Rep. Steve Bartels

Provides that, on or before July 1, 2027, and July 1 biennially thereafter, a committee that: (1) is established by the Indiana Code; (2) contains at least one member of the general assembly; (3) is authorized to exist for at least two years; and (4) does not have any reporting requirement to the executive branch, judicial branch, or the general assembly; shall submit a report to the executive director of the legislative services agency for review by the interim committee on government. Provides that the report shall describe: (1) official action taken; and (2) actionable items considered by the committee during the preceding two years. Provides, that in even-numbered years, the interim committee on government shall review the reports. Repeals the sepsis treatment guideline task force. Provides that the statutes creating the Interstate Rail Passenger Network Compact (compact) expire July 1, 2026. Requires the governor to give notice to each state, if any, that is a party to the compact that the state of Indiana is withdrawing from the compact. Requires the governor to certify before January 1, 2026, with respect to the compact, that notice either: (1) has been given regarding Indiana's withdrawal from the compact; or (2) was not required to be given because there are no other party states to which to give notice. Makes conforming amendments.

Increases, from $8,800 to $20,000, the amount that shall be paid by the state if a member of the Indiana National Guard dies in the active service of the state. Provides that a spouse or dependent of a member of the Indiana National Guard is eligible for a state employee death benefit if the member dies while serving on state active duty. Provides that the adjutant general may procure a medical insurance plan for members of the Indiana National Guard who are ordered to state active duty. Adds awards and decorations that may be awarded by the Indiana National Guard. Provides that members of the Indiana National Guard, while serving on state active duty, shall be considered state employees for purposes of receiving worker's compensation. Provides that a scholarship applicant of the National Guard tuition supplement program may use the scholarship for a credential-certifying program, licensing program, trade certification program, or apprenticeship program for an in-demand occupation as identified by the adjutant general and the department of workforce development, in consultation with the commission for higher education. Provides that if a scholarship applicant of the National Guard tuition supplement program receives a twenty-first century scholars program scholarship, the scholarship applicant may use a National Guard tuition supplement program scholarship awarded to pay for qualified program and educational expenses approved by the commission for higher education and room and board for two years. Makes technical corrections.

Establishes certain regulatory testing and packaging requirements for the distribution and sale of craft hemp flower products. Creates and modifies certain crimes concerning craft hemp, craft hemp flower products, and THC. Provides that a food is not considered adulterated for containing low THC hemp extract or craft hemp flower. Provides that craft hemp flower product is not included in the definition of "controlled substance analog", "hashish", "low THC hemp extract", or "marijuana". Prohibits the sale of specified products to a person less than 21 years of age. Establishes a regulatory framework for craft hemp, including the regulation of advertising. Caps the number of craft hemp retail permits at 20,000. Provides that certain retailers may not sell craft hemp flower products if the retailer is located near a school. Changes certain references of delta-9 THC to THC. Modifies the definition of "e-liquid." Expands certain alcoholic beverage laws to include craft hemp products. Provides that a person who is a retail craft hemp permit holder and a retail alcoholic beverage permit holder may serve craft hemp beverages in the original container for consumption on the permitted premises. Provides that onsite consumption restrictions do not apply to holders of certain alcoholic beverage retailer permits. Adds certain retail establishments that sell craft hemp products to the list of retail establishments that must prohibit minors from entering. Provides that if the alcohol and tobacco commission does not approve craft hemp packaging within 30 days, the packaging is deemed approved and eligible for sale. Provides that work in progress hemp extract may be sold to a craft hemp manufacturer permit holder. Changes references of "administrative law judge" to "hearing judge". Prohibits a craft hemp permit holder from giving free samples of craft hemp at a farmers' market. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes. Makes technical corrections.

Provides that if a Level 2 certified technology park (park): (1) has reached the limit of deposits for a Level 2 park; (2) maintains its certification; and (3) is located within a military base enhancement area; the park shall become a Level 3 park upon reaching its Level 2 deposit limit. Provides that a Level 3 park may receive an additional annual incremental income tax deposit of up to $250,000.

Provides that the following are eligible for a mobile integration healthcare grant: (1) an emergency medical services provider agency that is operated by a county; (2) an emergency medical services provider organization; and (3) a hospital; if certain conditions are met.

Provides that a first responder recipient of critical incident stress management (CISM) services may not be compelled to testify or otherwise disclose a communication made to a CISM services provider or peer support team member relating to the first responder recipient's CISM services in a civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding. Provides that a first responder recipient or the first responder recipient's employer may not be held liable for damages for any act, error, or omission committed by the first responder recipient based on a communication provided between a first responder recipient and CISM team, CISM services provider, or peer support team as part of the CISM services unless the act, error, or omission constitutes wanton, willful, or intentional misconduct.

Provides veteran empowerment protections. Provides that a person may not represent a veteran regarding a veterans' benefits matter unless the person meets certain requirements. Provides that a person that advises, assists, or consults with an individual regarding veterans' benefits matters for a fee: (1) may not use international call centers or data centers for processing veterans' personal information; (2) may not use a veteran's personal log-in, username, or password information to access the veteran's medical, financial, or government benefits information; (3) must ensure that before any individual may have access to veterans' medical or financial information the individual must undergo a national criminal history background check; and (4) shall comply with certain federal regulations. Provides that a violation of the act constitutes a prohibited consumer sale.

Exempts military pay for members of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps from the individual income tax. Exempts military pay earned by members of an active component of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps from the individual income tax. Adds members of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps for purposes of eligibility for the income tax deduction for income from military retirement or survivor's benefits.

Amends as follows the Indiana Code section concerning certificates of public convenience and necessity (certificates) for small modular nuclear reactors: (1) Authorizes a public utility to petition the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for approval to incur, before obtaining a certificate, project development costs for the development of one or more small modular nuclear reactors. (2) Sets forth certain factors that the IURC must consider in reviewing a public utility's petition to incur project development costs. (3) Requires the IURC to issue a final order approving or denying the petition not later than 180 days after receiving the petition and the public utility's complete case in chief, subject to the IURC's right to extend the time for review if the public utility does not object to the extension. (4) Provides that if a public utility receives approval to incur project development costs, the public utility may petition the IURC at any time before or during the development and execution of a small modular nuclear reactor project for the approval of a rate schedule that periodically adjusts the public utility's rates and charges to provide for the timely recovery of project development costs. (5) Provides that after reviewing a public utility's proposed rate schedule, the IURC shall approve the recovery of project development costs by the public utility if the IURC finds that project development costs that have been or will be incurred are: (A) reasonable in amount; (B) necessary to support the construction, purchase, or lease of a small modular nuclear reactor; and (C) consistent with the commission's finding as to the best estimate of project development costs. (6) Provides that a public utility that is authorized to recover project development costs shall: (A) recover 80% of the approved project development costs under the approved rate schedule; and (B) defer the remaining 20% of approved project development costs for recovery as part of public utility's next general rate case before the IURC. (7) Provides that the recovery of a public utility's project development costs through an approved periodic rate adjustment mechanism must occur over a period that is equal to: (A) the period over which the approved project development costs are incurred; or (B) three years; whichever is less. (8) Provides that project development costs that: (A) are incurred by a public utility; and (B) exceed the best estimate of project development costs included in the IURC's order authorizing the public utility to incur project development costs; may not be included in the public utility's rates and charges unless found by the IURC to be reasonable, necessary, and prudent in supporting the construction, purchase, or lease of the small modular nuclear reactor for which they were incurred. (9) Provides that: (A) project development costs incurred for a project that is canceled or not completed may be recovered by the public utility if found by the IURC to be reasonable, necessary, and prudently incurred; but (B) such costs shall be recovered without a return unless the IURC makes certain additional findings. (10) Provides that if a public utility does not seek: (A) approval of; or (B) cost recovery for; project development costs under the bill's provisions, the IURC may approve the deferral and amortization of project development costs in accordance with the statutory procedures set forth for construction costs.

Allows the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision (public employer) to be reimbursed for the costs of employing and training a law enforcement officer by a public employer that subsequently employs the officer. Provides that the reimbursement amount decreases over time and is eliminated three years after the officer is certified by the law enforcement training board to act as an officer. Allows a public employer to require, as a condition of hiring, that the individual enter into a contract or agreement to reimburse the public employer for employment and training costs, if the individual is subsequently hired by a private or governmental employer that is not defined by statute as a public employer.