Rep. Jim Pressel

Provides that, in counties that have one or more township assessors, the county election board shall place on the ballot at the November 2024 general election a public question asking whether the office of township assessor should be abolished or continued. Provides that a county election board shall tabulate the votes cast on the public question and certify the results to the department of local government finance. Provides that if a majority of the voters voting on the public question vote "yes", the office of each township assessor in the county is abolished, effective January 1, 2026. Provides that if a majority of voters voting on the public question vote "yes": (1) employment positions as of December 31, 2025, of each township assessor in the county are transferred to the county assessor; (2) real and personal property duties of each township assessor in the county are transferred to the county assessor; (3) obligations outstanding on December 31, 2025, of each township assessor in the county are transferred to the county assessor; and (4) the funds of each township assessor in the county on hand for the purpose of carrying out the property assessment duties in the amount determined by the county auditor are transferred to the county assessor. Provides that before October 1, 2025, the county assessor shall interview, or give the opportunity to interview to, each individual who: (1) is an employee of a township assessor in the county; and (2) applies before September 1, 2025, for an employment position. Provides that the township shall transfer to the county assessor all revenue received after the date of the transfer that is received by the township for the purpose of carrying out property assessment duties in the amount determined by the county auditor.

Provides that if an application for a permit or license to construct or repair a seawall or revetment on or near the shore of Lake Michigan is submitted to a local authority and the site or proposed site of the seawall or revetment is on the side of the ordinary high water mark opposite Lake Michigan when the application is submitted but is at other times on the Lake Michigan side of the ordinary high water mark: (1) the applicant shall prepare plans for the construction or repair of the seawall or revetment; (2) the local authority shall refer the application and the applicant's plans to the department of natural resources (department); (3) the department shall study the application and plans and may advise the applicant and the local authority that changes must be made in the plans before the plans may be approved; (4) the department shall approve or disapprove the plans; and (5) if the department approves the plans, the local authority shall grant the application for a permit or license for the construction or repair of the seawall or revetment.

Requires the election division to create an electronic roster of local elected officials that contains certain information about all individuals who hold a local or school board office. Requires circuit court clerks and town clerk-treasurers to enter information into the roster not later than January 1 after an election and whenever an individual is selected to fill a vacancy in a local office.

Provides a state tax credit for interest payments made on adoption related expense loans for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.

Allows the appointment of additional prosecuting attorneys in certain counties.

Establishes the law enforcement training academy account (account) consisting of money deposited from various registration or license plate fees (various fees) imposed by the bureau of motor vehicles. Requires that the money in the account be expended for: (1) capital projects related to the building and grounds for a law enforcement academy; (2) technology equipment and services; (3) curriculum development; and (4) training equipment and supplies necessary to operate a law enforcement academy. Requires money from the account to be appropriated to: (1) the law enforcement training board for the law enforcement academy; (2) the northwest Indiana law enforcement academy; and (3) the southwest Indiana law enforcement academy. Provides for $0.75 of the various fees to be deposited into the law enforcement training academy account after December 31, 2023, and increases this amount in ten year intervals. Makes an appropriation.

Provides that the amount of the gasoline excise tax and special fuel tax revenue that is derived from the annual 1% inflationary increase during the state budget biennium shall be distributed to recipients under the motor fuel tax fund of the motor vehicle highway account based on the vehicle miles traveled in the unit compared to vehicle miles traveled in the state, but not including interstate vehicle miles traveled. Appropriates money from the state general fund to the Indiana department of transportation in an amount necessary to repay all outstanding debt obligations as of June 30, 2023, that are financed with money in the crossroads 2000 fund. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2023, money in the crossroads 2000 fund must be used for projects only in urban areas, as defined by the United States Census Bureau. Authorizes Marion County to establish a local road funding district (district) to capture 20% of the incremental local income tax (LIT) revenue of the county (not including LIT revenue obligated for debt service). Requires the Marion County treasurer to establish a Marion County roads and bridges fund (fund) if a district is established. Provides that the incremental LIT revenue captured in the district shall be deposited in the fund and used for the preservation and reconstruction of roads and bridges of thoroughfares in Marion County that cross into an adjacent county. Prohibits any additional funding for a professional soccer stadium project until and unless certain conditions are met. Amends the maximum grant amount from the local road and bridge matching grant fund based on annual vehicle miles traveled in the local unit. Provides that, if the city-county council in Marion County adopts a maximum county vehicle excise tax or a maximum county wheel tax, then the transportation infrastructure improvement fees that are attributable to motor vehicles registered in Marion County shall be transferred to the Marion County treasurer for deposit in a separate account to be used for the preservation and reconstruction of roadways in Marion County. Requires the Indiana department of transportation to reacquire certain portions of roadways in Marion County that were previously designated as a state highway for administration in the state highway system, to occur before January 1, 2030. Provides that, for purposes of determining the right of the consolidated city of Indianapolis to receive a distribution of money from the motor vehicle highway account based on population, the population of all the territory of the consolidated city is considered its population. Specifies that the board of directors of an urban mass transportation system may incorporate services of a "transportation network company" or "TNC" that connects riders to individuals for prearranged rides through a digital network exchange as a part of its urban mass transportation system within the taxing district of the corporation. Makes an appropriation.

Establishes the gaming revenue fund (fund). Provides that tax revenue collected after June 30, 2023, from the imposition of the wagering tax, the supplemental wagering tax, the graduated slot machine wagering tax, the county gambling game wagering fee, the sports wagering tax, and taxes and fees imposed on pari-mutuel wagering, except for tax revenue collected from an operating agent, are deposited in the fund. Provides that the auditor of state administers the fund. Provides for distribution of the money in the fund. Provides that if the Indiana gaming commission (gaming commission) imposes civil penalties in an amount that exceeds 120% of the average amount of penalties or fines imposed for violations of gaming requirements by state gaming oversight regulating bodies nationwide, the amount that exceeds 120% is deposited in the state general fund. Makes corresponding changes. Makes an appropriation. Reconciles conflicting statutes.

Establishes the Indiana first responders mental health wellness fund and program. Provides that the division of mental health and addiction of the office of the secretary of family and social services shall administer the program and fund. Provides that a first responder who meets certain requirements may apply to the division for: (1) costs associated with the first responder's active participation in a mental health treatment plan as determined by a psychologist or physician treating the first responder; and (2) compensation if the first responder is unable to work. Establishes requirements for obtaining compensation. Makes a continuous appropriation.

Requires the department of administration (department) to determine the technological upgrades and other expenditures required to collect and compile information regarding purchases made by state agencies from the following: (1) A minority business enterprise. (2) A nonprofit agency for individuals with disabilities. (3) A veteran owned small business. (4) A women's business enterprise. Provides that if a nonprofit agency for individuals with disabilities (qualified agency) withdraws from a department pilot project through which the qualified agency sells products or services to governmental bodies through a third party contractor, the department must award the qualified agency a quantity purchase agreement (QPA) for the same products and services and under the same terms, except for price, under which the qualified agency had a QPA with the department before participating in the pilot project. Provides that the qualified agency must agree to provide the same products or services at a price less than the price provided for the products or services under the pilot project. Requires a state agency to purchase supplies or services from a QPA for those supplies or services awarded to a qualified agency. Requires the department, in consultation with the committee for the purchase of supplies and services of individuals with a disability, to adopt administrative rules to establish a goal to procure in each state fiscal year at least 1.5% of state contracts with qualified agencies. Provides that this goal must be administered so as not to diminish any other state contracting goals established under existing law.