Rep. Ben Smaltz

Defines "squatter" as an individual who occupies the residential real property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the residential real property; authorizing the individual to occupy the residential real property. Provides that under certain circumstances, a property owner may obtain an expedited removal of a squatter from the property owner's residential real property.

Extends insurance coverage on property transferred by a transfer on death transfer following the death of the insured after June 30, 2025, for property and casualty insurance and liability insurance other than title insurance and certain insurance relating to bonds and mortgages.

Allows a political subdivision to publish notice in the print or electronic edition of a newspaper or locality newspaper that issues a print edition not more than three times a week. Allows, if a newspaper or locality newspaper issues a print edition not more than two times a week, a political subdivision to publish notice: (1) in the print edition or on the newspaper or locality newspaper's website; or (2) if the newspaper or locality newspaper does not have a website, in the print edition or the political subdivision's official website. Allows a notice regarding the sale of certain tracts of real property by a political subdivision to be published solely on the official website of the political subdivision. Provides that if the assessed value of a tract is less than $10,000, based on the most recent assessment of the tract or of the tract of which it was a part before it was acquired, the disposing agent or redevelopment commission is not required to have the tract appraised.

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.

Specifies the manner of nomination applicable to a candidate for town office in a small town, based on the year in which the election occurs. Modifies the deadlines for: (1) filing a copy of an ordinance establishing a primary election for nomination of major political party candidates; and (2) holding a town convention.

Provides that a conveyance to the state is excepted from the definition of a "conveyance document" requiring a sales disclosure form. Amends the annual reporting requirements for the Indiana department of transportation. Requires a unit to hold a public hearing before agreeing with a railroad to the closure of a public railroad crossing within the unit's jurisdiction. Allows evidence of a failure to comply with passenger restraint system statutes to be admitted in a civil action as to mitigation of damages for a plaintiff who is at least 15 years of age or older. Provides that an engineering and traffic investigation is not required to decrease the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on a highway with a functional classification of minor collector or local road in an urban district.

Exempts the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) from providing a live transmission of hearings regarding which a stenographic record is required to be made and kept by statute. Adds language to the chapter in the Indiana Code governing the IURC to require the IURC to provide on a publicly accessible platform a live transmission of any IURC proceeding that will include: (1) an examination of witnesses; (2) a nonprocedural discussion between one or more parties to the proceeding; (3) questions from one or more of the commissioners regarding the substance of the case; or (4) a contested procedural matter. Requires the IURC to issue a general administrative order to implement a policy that governs the live transmission of IURC proceedings and that includes processes: (1) by which members of the public may request and access the live transmission of an IURC proceeding; and (2) for archiving the live transmission of an IURC proceeding.

Honoring the Fort Wayne TinCaps on their 15th anniversary.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename that portion of I-69 between the County Road 11A Exit and State Road 8, near mile marker 326, the "Master Trooper James R. Bailey Memorial Highway".

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename that portion of I-69 between the County Road 11A Exit and State Road 8, near mile marker 326, the "Master Trooper James R. Bailey Memorial Highway".