Rebecca Patrick, Author at Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Quick Hits: COVID-19 Protection Legislation Goes to Governor; Favorable Resolution to Chamber-Opposed Pharmacy Benefit Manager Bill; Insurance Bill Outcome Unknown

Quick Hits: COVID-19 Protection Legislation Goes to Governor; Favorable Resolution to Chamber-Opposed Pharmacy Benefit Manager Bill; Insurance Bill Outcome Unknown

House Bill 1002 (Civil Immunity Related to COVID-19), authored by Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel), was concurred on by the House 58-21(20 members were excused from voting). The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. The Chamber-supported legislation protects health care providers from professional discipline for certain acts or omissions in response to COVID-19. It also provides immunity [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-16T16:12:30-04:00April 16th, 2021|

Long, Strange FAFSA Odyssey Continues in Session’s Final Stretch

Long, Strange FAFSA Odyssey Continues in Session’s Final Stretch

Senate Bill 54 (FAFSA Awards), authored by Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), headed into conference committee this week with House and Senate lawmakers agreeing that increasing the percentage of Hoosier high school students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was important but displaying distinctly different perspectives on the best way to achieve this goal. As passed by [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-16T14:01:52-04:00April 16th, 2021|

Key Economic Development Items to Watch as Budget Bill Takes Final Shape

Key Economic Development Items to Watch as Budget Bill Takes Final Shape

Venture Capital Investment (VCI) tax credit expansion – The Indiana Chamber has long advocated for the expansion of the VCI tax credit; including increasing the “cap” beyond $12.5 million, increasing the percentage of the investor’s credit beyond 20% and incentivizing investments into venture funds. Both the House and Senate passed versions indicate that we are on the precipice of accomplishing [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-16T13:59:16-04:00April 16th, 2021|

Wetlands Bill Made Worse Again in Final Passage; Chamber Urges Governor to Veto

Wetlands Bill Made Worse Again in Final Passage; Chamber Urges Governor to Veto

SB 389 – Repeals State Regulated Wetlands Law Authored by Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown); sponsored by Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) This bill, as amended, eliminates regulation of the majority of isolated wetlands (not federally determined) by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The bill provides that no permits are required for Class I wetland and certain Class II [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-16T14:46:04-04:00April 16th, 2021|

Fiscal Forecast Quite Bright After Latest Updates

Fiscal Forecast Quite Bright After Latest Updates

$462.9M, $862.3M, $1,104M. These are the numbers that can be added to what is projected in tax collections for fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023. This is how much more money the Indiana revenue forecasters are now projecting over what was outlined in their December 2020 forecast. The amount totals $2.4B in “new” money that the budget-makers could include [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-16T13:51:51-04:00April 16th, 2021|

Carbon Credit Program Amended and Approved by Senate Appropriations; Pair of Energy Bills Now Eligible for Full Senate Vote

Carbon Credit Program Amended and Approved by Senate Appropriations; Pair of Energy Bills Now Eligible for Full Senate Vote

SB 373 – Carbon Credit Programs Authored by Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange); sponsored by Rep. Don Lehe (R-Brookston) This bill requires the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with Purdue University and other technical experts in the area of carbon verification and voluntary carbon credit markets, to study and make findings and [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-09T13:52:04-04:00April 9th, 2021|

Senate Passes Pregnancy Accommodation, COVID-19 Protection Legislation; House Passes Union Dues Bill; Pharmacy Benefit Mangers and Insurance Bills Await Fate

Senate Passes Pregnancy Accommodation, COVID-19 Protection Legislation; House Passes Union Dues Bill; Pharmacy Benefit Mangers and Insurance Bills Await Fate

House Bill 1309 (Pregnancy Accommodation), authored by Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown), passed the Senate 31-19 after a lengthy debate. The bill allows an employee to request an accommodation for the employee’s pregnancy and gives Indiana a law in line with the federal Pregnancy Accommodation Act and Americans With Disabilities Act. Specifically, the bill also prohibits an employer from disciplining, [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-20T21:22:19-04:00April 9th, 2021|

Bill Helping Small, Hospitality Businesses Headed to Governor’s Desk; Collection of Broadband Bills on The Move

Bill Helping Small, Hospitality Businesses Headed to Governor’s Desk; Collection of Broadband Bills on The Move

HB 1004 – Small Business Restart Grant Program Authored by Rep. Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper); co-authored by Rep. Sharon Negele (R-Attica) and Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil); sponsored by Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Bremen) Establishes the Hoosier hospitality small business restart grant program to provide grants to eligible entities to accelerate economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishes the [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-09T13:41:15-04:00April 9th, 2021|

Wetlands Bill Much Improved; Chamber Moves From Oppose to Support

Wetlands Bill Much Improved; Chamber Moves From Oppose to Support

SB 389 – Repeals State Regulated Wetlands Law Authored by Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown); sponsored by Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) This bill eliminates regulation of isolated wetlands (not federally determined) by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). It strikes the section of Indiana Code requiring a permit from IDEM for wetland activity in a state regulated wetland. The [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-09T13:32:19-04:00April 9th, 2021|

Senate Presents Own Budget; Let the Talks Begin

Senate Presents Own Budget; Let the Talks Begin

HB 1001 – State Budget Authored by Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) The budget bill appropriates money for the operation of the state, K-12 and higher education, the delivery of Medicaid and other services, and various other distributions and purposes. Chamber position: Support in Part The latest: The Senate Appropriations Committee finished reworking the House budget bill yesterday. Basically, it spends the [...]

Rebecca Patrick2021-04-09T13:28:47-04:00April 9th, 2021|

About Rebecca Patrick