Sen. Jeff Raatz

Defines "certificate of burial rights" for purposes of the cemetery law. Replaces references to other instruments issued upon the purchase of burial rights with the term. Provides that before entering into a sales contract with a consumer, an owner of a cemetery must provide a written statement including a price range of all commodities and services available for purchase. Specifies that the schedule of fees and the fees charged in connection with the installation or use of commodities in a cemetery must be consistent with the statement provided to a consumer. Prohibits the preinstallation of a vault. Increases the maximum civil penalty for a violation of the cemetery association law from $1,000 to $5,000. Permits a city or town, county, and township to appoint a cemetery caretaker to control and manage cemeteries in the entity's care. Establishes requirements for a city or town to appoint a cemetery caretaker through a proposed ordinance. Requires a city or town to review the status of the control and management of a cemetery for which it is responsible at least once every 10 years.

Establishes the insuring foster youth trust fund (fund). Provides that the department of child services shall administer the fund. Provides that the money in the fund may be used to provide payments to foster youth to help defray the cost of: (1) automobile insurance coverage for foster youth; and (2) not more than 44 of the 50 hours of supervised driving practice for foster youth. 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. Makes conforming changes. Makes an appropriation.

Provides that the true tax value of commercial real property commercial property with a structure, or a portion thereof, that: (1) is at least 100,000 square feet in area; (2) is used for retail purposes; and (3) is occupied by a single retailer; shall be determined by application of the cost approach. Provides that the application of the cost approach requirement is not applicable if the property was: (1) vacated by the original occupant for which the property was constructed; (2) constructed more than five years prior to the assessment date; or (3) substantially and adversely impacted by a change in a roadway or traffic pattern. Provides that estimates of depreciation and obsolescence shall not be based on data derived from the sales comparison or income capitalization approaches. Requires the department of local government finance (department) to establish a standard construction cost per square foot for the purpose of applying the cost approach. Requires the department to update the standard construction cost per square foot annually. Provides that when requesting a review, a taxpayer may present an appraisal based on the cost approach as evidence that the actual construction cost was lower than the department's determined standard construction cost per square foot that was used to assess the property. Provides that the parties to any appeal may enter into a written agreement to stipulate to the true tax value of the property. Provides that the fiscal officer of the county may establish a separate account for the tax receipts that are attributable to the property tax assessment that is the subject of review.

Provides that the commission's annual schedule of awards must provide award amounts on the basis of a federal needs calculation. Amends language concerning teacher stipends to teacher scholarships. Provides that the total amount of scholarships or other financial aid received by an individual may not exceed certain total expenses.

Allows a teacher preparation program to report the program's admission practices, in accordance with the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) standards, for teacher preparation programs accredited by the AAQEP. Requires the department of education (department) to approve at least two accreditors that: (1) accredit teacher preparation programs; and (2) are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; to accredit teacher preparation programs for use in Indiana. Requires the department to annually report to the legislative council the percentage of teachers who complete a particular teacher preparation program who are teaching in Indiana: (1) five years; and (2) ten years; after completion of the particular teacher preparation program. Removes a requirement that each charter school and school corporation annually provide to the department: (1) the name of the teacher preparation program that recommended the initial license for each teacher employed by the school; and (2) the annual retention rate for teachers employed by the school.

Provides that a document of educational and historical significance with acknowledged religious history (document) may be displayed on property owned by the state. Provides that a display of a document may be accompanied by a statement providing its context in American history. Provides that a document may only be displayed if the document is: (1) donated; (2) purchased with funds made available through voluntary contributions to the Indiana department of administration (department); or (3) reprinted from a document donated or purchased with contributions to the department. Requires, upon request, the department to provide certain documents to a state office, clerk of court, judge, or legislative body.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Carl Erskine for his contributions to Indiana and the nation.

Establishes a commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Establishes the administrative rules review task force (task force). Describes the duties required of the task force.

Establishes a drainage task force consisting of six members of the senate, six members of the house of representatives, and seven other individuals. Requires the task force to: (1) review the responsibilities of landowners and state and local authorities under current laws relating to the drainage of land; (2) make certain determinations concerning drainage and regulatory matters; and (3) determine whether the balance between state authority and local authority over drainage of agricultural land favors state authority more in Indiana than in neighboring states. Authorizes the task force to make recommendations. Requires the task force to issue a report and, not later than December 1, 2023, submit the report to the executive director of the legislative services agency for distribution to the members of the general assembly and to the governor.