Rep. Jim Pressel

Provides that an executive branch state agency may allow a person to electronically file or submit a document to the state agency as an option in addition to any other means of filing or submitting a document that is required or allowed by statute or rule. Provides that methods to collect electronic filings or submissions must be approved by the office of technology.

Makes the following changes for purposes of a statute that subjects a water or wastewater utility organized after June 30, 2018, to the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) with regard to certain aspects of the water or wastewater utility's operations for a period of 10 years: (1) Provides that the term "water or wastewater utility" includes a municipally owned utility that provides water service to less than 8,000 customers. (2) Deletes references to organization of a water or wastewater utility as a legal entity. Requires the IURC, in a rate case for a water or wastewater utility that extends service to an infrastructure development zone at the request of the governmental entity that established the infrastructure development zone, to approve inclusion in the water or wastewater utility's rate schedule of a surcharge payable only within the geographic area of the infrastructure development zone. (Under current law, such a surcharge must apply within the entire jurisdiction of the governmental entity.) Provides that, with respect to any water main extension or wastewater main extension, a utility shall comply with the IURC's rules governing water main extensions or wastewater main extensions, regardless of whether the utility is subject to the IURC's jurisdiction for the approval of rates and charges. Provides that a dispute arising over a water main extension or wastewater main extension may be submitted as an informal complaint to the IURC's consumer affairs division, regardless of whether the person requesting the extension is a customer of the utility involved. Provides that, if the IURC determines that it requires additional staff to handle the volume of informal complaints submitted, the IURC may impose a fee on a party against whom a decision is rendered. Provides that the fee may not exceed: (1) the IURC's actual costs in administering the informal complaint; or (2) $750. Provides that certain procedures for acquisition by a municipal utility of property of another utility apply to acquisition by a nonmunicipal utility of property of another utility, and prescribes requirements regarding appraisal of the value of utility property acquired by a nonmunicipal utility. Provides, for purposes of the factors the IURC must consider in determining whether a utility that acquires property of an offered utility may include the cost differential of the offered utility's property as part of the acquiring utility's rate base, that an offered utility is too small to capture economies of scale or is not furnishing or maintaining adequate, efficient, safe, and reasonable service and facilities if the IURC finds that the offered utility serves fewer than 8,000 customers (rather than 5,000 customers under current law). Provides: (1) that a city meeting certain population parameters may annex territory: (A) that is not contiguous to the city; (B) that is south of the southernmost boundary of the city; (C) the entire area of which is not more than four miles from the city's boundary; and (D) that does not extend more than one mile to the east of a state highway; (2) that the annexed territory is not considered a part of the city for purposes of annexation of additional territory; and (3) that the city may not require connection to a sewer installed to provide service to the annexed territory. Provides that certain provisions regarding approval of sewage disposal and treatment fees apply to a sanitation district that: (1) is located in a county that meets specified population parameters; and (2) is under an order or party to an agreement with one or more state or federal agencies to remediate environmental conditions.

Repeals the laws governing the microenterprise partnership program fund and microenterprise partnership program. Requires the governing body of an eligible entity to notify the Indiana housing and community development authority of the creation of an affordable housing fund. Replaces the member of the low income housing trust fund advisory committee appointed by and representing the Indianapolis Coalition for Neighborhood Development with one member appointed by and representing the Indiana housing and community development authority.

Provides that a full-time, paid, nonprobationary firefighter has certain minimum protections in addition to any protections provided by contract or other law with regard to the following: (1) The conduct of an interview of the firefighter by the fire department (department) regarding a complaint or internal investigation. (2) The giving of notice by the department to the firefighter of a personnel reassignment, personnel action, or disciplinary action. (3) The disclosure of the firefighter's personal financial information for purposes of a personnel assignment or action. (4) The firefighter's engagement in or refusal to engage in political activity. (Currently these statutes apply only to police officers and police departments.) Repeals a provision that makes the provisions applicable only to police officers.

Defines: (1) "used motor vehicle"; (2) "used motor vehicle dealer"; and (3) "new motor vehicle dealer". Amends the following definitions: (1) "Automotive salvage recycler". (2) "Manufacturer". (3) "Motor vehicle". (4) "Dealer". (5) "Dealer owner". (6) "Transfer dealer". Repeals the definition of "record". Makes conforming changes to include references to "used motor vehicle dealer" and "new motor vehicle dealer" throughout IC 9-32. Provides that the secretary of state may extend: (1) dealer and dealer designee license plate expiration dates; and (2) dealer license expiration dates; in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. Amends provisions concerning: (1) dealer license plate restrictions; (2) interim dealer or manufacturer license plates; (3) records; (4) offsite sales permits; (5) records of sale; (6) business records; (7) background checks; and (8) notifications of dealer owners and dealer managers. Repeals provisions about evidence of liability coverage. Removes the requirement that an application for a dealer license be signed by a dealer owner or dealer manager. Provides that the requirement to send in a franchise agreement for new motor vehicles or watercraft does not apply to manufactured homes. Specifies that a motor vehicle display is not an offsite sale. Provides that, after receiving a request from a person subject to an order issued by the secretary of state, the secretary of state must issue an order within 15 days of setting a hearing date. Establishes registration requirements for transport operators through the secretary of state. (Current law provides that transport operators register with the bureau of motor vehicles.) Provides that an out-of-state dealer licensed in a state other than Indiana and approved by the BMV may perform a vehicle inspection for purposes of issuing a certificate of title. Provides that an application for a certificate of title submitted only to remove a satisfied lien is not required to be accompanied by the previously issued certificate of title if the application is accompanied with certain documents. Provides that a security agreement is perfected when: (1) the record of the lien is electronically received by the BMV; or (2) the application for certificate of title is submitted to the BMV; as applicable. Provides that certain sections related to mobile credentials have an effective date of July 1, 2020. Provides that, except in certain instances, the secretary of state may only perform an audit or inspection when the secretary has provided at least three days notice to the dealer. Provides that a person may not knowingly or intentionally manufacture, import, install, reinstall, distribute, sell, or offer for sale a component intended to replace a supplemental restraint system component in a motor vehicle if the component: (1) is a counterfeit supplemental restraint system component; (2) is a nonfunctional airbag; or (3) does not comply with certain federal motor vehicle safety standards. Provides that a person may not knowingly or intentionally sell, lease, trade, or transfer a motor vehicle to an Indiana resident in which is installed, as part of the motor vehicle's supplemental restraint system a: (1) counterfeit supplemental restraint system component; (2) nonfunctional airbag; or (3) component that does not comply with certain federal motor vehicle safety standards. Delays until July 1, 2021, the effective date of certain automotive salvage recycler provisions from HEA 1482-2019 (P.L.284-2019).

Amends a statute concerning manufactured homes (manufactured home statute) to provide, with respect to a manufactured home located outside of a mobile home community, as follows: (1) A comprehensive plan or zoning ordinance adopted by a unit of local government may: (A) specify aesthetic standards and requirements concerning the manufactured home's permanent foundation system; and (B) require compatibility of the manufactured home's permanent foundation system with surrounding residential structures. (2) A unit of local government may not require: (A) a permanent foundation system that is incompatible with the structural design of the manufactured home; or (B) more than one permanent foundation system for a manufactured home. Specifies that the changes to the manufactured home statute do not affect a requirement applicable to property that is subject to the jurisdiction of a preservation commission. Provides that a unit of local government may not adopt or enforce certain ordinances, regulations, requirements, or other restrictions that mandate size requirements for a manufactured home that is placed in a mobile home community. Provides that, subject to certain conditions, an industrialized residential structure may be located in a mobile home community. Requires a mobile home community operator (operator) to provide all owners of mobile homes, manufactured homes, or industrialized residential structures in a mobile home community with written notice not less than 180 days before the mobile home community's closure. Provides that an operator who violates the notice requirement commits a deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general or a consumer. Prohibits a unit of local government from regulating certain aspects of a landlord-tenant relationship with respect to privately owned real property located in the unit unless the regulation is authorized by the general assembly. Prohibits a landlord from taking certain retaliatory actions in response to a tenant's engaging in one or more enumerated protected activities. Prohibits a local unit from adopting or enforcing any ordinance or regulation concerning retaliatory acts by landlords. Makes conforming changes.

Provides that the parcel owner shall be allowed to reconstruct, repair, or renovate the nonconforming structure if the reconstruction, repair, or renovation meets certain requirements. Specifies that the bill's provision regarding the reconstruction, repair, or renovation of a nonconforming structure does not apply to a nonconforming structure that is: (1) subject to the jurisdiction of a preservation commission; or (2) located within a flood plain.

Transfers responsibility for the 211 human services information dialing code from the Indiana housing and community development authority (authority) to the office of the secretary of family and social services (office of the secretary). Eliminates provisions: (1) regarding recognized 211 service providers; (2) prohibiting state agencies or departments from establishing telephone lines or hotlines to provide human services information or referrals without first consulting a recognized 211 provider and notifying the authority; (3) prohibiting dissemination of information to the public about the availability of 211 services except in conformity with rules adopted by the authority; (4) limiting disbursements from the 211 services account to $50,000 annually; (5) requiring consultation with the board of directors of Indiana 211 Partnership, Inc., for purposes of preparation of the annual plan for expenditure of funds from the 211 services account; and (6) requiring an annual report to the general assembly regarding 211 services and deposits to and disbursements from the 211 services account. Creates the 211 services fund in place of the 211 services account. Creates the 211 advisory committee for purposes of advising the office of the secretary regarding use of and goals for 211 services. Requires the office of the secretary to: (1) compile specified data regarding 211 services beginning July 1, 2021; (2) enter into data sharing agreements to make the data available to entities approved by the office of the secretary; and (3) obtain and maintain accreditation for 211 operations in accordance with the standards of a national accreditation organization for information and referral services. Requires the office of the secretary to submit to the general assembly an annual report regarding 211 services. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides that the design release requirements for certain projects do not apply to certain construction that is exempted even if the construction is: (1) a part of; (2) supplemental to; or (3) an accessory of; any other construction that would otherwise require a design release.

Provides that INDOT shall not issue a permit for construction or alteration of an energy facility that will result in a structure that is more than 200 feet above ground level at its site unless the applicant for the permit submits to INDOT documentation of a formal review by the Clearinghouse of the proposed construction or alteration indicating: (1) that the formal review resulted in a determination that the construction or alteration will not have an adverse impact on military operations and readiness; or (2) that: (A) the formal review resulted in a determination that the proposed project will have an adverse impact on military operations and readiness; and (B) the applicant has either resolved the adverse impact to the satisfaction of the United States Department of Defense or entered into a mitigation agreement with the United States Department of Defense to mitigate the adverse impact. Provides that a person that is a public use airport owner or operator has standing to obtain judicial review or to intervene in a proceeding for judicial review of a zoning decision that may have a negative impact on the safety of civilian or military flight operations to or from the airport.