Radio for Monday March 27th
There 17 bills on Second Reading and 8 bills on Third Reading. Committees are beginning to complete their work for the 2023 session. Work will continue to expand onto the House floor. A new Safe Haven Baby Box was dedicated on Sunday in Sunman at the EMS station with US Congresswoman Erin Houchin, State Senator Jean Leising and myself in attendance. 5 weeks remain in the 2023 legislative session.
SB161 Authored by Senator Mike Crider. Protection Orders – It adds a prohibition against using a tracking device to the list of conditions a court may impose when issuing a protection order.device on an individual or the
B. Stalking Enhancement – It increases the penalty for stalking to a Level 5 felony if the offense is committed by means of a tracking device.
C. Unlawful Surveillance – It provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally places a tracking individual’s property commits unlawful surveillance, a Class A misdemeanor, unless certain exceptions apply, and increases the penalty to a Level 6 felony if the person is the subject of a protective order or has certain prior convictions.
D. Sentence Enhancement – It establishes a sentence enhancement if a person uses a tracking device to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime.
SB33 Authored by Senator Greg Walker. Summary of Legislation: This bill directs the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to conduct a study concerning the decommissioning and disposal of solar panels and wind power equipment. It sets forth certain topics that IDEM must consider in conducting the study. It provides that IDEM may consult with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as necessary to conduct the study. It requires IDEM to: (1) file a report on its findings and recommendations resulting from the study with the Chairman of the Legislative Council; and (2) present the report to the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications; not later than October 1, 2024.
SB384 Authored by Senator Jim Tomms and Sponsored by myself. Summary of Legislation: This bill requires the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) to develop and implement the Higher Education Purple Star Designation for the following purposes: (1) To recognize postsecondary educational institutions that are supportive and inclusive of veterans and military connected families. (2) To provide veterans and military connected families with enhanced support for pursuing and finishing a degree or postsecondary credential. It also provides that the application for a designation must be made available to interested postsecondary educational institutions on the website of the CHE before May 1, 2024.