Rep. Jeff Thompson

Provides that money in the attorney general contingency fee fund is continuously appropriated and is not subject to allotment. Reinstates provisions concerning meetings of the budget committee. Provides that money in the high tech crimes unit fund is continuously appropriated for purposes of the fund. Allows the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) to designate territory located in an existing allocation area as an innovation development district if certain conditions are met. Removes the sunset provision for when the IEDC may designate an innovation development district. Provides that if an existing allocation area is located in territory subsequently designated as an innovation development district, property tax increment revenue continues to be allocated to the existing allocation area and provides that the allocation area may not be renewed or extended until the term of the innovation development district expires. Extends the funding Indiana's roads for a stronger, safer tomorrow task force for one additional year. Provides that transfers may not be made by the budget agency, the state board of finance, or any entity from any source to the Indiana gaming commission without prior budget committee review. Provides that certain appropriations from the state gaming fund in the most recent biennial budget act may not be augmented. Amends certain language in the Medicaid oversight committee provisions in House Enrolled Act 1026.

Extends the expiration of provisions concerning a county with a single voting bloc and the allocation of votes for a local income tax council. Specifies the amount of revenue from a local income tax rate imposed for correctional facilities and rehabilitation facilities in a county that may be used for operating expenses of those facilities. Allows a county fiscal body to adopt a local income tax rate for an acute care hospital located in the county to be used only for the operating expenses of the acute care hospital. Provides that, for the purpose of distributing the local income tax (LIT), if two or more school corporations or civil taxing units merge or consolidate to form a single school corporation or civil taxing unit, the school corporation or civil taxing unit is entitled to the combined pro rata distribution of the LIT revenue allocated to each applicable school corporation or civil taxing unit in existence on January 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year prior to the merger or consolidation. Provides that the department of local government finance shall make certain adjustments pertaining to the distribution of LIT for Floyd County in 2025, which provide that the Highlander Fire Protection District (district) shall receive an amount equal to the combined distribution that would have been distributed to the Greenville Fire Protection District (FPD) and the Lafayette Fire Protection District (FPD) in 2024, but for their elimination resulting from the merger to establish the district. Requires corresponding adjustments in 2025 to reduce the distribution for each applicable civil taxing unit and school corporation in Floyd County, excluding the district, by an amount that equals the proportionate share of the amount of LIT received in 2024 of the combined distribution that would have been distributed to the Greenville FPD and the Lafayette FPD in 2024, but for their elimination. Provides that funds accumulated from a Perry County special purpose tax rate to construct or improve the county jail after the redemption of bonds issued or final payment of lease rentals due under a lease shall be transferred to a county capital project fund to be used to finance capital projects within Perry County. (Current law specifies that such remaining funds are to be transferred to the county jail operations fund to be used for financing the maintenance and operations of the Perry County detention center.) Allows Grant County, under specified circumstances, to adopt an ordinance to impose a special purpose local income tax rate to fund and finance the construction of a county jail. Provides, for purposes of calculating distributions of the financial institutions tax to local taxing units, how to calculate distributions for a taxing unit that did not receive distributions in 2012 because the unit was subsequently established from the merger or consolidation of two or more taxing units that received distributions from the financial institutions tax fund in 2012. Provides, for purposes of calculating qualified distributions of the commercial motor vehicle excise tax to local taxing units, how to calculate base revenue distributions for a taxing unit that did not receive a base revenue distribution in 2001 because the taxing unit was subsequently established from the merger or consolidation of two or more taxing units that received base revenue distributions in 2001. Provides that, for purposes of determining the apportionment or distribution of the motor vehicle excise tax, that the county auditor may make adjustments to reflect the merger or consolidation of two or more taxing units. Authorizes Knox County to impose its innkeeper's tax at a rate of 8% (instead of 6% under current law). Provides that, if the tax rate is increased to more than 6%, the portion of the tax rate that exceeds 6% expires on December 31, 2045. Authorizes the city of Hammond to impose a food and beverage tax. Authorizes the town of Cicero to impose a food and beverage tax.

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.

Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and Ireland.

Supporting Israel.

Honoring Representative Bob Cherry.

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 a supplemental allowance reserve account 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 appointment to the board of the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) of two nonvoting, advisory members who are members of the general assembly. Requires the IEDC, before purchasing land in a county that exceeds 100 acres, to first give notice to the county or municipality, or both, in which the land is located not later than 30 days before the closing date for the purchase. Provides that a school corporation that receives a transfer of incremental property tax revenue from a local innovation development district fund may use those funds with no restrictions or specified uses.

Amends the property tax exemption for property used by a for-profit provider of early childhood education, including by requiring the provider to offer age appropriate curriculum and by excluding from the exemption tangible property that has been granted a homestead standard deduction. Provides a partial property tax exemption for an employer that provides child care on the employer's property for the employer's employees, and for the employees of another business if the employer and the other business enter into an agreement that outlines the terms under which the child care is to be provided. Specifies the conditions that must be met to obtain the partial property tax exemption. Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services, in consultation with the early learning advisory committee, to: (1) evaluate and make recommendations; and (2) submit a report; regarding child care.