Rep. J.D. Prescott

Defines "preservation" for purposes of provisions that require counties, cities, and towns to use at least 50% of the money distributed from the motor vehicle highway account for construction, reconstruction, and preservation of highways. Requires the local technical assistance program at Purdue University (LTAP), in conjunction with the Indiana department of transportation (department), to analyze data for calendar years 2018 through 2022 regarding the use of motor vehicle highway account allocations to counties, cities, and towns. Specifies the contents of the analysis and requires LTAP, in conjunction with the department, to present the results of the analysis in a report to the budget committee.

Provides that a candidate for a school board office may not be an employee or agent of that school corporation. Establishes a process for a school board or the voters in a school corporation to change the method by which the members of the school board are nominated and elected. Provides that the members of a school board may be nominated and elected by one of the following processes: (1) Through nonpartisan election (as is the case under current law). (2) Through nonpartisan nomination (under the current process) and designation of a candidate's political affiliation or independent status on the general election ballot. (3) Through nomination and election in a partisan process as other candidates for elected office are nominated and elected. Provides that a school board may adopt a resolution to initiate a change or the voters of the school corporation may initiate a change through petition. Provides that, in either case, the voters of the school corporation must approve any change by public question. Provides that the method of election of members of a school board may not be changed until after 10 years after the most recent change was made. Makes conforming changes.

Establishes the meat processing investment grant program fund to provide grants to eligible applicants. Provides that the fund is administered by the Indiana state department of agriculture. Makes an appropriation.

Requires each local unit that imposes a food and beverage tax to annually report information concerning distributions and expenditures of amounts received from the food and beverage tax. Provides that food and beverage taxes currently authorized under IC 6-9 and that do not otherwise contain an expiration date (other than the stadium and convention building authority food and beverage tax and the historic hotels food and beverage tax) shall expire on the later of: (1) January 1, 2045; or (2) the date on which all bonds or lease agreements outstanding on May 7, 2023, are completely paid. Requires each local unit that imposes a food and beverage tax that is subject to the expiration provision to provide to the department of local government finance (department) a list of each bond or lease agreement outstanding on May 7, 2023, and the date on which each will be completely paid. Requires the department to publish the information on the gateway website. Declares the intention of the general assembly to only authorize local units to impose new food and beverage taxes based on specified criteria.

Requires a governing body, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school seeking to purchase a school bus or special purpose bus to: (1) request information concerning the cost of purchasing a school bus or special purpose bus equipped with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts; and (2) hold a public meeting on the costs and benefits of purchasing a school bus or special purpose bus with 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts before voting on whether to purchase the bus. Allows a school corporation, charter school, or an accredited nonpublic school to use a portion of a grant from the safe schools fund or the secured school fund toward purchasing or equipping school buses and special purpose buses with safety equipment. Requires each occupant of a school bus or special purpose bus that has a 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt to have the 3-point lap and shoulder safety belt properly fastened about the occupant's body at all times when the bus is in motion. Provides for an exception to the laws concerning other types of passenger restraint systems.

Allows the judges of the Daviess circuit and superior courts to appoint a full-time magistrate. Allows the judges of the Delaware circuit court to appoint a full-time magistrate. Establishes a second superior court in the Dubois County judicial district. Allows the judges of the Elkhart circuit and superior courts to appoint four full-time magistrates (effective July 1, 2023) and two additional full-time magistrates beginning January 1, 2024. (Current law allows for the appointment of two magistrates.) Allows the judge of the Spencer circuit court to appoint a magistrate. Allows Vigo superior court to appoint six judges. (Current law allows for the appointment of five judges.) Makes conforming changes.

Provides that "The Hoosier State" is designated as the official nickname of the state of Indiana. Provides that the designation is to recognize and memorialize the legacy of Harry Hoosier. Makes certain findings in recognizing Harry Hoosier as the namesake of The Hoosier State.

Prohibits specified health care professionals from providing gender transition procedures to a minor that are intended to alter the gender of the minor or delay puberty. Provides for certain medical exceptions. Prohibits public funds, Medicaid, or a health carrier from providing reimbursement or coverage for gender transition procedures to a minor. Creates a civil cause of action. Makes conforming changes.

Requires the office of technology to restrict access to TikTok or WeChat applications or any other applications developed by ByteDance Limited or Tencent Holdings Limited, and prohibits persons from accessing those applications or visiting those websites on a state owned, operated, or maintained device. Imposes a surcharge tax on social media providers. Defines "social media provider" as a social media company that: (1) maintains a public social media platform; (2) has more than 1,000,000 active Indiana account holders; (3) has annual gross revenue derived from social media advertising services in Indiana of at least $1,000,000; and (4) derives economic benefit from the data individuals in Indiana share with the company. Provides that the surcharge tax is equal to: (1) the annual gross revenue derived from social media advertising services in Indiana in a calendar year multiplied by 7%; plus (2) the total number of the social media provider's active Indiana account holders in a calendar year multiplied by $1. Establishes the online bullying, social isolation, and suicide prevention fund (fund) for the purposes of providing: (1) online bullying prevention; or (2) social isolation and suicide prevention; training and research for counselors and educational institutions. Provides that the division of mental health and addiction shall administer the fund. Transfers the revenue from the surcharge tax to the fund. Makes an appropriation.

Tasks the commission for higher education (commission), the department of education, and the department of workforce development to collect and compile certain information concerning: (1) postsecondary education; (2) career and technical education; (3) workforce qualifications; (4) workforce earnings; and (5) workforce debt. Requires the commission to create an interactive website known as the student horizon dashboard to provide public access to certain collected and compiled information. Requires the commission, the department of education, and the department of workforce development to create a report known as the student graduate horizon scorecard (scorecard) for annual distribution. Specifies that the scorecard contain certain information concerning high paying civilian and military careers and in demand jobs. Requires the commission to prepare an annual report for the legislative council. Requires state educational institutions and career and technical education programs to collect and provide information as requested by the commission.