Sen. Jim Buck

Establishes a new procedure for civil forfeiture, and treats seized property in which a person asserts an ownership interest differently from seized property that is abandoned or unclaimed. Permits seized property that is not abandoned or unclaimed to be forfeited to the state only if the person who owned or used the property has been convicted of a criminal offense. Establishes procedures by which a property owner may regain custody of seized property pending a final determination of the forfeiture action. Specifies which law enforcement costs are recoverable in a forfeiture action. Repeals a provision permitting the state to turn over seized property to the federal government. Makes conforming amendments and repeals an obsolete section.

Renames the judicial nominating commission as the commission on judicial nominations and qualifications. Provides that one commission member is selected by attorneys licensed in Indiana, one commission member is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one commission member is appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate. Requires that, of the three members appointed by the governor, at least one commission member must be an attorney. Prohibits a person who is a lobbyist from serving on the commission. Provides for the governor to fill a vacancy on the supreme court or the court of appeals from nominees recommended by the commission, subject to confirmation by the senate. Provides that a justice of the supreme court or a judge of the court of appeals serves until July 1 of the tenth year after the justice's or judge's appointment is confirmed by the senate or the justice's or judge's retention in office is confirmed by the house of representatives. Provides that if a justice or judge wants to serve a new term, the justice or judge must apply to the house of representatives for retention. Specifies that a judge or justice will be retained, unless: (1) the judge or justice does not apply to the house of representatives for retention; or (2) at least 60% of the members of the house of representatives vote against retention. Amends the provisions concerning impeachment proceedings for a justice or judge. Provides a transition for justices and judges serving at the time of the adoption of these amendments to the constitution. This proposed amendment has not been previously agreed to by a general assembly.

Provides that any order, rule, or edict of any kind from the executive branch or the judicial branch that invades the constitutional or lawful authority of the legislative branch is null and void until approved by the general assembly.

Provides that the true tax value of commercial real property used for retail purposes that is occupied by the original owner or by a tenant for which the improvement was built shall be determined by the cost approach for the first 10 years of occupancy of the property, less normal depreciation and normal obsolescence under the rules and guidelines of the department of local government finance. Provides that the taxpayer and the assessing official are required to participate in mandatory mediation of an appeal of an assessment of the commercial real property, instead of the preliminary informal meeting process under current law. Requires the county property tax assessment board of appeals (county board) to designate one member of the county board to serve as the mediator for the mediation conference, and specifies certain procedures that apply. Provides that, if a mandatory mediation conference is not held due to the failure of a party or the party's representative to appear, the county board's determination of the assessment may not be appealed to the Indiana board of tax review by the party that failed to appear at the mediation conference. Provides that a taxpayer shall (not may) enter into a written agreement with a redevelopment commission in which the taxpayer waives review of any assessment of the taxpayer's property in an allocation area during the term of any bond or lease obligations that are payable from allocated property taxes, unless the redevelopment commission waives the requirement in writing. Provides that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to provide that the county assessor be reimbursed for legal costs (in addition to other specified costs under current law) incurred by the county assessor in defending an appeal that is uncommon and infrequent in the normal course of defending appeals.

Allows for the appointment of parenting coordinators to assist in disputes regarding custody and parenting matters. Provides qualification requirements of a parenting coordinator, terms of appointment of a parenting coordinator, and termination of parenting coordinator services. Requires a parenting coordinator to remain impartial and meet confidentiality requirements.

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.

Provides that the general assembly may convene in an initiated session if the following apply: (1) The legislative council adopts a resolution requesting the governor to call a special session under Article 4, Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. (2) The resolution states specific reasons that the public welfare requires the general assembly to meet in a special session. (3) The resolution states a specific date for the general assembly to convene in session. (4) The governor does not call a special session before the date stated in the legislative council resolution. Requires the presiding officers of the house and the senate to convene the general assembly in session if the governor does not call a special session before the date stated in the legislative council resolution. Provides that an initiated session may not continue for more than 40 calendar days. Provides that for purposes of Article 5, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana, a vetoed bill passed at a session of the general assembly must be reconsidered and voted upon as provided in Article 5, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana not later than the sine die adjournment of the next regular session that occurs after the session that first passed the bill.

Directs Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article 5 of the Constitution of the United States for the purpose of proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to fix the membership of the United States Supreme Court at nine justices.

Changes the legislative session cycle beginning in 2021 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 a new schedule of rates for calendar years after December 31, 2020. Specifies that Schedule C applies for calendar years 2021 through 2025. Provides new contribution rates for calendar years after 2020.