Sen. Mike Gaskill

Requires an agency of a political subdivision (local agency) under the open door law to post a meeting notice and meeting agenda (if any) on the local agency's official web site, in addition to giving notice by any other method required by law. Specifies that the local agency's official web site may be on a social media platform for purposes of: (1) the open door law; and (2) the law allowing a local agency to make the first required publication of a notice in the newspaper and any required subsequent publications of the notice on the local agency's official web site. Specifies that the official web site of a local agency may not require a user to register or pay a fee to access the web site.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Dennis Kruse upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION congratulating Memphis Lee for receiving the Indianapolis Colts High School Man of the Year Award.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION congratulating Noah Malone for his inspirational life and performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Requests that the legislative council assign to the interim study committee on child services the topic of studying a requirement for and funding of court appointed attorneys in certain cases involving juveniles.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Phil Boots upon his retirement from the Indiana Senate.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Erin Houchin upon her retirement from the Indiana Senate.

Removes the sunset provision for pro bono legal service fees.

Requires each local unit that imposes an innkeeper's tax or food and beverage tax to annually report information concerning distributions and expenditures of amounts received from the innkeeper's tax or food and beverage tax. Extends the Nashville food and beverage tax expiration date from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2043. Provides that food and beverage taxes currently authorized under IC 6-9 and that do not otherwise contain an expiration date (other than the stadium and convention building authority food and beverage tax and the historic hotels food and beverage tax) shall expire on the later of: (1) January 1, 2042; or (2) the date on which all bonds or lease agreements outstanding on March 15, 2022, are completely paid. Requires each local unit that imposes a food and beverage tax that is subject to the expiration provision to provide to the department of local government finance (department) a list of each bond or lease agreement outstanding on March 15, 2022, and the date on which each will be completely paid. Requires the department to publish the information on the gateway Internet web site. Declares the intention of the general assembly to only authorize local units to impose new food and beverage taxes based on specified criteria.

Defines a "pipeline company" and a "public utility" for purposes of the statute governing the general procedures to be used in acquiring property by eminent domain. Provides that in an eminent domain action filed by a public utility or a pipeline company after June 30, 2022, if a defendant files written exceptions to the assessment of the court appointed appraisers, the defendant may file a request for mediation at the same time the exceptions are filed. Provides that if the defendant files a request for mediation: (1) the court shall appoint a mediator not later than 10 days after the request is filed; (2) the plaintiff shall engage in good faith mediation with the defendant; (3) the mediation must be concluded not later than 90 days after the appointment of the mediator; and (4) the plaintiff shall pay the costs of the mediator. Provides that if the parties are unable to reach an agreement as to the assessment of the damages in a mediation, the case shall proceed to trial. Provides that in any trial of exceptions in an eminent domain proceeding: (1) the court appointed appraisers' report; and (2) the amount of the court appointed appraisers' assessment of damages upon which the exceptions in the trial are based; are not admissible as evidence in the proceedings. Provides, however, that a court appointed appraiser may: (1) testify at trial without reference to the report of the court appointed appraisers or to the appraiser's previous appointment in the case; and (2) be examined as to the value of the property sought to be acquired independent of the report and without reference to it; as set forth in existing Indiana case law. Changes the amount of litigation expenses a court shall allow a defendant in any trial in an eminent domain proceeding in which the amount of damages awarded to the defendant by the judgment is greater than the amount specified in the plaintiff's last offer of settlement.