Sen. Jim Buck

Provides that, if none of the candidates for nomination for United States Senate by a political party required to hold a primary election receive a majority of the votes in the primary election, the political party shall choose its nominee for the office at the state party convention from among the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes at the primary election.

Allows obituary notices to be published on a county, city, or town's official web site.

Provides that after June 30, 2022, a political subdivision may not issue or guarantee a debt obligation until the fiscal officer of the political subdivision has: (1) prepared a debt capacity analysis report (report) on a standard form prescribed by the state board of accounts (SBOA) with the assistance of the department of local government finance (DLGF); and (2) presented the report to the fiscal body of the political subdivision in a public hearing. Provides that after June 30, 2022, political subdivisions must provide information concerning pledges, covenants, and agreements that they have made to secure or guarantee a financial obligation of another person to the DLGF in the form and on the schedule specified by the DLGF. Requires the SBOA to establish standards for the state and political subdivisions that require disclosure of pledges, covenants, and agreements that have been made to secure or guarantee a financial obligation of another person, including guarantees for private bond issues of private companies. Specifies that the standards must be consistent with generally accepted governmental accounting principles. Requires, in reporting periods beginning after June 30, 2022, the state and political subdivisions to include the disclosures in the notes of the entity's annual financial statements.

Changes the legislative session cycle beginning in 2023 to: (1) eliminate the second regular session of the general assembly; and (2) require a regular session of the general assembly to adjourn sine die not later than May 15 of any odd-numbered year. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Provides that if a local order addresses an aspect of a declared emergency addressed by an executive order, the local order may be less stringent than the executive order to the extent permitted by the executive order. Provides that if a local order addresses an aspect of a declared emergency that is not addressed by an executive order or if a local order addresses an aspect of a declared emergency more stringently than an executive order, the local order may not take effect, or remain in effect, unless the local order is approved by the county legislative body (in the case of a county health department) or by an ordinance adopted by the city legislative body and approved by the mayor (in the case of a city health department). Provides that the appointment of a county health officer is subject to the approval of the county legislative body. Adds other good cause to the reasons for which a local health officer may be removed in counties other than Marion County. Specifies that a local health officer serves until a successor is appointed and qualified. Establishes an appeals process before legislative bodies of enforcement actions taken by local boards of health and local health officers in response to declared state and local public health emergencies.

Amends the law requiring a permit and compensatory mitigation for "wetland activity" (the discharge of dredged or fill material) in a state regulated wetland: (1) by changing the definition of "Class II wetland"; (2) by providing that wetland activity may be conducted without a permit: (A) in a Class I wetland; (B) in a Class II wetland with an area of not more than three-eighths acre; (C) in an ephemeral stream; and (D) in a Class II wetland that is located within the boundaries of a municipality and has an area of not more than three-fourths acre; (3) by providing that a permit is not needed for the development of cropland that has been used for agricultural purposes: (A) in the five years immediately preceding the development; or (B) in the 10 years immediately preceding the development if the United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued a jurisdictional determination confirming that the cropland does not contain wetlands subject to federal jurisdiction; (4) by providing that wetland activity in a Class II wetland with an area of more than three-eighths acre requires an individual permit; (5) by providing that: (A) maintenance of a field tile in a Class II wetland can be conducted with a general permit if certain conditions are met; and (B) maintenance of a field tile in a Class III wetland can be conducted with a general permit if certain conditions are met and the applicant obtains a site-specific approval; (6) by establishing conditions for obtaining a site-specific approval; (7) by eliminating the compensatory mitigation requirements for wetland activity in a Class I wetland; and (8) by requiring the department of environmental management (department) to make a decision to issue or deny an individual permit for wetland activity not later than 90 days (instead of 120 days) after receiving the completed application. Amends the law concerning a certification under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act for dredge and fill activity in a federally regulated wetland to require the department to make a final determination not later than 90 days (instead of 120 days) after receiving a completed application if the applicant requests a pre-coordination meeting. Establishes the Indiana wetlands task force, a 14 member body that: (1) is required to study and make recommendations concerning a number of wetlands issues; and (2) not later than November 1, 2022, issue a report to the general assembly and the governor setting forth its recommendations. Requires the department of natural resources to provide staff support to the task force.

Adds mental health providers to the list of persons who may not be required to participate in specified procedures and practices concerning abortion or aborted remains if the mental health provider objects to such procedures and practices on the basis of ethical, moral, or religious belief. Provides that an abortion inducing drug may not be dispensed, prescribed, or given to a woman after eight weeks of postfertilization age. Requires a physician to dispense the abortion inducing drug in person and have the pregnant woman consume the drug in the presence of the physician. Removes FDA guidelines from a provision concerning manufacturer instruction sheets and patient agreement forms pertaining to abortion inducing drugs. Requires an ultrasound image of a pregnant woman's fetus to be provided: (1) to a pregnant woman for her to keep; and (2) at no cost or charge to the pregnant woman; in the event of fetal ultrasound imaging. Requires certain information concerning the reversal of specified abortion inducing drugs to be provided to a pregnant woman in certain instances. Requires a specified report to identify the: (1) facility; and (2) city or town; where required information concerning an abortion was provided. Requires specified individuals to include, or to ensure the inclusion of, a copy of a pregnant woman's ultrasound report in the applicable patient file. Prohibits an abortion clinic from receiving an annual license renewal if ultrasound reports are not included in a pregnant woman's patient file. Provides that the written parental consent for purposes of abortion laws concerning an unemancipated pregnant woman less than 18 years of age must be notarized. Prohibits the state department of health from renewing an abortion clinic's license if noncompliance discovered during an annual inspection is not remedied. Prohibits the use of telemedicine to provide any abortion, including the writing or filling of a prescription for any purpose that is intended to result in an abortion. Defines certain terms. Makes conforming amendments.

Allows a political subdivision, when required by statute to publish a notice two or more times, to make the first publication of notice in a newspaper and any subsequent publications of the notice on the official web site of the political subdivision. Requires the political subdivision or contractor that maintains the political subdivision's official web site to provide proof of publication of the notice on the official web site. Provides that if, with regard to a sheriff's sale of real property to execute a judgment, the sheriff is not able to procure publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the county, the sheriff may publish the notice on the Internet web site of each county where the real estate is located (instead of dispensing with the publication of notice entirely).

Provides that a statute that invalidates indemnity agreements in construction contracts relating to providing certain professional services is applicable to such contracts relating to public works projects. Provides that a specified chapter does not apply to: (1) projects covered by INDOT's contractor qualification statute; or (2) a project that is the construction, improvement, alteration, repair, or maintenance of a highway, street, or road. Provides that a BOT agreement may provide for the transfer of a public facility to a governmental body by means of a lease or an installment contract. Defines certain terms.

Eliminates the general restriction on the authority of a county, city, town, or township concerning regulation of landlord-tenant relationship matters not specifically described by state statute. Prohibits the waiver of laws regarding retaliatory acts by a landlord.