By Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Chamber president and CEO
You never know from one legislative session to the next what is going to garner the attention and gain traction in the Indiana General Assembly. Last year, lawmakers spent far too much time, which is their most valuable and scarce resource, on divisive matters that really didn’t move the state forward economically or improve our competitive status across the country or the lives of working Hoosiers.
In 2023, we needed to get back to that focus, and in large part, legislators have done that so far. There are still some exceptions, but the scales are decidedly tipped much heavier in the direction of positive bills that will promote prosperity and economic opportunity for the people of Indiana:
Growing the talent pipeline – House Bill 1002 features a number of provisions that include expanding work-based learning opportunities, making high school graduation requirements more relevant to real-world expectations and creating funding flexibility for students to complete on-the-job-training and postsecondary credentials.
House Bill 1449 and Senate Bill 435 would automatically enroll eligible low-income students in the state’s 21st Century Scholars program, which pays for up to four years of in-state college tuition or postsecondary training for eligible students who enroll and complete a short list of preparation activities. Established more than three decades ago, the Scholars program has emerged as one of Indiana’s most effective strategies in driving postsecondary participation and completion. Unfortunately, less than half of eligible students enroll in the program in middle school due to a lack of awareness or adequate support.
Auto-enrolling 21st Century Scholars could prove to be a game changer toward ensuring that every Hoosier, regardless of financial means, has the aspiration and motivation to earn a postsecondary credential and an equitable opportunity to do so.
Supporting mental health needs – Senate Bill 1 makes an appropriation to fund certified community behavioral health clinics and requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction of the Family and Social Services Administration to establish a helpline for those in need. The cost of untreated mental illness to employers is staggering. Hoosier employers lose $885 million annually in lost productivity, and it costs the state $708 million per year in direct health care expenses. The Indiana Chamber is encouraged to see the Legislature taking steps to address this crisis that impacts so many employers and the workforce Indiana businesses rely upon.
Legislation funding the 9-8-8 crisis response center is not currently included in SB 1. We would like to see a $2.00 per pack cigarette tax increase be used to fund this important endeavor instead of taxes or fees that would hit the pocketbooks of businesses and individuals across the board.
Addressing data privacy – The Indiana Chamber believes the current consumer data protection legislation strikes an excellent balance between the rights of consumers and businesses who acquire and use consumer data in their business operations. Senate Bill 5 instructs qualified businesses how to treat and secure consumer data, as well as outlines disclosures they must make to consumers about how their data are used. In the absence of federal legislation, such a state law is needed to give businesses operating in Indiana legal certainty.
Bills of importance to the business community and the Indiana Chamber’s position on each one are listed in the first edition of our Legislative Agenda. View it and other resources at our online policy center.
