Sen. Victoria Spartz

A SENATE RESOLUTION congratulating Dr. Tom Harmas as the 2019 High School Principal of the Year.

Provides that, after December 31, 2020, members of the state board of education (state board) and the commission for higher education (commission) appointed by the governor must be approved by the general assembly. Establishes procedures for the general assembly to approve the governor's nominees for membership to the state board and the commission. Requires the state board, in consultation with the department of education, to submit an annual executive summary report to the legislative council and the members of the senate and house of representatives standing education committees. Provides that the commission, in collaboration with the governor's workforce cabinet (cabinet), and the department of workforce development, is required to submit an annual executive summary report to the legislative council and the members of the senate and house of representatives standing education committees. Requires the cabinet to provide the commission a copy of the cabinet's review or analysis of certain work related programs. Provides that, before November 1, 2020, the commission, in collaboration with the cabinet and the department of workforce development, shall provide the general assembly an overview of the accountability framework for all workforce and postsecondary education programs and provide recommendations for: (1) streamlining the workforce development and postsecondary educational framework; (2) improving the return on investments; and (3) introducing earning and employment outcomes accountability for each program overseen by the cabinet, the commission, or the department of workforce development. Makes technical corrections.

Provides that a conservancy district established after June 30, 2020, for any purpose other than providing for the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage and other liquid wastes is subject to certain restrictions and requirements, including that: (1) it may not exercise the power of eminent domain; (2) if it imposes fees for the recreational use of a water body, the fee charged to a person who does not own real property within the conservancy district may not be more than 50% greater than the fee charged to a person who owns real property within the conservancy district, and it may use the recreation fee revenue only for maintenance of the water body and the administration of the conservancy district; (3) it may not unreasonably limit the types of motorized watercraft that may be used on a water body or assess fees for access to the water body that are unreasonably high in amount; (4) it may not exercise control or authority over the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of regulated drains or over streams; (5) its budget must be reviewed by the fiscal body of the county in which the conservancy district is located, and the board of the conservancy district may not approve a total budget in excess of the amount approved by the county fiscal body; and (6) the rate of its special benefits tax may not exceed $0.0667 on each $100 of assessed valuation of property. Provides that if: (1) a conservancy district is established for purposes related to a water body; and (2) the water body is used as a source of water by a public water utility; the public water utility is not civilly liable for bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence in or near the water body solely by reason of owning or having a right to use the water in the water body.

Provides that, beginning January 1, 2024: (1) the state examiner is appointed by the audit and financial reporting subcommittee (audit committee) as opposed to the governor; and (2) each deputy examiner is appointed by the audit committee as opposed to the governor. Provides that the state examiner and each deputy examiner are subject to removal by the audit committee as opposed to the governor. Provides that certain laws regarding appropriations management do not apply to money appropriated to the state board of accounts (board). Requires (before November 1, 2020) the audit committee in consultation with the state board of accounts, auditor of state, and office of management and budget to make recommendations to the legislative council regarding the establishment of quality control procedures related to examinations conducted by the board or an independent certified public accountant. Permits the auditor of state to establish a hotline telephone number and whistleblower procedures that the public may use to make an anonymous report of suspected fraudulent activity of the officers or employees of a state agency or political subdivision, including any misuse of public funds. Requires the state examiner to conduct an examination of at least one entity to incorporate an element of unpredictability into the examination procedure. Requires the board to post a link in a prominent place on the board's Internet web site for the public to make an anonymous report of suspected malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance that involves public funds. Requires counties, cities, towns, townships, school corporations, special taxing districts, or other political subdivisions (local audited entity) to provide a link on the local audited entity's Internet web site to the location on the board's Internet web site where an individual may make a report of suspected malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance that involves public funds. Makes conforming changes.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Randy Head upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.

Requires the superintendent of each school corporation to submit the report compiled by the office of management and budget concerning the ratio of student instructional expenditures to all other expenditures to the local board of finance for the school corporation. Requires a redevelopment commission to provide notice of an adopted resolution concerning an area in need of redevelopment, an economic development area, or an allocation area, to the: (1) president of the governing body; and (2) superintendent; of each school corporation that is wholly or partly located within the allocation area established by the commission. Requires a redevelopment commission to provide information concerning each tax increment financing district to the: (1) president of the governing body; and (2) superintendent; of each school corporation that is wholly or partly located within the allocation area established by the commission. Requires an audit of a redevelopment commission or department of redevelopment to include a review of tax increment financing district allocation area funds.

Makes changes to training requirements established by the restraint and seclusion commission (commission). Provides that, after June 30, 2020, the commission may not require recurrent training but may recommend optional recurrent training, which must take into consideration school resources and the time commitments of school employees. Provides that a school corporation may provide training to the school corporation's employees and volunteers concerning the school's bullying prevention and reporting policy. (Current law provides that a school corporation shall provide training to the school corporation's employees and volunteers concerning the school's bullying prevention and reporting policy.) Provides that a school corporation may establish educational programs to address criminal organization activity. (Current law requires a school corporation to establish educational programs to address criminal organization activity.) Provides that each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school may require each school employee to attend or participate in training on child abuse and neglect. (Current law provides that each school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school shall require school employees to attend or participate in training on child abuse and neglect.) Provides that a school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school may require training regarding suicide awareness. (Current law requires a school corporation, charter school, and accredited nonpublic school to provide training pertaining to suicide awareness.) Provides that a school corporation and accredited nonpublic school may require training concerning human trafficking. (Current law requires a school corporation and accredited nonpublic school to provide such training.) Provides that a school corporation and charter school may require training concerning seizures. (Current law requires a school corporation and charter school to provide such training.) Makes technical corrections.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the legacy of the Hulman-George family and celebrating the incoming leadership of Roger Penske and the Penske Corporation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Bill Hart upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.