members and beneficiaries retired before July 1, 2025; and (2) 1% annual cost of living adjustments to future in-payment members and beneficiaries retired on or after July 1, 2025. Provides that the board shall not reduce the surcharge rates from the prior year. Allows the board to increase the surcharge rates by not more than 0.1% of payroll from the prior year. Requires certain political subdivisions to present to the interim study committee on pension management oversight regarding a delinquent employee retirement plan offered by the political subdivision. Requires, effective July 1, 2025, the trustee of the state police pension trust to maintain two supplemental allowance reserve accounts for the purpose of paying postretirement benefit adjustments. Increases the maximum date that a member or participant of certain retirement funds can participate in the deferred retirement option plan from 36 to 60 months. Requires the member or participant to notify their employer if the member or participant elects to enter or extend the deferred retirement option plan. Provides for a thirteenth check in 2024 for certain members, participants, or beneficiaries of the: (1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund; (2) Indiana public employees' retirement fund; (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation enforcement officers' retirement plan; (4) state police pre-1987 benefit system; and (5) state police 1987 benefit system.

Provides that the department of homeland security (department) shall not inspect, and operating permits are not required for, certain regulated amusement devices. Provides that the department may perform an inspection of an exempted regulated amusement device only if a valid complaint or incident is reported to the department concerning the regulated amusement device.