Senate Bill 350 (Central Indiana Development Authority), authored by Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), passed the full Senate 48-1 on February 4. The measure establishes a pilot program for counties and municipalities in central Indiana to establish a development authority. The bill also codifies the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, which will potentially serve as the umbrella organization for the authority. The intent of SB 350 is to establish a framework for the Central Indiana Development Authority to develop and execute a strategic plan that will attract public and private investments, as well as businesses and people to the region. The strategic plan further requires participants to identify and solve local problems that have been past barriers to economic and regional growth. The Chamber was helpful in drafting the amended version of SB 350 and testified in support of the legislation when it was heard by the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. The bill is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville).
Senate Bill 262 (Film and Media Production Incentives), authored by Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne) passed the full Senate 47-2 on February 4. The measure establishes a framework for a future financial incentive to be issued by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation as a means to attract film, TV and music production to Indiana. The Chamber testified in support of the measure in the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy committee, saying: (1) a state incentive would make Indiana more competitive for projects given that 32 other states have a similar incentive, (2) it would attract a more diversified workforce, and (3) help Indiana in its desperate need to do a better job marketing (and broadcasting) our state’s geographic assets. Senate Bill 262 is sponsored by Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo), Christy Stuzman (R-Middlebury), Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville) and Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington).
Senate Bill 264 (Certified Technology Parks), authored by Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), cleared the full Senate 43-6 on February 4. In short, the bill increases the financial award distributed to high performing certified technology parks (CTPs) and offers a friendlier “new base year” for the CTP’s incentive calculation. The Chamber testified in support of the measure when it was before the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, saying: (1) the incentive that CTPs receive is “new money” that would otherwise not be available but-for local redevelopment commissions turning greenspace or under-developed/utilized structures into a place that incubates businesses that in turn produce the new tax revenue, and (2) that CTPs are a net positive for the communities in which they are located because they attract businesses and workers that contribute to the local and state tax bases in a variety of ways. The Chamber is actively working with other stakeholders to formulate a strategy to ensure the bill is understood and supported by key House members. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Dave Heine (R-Dave Fort Wayne) and Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville).
Senate Bill 364 (Regulatory Impact Matters), authored by Sen. Victoria Spartz (R-Noblesville), was passed by the full Senate 45-4 on February 4. In addition to adding transparency to administrative actions, the bill also calls for a summer study committee to investigate the topic of a “relocation and talent incentive” – a provision which was amended into the bill at the Chamber’s urging. The measure is sponsored by Reps. Ben Smaltz (R-Garrett) and Jim Lucas (R-Seymour).
Senate Bill 427 (Provisional Occupational License), authored by Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon) – was passed by the full Senate 47-2 on February 4. With an original similar purpose as HB 1008, the bill was narrowed to only impact military spouses seeking professional licensing reciprocity. That’s still a worthwhile step, but HB 1008 remains preferable.
Resource: Adam H. Berry at (317) 264-6892 or email: aberry@indianachamber.com
