Establishes the small modular nuclear reactor partnership pilot program (program). Provides that certain electric utilities (eligible utilities) may partner with one or more other specified types of partners (eligible partners) to develop one or more small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) at an eligible project site, subject to the approval of the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC). For purposes of these provisions, provides that an eligible project site is: (1) a location in Indiana; or (2) the site of a nuclear energy facility that supplies electricity to Indiana retail customers on July 1, 2011. Provides that an eligible utility that seeks to develop a project with one or more eligible partners may petition the IURC for approval to participate in the program. Sets forth the information that an eligible utility's petition must include. Sets forth the factors that the IURC must consider in reviewing a petition. Requires the IURC to issue a final order approving or denying a petition not later than 180 days after receiving the petition and the eligible utility's complete case in chief, subject to the IURC's right to extend the time for review if the eligible utility does not object to the extension. Provides that the IURC shall approve a petition if the IURC makes specified findings. Provides that an eligible utility may petition the IURC for approval to incur, before obtaining a certificate of convenience and necessity (CPCN) to construct an SMR under the program, eligible project development costs. Defines "eligible project development costs" as project development costs that: (1) have been, or are reasonably estimated to be, incurred by an eligible utility in the development of one or more SMRs under the program; and (2) have not been and will not be recovered by the eligible utility through contributions of any money, services, or property provided at no cost to the eligible utility by any eligible partner, governmental agency, or other third party, regardless of whether the third party has entered into an eligible partnership with the eligible utility. Sets forth certain factors that the IURC must consider in reviewing an eligible utility's petition to incur eligible project development costs. Provides that if the IURC denies an eligible utility's petition to participate in the program, and the eligible utility seeks to pursue the development of an SMR outside the program, the eligible utility may: (1) proceed to develop an SMR under the procedures set forth under the existing Indiana Code section governing CPCNs for SMRs; and (2) request that the eligible utility's petition to incur eligible project development costs under bill's provisions be considered a petition to incur project development costs under the Indiana Code section governing CPCNs for SMRs .Provides that if an eligible utility receives approval to incur eligible project development costs, the eligible utility may petition the IURC for the approval of a rate schedule that periodically adjusts the eligible utility's rates and charges to provide for the timely recovery of eligible project development costs. Provides that an eligible utility that receives approval to recover eligible project development costs shall: (1) recover 80% of the approved eligible project development costs under the approved rate schedule; and (2) defer the remaining 20% of approved eligible project development costs for recovery as part of the eligible utility's next general rate case before the IURC. Provides that eligible project development costs that: (1) are incurred by an eligible utility; and (2) exceed the best estimate of eligible project development costs included in the IURC's order authorizing the eligible utility to incur eligible project development costs; may not be included in the eligible utility's rates and charges unless found by the IURC to be reasonable, necessary, and prudent in supporting the development of the project for which they were incurred. Provides that: (1) eligible project development costs incurred for a project that is canceled or not completed may be recovered by the eligible utility if found by the IURC to be reasonable, necessary, and prudently incurred; but (2) such costs shall be recovered without a return unless the IURC makes certain additional findings.
Sponsored bills
Sets forth requirements for a utilization review entity that requires prior authorization of a health care service. Prohibits a utilization review entity from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 physical therapy or chiropractic visits of each new episode of care. Provides that a claim for reimbursement for a covered service or item provided to an insured or enrollee may not be denied on the sole basis that the referring provider is an out of network provider. Repeals superseded provisions regarding prior authorization. Makes corresponding changes.
Provides that, for purposes of the Indiana department of health's enforcement of statutes governing mobile home communities, if the owner of a mobile home community is provided written notice from a water utility that the mobile home community will be disconnected from water service, the mobile home community is in violation of the mobile home community's statutory obligation to provide water as of the date on which the owner is provided the notice. Provides that the owner of the mobile home community and the Indiana department of health must receive written notice at least 30 days before the notice that the water service will be disconnected. Authorizes a court to appoint a receiver upon request by a utility providing electric, gas, water, or wastewater utility service to a mobile home community when the property owner has failed to pay: (A) invoiced utility bills for a period greater than 90 days from the due date; or (B) amounts due under a curative payment plan for a period of at least 60 days from the initial due date prescribed under the payment plan. Specifies that a comprehensive plan or ordinance adopted by a county, city, or town may not categorically preclude installation of all manufactured homes that meet specified requirements as permanent residences on a lot on which any other type of dwelling unit may be placed. Provides units may adopt standards and requirements in the comprehensive plans and ordinances that preclude manufactured homes that exceed 12 feet in width and 500 square feet of occupied space but may not preclude manufactured homes that exceed the standards and requirements in current law of 23 feet in width and 950 square feet of occupied space.
Allows an eligible county and city to establish by ordinance, a Midwest continental divide commission and district for the purpose of acquiring, developing, funding, constructing, equipping, and owning economic improvement projects in or serving the district. Amends an appropriation made in P.L.201-2023 to the northern Indiana regional economic development authority to allow funds to be used to support and fund the commission and the commission's projects.
Provides that if a governmental entity contracts with a private entity to manage or lease an asset owned by the governmental entity, the governmental entity may not require or consider, as a provision of the contract or as a condition of entering into the contract, that the employees of the private entity are members or nonmembers of a labor organization.
Makes various changes to provisions concerning roads and transportation. Allows a taxpayer to claim a credit against state income tax liability for certain qualified railroad expenditures and qualified new rail infrastructure expenditures. Specifies the amount of the credit. Limits the total amount of credits that may be allowed in a state fiscal year and provides for the expiration of the credit. Increases the maximum rate a county containing a consolidated city (consolidated city) may impose for the county wheel tax and the county vehicle excise tax and specifies the purposes for which the proceeds of those taxes must be appropriated. Beginning in 2026, lowers the percentage of funds distributed to counties, cities, and towns (local units) from the motor vehicle highway account that must be used for construction, reconstruction, and preservation of a local unit's highways if certain conditions related to pavement quality are satisfied. Amends provisions pertaining to the Indiana finance authority's authorization to issue revenue bonds or notes, including grant anticipation revenue bonds or notes, to finance highway and road construction projects. Allows the Indiana department of transportation (department) to submit a request to the Federal Highway Administration for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways. Provides that, if a request for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways is granted, the general assembly is not required to enact a statute before tolling may occur. Allocates responsibility for bridges in a county between that county and a municipality based on the size and location of the bridge. Allows a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects. Requires the department to ensure that information regarding funding sources for low water crossing projects is made available to county boards of commissioners and county highway departments. Provides that money in the local road and bridge matching grant (matching fund) must be allocated, transferred, and distributed for specified purposes. Specifies the timing of those allocations, transfers, and distributions. Imposes conditions on the allocations, transfers, and distributions made from the matching fund, including, in state fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2027, limitations on the ability of a local unit to apply for a grant in certain circumstances. Allows local units to use grants from the matching fund for low water crossing projects. Reduces the required local matching amounts and increases the population thresholds that apply to certain local units, if the department approves a grant from the matching fund. Restates a provision allocating 50% of the amount available in the matching fund to local units with a population of less than 50,000. Increases the speed limit on Interstate Highway 465. Requires all townships to annually adopt a capital improvement plan, which must include the balance of all unrestricted funds that exceed the township's budget for the following year. Provides that a township must transfer 30% of the amount of the balance of all unrestricted funds that exceed the township's budget for the following year to the township roads and infrastructure fund. Requires a township board to adopt a resolution if favor of providing money for the improvement and maintenance of roads and infrastructure within the township before a township transfers money for such projects. Provides, for purposes of the provisions regarding township capital improvement plans and township roads and infrastructure funds, that unrestricted funds are cash reserves that are not obligated, committed, encumbered, or restricted for specified purposes. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on roads and transportation the study of appropriate road funding formulas. Makes conforming changes.
Requires (rather than allows) a city, town, or county (unit) that requires a building permit for construction of a Class 2 structure to allow the inspection to be provided by private providers in addition to the unit's inspectors. Provides that a "home inspector" or a unit employee may not act as a private provider. Provides that if an applicant uses a private provider because the unit is unable to timely perform a plan review, the unit: (1) must refund the applicant for any plan review fees; and (2) may charge a convenience fee of not more than $100. Provides that a unit: (1) may not require a registered architect or engineer to prepare construction documents for a Class 2 structure when constructed in accordance with the building code; and (2) may require a registered architect or engineer to prepare construction documents as proof of equivalence of alternative materials, appliances, equipment, or method of design or construction. If required by the unit, creates deadlines for the following: (1) Issuance of building permits. (2) Performance of plan reviews. (3) Performance of inspections. (4) Submission of construction documents or plans. (5) Issuance of certificates of occupancy or certificates of completion and compliance. Requires the state to give political subdivisions that enact certain land use policies priority in receiving loans from the residential housing infrastructure assistance revolving fund.
Provides that a unit does not have the power to adopt a law, rule, ordinance, or regulation that is more stringent than or exceeds in any manner the requirements of the department of environmental management's (IDEM) construction stormwater general permit (CSGP). Provides that if a law, rule, ordinance, or regulation is more stringent than or exceeds the CSGP, then: (1) the law, rule, ordinance, or regulation is void; and (2) the unit must continue to discharge its duties under IDEM's CSGP program. Provides that a unit or IDEM may under certain circumstances: (1) issue a written warning to a person engaging in land disturbing activities; and (2) issue a stop work order for the site. Makes conforming changes.
Requires the Indiana department of health (state department) or the executive board of the state department to adopt, revise, update, or repeal rules concerning residential and nonresidential onsite sewage systems. Alters who may vote on the technical review panel, the process to resolve a tie vote, and when the panel may meet. Provides that the technical review panel may not approve an ordinance concerning residential onsite sewage systems unless certain conditions are met. Voids certain ordinances. Provides that certain updates to rules concerning residential and nonresidential onsite sewage systems are subject to standard rulemaking procedures.
Requires a unit to use data from the most recent: (1) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps; and (2) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atlas; to calculate and regulate storm water runoff from a developed or undeveloped plat. Authorizes a unit to use data from the neighboring state in closest proximity to the developed or undeveloped plat under consideration. Requires a plan commission or plat committee to take action on a plat application, including meeting with any stakeholders with a financial interest in the application, not later than 30 days after receiving the application. Provides that if a plan commission or plat committee fails to make written findings and a decision granting or denying primary approval to a plat not later than 60 days after a public hearing, then the plat is considered to have received primary approval.