Rep. Sharon Negele

Increases the maximum penalty for child molesting from 40 to 50 years under certain circumstances.

Provides that the judge of a city or town court shall reside in: (1) the county in which the city or town court is located; or (2) the bordering Indiana county that is the closest Indiana county to the city or town in which the court is located. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Recognizing Officer Dustin Moody.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION celebrating the achievements and contributions of Hoosier environmental leader Tim Maloney on his retirement.

Specifies that a person placed on parole following a term of imprisonment that includes a sentence for a crime of violence may be released on parole for not more than 24 months. Provides that time served while confined to a prison or jail does not count toward time served on parole.

Provides that it is the continuing policy of the state that decisions concerning Indiana's electric generation resource mix, energy infrastructure, and electric service ratemaking constructs must take into account the following attributes of electric utility service: (1) Reliability. (2) Affordability. (3) Resiliency. (4) Stability. (5) Environmental sustainability. Requires the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to take each of these attributes into account when: (1) reviewing, and preparing a final director's report for, an integrated resource plan submitted by an electric utility; (2) acting upon a petition for the construction, purchase, or lease of an electric generation facility; and (3) reviewing whether the public convenience and necessity continues to require the completion of an electric generation facility under construction. Requires the IURC to commence before September 1, 2023, a comprehensive study to consider the appropriate: (1) design and framework for; and (2) requirements with respect to; performance based ratemaking for investor-owned electricity suppliers. Sets forth certain topics that the IURC shall consider and evaluate in conducting the required study. Requires the IURC to include in its annual report that is due before October 1, 2025, a report containing the IURC's analysis and recommendations on the specified topics. Provides that the report must contain recommendations, supported by sufficient data and analysis from the IURC's study, with respect to the appropriate: (1) design and framework for; and (2) requirements with respect to; performance based ratemaking for electricity suppliers, so as to enable the general assembly to fully evaluate the impact of performance based ratemaking on all classes of ratepayers, while considering the five attributes of electric utility service set forth as state policy in the bill. Amends the statute governing reliability adequacy metrics for certain electric utilities ("public utilities" under the statute) as follows: (1) Defines the terms: (A) "fall unforced capacity", or "fall UCAP"; and (B) "spring unforced capacity", or "spring UCAP"; for purposes of the prescribed reliability adequacy metrics. (2) Reduces to 15% the 30% limit (under current law) for a public utility's summer or winter unforced capacity (UCAP) that the public utility is authorized to acquire from capacity markets, for purposes of the reliability adequacy metrics included in a resource planning report (report) submitted to the IURC after June 30, 2023. (3) Provides that the reliability metrics included in a report submitted to the IURC after June 30, 2026, must include specified information concerning a public utility's ability to meet its spring UCAP and fall UCAP. (4) Provides that if, after reviewing a public utility's report, the IURC is not satisfied that the public utility can: (A) provide reliable electric service to its Indiana customers; or (B) either: (i) satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirement or other federal reliability requirements and the reliability adequacy metrics set forth in the bill; or (ii) provide sufficient reason as to why it is unable to satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirement or other federal reliability requirements and the reliability adequacy metrics set forth in the bill; the IURC may conduct an investigation into the matter. (Current law does not require the IURC to consider whether the public utility can provide sufficient reason as to its inability to satisfy both its planning reserve margin requirement or other federal reliability requirements and the reliability adequacy metrics set forth in the bill.) (5) Requires the IURC to include in its 2025 annual report its analysis regarding the appropriate percentage or portion of: (A) total spring UCAP; and (B) total fall UCAP; that public utilities should be authorized to acquire from capacity markets.

Provides that the state board of accounts (SBOA) is designated as the independent external auditor of audited entities and is subject to applicable professional accounting standards. Requires annual reports to be prepared, verified, and filed with the state examiner as set forth in the uniform compliance guidelines. Requires all appointments of field examiners be made solely upon the ground of fitness in accordance with professional accounting and auditing standards. Provides that if an examination of an audited entity is unable to be performed because the audited entity's accounts, records, files, or reports are not properly maintained or reconciled, the audited entity may be declared to be unauditable. Provides that an audited entity that is declared unauditable shall bring its accounts, records, files, or reports into an auditable condition within 90 days. Requires the SBOA to publish a list of audited entities declared unauditable on its website. Revises conditions under which the state examiner may undertake an examination based on a violation of the law. Requires the SBOA to approve a request by an audited entity to opt out of examinations and engage a certified public accountant to conduct examinations if, within the last six years, the SBOA has not issued an examination or special investigation report critical of the audited entity's internal controls and there have been no adverse reports. Provides that the SBOA may terminate its approval of the use of a certified public accountant if certain requirements are not met. Revises the provision regarding field examiner traveling expenses. Makes changes to certain reporting, resolution, and disclosure requirements. Simplifies the provision regarding parties and a plaintiff's right of recovery. Removes provisions regarding additional powers of the state examiner and attorney general. Provides that if the attorney general brings an action against an official bond, official bonds, or a crime insurance policy, the cause may be brought in the name of the state of Indiana upon the relation of the attorney general as plaintiff. Repeals a provision regarding the withdrawal or removal of counties from solid waste management districts. Repeals a provision regarding bonds and crime policies for faithful performance. Repeals a provision regarding examination reports, requisites, performance of public works, and SBOA powers. Repeals a provision regarding copies of reports filed with libraries, public inspections, and request renewals. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Directs the Indiana department of environmental management (IDEM) to conduct a study concerning the decommissioning and disposal of solar panels and wind power equipment. Sets forth certain topics that IDEM must consider in conducting the study. Provides that IDEM may consult with the Indiana utility regulatory commission as necessary to conduct the study. Requires IDEM to: (1) file a report on its findings and recommendations resulting from the study with the chairman of the legislative council; and (2) present the report to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications; not later than October 1, 2024.

Provides that a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally damages the property of a scientific research facility without the consent of, or with consent which was fraudulently obtained from, the owner, possessor, or occupant of the property that is damaged commits criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that a person who, not having a contractual interest in the property, knowingly or intentionally enters the real property of a scientific research facility without the permission of, or with permission which was fraudulently obtained from, the owner of the scientific research facility or an authorized person, and knowingly or intentionally engages in conduct that causes property damage to: (1) the owner of or a person having a contractual interest in the scientific research facility; (2) the operator of the scientific research facility; or (3) a person having personal property located on the property of the scientific research facility; commits criminal trespass, a Level 6 felony.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename the bridge on State Highway 27 over I-70 as the "Officer Seara Burton Memorial Bridge".