Rep. Cindy Ledbetter

Provides that an automated tractor-trailer may not be operated on a highway to transport passengers or goods unless a human operator who meets all state and federal qualifications to operate a tractor-trailer is physically present in the automated tractor-trailer to monitor the performance of the automated tractor-trailer and to take control of all or part of the automated tractor-trailer's operation if necessary. Provides that an automated tractor-trailer operated in Indiana must meet federal motor vehicle standards and regulations.

Amends the descriptions of "reliability" and "resiliency" as attributes of electric utility service in the Indiana Code section that sets forth state policy concerning Indiana's electric generation resource mix, energy infrastructure, and electric service ratemaking constructs. Repeals the Indiana Code section concerning the retirement, sale, or transfer of electric generation facilities. Adds new language that does the following: (1) Defines an "electric generating unit" as one or more fossil fuel fired: (A) combustion; or (B) steam; generating sources that are used for generating electricity and that deliver all or part of the electricity generated to the electric grid for sale. (2) Provides that the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) has the authority to approve or deny the retirement of an electric generating unit (unit). (3) Provides that before retiring a unit, a public utility must apply to the IURC for an order approving the retirement. (4) Provides that in an application to retire a unit, a public utility must: (A) provide evidence regarding the costs of retiring the unit; and (B) demonstrate that the retirement will result in a cost savings to customers. (5) Requires the IURC to issue an order: (A) approving; (B) approving with conditions; or (C) denying; an application to retire a unit not later than 180 days after receiving the application. (6) Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption against the retirement of a unit. (7) Prohibits the IURC from: (A) approving the retirement of unit; (B) authorizing a surcharge in connection with the retirement of a unit; or (C) authorizing or allowing for the recovery of costs in connection with the retirement of a unit; unless the IURC makes certain findings. Requires the IURC to include in its annual report certain information about the retirement of electric generating units with respect to the state fiscal year covered by the report. Authorizes the IURC to: (1) issue a general administrative order; or (2) adopt administrative rules; to implement the bill's provisions. Makes corresponding changes to the Indiana Code section concerning public utilities' depreciation rates.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION opposing assisted medical suicide.

Requires a health care provider who provides health care services to a child who is at least nine years of age but less than 13 years of age to take certain actions concerning a scoliosis screening.

Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate committee during the 2024 legislative interim the issue of applying for and implementing a Medicaid waiver to include nutrition supports for certain Medicaid recipients.

Defines "specie" as: (1) coin having gold or silver content; or (2) refined gold or silver bullion. Provides that the following specie are recognized as legal tender in Indiana ("specie legal tender"): (1) Specie coin that is issued by the United States government or by a foreign government at any time. (2) Any other specie that a United States court, in a final nonappealable judgment, determines to be within state authority to make or designate as legal tender under the Constitution of the United States. Provides that except as otherwise specifically provided by law or contract, a person may not compel any other person to tender or accept specie as legal tender. Provides that a prevailing party in an action for breach of any contract provision that specifically provides for a type or form of specie as tender, regardless of whether the specie is recognized as legal tender in Indiana, is entitled to specific performance of the contract provision. Provides that specie and specie legal tender: (1) are not subject to assessment and taxation under Indiana's property tax statute; and (2) are exempt from the state gross retail tax.

Requires a hospital to establish a nurse staffing council or assign the functions of the council to an entity in the hospital to develop a nurse staffing plan and review any reported deviations from the plan. Prohibits a hospital from taking certain actions against an employee or contract worker for filing a deviation report. Prohibits a hospital, ambulatory outpatient surgical center, health facility, or residential care facility from requiring a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to work mandatory overtime. Establishes exceptions. Prohibits a hospital, ambulatory outpatient surgical center, health facility, or residential care facility from taking certain actions against an employee who does not consent to work mandatory overtime.

Removes the requirement that an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) have a practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Removes a provision requiring an APRN to operate under a collaborative practice agreement or the privileges granted by a hospital governing board. Removes certain provisions concerning the audit of practice agreements. Allows an APRN with prescriptive authority to prescribe a schedule II controlled substance for weight reduction or to control obesity. Makes conforming changes.

Provides that, subject to certain procedures and requirements, the office of the secretary of family and social services may apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services: (1) for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or (2) to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to establish and maintain a help line: (1) to provide confidential emotional support and referrals to certain resources to individuals who call the help line; and (2) that is accessible by calling a toll free telephone number. Establishes the Indiana behavioral health commission (commission) and sets forth the commission's membership. Changes the name of the "9-8-8 crisis hotline center" to "9-8-8 crisis response center". Makes conforming changes.

Provides that the executives of one or more counties may adopt ordinances designating their counties as members of a proposed watershed development commission and that the proposed watershed development commission is established as a legal entity with the counties as its members if it is recognized by the natural resources commission. Allows a watershed development commission to be established for certain flood damage reduction, drainage, storm water management, recreation, and water infrastructure purposes, but provides that "water infrastructure purposes" excludes any drinking water project in a county or municipality. Requires the natural resources commission, in deciding whether to recognize a proposed watershed development commission, to answer certain questions. Provides that a nonmember county may become a member of an established watershed development commission if its membership is accepted by the member counties and recognized by the natural resources commission. Requires the department of natural resources (department), with the approval of the natural resources commission, to certify the area of a member county that is within a watershed development commission's designated watershed. Provides that a watershed development commission may also have water quality purposes if its board develops a water quality improvement plan that is approved by the natural resources commission. Specifies that a water quality purpose, goal, project, or interstate agreement does not convey water quality regulatory authority to a watershed development commission. Provides for a watershed development commission to be governed by a board that includes: (1) the director of the department or the director's designee; (2) the county surveyor of each county that is a member of the commission and is entitled to membership on the board; (3) an individual other than the county surveyor representing each county that is a member of the commission and is entitled to membership on the board; and (4) either: (A) one individual appointed to represent each second class city that is located in a participating county and within the designated watershed of the watershed development commission; or (B) if a participating county does not include a second class city that is located within the designated watershed of the watershed development commission, one individual appointed to represent the municipality that has the largest population of all municipalities that are located in the participating county and within the designated watershed of the watershed development commission. Requires a watershed development commission to develop a flood damage reduction and drainage plan for its designated watershed. Grants a watershed development commission exclusive authority to perform drainage and flood damage reduction activities within the channel of the river that is the surface water outlet of its designated watershed. Authorizes a watershed development commission to enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement with an existing local governmental authority to apportion flood damage reduction authority and financial support between the two entities. Provides for the funding of a watershed development commission through an annual special assessment that may be imposed against each taxable parcel of real property located: (1) in a member county; and (2) within the designated watershed of the watershed development commission. Establishes maximum assessment levels and allows the board of a watershed development commission to reduce the special assessment to lower levels. Authorizes a member county to adopt any of three alternative methods of funding the watershed development commission. Prohibits the use of money collected from a special assessment for highway bridge repairs or reconstruction. Authorizes a watershed development commission to give preference to an Indiana business over an out-of-state business in contracting for public works. Establishes a procedure under which the Maumee River basin commission, the St. Joseph River basin commission, or the Upper Wabash River basin commission may be transformed into a watershed development commission. Provides that if the St. Joseph River basin commission is transformed into a watershed development commission, the members of the St. Joseph River basin commission become the first members of the St. Joseph River watershed development commission's advisory committee.