Rep. Beau Baird

Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana. Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun. Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun" and specifies the penalties for committing this crime. Allows particular individuals who do not meet the requirements to receive a handgun license and are not otherwise prohibited to carry a handgun in limited places. Allows a resident of Indiana to obtain in certain circumstances a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Makes theft of a firearm a Level 5 felony. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments and repeals obsolete provisions.

Reaffirming the commitment of sister ties between Indiana and Taiwan.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana War Memorials Commission to study and propose the construction of a suitable monument to the men and women of Indiana who died in the service of their country in the global war on terrorism.

Requires the state seed commissioner to charge fees for testing seed for purity and germination that are commensurate with fees that are standard in the seed testing industry. Repeals certain requirements for agricultural seed in packages that are not more than one pound. Provides that $25 is the minimum fee to register pure or mixed cultures of microorganisms and materials with the state chemist. Allows the state chemist to adopt rules to establish fees that are necessary for the administration of certain laws concerning the sale and transfer of plant cultures, including costs of inspections, registration of products, and product analysis. Voids rules concerning fees for seed analysis, testing, and examination.

Allows the secretary of family and social services (secretary) to issue a waiver of human services statutory provisions and administrative rules if the secretary determines that the waiver is necessary to claim certain enhanced federal matching funds available to the Medicaid program. Allows the secretary to issue an emergency declaration for purposes of participating in specified authorized federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments. Requires the secretary to prepare and submit any waivers or emergency declarations to the budget committee. Allows the state health commissioner of the state department of health or the commissioner's designated public health authority to issue standing orders, prescriptions, or protocols to administer or dispense certain immunizations for individuals who are at least five years old (current law limits the age for the commissioner's issuance of standing orders, prescriptions, and protocols for individuals who are at least 11 years old). Defines "Indiana governmental entity" and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if the individual has complied with the requirements for seeking an exemption from an employer's COVID-19 immunization requirements and was discharged from employment for failing or refusing to receive an immunization against COVID-19. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Wednesday, February 16, 2022, as a day to honor the work and mission of the regions of the American Red Cross serving the state of Indiana.

Defines a "pipeline company" and a "public utility" for purposes of the statute governing the general procedures to be used in acquiring property by eminent domain. Provides that in an eminent domain action filed by a public utility or a pipeline company after June 30, 2022, if a defendant files written exceptions to the assessment of the court appointed appraisers, the defendant may file a request for mediation at the same time the exceptions are filed. Provides that if the defendant files a request for mediation: (1) the court shall appoint a mediator not later than 10 days after the request is filed; (2) the plaintiff shall engage in good faith mediation with the defendant; (3) the mediation must be concluded not later than 90 days after the appointment of the mediator; and (4) the plaintiff shall pay the costs of the mediator. Provides that if the parties are unable to reach an agreement as to the assessment of the damages in a mediation, the case shall proceed to trial. Provides that in any trial of exceptions in an eminent domain proceeding: (1) the court appointed appraisers' report; and (2) the amount of the court appointed appraisers' assessment of damages upon which the exceptions in the trial are based; are not admissible as evidence in the proceedings. Provides, however, that a court appointed appraiser may: (1) testify at trial without reference to the report of the court appointed appraisers or to the appraiser's previous appointment in the case; and (2) be examined as to the value of the property sought to be acquired independent of the report and without reference to it; as set forth in existing Indiana case law. Changes the amount of litigation expenses a court shall allow a defendant in any trial in an eminent domain proceeding in which the amount of damages awarded to the defendant by the judgment is greater than the amount specified in the plaintiff's last offer of settlement.

Removes the assessed value limit for a property tax exemption for an individual or the surviving spouse of an individual who is killed in action or who receives an honorable discharge and is totally disabled or 62 years of age with a disability of at least 10%.

Provides that: (1) the director of; (2) an employee, officer, or conservation officer of; and (3) person authorized by; the department of natural resources (DNR) may not enter into or upon private property except for just cause, unless otherwise provided. Requires that such an individual associated with the DNR must provide a private property owner with written or verbal notice of: (1) the intent to enter; and (2) the basis for just cause; within a reasonable time, under the particular circumstances, before the individual enters into or upon the private property for just cause.

Removes the litigation expense cap of $25,000 in an eminent domain proceeding.