A Marathon Before a Sprint

Legislative Updates Archive

Most notably, SB176 has its hearing before House Ways and Means today (February 24) at 9 a.m., with committee members expected to offer amendments encouraging private sector investment in expanded regional transit. Use our guide to brush up on SB176’s remaining path through the General Assembly.

Unfortunately, early childhood education took a step backward last Wednesday as the Senate Education Committee voted to give the proposed preschool pilot program in HB1004 additional study over the summer rather than fund it now. At the same hearing, Angela Smith Jones of the Indy Chamber offered strong support for HB1321, which would provide Indianapolis Public Schools withan additional tool to foster innovation and improvement across the district. The committee is expected to vote on the bill sometime this week.

The Senate unanimously passed HB1332, providing for consolidation of several small business programs under the Office of Small Business & Entrepreneurship and supervision of the Lieutenant Governor. HB1020 and HB1215 both advanced out of Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy, paving the way for annual review of state and local economic development incentives and a study comparing the effectiveness of tax credits and grant programs in spurring redevelopment of historic properties, respectively.

While Statehouse action last week was relatively slow-paced, we expect things to pick up in advance of next week’s third reading deadlines. Your dedicated team of lobbyists will continue to advocate for policies that help the Indianapolis region remain the best place to live, work and do business.

As temperatures rose briefly in Indianapolis last week, committees and legislators warmed up to some advancing legislation while giving chilly receptions to other bills. As always, key developments happened on a number of Indy Chamber priority issues.