Provides that redistricting election districts for local and school board offices must occur at certain times. Removes a provision that limited the number of school board members that may reside in the same school board district for the Indianapolis public school board. Changes the entity that establishes the Indianapolis public school districts within the school city from the Indiana state board of education to the board of school commissioners. Removes the discretionary ability of political subdivisions to redistrict election districts at times other than those required by statute. Allows for additional time for redistricting after the 2020 decennial census. Consolidates certain local redistricting statutes in the same location. Changes population parameters to reflect the population count determined under the 2020 decennial census. Repeals obsolete statutes and makes other conforming changes.
Sponsored bills
Prohibits: (1) a local unit; or (2) a water or wastewater utility; that is not under the jurisdiction of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the approval of rates and charges from charging or collecting from a property owner a capacity related fee or a tap fee either of which is established after June 30, 2022, and that includes contributions in aid of construction. Provides that if a local unit or a utility charges a property owner a capacity related fee or a tap fee that is established after June 30, 2022, and that is based, in whole or in part, on contributions in aid of construction, the property owner is entitled to request to meet with the local unit or the utility to review: (1) the engineering and financial analyses the fee was based on; and (2) if applicable, the ordinance adopting the fee. Requires a local unit or a utility to meet with a property owner for such a review not later than 30 days after receipt of the property owner's request. Provides that if a meeting and review does not result in a satisfactory resolution, the property owner may file with the IURC a petition challenging the fee. Provides that if the IURC determines the capacity related fee or tap fee is based in whole or in part on contributions in aid of construction, the IURC shall: (1) invalidate the fee; or (2) modify the fee to comply with these provisions. Amends the statute that provides an exemption from the requirement to connect to a regional sewer district's sewer system to a property owner whose septic tank soil absorption system was new at the time of installation as follows: (1) Provides that the local health department's designee or a qualified inspector (in addition to the local health department) may approve the property owner's septic tank soil absorption system at the time of installation. (2) Provides that the 10 year exemption is measured from the date of the required written determination of the local health department, the department's designee, or a qualified inspector that the property owner's septic tank soil absorption system is not failing. (Current law provides that the 10 year exemption is measured from the date the new septic tank soil absorption system was installed.) Defines "residential onsite sewage system" as the term is defined by the state department of health (department) in the department's rule concerning residential onsite sewage systems (department's rule). Changes instances of the term "residential septic system" in current law to the term "residential onsite sewage system". Prohibits a local health department from refusing an application for a permit for a residential onsite sewage system solely because the residential onsite sewage system has not been used previously in the jurisdiction of the local health department or is unfamiliar to the local health department, if the residential onsite sewage system has been approved for general use in Indiana by the department's technical review panel. Provides that if the local health department in one jurisdiction has issued a permit for a particular type of residential onsite sewage system, the local health department in another jurisdiction may not refuse to issue a permit for a residential onsite sewage system of that same type if: (1) a registered professional engineer; (2) a registered soil scientist; (3) a residential onsite sewage system installer; and (4) (if applicable) the designer of the residential onsite sewage system; approve of the use of that type of system in the second jurisdiction. Provides that if a registered professional engineer certifies: (1) that the location, design, proposed construction, and proposed installation of a planned residential onsite sewage system comply with the department's rule, a local health department may not disapprove an application for a permit for the residential onsite sewage system; (2) that the design, construction, installation, location, maintenance, and operation of an existing residential onsite sewage system comply with the department's rule, a local health department may not issue an order on the basis that the residential onsite sewage system is a failed system; and (3) that an existing residential onsite sewage system is not functioning properly but can be restored to proper functioning through repair, a local health department must allow the repair of the residential onsite sewage system to be made in accordance with the certification of the professional engineer. Provides that a local health department may not deny a permit for a residential onsite sewage system in a particular location on the grounds that the soil of the location is too heavily compacted if a registered soil scientist certifies that the soil can be made suitable for the residential onsite sewage system in not more than two years through the planting of plants that loosen and aerate the soil or through other means. Provides that after June 30, 2023, a local ordinance or a local health department may not impose residential onsite sewage system requirements, restrictions, or conditions that are more stringent than those of the department's rule. Requires a local health department to issue, in certain circumstances, a permit for a residential onsite sewage system not more than 30 business days after receiving the application for the permit. Effective July 1, 2023, voids a provision of the department's rule stating that the rule does not prohibit local ordinances from imposing requirements more stringent than the requirements of the department's rule. Changes population parameters used in an Indiana Code section concerning the installation of a residential onsite sewage system in fill soil, so as to reflect the population count determined under the 2020 decennial census. Amends the Indiana Code section governing the procedures for a proposal to amend or partially repeal a zoning ordinance to require a plan commission to vote on the proposal not later than 60 days after holding the public hearing on the proposal. Provides that a property owner whose property is incorporated into the territory of a municipal sanitation district (regardless of whether the property owner has filed a written remonstrance or an appeal with respect to the incorporation) is exempt from a requirement to connect to the district's sewer system and to discontinue use of a sewage disposal system on the property owner's property if: (1) the property owner's sewage disposal system: (A) was new at the time of installation; and (B) was approved in writing by the local health department, the department's designee, or a qualified inspector; and (2) the property owner obtains a written determination from the local health department, the department's designee, or a qualified inspector that the property owner's sewage disposal system is not failing. Provides that a property owner who qualifies for this exemption may not be required to connect to the district's sewer system for a period of 10 years beginning on the date of the required written determination of the local health department, the department's designee, or a qualified inspector that the property owner's septic tank soil absorption system is not failing. Provides that a property owner may apply for two five-year extensions of the exemption. Limits the total period during which a property may be exempt from the requirement to connect to a district's sewer system to not more than 20 years, regardless of ownership of the property. Sets forth certain time frames and requirements that apply to a property owner who seeks to claim the exemption. Provides that this exemption does not apply to a property owner whose property is incorporated into a district if: (1) the district has received approval from the Indiana finance authority before January 1, 2022, of a preliminary engineering report: (A) for a project to construct the sewer line to which the property owner's property is being required to connect; and (B) in connection with funding from the wastewater or drinking water revolving loan program; and (2) the timing and requirements for connection to the district's sewer system are the same for all property owners being required to connect to the district's sewer system under the terms of the project.
Amends the statute governing certificates of public convenience and necessity (certificates) that are issued by the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) for the construction, lease, or purchase of electric generation facilities to require the IURC, in consultation with the department of environmental management (department), to adopt rules concerning the granting of certificates for the construction, purchase, or lease of small modular nuclear reactors: (1) in Indiana for the generation of electricity to be used to furnish public utility service to Indiana customers; or (2) at the site of a nuclear energy production or generating facility that supplies electricity to Indiana retail customers on July 1, 2011. Requires the IURC to adopt the rules not later than July 1, 2023. Provides that the rules adopted by the IURC must provide that in acting on a public utility's petition for a certificate for one or more small modular nuclear reactors, the IURC shall consider the following: (1) Whether, and to what extent, the one or more small modular nuclear reactors proposed by the public utility will replace a loss of generating capacity in the public utility's portfolio resulting from the retirement or planned retirement of one or more of existing electric generating facilities that: (A) are located in Indiana; and (B) use coal or natural gas as a fuel source. (2) Whether one or more of the small modular nuclear reactors will be located on the same site as or near the facility to be retired and, if so, potential opportunities for the public utility to: (A) make use of any land and existing infrastructure or facilities already owned or under the control of the public utility; or (B) create new employment opportunities for workers who have been, or would be, displaced as a result of the retirement of the existing facility. Provides that the IURC's rules must provide that the IURC may grant a certificate under circumstances and for locations other than these. Sets forth additional requirements for small modular nuclear reactors that must be included in the IURC's rules, including the requirement that the owner or operator of a proposed small modular nuclear reactor must provide evidence of a plan to apply for all licenses or permits to construct or operate the proposed small modular nuclear reactor required by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the department, or any other relevant state or federal regulatory agency. Amends the statute providing certain financial incentives for energy utilities that invest in clean energy projects by providing that, for purposes of the statute, a "clean energy project" and a "nuclear energy production or generating facility" include a small modular nuclear reactor that is constructed after June 30, 2023: (1) in Indiana for the generation of electricity to be used to furnish public utility service to Indiana customers; or (2) at the site of a nuclear energy production or generating facility that supplies electricity to Indiana retail customers on July 1, 2011; under the rules adopted by the IURC under the bill. Defines "small modular nuclear reactor" for purposes of the bill's provisions.
Requires the director, assistant director, or co-director of a board of elections and registration (rather than a member of the board) to attend a meeting called by the election division. Allows a member of a county election board to attend a meeting called by the election division. Provides reimbursement for the individuals who attend the meeting (current law only provides reimbursement for those required to attend). Makes changes to the county election officials instructional meeting, including duration, compensation, and expenses. Provides that record retention under seal does not prevent counties from conducting audits after an election as authorized by statute. Provides that a voter with print disabilities who chooses to vote by electronic mail must have the voter's absentee ballot application submitted to the circuit court clerk not later than 11:59 p.m. 12 days before election day. Provides that except for casting a replacement ballot under election law, a voter who knowingly or intentionally votes more than one ballot in the same election commits a Level 6 felony. Makes a technical correction.
Makes changes to the requirements necessary to obtain an initial practitioner license for an individual who completes an alternative teacher certification program and changes regarding teaching special education under the license. Provides that, for school years beginning after June 30, 2022, a school corporation may provide a supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan. (Current law allows a school corporation to provide supplemental payment to a teacher in excess of the salary specified in the school corporation's compensation plan if certain circumstances apply.)
Provides that the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions apply to: (1) qualified districts or qualified high schools; and (2) innovation network schools. Provides that the following may not waive or suspend the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions: (1) A coalition of continuous improvement school districts. (2) State accredited public schools. Adds, for consistency, the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions to the list of statutes that apply to charter schools. (Under current law, the dyslexia screening and intervention requirements already apply to charter schools because of the language in the dyslexia screening and intervention provisions.)
Defines a "charitable government services organization". Provides that a charitable government services organization and other specified individuals may accept payment by credit card for the purchase of a chance to enter a raffle or water race offered at an allowable activity if the transaction satisfies particular requirements.
Requires, not later than December 31, 2022, the department of education (department) to: (1) issue a request for proposals for the purpose of contracting with a company to provide; or (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with a statewide entity to facilitate the procurement of; adequate employer liability and worker's compensation insurance coverage for employers that employ students in work based learning courses. Specifies an exception. Provides that the total amount of funds that the department may expend to carry out the request for proposals or the memorandum of understanding must be less than $100,000. Provides that an employer: (1) may purchase the employer liability and worker's compensation coverage; and (2) is responsible for paying any costs associated with purchasing the coverage. Requires that, if the state board of education grants the designation of a transformation zone within a school corporation after June 30, 2022, the governing body of the school corporation may enter into an agreement with a nonprofit organization to manage and operate all of the schools included in the transformation zone. Provides that the governing body of a school corporation or entity that is a party to any agreement for the management and operation of a transformation zone may submit a complaint first to the governing body, and second to the department for an alleged violation of the agreement. Provides that, not later than 15 days after the date an entity submits a complaint to the department, the department shall issue a decision concerning the complaint. Provides that employees of a transformation zone may organize and create a separate bargaining unit to collectively bargain with the entity operating the transformation zone.
Changes the date by which a county must provide a voter verifiable paper audit trail for electronic voting systems from December 31, 2029, to July 1, 2024. Provides that, after July 1, 2022, a county must meet certain requirements when using any direct record electronic voting system that does not include a voter verifiable paper audit trail for an election. Provides that the security agreement that counties are required to enter into with the secretary of state must be funded by money received from the federal government or from money appropriated by the general assembly. Specifies requirements of a statement that must be printed on the envelope of an absentee ballot application. Provides that before an individual can access an absentee ballot application that is submitted in an electronic format using a module of the computerized list, the individual must provide either the individual's Indiana driver's license number or the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number. Requires that voting before an absentee voter board at the circuit court clerk's office or at a satellite office be referred to as "early voting" on all forms prescribed by the election division and in all communications with voters. Requires an electronic poll book to have the capacity to transmit certain information that a voter cast a provisional ballot. Requires certain information to be included in the computerized list concerning a voter's casting of a provisional ballot. Repeals language that requires the circuit court clerk to provide notice containing certain information to each voter who casts a provisional ballot. Changes the term "risk-limiting audit" to "post-election audit". Removes the word "pilot" from the chapter concerning post-election audits. Provides that the secretary of state shall determine the number of elections that are subject to a post-election audit.
Provides that a fire protection territory that experiences more than 6% population growth during a 10 year period may increase its maximum property tax levy for 2023 or any year thereafter by an amount based on the population growth that exceeds 6%. Provides, however, that the fire protection territory may not increase the tax levy based on the population growth by a total rate of more than 0.15 per $100 of the net assessed value of the fire protection territory area within a 10 year period. Allows a total tax rate levied upon the formation of a fire protection territory established after December 31, 2022, to be implemented over a number of years, not exceeding five, and subject to review and approval by the department of local government finance. Provides that a participating unit's proceeds of property taxes imposed to meet the participating unit's obligations to a fire protection territory are exempt from areas needing redevelopment, redevelopment project areas, urban renewal project areas, economic development areas, or economic development districts established after December 31, 2021. Provides that, in the case of counties that provide emergency medical services for all local units in the county and pay 100% of the costs to provide those services, the fiscal body of the county may adopt an ordinance to impose a local income tax (LIT) rate for emergency medical services in the county. Provides that the tax rate may not exceed 0.2%. Provides that the LIT revenue shall be distributed directly to the county before the remainder of the expenditure rate revenue is distributed and must be deposited in a dedicated fund to be used only for paying for operating costs incurred by the county for emergency medical services that are provided throughout the county. Provides that the tax rate may not be in effect for more than 25 years.