Rep. Zach Payne

Effective January 1, 2024, provides that a county recorder, auditor, or assessor may not refuse to accept or endorse a document because the document is an electronic document. Provides that certain recording requirements do not apply to a military discharge, a survey of real property, or a plat of real property. Provides that if a county auditor has not collected the recording fee for a tax deed, the county recorder shall collect the recording fee when the tax deed is recorded. Requires the county auditor to use revenue collected for endorsing documents for the maintenance of property tax records (instead of platbooks). Makes conforming amendments.

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.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to name the bridge crossing Blue Lick Creek on US 31 near Memphis, Indiana, the "Corporal Jordan L. Spears Memorial Bridge".

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the Masonic Salem Lodge #21 on its bicentennial.

Specifies that "reasonable force" includes the pointing of a loaded or unloaded firearm for purposes of arrest or to prevent an escape, or for self-defense.

Prohibits a law enforcement agency that has arrested a person from: (1) sharing the arrestee's name or booking photo on social media; (2) publishing the arrestee's name or booking photo on the agency's Internet web site; or (3) disclosing the arrestee's name or booking photo during a press conference. Allows disclosure if: (1) the arrestee is a fugitive; (2) the arrestee presents an imminent threat to public safety; (3) a court orders the disclosure; or (4) exigent circumstances necessitate disclosure.

Prohibits the Indiana election commission from: (1) instituting, increasing, or expanding vote by mail or absentee vote by mail; and (2) changing the time, place, or manner of holding an election. Prohibits a person from providing an absentee ballot application with the driver's license number or last four digits of the voter's Social Security number already printed on the form. Requires an applicant for an absentee ballot application to include the driver's license number or last four digits of the individual's Social Security number. Prohibits the governor from changing, during a declared disaster emergency, the time, place, or manner of holding an election. Requires a risk-limiting audit to be conducted after each election before the results are certified.

Expands the Indiana education scholarship account program to include any individual who: (1) has legal settlement in Indiana; and (2) is at least five years of age and less than 22 years of age on August 1 of the school year in which the student applies for participation in the program. Makes changes to the definition of a "qualified school". Makes conforming amendments. Repeals provisions that: (1) require the treasurer of state to determine, based on the amount of funds available for the program, the number of grants that the treasurer of state will award under the program; and (2) require a qualified school that is a participating entity to administer the statewide assessment. Makes a continuing appropriation.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION terminating the public health emergency first declared on March 6, 2020, in Executive Order 20-02.

Repeals the statutes authorizing and regulating abortion. Finds that human physical life begins when a human ovum is fertilized by a human sperm. Asserts a compelling state interest in protecting human physical life from the moment that human physical life begins. Provides that court decisions to enjoin the law are void. Specifies the duty of Indiana officials to enforce the law. Specifies that federal officials attempting to enforce contrary court orders against Indiana officials enforcing the law shall be subject to arrest by Indiana law enforcement. Redefines "human being" for purposes of the criminal code to conform to the finding that human physical life begins when a human ovum is fertilized by a human sperm. Makes other conforming changes.