To: Terre Haute Chamber Members 
From: Kristin Craig, Executive Director
Date: February 23, 2022
Re: State Legislative Update
Chamber Members –
With just a few weeks left in the 2022 Indiana Legislative Session, we are closely monitoring the quick changes that are happening. Below are a few key updates:
HB1001 – ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY; COVID-19 IMMUNIZATIONS
- As of today, this bill has been aligned with state laws and what is already allowed at the federal level in regards to exemptions and testing. In addition, a natural immunity period and healthcare exclusion have been included. This is likely to pass in the next few days.
- Link to bill details: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1001
- Bill Digest: COVID-19 immunizations. Defines “Indiana governmental entity” and specifies that an Indiana governmental entity (current law refers to a state or local unit) may not issue or require an immunization passport. Provides that an employer may not impose a requirement that employees receive an immunization against COVID-19 unless the employer provides individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of the requirement on the basis of medical reasons, religious reasons, an agreement to submit to testing for the presence of COVID-19, or immunity from COVID-19 acquired from a prior infection with COVID-19.
- Recent Actions: Senate – Senate – 02/17/2022 – Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
HB1002 – VARIOUS TAX MATTERS
- This bill has changed dramatically this week and no longer includes any language related to business personal property taxes. However, it is likely that language related to business personal property taxes may reappear on another bill in the closing days of session. We are following this closely.
- Link to bill details: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1002
- Bill Digest: Various tax matters. Removes a provision that requires taxpayers to have adjusted gross income tax liability in order to qualify for an automatic taxpayer refund. Makes clarifying changes. Provides that before the state lottery commission may implement an expansion of gaming either by adopting rules, entering into contracts, or any other action, the rule, contract, or action must be authorized by the general assembly. Defines “expansion of gaming” for purposes of the requirement. 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 in the case of Monroe County, January 1, 2044); 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.
- Recent Actions: Senate – 02/22/2022 – Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
HB 1153 – Worker’s Compensation
- Strongly supported by the Indiana Manufacturing Association, this bill is likely to pass early next week.
- Link to bill details: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1153
- Bill Digest: Worker’s compensation. Provides that if, after the occurrence of an accident, compensation is paid for temporary total disability or temporary partial disability, then the two year limitation period to file an application for adjustment of claim begins to run on the last date for which the compensation was paid. Increases benefits for injuries and disablements by 3% each year for four years, beginning on July 1, 2022. Adds an ambulatory outpatient surgical center to the definition of “medical service facility” under the worker’s compensation law. Makes certain changes to the definition of “pecuniary liability”. Establishes clean claim payment requirements related to worker’s compensation claims. Removes outdated language. Makes conforming amendments.
- Bill Actions: Senate – 02/17/2022 – Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations
SB4 – LOCAL WORKFORCE RECRUITING AND RETENTION
- While this bill is not moving forward, the language has now been included in SB361. See notes below.
SB 245 – STATEWIDE SPORTS AND TOURISM BID FUND
- With the growth of tourism in our area, we have identified this bill as a potential source of funding to promote our assets. The bill has been changed to specify that at least 30% of the funds are to be used outside of Marion County. Has passed, but is still eligible for conference committee.
- Link to bill details: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/senate/245
- Bill Digest: Statewide sports and tourism bid fund. Establishes the statewide sports and tourism bid fund (fund) to provide funding for the purpose of organizing and holding sports and tourism events in Indiana. Provides that the Indiana destination development corporation (IDDC) shall administer the fund. Requires the IDDC to distribute to the Indiana Sports Corporation a grant amount equal to the amount appropriated by the general assembly to the fund. Provides that the Indiana Sports Corporation shall manage the funds in accordance with the general laws of the state relating to the handling of public funds. Requires that the Indiana Sports Corporation ensure that not less than 30% of the money received by the Indiana Sports Corporation each biennium is used for events that are conducted outside of Marion County. Authorizes the Indiana Sports Corporation to award grants to other eligible entities for the purpose of organizing and holding an event in Indiana. Requires the Indiana Sports Corporation to annually report to the budget committee on the use of the money received from the fund.
- Recent Actions: Senate – 02/23/2022 – Motion to concur filed
SB 361 – Economic Development
- Language from SB4 providing for a local workforce fund has now been added to this bill, which also provides for the creation of innovation development districts. Likely to pass early next week.
- Link to bill details: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/senate/361
- Bill Digest: Economic development. Makes certain amendments to the hoosier business investment tax credit, the economic development for a growing economy tax credit, the headquarters relocation tax credit, and the redevelopment tax credit. Adds veteran owned businesses to the list of businesses that would qualify for an enhanced venture capital tax credit. Limits the total amount of credits that the Indiana economic development corporation (IEDC) may award for a calendar year for all taxpayers for all applicable tax credits to $300,000,000. Specifies the procedure by which the IEDC may designate an area as an innovation development district (district). Provides that an innovation development district board (board) must be established to govern each innovation development district. Requires the IEDC to enter into a final agreement with the board establishing the terms and conditions governing a district. Requires the board to establish a local innovation development district fund for a district. Provides for the uses of money in a local innovation development district fund. Provides that money in a local innovation development district fund is continuously appropriated for the uses of the fund. Authorizes a county, city, or town to establish a workforce retention and recruitment 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. 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 appointed by the executive of the unit. Provides that the IEDC may award a tax credit for media production expenses for certain media productions in Indiana beginning July 1, 2023. Provides for the augmentation of the amount appropriated to the IEDC in an amount not to exceed $300,000,000 for the purposes of business promotion and innovation. Specifies that funds appropriated to the IEDC for the purposes of business promotion and innovation do not revert to the state general fund. Requires the IEDC to identify state laws and regulations that burden existing businesses or inhibit creation of new businesses and provide a report with recommendations to the general assembly and budget committee. Makes conforming changes.
- Recent Actions: House – 02/22/2022 – Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
If you are looking for information about the 2022 Legislative Session, including specific bills, committee meeting information and even a listing of all legislators with a list of the bills they are authoring. http://iga.in.gov/
