Provides that an electric utility that has certain qualified costs that: (1) are associated with an electric generation facility that will be retired from service within 24 months; and (2) are equal to at least 5% of the electric utility's total electric base rate; may file a petition with the utility regulatory commission (IURC) for a financing order authorizing the securitization of the qualified costs. Provides that an "electric utility", for purposes of the bill, is a public utility that: (1) owns or operates any electric generation facility for the provision of electric utility service to Indiana customers; (2) is under the jurisdiction of the IURC; and (3) has a total of not more than 200,000 retail electric customers. Provides that not later than 240 days after a petition for a financing order is filed, the IURC shall conduct a hearing and issue an order on the petition. Provides that in issuing a financing order for cost securitization, the IURC must find that: (1) the electric utility has proposed a reasonable mechanism to reflect a reduction in the electric utility's base rates and charges upon the assessment of securitization charges on customer bills, so as to remove any qualified costs from the electric utility's base rates; and (2) the mechanism will provide timely rate savings for customers. Provides that in issuing a financing order for cost securitization, the IURC must find that the electric utility will make capital investments in Indiana in an amount equal to or exceeding the amount of the electric utility's qualified costs, over a period of not more than seven years immediately following the issuance date of the securitization bonds. Provides that if the IURC makes the required findings with respect to the petition, the IURC shall issue a financing order that authorizes: (1) the issuance of securitization bonds with a term of not more than 20 years; (2) the collection of securitization charges from the electric utility's customers; and (3) the encumbrance of the resulting securitization property with a lien and security interest. Provides that qualified costs authorized in a financing order shall be allocated to the electric utility's customer classes using the same cost allocation methodology approved by the IURC in the electric utility's most recent base rate case, subject to certain exceptions. Provides that if an electric utility does not cause securitization bonds to be issued not later than 90 days after the date of a final, non-appealable financing order, the electric utility shall file a statement of abandonment with the IURC stating the reasons for the abandonment. Provides that a financing order issued by the IURC under these provisions must include a mechanism: (1) requiring that securitization charges be reviewed and adjusted by the IURC at least annually; and (2) allowing an electric utility, on its own initiative, to apply to the IURC at any time during a calendar year for an adjustment of its securitization charges, as the electric utility determines to be necessary; to correct any over collections or under collections of securitization charges, and to ensure the recovery of amounts sufficient to timely make all payments of debt service in connection with the securitization bonds. Sets forth provisions concerning the encumbrance of securitization property with a lien and security interest, including provisions concerning: (1) the attachment and perfection; and (2) the priority; of a security interest in securitization property. Specifies that securitization bonds are not: (1) a debt or obligation of the state; or (2) a charge on the state's full faith and credit or on the state's taxing power. Pledges that the state will not: (1) take or permit any action that would impair the value of securitization property; or (2) reduce, alter, or impair related securitization charges; until certain obligations in connection with the related securitization bonds have been paid or performed in full. Requires the IURC to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Urges the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on energy, utilities, and telecommunications (committee) the task of studying during the 2022 legislative interim: (1) the implementation; and (2) use by electric utilities; of the bill's provisions concerning the securitization of costs for retired electric utility assets. Provides that if the committee is assigned to study this topic, the committee: (1) shall consider available data and other information concerning participating electric utilities to which the IURC has issued a financing order under the bill's provisions; (2) may request this data and information from certain parties; and (3) shall, not later than November 1, 2022, submit to the legislative council a report setting forth the committee's findings and recommendations, including the committee's recommendations as to whether to allow, under the bill's provisions, additional electricity suppliers to securitize costs associated with retired electric utility assets.
Sponsored bills
Allows a community corrections agency to access funds from the county offender transportation fund to defray the cost of transporting offenders and delinquent children as requested by a court, a probation department, a community corrections agency, or a county sheriff.
Changes the definition of a "qualified service member" for purposes of eligibility under the military family relief fund (fund). Requires the Indiana veterans' affairs commission (commission) to: (1) develop, adopt, and issue a policy listing the disallowable separation codes of each branch of the armed forces; and (2) review the policy for amendment and adopt any necessary amendments before July 1 of each year. Provides that the department of veterans' affairs (department) may use not more than 10% of the average annual license plate revenue to cover direct costs associated with the marketing and promotion of the military relief fund. Specifies that the department may not use any of the amount for administrative costs, including payroll or any other overhead expenses. Provides that the department may deny an incomplete application for a grant under the fund if all required documentation is not received within 30 days after the date the applicant filed the application. Provides that, if an applicant appeals a denial of tuition and fee exemption benefits (benefits) not later than 15 days before the start of the semester for which the benefits would apply, the commission shall make a reasonable effort to issue a final order before the start of the semester.
A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the week of January 31 - February 6, 2021, as National Catholic Schools Week.
A SENATE RESOLUTION declaring that the policy of the state is to protect the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Organizes and corrects statutes, as required by P.L.8-2019 (HEA 1005-2019), concerning the state superintendent of public instruction. Makes changes, as applicable, from the state superintendent of public instruction as an elected position to the secretary of education as an appointed position. Provides that, if the office of a state officer is abolished, certain ethics and conflict of interest provisions continue to apply to the former state officer. Provides that all powers, duties, agreements, liabilities, property, and records of the state superintendent of public instruction are transferred to the secretary of education, as the successor to the state superintendent of public instruction. Provides that the secretary of education shall enter into and maintain a contract for professional development services with an organization that provides a nationally recognized training program for professional development in computer science education from early learning through postsecondary education. (The current provision provides that the state superintendent of public instruction shall, before August 1, 2018, enter into a contract for the professional development services.) Repeals the following: (1) Provisions concerning the definition of "state superintendent" and "office". (2) A provision regarding the education dispute resolution working group. (3) A provision that requires, not later than June 30, 2020, the governing body of the Muncie Community school corporation to provide a report on the plan for the long term fiscal viability and academic innovation of the Muncie Community school corporation.
Provides that a qualified nonresident veteran who enrolls in a state educational institution not later than three years after the date of the qualified nonresident veteran's discharge or separation from the armed forces of the United States or the Indiana National Guard is eligible to pay the resident tuition rate at a state educational institution. Establishes requirements for eligibility.
Permits a person to file a statement or notice that a recorded discriminatory covenant is invalid and unenforceable.
Effective March 30, 2022: (1) Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana; (2) Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana; (3) Prohibits certain individuals from knowingly or intentionally carrying a handgun; (4) Creates the crime of "unlawful carrying of a handgun"; (5) Provides that a prohibited person who knowingly or intentionally carries a handgun commits a Class A misdemeanor; (6) Specifies that the unlawful carrying of a handgun is a Level 5 felony if a person: (A) is less than 23 years of age; and (B) has an adjudication as a delinquent child for an act described by IC 35-47-4-5 (unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon); (7) Allows a resident of Indiana who wishes to carry a firearm in another state under a reciprocity agreement entered into by Indiana and the other state to obtain from the superintendent of the state police department a reciprocity license; (8) Requires law enforcement agencies to make use of certain data bases when issuing reciprocity licenses; (9) Specifies the following fees for reciprocity licenses: (A) $0 for five year reciprocity licenses, and (B) $75 for lifetime reciprocity licenses; (10) Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over a firearm of another person with the intent to deprive the person of any part of its value or use commits theft, a Level 5 felony; and (11) Allows for the imposition of an additional fixed term of imprisonment when a person knowingly or intentionally: (A) points; or (B) discharges; a firearm at someone the person knew, or reasonably should have known, was a first responder. Effective July 1, 2021: (1) Provides that the following must develop a process that allows law enforcement officers the ability to quickly access information about whether a person is a prohibited person who may not knowingly or intentionally carry a handgun: (A) The state police department; (B) The bureau of motor vehicles; (C) Local law enforcement agencies; and (D) Any other state entity with access to information related to persons who may not knowingly or intentionally carry a handgun; (2) Provides that the information made available to law enforcement officers must meet all state and federal statutory, constitutional, and regulatory requirements; and (3) Allows state entities to enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure that all legal requirements are met. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments.
Establishes a definition of "virtual instruction" for purposes of determining a school corporation's basic tuition support using the: (1) 2020 fall count; and (2) 2021 spring count; of average daily membership.