Sen. Mike Gaskill

Prohibits the Indiana public retirement system from investing in certain restricted entities or restricted investment products, including particular investments publicly confirmed to be controlled by the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party. Specifies exceptions, a divestment schedule, and reporting requirements. Adds a provision urging the legislative council to assign to the interim study committee on pension management oversight the topic of studying whether to cease or defer divestment or resume investment in an entity or product in accordance with the provisions regarding divestment from Chinese companies.

Provides that the amount of foster care support tax credits allowed may not exceed $2,000,000 in each calendar year beginning after December 31, 2023, and ending before January 1, 2028. Requires the department of state revenue (department) to post certain information regarding the: (1) application for the tax credit; (2) timeline for receiving the tax credit; and (3) total amount of tax credits awarded during the current calendar year; on the department's website. Makes various changes to the process to apply for the tax credit. Provides that money in the insuring foster youth trust fund (fund) at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. Provides that the fund's administrative expenses may not exceed 10% of the amounts deposited into the fund. Provides, in addition to inpatients of state or federally owned or operated hospitals or institutions and their supervisors, that the department of natural resources (DNR) may not charge an admission fee to foster families who reside together in the same licensed foster family home, or other certain foster youth, for the use of any property owned or managed by the DNR for purposes of the statutes concerning state parks and recreation areas. Requires the department of child services to make available a list provided by the Insurance Institute of Indiana that identifies insurers that may provide automobile insurance coverage for a minor without a guardian cosigner. Requires the Indiana assigned risk automobile insurance plan, subject to the rules of the plan, to make automobile insurance available to a foster youth who is between 16 and 23 years of age and is receiving services from the department of child services. Provides that a state or local government agency, a foster parent, or an entity providing services shall not be liable for any damages resulting from a foster youth's operation of an automobile owned and insured by the foster youth.

Defines "advanced recycling" as a manufacturing process for the conversion of post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks into basic raw materials, feedstocks, chemicals, and other products. Defines "advanced recycling facility" as a manufacturing facility that: (1) receives, stores, and converts post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks resulting from advanced recycling; and (2) is subject to manufacturing regulation by the department of environmental management. Provides: (1) that post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks that are converted at an advanced recycling facility or held at an advanced recycling facility before conversion are not within the definition of "solid waste"; (2) that an advanced recycling facility is not within the definition of "solid waste disposal facility"; (3) that the activities undertaken at an advanced recycling facility are not within the definition of "solid waste management"; and (4) that an advanced recycling facility is not within the definition of "solid waste disposal facility" or the definition of "solid waste processing facility". Provides that certain solid waste management laws do not apply to advanced recycling facilities. Provides, for purposes of Indiana environmental law, that products sold as fuel are not considered recycled products.

Provides that the state board of accounts (SBOA) is designated as the independent external auditor of audited entities and is subject to applicable professional accounting standards. Requires annual reports to be prepared, verified, and filed with the state examiner as set forth in the uniform compliance guidelines. Requires all appointments of field examiners be made solely upon the ground of fitness in accordance with professional accounting and auditing standards. Provides that if an examination of an audited entity is unable to be performed because the audited entity's accounts, records, files, or reports are not properly maintained or reconciled, the audited entity may be declared to be unauditable. Provides that an audited entity that is declared unauditable shall bring its accounts, records, files, or reports into an auditable condition within 90 days. Requires the SBOA to publish a list of audited entities declared unauditable on its website. Revises conditions under which the state examiner may undertake an examination based on a violation of the law. Requires the SBOA to approve a request by an audited entity to opt out of examinations and engage a certified public accountant to conduct examinations if, within the last six years, the SBOA has not issued an examination or special investigation report critical of the audited entity's internal controls and there have been no adverse reports. Provides that the SBOA may terminate its approval of the use of a certified public accountant if certain requirements are not met. Revises the provision regarding field examiner traveling expenses. Makes changes to certain reporting, resolution, and disclosure requirements. Simplifies the provision regarding parties and a plaintiff's right of recovery. Removes provisions regarding additional powers of the state examiner and attorney general. Provides that if the attorney general brings an action against an official bond, official bonds, or a crime insurance policy, the cause may be brought in the name of the state of Indiana upon the relation of the attorney general as plaintiff. Repeals a provision regarding the withdrawal or removal of counties from solid waste management districts. Repeals a provision regarding bonds and crime policies for faithful performance. Repeals a provision regarding examination reports, requisites, performance of public works, and SBOA powers. Repeals a provision regarding copies of reports filed with libraries, public inspections, and request renewals. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Provides that a person who acquires a certificate of sale (certificate) may not assign the certificate to a person who was not eligible under the tax sale laws to bid on or purchase real property at a tax sale until the person satisfies the eligibility requirements as determined by the county auditor. Requires a person to acknowledge that the person will not assign a certificate for any real property purchased to a person who is prohibited from bidding on or purchasing real property at a tax sale. Requires the county auditor to determine that an assignee of a certificate is eligible to receive the assignment for an assignment to be valid. Provides that assignments of a certificate must be included on the county auditor's tax sale record. Requires the county, the county auditor, or a county vendor to list certain information concerning tax sales on the website of the county, county auditor, or county vendor for a specified period of time. Specifies that a county or a county vendor is not liable for an act or omission related to making information available on a website.

Provides that if an examination of an audited entity is unable to be performed because the audited entity's accounts, records, files, or reports are not properly maintained or reconciled, the entity may be declared unauditable. Requires an unauditable entity to bring its accounts, records, files, or reports into an auditable condition within 90 days. Requires the state board of accounts (SBOA) to publish a list of entities declared to be unauditable on the SBOA's website. Provides that if an entity is declared unauditable and the fiscal officer is unable to perform the fiscal requirements of their position, the entity is required to hire outside assistance for guidance or to perform the fiscal requirements. Clarifies an exception regarding the liability of an elected official for acts that constitute gross negligence or intentional disregard of the official's duties. Requires the SBOA to annually call a conference for: (1) city and town controllers and clerk-treasurers, newly appointed city and town controllers, and city and town clerk-treasurers elect; and (2) township trustees and township trustees elect. Provides that elected officials must attend training every two years and that the SBOA shall keep attendance of elected officials and publish it on the SBOA's website. Makes an exception for school corporation treasurer personal liability. Provides that if there is an office of town clerk-treasurer that is vacant, and the town legislative body is unable to fill the office, the town legislative body may either: (1) enter into a local agreement with the town clerk-treasurer and town legislative body of another town in the state to assist a selected town legislative body member in performing the duties of the clerk-treasurer's office; or (2) enter into a contract with a certified public accountant to assist the town legislative body member in performing the duties of the clerk-treasurer's office. (Current law provides that the town legislative body may only enter into a contract with a certified public accountant after the town legislative body is unable to reach an agreement with another town.) Provides that if, after reasonable diligence, a town may hire any qualified person to perform the duties of the clerk-treasurer's office until the vacancy can be filled, or until the end of the current clerk-treasurer's term, whichever is first. Provides that newly elected officials shall complete five hours of training before taking office. Provides that elected officials shall certify completion of training requirements to the SBOA annually. Excludes self-supporting school lunch and the rental or sale of curricular materials as programs that may be established as separate funds. Repeals obsolete provisions. Makes technical corrections.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to rename the bridge on State Highway 27 over I-70 as the "Officer Seara Burton Memorial Bridge".

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring Judge Margret G. Robb upon her retirement from the Court of Appeals of Indiana.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION memorializing Congresswoman Jackie Walorski.

A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the National Rifle Association on the occasion of its 152nd annual convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.