Sen. Jon Ford

A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing the life of Zachary Steven Eckert.

Provides that the public defender commission may reimburse a county up to 40% of the county's expenditures for indigent defense services provided in misdemeanor cases, up to 80% of a multicounty public defender's office's expenditures for indigent defense services in noncapital cases, and up to 80% of expenditures for indigent defense services provided for counsel at first appearance by a county or multicounty office. Specifies that that the commission may not certify misdemeanor expenses unless at least 50% of those expenses are to reimburse for services provided by private attorneys. Provides that the public defender commission shall appoint one member to certain county public defender boards. Changes population parameters to reflect the population count determined under the 2020 decennial census. Makes conforming amendments.

Provides that, in calculating whether a school corporation has met the 45% teacher compensation threshold, a school corporation: (1) may include only salaries paid from the state tuition support distributions during the state fiscal year; and (2) shall count the total funds received in state tuition support distributions to the school corporation during the state fiscal year. Provides that a school corporation is not considered to be in deficit financing if the sum of the ending respective cash balance on June 30 of the immediately preceding state fiscal year of: (1) the school corporation's rainy day fund; plus (2) the school corporation's education fund; exceeds an amount equal to 20% of the school corporation's most recently adopted annual budget. Requires a school employer to bargain collectively class size, health and safety matters, and teacher preparation time with an exclusive representative.

Provides that a retailer is entitled to compensation of: (1) after June 30, 2022, and before July 1, 2023, at least 7%; and (2) after June 30, 2023, at least 8%; of the valid lottery ticket price sold by the retailer. Provides that the state lottery commission (commission) may establish bonus payment incentive programs for retailers. Provides that unless specifically granted authority by a statute passed by the general assembly, the commission shall not, independently or by public-private partnership, operate or authorize the use or operation of the following: (1) A lottery game operated through a video lottery terminal. (2) A video lottery game. (3) The sale of lottery tickets over the Internet.

Provides for fiscal administration of the state board of accounts by the office of management and budget, the budget agency, the state personnel department, and the department of administration in the areas of budget, personnel, and procurement matters.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator Karen Tallian upon her retirement from the Indiana Senate.

Requires the secretary of state to conduct a pilot audit of all computer equipment used at the 2022 general election in 10 pilot counties.

Provides that: (1) when an individual covered by a health plan is provided emergency ambulance service by a nonparticipating ambulance service provider, the health plan operator shall pay toward the compensation of the nonparticipating ambulance service provider the amount that the health plan operator considers reasonable compensation for the emergency ambulance service; and (2) after the health plan operator pays this amount and after any deductible, copayment, and coinsurance amount is paid, neither the nonparticipating ambulance service provider nor the health plan operator may seek to obtain any further amount from the covered individual. Provides that if the nonparticipating ambulance service provider considers the amount paid to be insufficient, the nonparticipating ambulance service provider: (1) may initiate negotiations with the health plan operator; and (2) if negotiations do not produce a result satisfactory to the nonparticipating ambulance service provider, may initiate arbitration of the ambulance fee dispute. Provides for the selection of an arbitrator and establishes a procedure by which the arbitrator determines a figure representing fair compensation for the emergency ambulance service. Provides that an arbitrator's determination as to fair compensation is binding on the parties and is admissible in any court proceeding. Empowers the insurance commissioner to reprimand, impose a civil penalty on, or suspend the certificate of authority of a health plan operator that fails upon request to provide information on compensation paid to participating ambulance service providers, refuses to negotiate in good faith, or refuses to compensate a nonparticipating ambulance service provider in accordance with an arbitrator's determination. Requires the Indiana emergency medical services commission to adopt rules concerning the certification of arbitrators and the administration of the ambulance fee dispute resolution process.

Provides that the population parameters that refer to political subdivisions throughout the Indiana Code are based on the 2010 federal decennial census until April 1, 2022. Provides that for purposes of local redistricting, political subdivisions shall use data from the 2020 federal decennial census. Establishes new legislative districts for the Indiana general assembly. Provides for expiration of the current legislative districts on the date of the 2022 general election. Makes technical and necessary changes in related statutes. Establishes new Indiana congressional districts. Provides for expiration of the current congressional districts on the date of the 2022 general election. Makes technical and necessary changes in related statutes.

Allows a water or wastewater utility to extend service to a developed but underserved area without a deposit from customers if the extension of service will result in a positive contribution to the utility's overall cost of service over a 20 year period. Provides that the extension of service will be considered as resulting in a positive contribution to the utility's overall cost of service over a 20 year period to the extent that rates to be paid by 50% or more of the customers who could be served by the extension of service would enable the utility to fully recover the weighted cost of debt and depreciation expense attributable to the cost of the main extension for the extension of service. Provides that if a water or wastewater utility determines that an extension of service will not result in a positive contribution to the utility's overall cost of service over a 20 year period, the utility may require a deposit or other adequate assurance of performance from the customers to be served by the extension of service. Provides that if a property owner makes an improvement to the property owner's dwelling, the property owner is not required to upgrade or discontinue use of the property's septic tank soil absorption system or to connect to a sewer system if the improvement does not include the addition of a bedroom or bedroom equivalent and the property owner receives a written determination from a qualified inspector that the septic tank soil absorption system is not failing. Provides that if a tract of land is located within the boundaries of a conservancy district established for sewage purposes, no structure located on the tract of land is connected to or served by the conservancy district's sewage service, the tract of land has been annexed by a municipality that will provide sewer service to the tract of land, and other conditions are met, the owner of the tract of land may petition the court that established the conservancy district for the removal of the tract of land from the boundaries of the conservancy district.