Rep. Jim Pressel

Maddy summarySCR 8 is a non-binding concurrent resolution expressing strong disapproval of religious persecution globally. It does not create new laws or affect any specific groups, as resolutions like this serve only to state legislative sentiment. The measure passed unanimously in the Senate (90-0) and was adopted by committee, but it has no legal effect. This type of resolution is symbolic and intended to publicly condemn violations of religious freedom worldwide.

Provides that a first responder recipient of critical incident stress management (CISM) services may not be compelled to testify or otherwise disclose a communication made to a CISM services provider or peer support team member relating to the first responder recipient's CISM services in a civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding. Provides that a first responder recipient or the first responder recipient's employer may not be held liable for damages for any act, error, or omission committed by the first responder recipient based on a communication provided between a first responder recipient and CISM team, CISM services provider, or peer support team as part of the CISM services unless the act, error, or omission constitutes wanton, willful, or intentional misconduct.

Provides that on January 1, 2027, the town of Cumberland is an excluded city and no longer part of the consolidated city. Requires the town legislative body and the legislative body of the consolidated city and county to take any steps necessary to transition the town to an excluded city. Requires the department of local government finance to adjust property tax levies, rates, budgets, and distributive shares of local units of local government as necessary to account for the town becoming an excluded city. Provides that, after December 31, 2026, any part of the town that is included in a fire protection district on December 31, 2026, that is located in the county containing the consolidated city, shall continue to be included in the fire protection district. Provides that, after December 31, 2026, the town is liable for debt service owed by the consolidated city on December 31, 2026, in the same ratio as the assessed valuation of the property in the town bears to the assessed valuation of all property included in the consolidated city until the particular debt service is satisfied.

Provides with certain exceptions, that if a state entity purchases or leases a vehicle, the vehicle: (1) must be a government model, base model, or standard model vehicle; and (2) may not be from a luxury or semi-luxury brand if a nonluxury brand alternative exists that uses the same underlying vehicle platform.

Maddy summaryHB 1297 establishes the "yellow dot" motor vehicle medical information program, creating a voluntary system for drivers with certain medical conditions. Participants can add a yellow dot indicator to their license plates to signal to emergency responders that they have a medical condition requiring special attention. This program directly affects drivers who choose to enroll and impacts first responders during traffic incidents. The law takes effect upon the governor's signature, making it Public Law 59 as of April 10, 2025.

Provides that a person that owns or is the lessee of a parcel of land at an intersection of two county, municipal, or township roads that is not controlled by a traffic signal shall maintain a line of sight area at the intersection. Provides that the land contained within the line of sight area must not contain any: (1) grass, weeds, agricultural crops, bushes, shrubs, vines, plants, or any other vegetation; or (2) structures, signs, fences, walls, or obstructions that are owned or controlled by the property owner or a lessee of the property owner; that exceed a height of three feet. Requires a unit to provide written notice to the owner of record of the parcel of land if the unit determines there are obstructions in the line of sight area. Allows a unit to take corrective action to remove obstructions in the line of sight area.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename the State Road 7 bridge over the Vernon Fork of the Muscatatuck River the "Lance Corporal Jacky Koenig Jr. Memorial Bridge".

Changes the maximum amount of retainage for certain state and local public works projects from: (1) 10% to 6% of the dollar value of all work satisfactorily completed until the public work is 50% complete; and (2) 5% to 3% of the dollar value of all work satisfactorily completed until the public work is substantially complete. Removes the requirement of a minimum amount of retainage for certain state and local public works projects.

Provides that an eligible entity with a population of less than 38,000 is not subject to the political party membership requirements for a board of aviation commissioners or an airport authority.

Amends within the Indiana Code chapter governing publication procedures for political subdivisions the provision governing the publication of a notice of a hearing by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) to reference the publication procedures for hearings set forth in the Indiana Code chapter governing the IURC. Amends the publication procedures within the statute governing the IURC to provide that if any newspaper of general circulation in which the IURC publishes a notice does not publish a print edition at least three times a week, the IURC may publish the notice in either: (1) the print edition; or (2) an electronic edition; of the newspaper or a locality newspaper that circulates within the county. Adds a definition of "court reporter" to the Indiana Code chapter governing the regulation of utilities. Replaces references to a "stenographer" with references to a "court reporter" throughout that chapter and in other instances in the Indiana Code in which a "stenographer" or "reporter" is referenced in the context of an IURC proceeding. Repeals all remaining provisions in the Indiana Code chapter concerning alternative energy projects by rural electric membership corporations following the repeal by the general assembly in 2024 of other provisions in that chapter that established a fund to provide incentives under a program that is no longer operational. Increases the civil penalties for violations of the state statute or rules governing pipeline safety: (1) from $25,000 to $200,000 per violation per day; and (2) from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the maximum civil penalty for a related series of violations; so as to conform Indiana's civil penalties with those prescribed by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.