Rebecca Patrick, Author at Indiana Chamber of Commerce

QUICK TAKES: Worker’s Comp Increase Heads to the Full Senate; Bills Raising Smoking Age Pass Both Houses; Occupational Licensing Bills Progressing

QUICK TAKES: Worker’s Comp Increase Heads to the Full Senate; Bills Raising Smoking Age Pass Both Houses; Occupational Licensing Bills Progressing

Senate Bill 202 (Worker’s Compensation), authored by Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Portage), cleared the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee by a vote of 5-1. This measure would increase benefits for injuries and disablements by 2% each year for three years, beginning on July 1, 2020. The Chamber believes that this is a very reasonable increase. However, this must be paired [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-27T13:17:29-05:00January 24th, 2020|

Chamber-Opposed Bill Supporting Continued Large Payouts From ELTF Narrowly Clears First Hurdle

Chamber-Opposed Bill Supporting Continued Large Payouts From ELTF Narrowly Clears First Hurdle

HB 1282 – Excess Liability Trust Fund Authored by Rep. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville) The bill provides that the administrator shall, not later than March 31, 2020, pay claims for costs from the Excess Liability Trust Fund (ELTF) for claims submitted within a specified period of time. It also establishes a formula for paying claims for reimbursement from the ELTF [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-24T13:37:49-05:00January 24th, 2020|

Event Offers Holistic Tech Focus, Highlighted by Cyber Security Tips

Event Offers Holistic Tech Focus, Highlighted by Cyber Security Tips

Cyber attacks are the most significant risk factor facing Hoosier businesses today. An overriding goal of the 2020 Business Technology Summit is to provide information to help companies protect themselves. The event runs tomorrow and Thursday at the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown. The FBI, industry experts and leading employers are scheduled to take part. The opening keynote focuses on cyber [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-21T14:59:53-05:00January 21st, 2020|

Energy and Environment: Notice of Environmental Contamination Bill Burdensome and Expands Existing Law

Energy and Environment: Notice of Environmental Contamination Bill Burdensome and Expands Existing Law

HB 1257 – Notice of Environmental Contamination Authored by Rep. Patricia Boy (D-Michigan City) The bill requires a person who causes a spill of certain substances into waters of the state to report the spill immediately to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the county health officer of each county in which the spill occurred, downstream water users, [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T13:18:57-05:00January 17th, 2020|

Federal Relations: Favorable Ruling on Joint Employer Standard

Federal Relations: Favorable Ruling on Joint Employer Standard

On January 12, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule on the joint employer standard, clarifying the employee status when a worker is employed by more than one company. The guidance, or framework, had been requested by franchisees and businesses that employ contract workers like staffing or construction companies. In the final rule, effective March 16, [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T13:13:30-05:00January 17th, 2020|

Taxation: Senior Homestead Deduction Needs Tailored to Remove Broad, Unintended Impact

Taxation: Senior Homestead Deduction Needs Tailored to Remove Broad, Unintended Impact

SB 292 – Property Taxes Authored by Sen. Jack Sandlin (R-Indianapolis) Authorizes a county fiscal body to adopt an ordinance to establish a senior homestead assessed value deduction. Defines a “qualified senior homestead” for purposes of the deduction as homestead property that is owned by one or more owner-occupants who is at least 50 years of age. Provides that [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T13:08:41-05:00January 17th, 2020|

Health Care: House’s Increased Smoking Age Bill Gets Amended; Senate Version Passes Committee

Health Care: House’s Increased Smoking Age Bill Gets Amended; Senate Version Passes Committee

HB 1006 – Regulation of Tobacco Products Authored by Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer (R-Beech Grove) Requires a person to be at least 21 years of age to purchase tobacco products or to hold a tobacco sales certificate to sell tobacco products. Requires a seller of tobacco products to verify the age of a purchaser who appears to be less than [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T13:05:18-05:00January 17th, 2020|

Labor Relations: House Labor Committee Hears Unemployment Insurance Bill

Labor Relations: House Labor Committee Hears Unemployment Insurance Bill

HB 1111 – Unemployment Insurance Rates Authored by Rep. Dan Leonard (R-Huntington) Provides a new schedule of rates for calendar years after December 31, 2020. Provides new contribution rates for calendar years after 2020. The bill reduces the number of schedules from nine to five. It locks in rates through 2025 which currently are in Schedule E – what [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T12:51:51-05:00January 17th, 2020|

Dueling ‘Surprise Billing’ Bills Heard Same Time in Two Committees

Dueling ‘Surprise Billing’ Bills Heard Same Time in Two Committees

HB 1004 – Out-of-Network Billing for Health Care Services Authored by Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) Prohibits a patient from being billed an amount that exceeds the in-network rates paid by the patient’s insurance plus any deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance amounts when the service is provided at an in-network facility. The bill also allows an amount greater than the in-network [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T12:45:23-05:00January 17th, 2020|

Priority Occupational Licensing Recognition Bill Takes Center Stage

Priority Occupational Licensing Recognition Bill Takes Center Stage

HB 1008 – Occupational Licensure Reciprocity Authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) Requires a board that issues a license for certain regulated occupations to issue a license to an individual who: (1) is licensed in another state or jurisdiction in the regulated occupation; (2) has established residency; (3) has passed a substantially equivalent examination; (4) is and has [...]

Rebecca Patrick2020-01-17T12:38:43-05:00January 17th, 2020|

About Rebecca Patrick