Rep. Chris Judy

Provides that a county fiscal body may provide a stipend, not to exceed $2,500, to a circuit court clerk that serves as a voter registration officer each year in which a general election is held. Requires a political subdivision to upload to the Indiana transparency website any contract: (1) related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services; or (2) entered into with another unit or entity that provides fire services or emergency medical services. Requires a political subdivision to annually attest that the political subdivision uploaded any contract related to the provision of fire services or emergency medical services as a part of the political subdivision budgeting process and specifies the consequence for failure to satisfy the attestation requirement. Provides that for purposes of public purchasing, the term "public funds" does not include proceeds of bonds payable exclusively by, or used by, a private entity. Provides a 15% procurement price preference to a business offering to provide supplies or services under a contract awarded by a state agency to a business that provides "specialized employee services" to its employees. Extends the duration of an entrepreneur and enterprise district (district) to the later of: (1) December 31, 2029 (rather than December 31, 2024); or (2) five years after the date the district is designated. Amends provisions of a statute pertaining to the assessment of rental property. Requires the department of local government finance (department) to notify the county assessor of the department's tentative assessment, or information related to tentative valuation changes, of a utility company's distributable property not later than June 1. Reinstates a provision that was repealed in SEA 325-2023 (P.L.182-2023) that includes as a "homestead" property that is an individual's principal place of residence, is located in Indiana, and is owned by an entity, if the individual is a shareholder, partner, or member of the entity that owns the property. Requires a county auditor to submit an amended certified statement of the assessed value for the ensuing year to the department by the later of: (1) September 1; or (2) 15 days after the certified statement is submitted to the department. Requires the proper officers of a political subdivision that desire to appropriate more money for a particular year than the amount prescribed in the budget for that year as finally determined to hold a public hearing after submitting information regarding the proposed additional appropriation to the department's computer gateway. Provides for a maximum property tax levy increase for Knox Township in Jay County. Prohibits certain civil taxing units that determine they cannot carry out their governmental functions for an ensuing calendar year under various levy limitations from submitting an appeal unless the civil taxing unit receives approval from the appropriate fiscal body to submit the appeal. Similarly prohibits a participating unit of a fire protection territory from submitting an appeal unless each participating unit of the fire protection territory has adopted a resolution approving submission of the appeal. Requires the department, regarding the referendum process for bonds or leases for certain projects, to certify its approval or recommendations to the county auditor and the county election board not more than 10 days after both the required certification of the county auditor and the language of the public question are submitted to the department for review. Provides for the staggering of terms for property tax assessment board of appeals members. Provides that if the department determines that certified computer software or a certified provider is not in compliance with certain specifications or standards or the rules of the department, the department may request that the provider develop a corrective action plan. Provides that a contract with a computer provider under a corrective action plan is not void unless the department: (1) determines that the provider has failed to substantially correct the noncompliance; and (2) revokes the provider's certification. Establishes corrective action plan provisions for noncompliant computer providers. Provides the amount of the additional penalty added to taxes payable if a person fails to file a personal property return within 30 days after the due date. Amends a provision regarding the local income tax rate for local costs of the state judicial system in the county. Requires the department to approve a lower levy freeze tax rate if it finds that the lower rate, in addition to: (1) the supplemental distribution as determined in an adopted resolution; and (2) the amount in certain repealed stabilization funds, as applicable; would fund the levy freeze dollar amount. Provides that certain acute care hospitals may apply to the division of mental health and addiction for certification as a community mental health center. Requires the division of mental health and addiction to review applications for certification as a community mental health center: (1) to ensure an applicant meets certain standards; and (2) without consideration for previously established exclusive geographic primary service restrictions. Requires the department to send its decision regarding referendum language to the governing body of a school corporation not more than 10 days after: (1) the certification of the county auditor; and (2) the resolution is submitted to the department. Provides that, for purposes of the transportation levy component of an operations fund property tax levy, a school corporation, whose budget for the upcoming year is subject to review by a fiscal body, may not submit an appeal to the department unless the school corporation receives approval from the fiscal body. Provides that a county fiscal body may establish a salary schedule that includes a stipend, not to exceed $2,500 in a year, to be paid to the county auditor for duties when warranted as determined by the county fiscal body. Requires a county recorder to provide the owner of a farm with: (1) a copy of the recorded document that contains the name of the owner's farm; and (2) documentation of a description of the land to which the name of the farm applies. Provides that for a county having a United States government military base that is scheduled for closing, the expiration date of the allocation area may be extended for the purposes of paying certain expenses. Repeals a provision that prohibits a local unit from amending the boundaries of an economic improvement district (EID). Instead, allows a local unit to amend the boundaries of an EID only if an owner of real property wishes to include the owner's real property in the EID and voluntarily enters into a written agreement with the legislative body of the local unit in which the owner requests and consents to increasing the boundaries of the EID to include the owner's real property. Specifies that, for real property subject to such a written agreement that is subsequently sold to a new owner, the new owner of that real property may opt out of the prior owner's agreement. Provides that no ordinance or safety board action to fix compensation may provide for any increase in the compensation of any member of a police department or fire department, or any other appointee, from the prior budget year if the city has not fixed a budget, tax rate, and tax levy for the ensuing budget year. Allows a qualified taxpayer to file a property tax exemption application before September 1, 2024, for eligible property for assessment dates beginning within assessment dates occurring within the six years prior to the assessment date at issue. Provides that if a qualified taxpayer files a property tax exemption application for eligible property: (1) the property tax exemption for the eligible property is allowed and granted for the applicable assessment date by the county assessor and county auditor of the county in which the eligible property is located; and (2) the qualified taxpayer is not required to pay any property taxes, penalties, interest, or tax sale reimbursement expenses with respect to the eligible property for the applicable assessment date. Provides that, to the extent the qualified taxpayer has paid any property taxes, penalties, or interest with respect to the eligible property for an applicable assessment date, the qualified taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the amounts paid.

Establishes when certain officials may inspect a residential onsite sewage system or nonresidential onsite sewage system. Allows a nonresidential onsite sewage system to be installed in a lot if at least one site on the lot is determined to be suitable for the installation of the nonresidential onsite sewage system. Provides that a county onsite waste management district (district) or local health department may not assess a periodic permit or inspection fee that exceeds the actual cost of the inspection incurred by the district or local health department on an onsite sewage system or an onsite residential sewage discharging disposal system.

Creates the artificial intelligence task force (task force) to study and assess use of artificial intelligence technology by state agencies. Provides that political subdivisions, state agencies, school corporations, and state educational institutions (public entities) may adopt a: (1) technology resources policy; and (2) cybersecurity policy; subject to specified guidelines. Specifies requirements for: (1) public entities; and (2) entities other than public entities; that connect to the state technology infrastructure of Indiana. Provides, with regard to a licensing contract entered into by a state agency for use of a software application designed to run on generally available desktop or server hardware, that the contract may not restrict the hardware on which the state agency installs or runs the software. Provides that if a state agency enters into a contract with a person under which the state agency runs software on hardware owned or operated by the person, the office of technology shall ensure that the state agency fully complies with the licensing terms of all software run on the person's hardware. Provides that an executive or legislative state agency may submit to the office of technology and the task force an inventory of all artificial intelligence technologies in use, or being developed or considered by the state agency for use, by the state agency. Provides that, subject to specified exceptions: (1) title to any record of state government is held by the state; and (2) title to any record of a local government is held by that local government.

Amends the definition of "eligible student" to include a sibling of a student with a disability with regards to the education scholarship account program (ESA). Provides that the sibling may not use the ESA account for certain ESA qualified expenses. Provides that an annual grant amount awarded under the career scholarship account (CSA) program may be used for costs related to obtaining a driver's license if certain conditions are met. Establishes conditions regarding the amount of funds that may be used from CSA annual grant amounts for transportation costs. Amends certain requirements regarding ESA and CSA participating entities regarding providing evidence of unencumbered assets. Changes certain CSA application time frames from seven days to 30 days. Requires each state educational institution to provide to the commission for higher education (commission) certain information regarding degrees, degree completion, faculty members, administrative support staff, costs, compensation, and debt loads. Requires the commission to prepare longitudinal analysis regarding certain data. Requires each private postsecondary educational institution and each out-of-state public and nonprofit degree granting institution that offers instructional or educational services or training in Indiana to provide to the department of education information to carry out certain reporting requirements and requirements related to the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard. Allows for the revocation of an out-of-state public or nonprofit degree granting institution's authorization if the institution fails to provide the information. Adds teaching to the employment sectors eligible for the next level jobs employer training grant program. Amends requirements regarding: (1) eligibility for career coaching grants; and (2) instruction on career awareness.

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.

Provides that catastrophically disabled veterans may hunt on the same free hunting days as those designated for youth hunters by the director of the department of natural resources. Defines "catastrophically disabled".

Establishes the Hoosier first responder medal of honor (medal). Provides that the department of homeland security (department) may determine an Indiana first responder is eligible for the Hoosier first responder medal of honor if the Indiana first responder distinguishes themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of the Indiana first responder's life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an act of public service. Provides that, upon approval of a nomination by the department, the department shall notify the entity employing the Indiana first responder or for which the Indiana first responder volunteers of the nomination. Provides that the entity shall notify a member of the general assembly who represents the district in which the entity is located of the Indiana first responder's nomination. Provides that the member of the general assembly shall recommend the Indiana first responder for the medal to the governor. Provides that, if the department determines that an Indiana first responder nominated to the department does not meet the eligibility requirements to receive the medal, the department may make recommendations to the entity that employs the Indiana first responder or for which the Indiana first responder volunteers of other forms of recognition for the Indiana first responder. Provides that the governor may award the medal to the Indiana first responder or the Indiana first responder's next of kin at a public ceremony.

Provides that after December 31, 2024, an issuer that makes a Medicare supplement policy or certificate available to persons at least 65 years of age must make the equivalent policy or certificate available to an individual under 65 years of age who is eligible for Medicare because of having a federally defined disability or end stage renal disease. (Under current law, an issuer that makes a Medicare supplement policy or certificate available to persons at least 65 years of age is required only to make a Plan A policy or certificate available to individuals under 65 years of age, and is required to make the Plan A policy or certificate available to an individual under 65 years of age who is eligible for Medicare because of having a federally defined disability but is not required to make the Plan A policy or certificate available to an individual under 65 years of age who is eligible for Medicare because of having end stage renal disease.) Provides that if an individual who is less than 65 years of age, who is eligible for Medicare because of having a federally defined disability or end stage renal disease, and who meets certain conditions as to application timeliness applies for a Medicare supplement policy or certificate, the issuer of the policy or certificate is prohibited from: (1) denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the individual's policy or certificate; (2) charging the individual a premium rate for a policy or certificate standardized as Plan A, B, or D that exceeds the premium rate the issuer charges an individual who is 65 years of age; (3) charging the individual a premium rate for any other standardized lettered policy or certificate that exceeds 200% of the premium rate the issuer charges an individual who is 65 years of age; or (4) issuing to the individual a policy or certificate that contains a waiting period or a preexisting condition limitation or exclusion. Provides for the expiration of Code provisions that would be superseded by the new requirements applying to issuers of Medicare supplement policies or certificates.

Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and Ireland.

Recognizing the month of February as Turner Syndrome Awareness Month.