Sen. Fady Qaddoura

Establishes the 1977 fund defined contribution plan (plan). Provides that current employees may make contributions to the plan. Specifies rules and requirements for the plan concerning items that include member elections, member contributions, vesting, rollover distributions, and withdrawal of funds. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the interim study committee on pension management oversight.)

Prohibits a court or the operator of a case management system from disclosing information relating to an eviction action: (1) if the case is dismissed or if the tenant prevails in the action or upon appeal; or (2) upon order of the court after a petition to prohibit disclosure is made by the tenant: (A) not earlier than seven years after a judgment of eviction against the tenant becomes final; or (B) at least one year after the case was filed if the case remains pending with no judgment.

Establishes the task force for the reduction of violent crime (task force). Requires the task force to study potential statutory changes to reduce violent crime and submit a report for distribution to the general assembly.

Provides that the fiscal body of a county may adopt an ordinance to establish a property tax amnesty program and require a waiver of interest and penalties added before January 1, 2022, on delinquent taxes and special assessments on real property in the county if: (1) all of the delinquent taxes and special assessments on the real property were first due and payable before January 1, 2022; and (2) before November 1, 2023, the taxpayer has paid all of these delinquent taxes and special assessments and has also paid all of the taxes and special assessments that are first due and payable after December 31, 2021. Requires the waiver of interest and penalties in these circumstances, notwithstanding any payment arrangement entered into by the county treasurer and the taxpayer. Provides that the waiver of interest and penalties under a program shall not apply to interest and penalties added to delinquent property tax installments or special assessments on real property that was purchased or sold in any prior tax sale.

Authorizes a local unit (county, municipality, town, township, or school corporation) to establish a workforce retention and recruitment program (program) and fund (fund) for the purposes of recruiting and retaining individuals who will satisfy the current and future workforce needs of the unit's employers or provide substantial economic impact to the unit, including providing incentives in the form of grants or loans to qualified workers. Defines "qualified worker" for purposes of the program. Requires a qualified worker who receives a grant or loan from the fund to enter into an incentive agreement. Authorizes the unit to transfer money into the fund from other sources. Provides that the executive of the unit shall administer the fund in coordination with a workforce fund board of managers (workforce fund managers) appointed by the executive of the unit. Requires the workforce fund managers to annually submit a report setting out their activities during the preceding calendar year to the executive of the unit, the fiscal body of the unit, and the department of local government finance. Makes conforming changes.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing Judge Edward W. Najam, Jr., for his 30 years of service on the Indiana Court of Appeals.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Tom Harmas upon his retirement from his position as principal of Carmel High School.

Establishes the climate and environmental justice task force (task force). Provides that the task force consists of 17 members. Requires the task force to: (1) develop a climate action plan that recommends policies the state should implement to systematically mitigate climate change, facilitate adaptation to the effects of climate change in Indiana, and simultaneously enhance statewide economic development; and (2) not later than November 1, 2022, submit the climate action plan to the executive director of the legislative services agency for distribution to the members of the general assembly and the governor. Requires the utility regulatory commission, not later than June 1, 2022, to issue a report forecasting the greenhouse gas emissions that will be produced by the power generation of Indiana's investor owned utility companies in each year from 2022 to 2050, based on the investor owned utility companies' current integrated resource plans.

Requires an animal care facility to adopt policies and procedures that govern the return of lost or stray dogs and cats to the dog's or cat's owner. Provides animal care policies and procedures that an animal care facility may include to return lost or stray dogs and cats to the dog's or cat's owner.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring Carmel Chief of Police Jim Barlow on his retirement.