2005 REPORT CARD

Report Card on 2005 Legislative Priorities

ENVIRONMENT

Position
The Chamber supports changes in state law that would provide the Air Pollution, Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Water Control environmental boards with a proper separation of powers and an independent review process.

Outcome
SB 44: The Environmental Quality Services Council-EQSC was made a permanent legislative committee.

Position
The Chamber supports legislation directing IDEM to provide so-called “Prospective Purchaser Agreements” which limit liability of persons who agree to acquire and develop Brownfield sites…

Outcome
HB 1653: This allows local government to obtain permits to create sites that are “shovel-ready” for development with liability protections.

Position
The Chamber believes that the environmental boards should be required to provide scientific rationale and a credible cost/benefit analysis if proposed rules exceed federal requirements.

Outcome
HB 1265: Requires an agency to include a statement justifying the requirement and cost of a new rule and reference studies used.

DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIME

Position
Statewide observance of Daylight-Saving Time

Outcome
SB 127: Daylight-Saving Time will be observed. U.S. Dept of Transportation hearings on time zone will determine Eastern or Central time zone by counties.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Position 
The Chamber calls for the elimination of textbook rental fees in Indiana.

Outcome
HB 1001: Provides for unpaid and low income textbook fees to be paid by adding cost to the property tax rate.

Position
The Chamber endorses legislation that changes the Indiana kindergarten enrollment cut-off date to September 1st.

Outcome
HB 1001: Allows students turning five between July 1- Aug. 1 to enroll in kindergarten with parental consent and after readiness is determined by the school.

Position
The Chamber encourages the State of Indiana and its school corporations to embrace the spirit of the 1999 legislation, grounded in quality principles and world-class standards.

Outcome
SB 200: Requires that all students take Core 40 Curriculum. Class of 2011 will have college prep curriculum.

UPGRADE OF U.S. 31

Position
The Chamber supports a reasonable increase in the state gas tax to fund INDOT’s 2000-25 Long Range Plan. We specifically support full funding of the U.S. 31 corridor between South Bend and Indianapolis.

Outcome
HB 1001: Authority to use new  federal dollars for securitization of new construction bonding for both the state and local projects. Will fund I-465 which will then move U.S. 31 to top of priority list.

TAXATION AND PUBLIC FINANCE

Position
The Chamber supports the continuation of tax increment financing (TIF) as an economic development financing tool. Use of TIF should be limited to the attraction of primary investment.

Outcome
HB 1182: Extends TIF by six years with a requirement that the legislature must act one year prior to expiration or TIF will be extended five years.

Position
The Chamber supports the continuation of property tax abatement as an economic development incentive.

Outcome
HB 1182: Extends six years in same manner as TIF. Also provides that new investment in logistical distribution and information technology will receive tax abatement.

Position
The Chamber believes that no changes should be made to the personal property tax regulations that would cause business to shoulder a heavier tax burden.

Outcome
SB 1, HB 414 & 496: EDGE Tax Credits and Hoosier Business Investment Tax Credits are improved for use by small business. Transportation, and logistical distribution equipment are qualified for credit.

TELECOMMUNICATION REGULATION OF BROADBAND

Position
The Chamber urges the defeat of HB 1148 and any legislation that would make it more difficult for communities to provide telecommunication infrastructure.

Outcome       
HB 1148: This bill was defeated without a committee vote. The Metronet initiative is free to move forward.

PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT BY COUNTIES

Position
The Chamber supports legislation that would require each county to determine by ordinance how assessment shall be managed for the county.

Outcome
SB 308: If Trustee-Assessors opt out or don’t get certification, then the county assessor takes over the responsibility.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL INTEREST LEGISLATION

• HB 1004: Tax Amnesty

• HB 1314: Dual enrollment for high school students

• HB 1393: Speed limits on U.S. 31 and Bypass

• HB 1794: Dropout age raised to 18 years old

• SB 1: Venture capital tax credits of 20% and research & development tax credit of 15% with a refund of 50% of sales taxes on this equipment.

• SB 335: Office of Tourism

• SB 378: Tax credits for building coal gasification power plant

• SB 578: State bonding consolidation

• SB 620: Combined Sewer Overflows

• SB 638: Merger of Townships

HUMAN RESOURCES AND HEALTH CARE

Position
The Chamber supports legislation that would allow small business to have the option to purchase a basic health plan with high-deductibles that cover catastrophic illness and injury.  These plans might not include all of the state-mandated medical benefits.

Outcome       
HB 1075: This bill allows up to two waivers of coverage on an individual health policy.

HB: 289: The essential benefit bill for small business failed.

MAJOR POSITIONS THAT DID NOT PASS THIS YEAR

Position
HB 1001: The Chamber supports state funding of the renovation of the former Associates building on the IU South Bend campus…The Chamber supports state funding of expansion at Ivy Tech Region Two facilities…

HB 1120: The Chamber supports state ownership and management of the Northern Indiana Toll road and is opposed to using profits for any other purpose…

SB 78: The Chamber opposes any Local Minimum Wage, or “living wage,” ordinance at the local level. Furthermore, The Chamber supports legislation at the state level preempting any similar ordinances.