Senate Bill 1 (Civil Immunity Related to COVID-19), authored by Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper), would provide legal protection for businesses regarding coronavirus exposure for employees and the public. It passed the House this week 72-21 and now returns to the Senate for a concurrence. On second reading, an attempt was made to insert an amendment to prohibit employers from mandating vaccinations by Rep. Curt Nisly (R-Milford). Senate sponsor, Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel), while supportive of its content, opposed the amendment because this would cause SB 1 to then go to conference committee and take a couple of weeks longer. The intent is to get this to the Governor as soon as possible. Thus, Nisly’s amendment failed by a vote of 3-90. The Chamber doesn’t expect there to be any problem as the bill returns to the Senate, where Sen. Messmer has promised to concur on the bill.

Senate Bill 54 (FAFSA Requirement), authored by Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), requires Indiana high school seniors, with few exceptions, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The legislation cleared the full Senate this week (27-20) after some modifications to provide an additional opt-out option that could be exercised by a student’s school counselor (in addition to a parent or school principal). A similar bill passed the Senate by a larger margin last year with the difference this year mostly due to fewer Senate Democrats voting in favor of the measure. The prevailing sentiment among Senate Democrats seemed to be that SB 54 was good policy that would benefit students and families, but it should be accompanied by additional funding for schools.

A Chamber priority, this is a common sense policy that offers clear benefits to both Hoosier families and Indiana’s workforce. Over the past two years, similar bills have been passed by both legislative houses but not in the same year. We cleared an important hurdle with passage by the Senate this week, but we expect to redouble our advocacy efforts as the measure reaches the House.

Resources: Jason Bearce at (317) 264-6880 or email: jbearce@indianachamber.com; Mike Ripley at (317) 264-6883 or email: mripley@indianachamber.com