On the move

Local legislators will visit Jay County on Saturday morning.

About a month into the 2025 session, they have a combined four bills that have made their way through their chamber.

State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) has had two bills clear the Indiana Senate thus far while State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) and Matt Lehman (R-Berne) have each had one bill make its way through the Indiana House.

All three will be in Jay County on Saturday morning for a legislative update session at 11 a.m. at John Jay Center for Learning, 101 S. Meridian St., Portland.

Holdman’s Senate Bills 451 and 452, which are both related to taxes, both were approved on 49-0 votes Jan. 28 and subsequently referred to the House. The former calls for decreasing the state income tax rate by 0.05% in even-numbered years beginning in 2030 as long as certain fiscal conditions are met. The latter amends existing legislation to state that the legislative service agency must review tax incentives at least once. (Reviews are currently required once every seven years.)

Senate Bill 450, authored by Holdman, is currently awaiting third and final reading after it was amended on second reading Monday. It changes language and sets requirements for those who may be appointed commission for an Article V convention (regarding term limits in Congress).

Senate Bill 292, which would allow a tax credit for certain railroad expenditures, passed the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation but has not yet had a second reading in the Senate.

Holdman, who chairs the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, has several other pieces of legislation related to taxes, including Senate Bill 1, that have not yet been voted on in committee. Those bills address property tax reform, tax deferral, local taxes and tax credits. 

Prescott’s House Bill 1012 calls for property owners to be notified when:

•There is damage to the owner’s property crops or a structure that is reported to a law enforcement officer or agency

•Debris identified by a law enforcement officer or agency is left on the pr

The bill cleared the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety with unanimous support on Jan. 8 and passed the House on third reading 92-0 on Jan. 28. It has since been referred to the Senate.

Lehman’s House Bill 1214 says employers cannot be prohibited from bidding on a contract solely based on the employer’s experience rating and requires insurance companies to provide workers compensation insurance in certain situations.

House Bill 1213, also authored by Lehman, cleared the House Committee on Insurance and second reading in the House. It removes language regarding coverage under a casualty insurance policy or liability insurance policy on property transferred by a transfer on death deed and makes other clarifications.

Prescott’s House Concurrent Resolution 9 to name the Indiana 67 bridge over the Salamonie River in Jay County the Lance Corporal Andrew Whitacre Memorial Bridge in honor of the Marine from Bryant who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2008 passed through the House unanimously and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation.

Bills from Holdman that have not yet cleared committee are as follows:

1 — Addresses various tax issues including amending the homestead standard deduction

6 — Authorizes a county fiscal body to establish a property tax payment deferral program

290 — Requires the Department of Local Government Finance to increase the maximum permissible property tax levy in certain situations

297 — Allows a taxpayer to assign all or part of a film and media production tax credit

352 — Establishes the local government efficiency task force

453 — Addresses tax matters including amending estimated quarterly payment provisions and restructuring tax collection requirements for kerosene

478 — Establishes testing and packaging requirements for hemp products

Bills from Prescott that have not yet cleared committee are as follows:

1013 — Makes “The Hoosier State” the official nickname of Indiana and recognizes Harry Hoosier as the namesake

1105 — Removes penalties for 529 college choice education savings funds not used for higher education in certain circumstances

1229 — Abolishes property tax and establishes a sales tax on services

1230 — Requires that political party affiliation be indicated on ballots for school board

1231 — Requires the Ten Commandments to be displaced in each school library and classroom

1399 — Makes “unlawful presence in Indiana by an alien,” referring to those who have entered the country illegally, a Class A misdemeanor

1531 — Addresses various immigration matters, including detailing enforcement that may be carried out

1532 — Prohibits sports wagering from accepting wagers on the outcomes of elections

Bills from Lehman that have not yet cleared committee are as follows:

1108 — Requires tow truck operators to provide the owner a rate sheet for services

1109 — Requires insurers to take certain actions when using aerial images as part of its determination to not renew insurance coverage

1424 — Limits civil lawsuits regarding a public nuisance