Sen. Jim Tomes

Provides that a county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance requiring that, for the five years after a tract is purchased from a land bank, 50% of the amount of property taxes paid on the tract must be transferred to the land bank. Requires a county executive to provide a land bank in the county with a list of tracts located in the territory of the land bank that: (1) are delinquent on property taxes; and (2) have been offered for public sale at least two times and remain unsold; on an annual basis, and permits the county executive to transfer its interest in a tract on the list to a land bank if requested by the land bank not later than 30 days after it receives the list.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION urging the Indiana Department of Transportation to place a memorial sign where the 38th parallel crosses State Road 69, south of Copperline Road in Posey County, Indiana, entitled "Posey County honoring the Veterans of the Korean War, here lies the 38th Parallel".

Grants, until January 1, 2025, the attorney general concurrent jurisdiction with the prosecuting attorney to prosecute an action in which a person is accused of committing a criminal offense while a member of an unlawful assembly. Permits the chief executive officer of a political subdivision to establish a curfew under certain circumstances. Makes refusing to leave a location in violation of a curfew, after having been informed of the curfew and ordered to leave by a law enforcement officer, a Class B misdemeanor. Allows for the civil forfeiture of property that is used by a person to finance a crime committed by a person who is a member of an unlawful assembly. Prohibits a person from being released on bail without a hearing in open court, establishes a rebuttable presumption that money bail shall be required, and requires a court to consider whether bail conditions more stringent than the local guidelines should be imposed. Adds enhanced penalties to the crimes of: (1) rioting; and (2) obstruction of traffic. Allows a conspiracy charge for a misdemeanor committed while a member of an unlawful assembly. Provides that a person may recover actual damages in a civil action against a county, city, or town (unit) for loss of property proximately caused by an unlawful assembly, if the unit recklessly fails to exercise reasonable diligence to prevent or suppress the unlawful assembly.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Senator James W. Merritt, Jr. upon his retirement from the Indiana State Senate.

Provides that an individual who is certified as a level one or level two assessor-appraiser may serve as a tax representative of a taxpayer before the county property tax assessment board of appeals, if authorized by the taxpayer on a form submitted with the taxpayer's notice to initiate an appeal. Provides that an individual who is certified as a level three assessor-appraiser may serve as a tax representative of a taxpayer before the county property tax assessment board of appeals or the Indiana board.

Requires the budget agency to withhold local income tax revenue from an eligible county if the eligible county fails to raise certain revenues for a public transportation project. (Current law requires eligible counties to raise: (1) 10% of the annual operating expenses of the project from sources other than taxes and fares; and (2) 25% of the annual operating expenses of the project from fares and charges.) Specifies that the amount of local income taxes withheld from an eligible county may not diminish the amount of money distributed to the eligible county for deposit in the eligible county's public transportation fund below the amount required to pay its debt service obligations for bonds issued for purposes of a public transportation project. Prohibits Marion County from creating additional IndyGo bus rapid transit lines if the revenue requirements are not met.

Specifies that "reasonable force" includes the pointing of a loaded or unloaded firearm for purposes of arrest or to prevent an escape, or for self-defense when used to prevent or terminate the an unlawful entry of or attack on a dwelling, curtilage, fixed place of business, motor vehicle, or aircraft in flight.

Provides that the legislative body (instead of the area board of zoning appeals) has final approval or disapproval of petitions for special exceptions or special uses (petitions) in a county that has an area plan commission. Provides that the transfer of authority to the legislative body does not affect a petition filed before July 1, 2021. Requires the legislative services agency to prepare legislation for introduction in the 2022 regular session of the general assembly to organize and correct statutes relating to the transfer of responsibilities. Provides that the advisory planning law does not authorize an ordinance or action of the advisory plan commission to prevent complete alienation of forests or agricultural uses outside the corporate boundaries of a municipality.

Provides that the statute that permits a city to change its name does not apply to a city if the city is named in the Constitution of the State of Indiana or in the Indiana Code. Provides the following with regard to a petition to change the name of a city: (1) Petitioners must file the petition with the county board of registration signed by the number of voters equal to 2% of the votes cast in the last election for secretary of state in the city. (2) If the county board of registration finds that the petition meets the statutory criteria, the county election board shall place the question of the name change on the ballot provided for voters in the city at the first general or municipal election following certification of the public question.

Increases the penalty for obstruction of traffic under certain circumstances.