Funding for Local Roads Tops Governors Legislative Agenda

Governor Mike Pence today announced his legislative agenda for the upcoming session of the Indiana General Assembly, which commences tomorrow, January 5, 2016. “Our 2016 legislative agenda puts jobs, roads, education, and health care at the forefront of this session of the Indiana General Assembly, right where they belong,” said Governor Pence. “Our agenda prioritizes funding for state and local roads, ensures that schools and teacher salaries are not negatively impacted by the transition to a new test, and combats drug abuse and addiction through tougher enforcement and expanded treatment. I look forward to working with members of the Indiana General Assembly, and I am confident that together, our legislative agenda will strengthen Indiana by implementing the kinds of policies that improve the lives of Hoosiers.”

A complete list of the Governor’s 2016 legislative agenda is included below, and a one-pager of the agenda is attached. The Governor’s 2015 legislative successes can also be found attached. Bill numbers for those marked with an asterisk (*) are forthcoming. 

Jobs & Economic Development

21^st Century Crossroads*

Author: Senator Carlin Yoder (R-Middlebury)

Makes $1 billion in new state road funding available over the next four years without raising taxes.

Local Road Funding (SB 67)

Author: Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek)

Makes immediately available $418 million in Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) reserves to local governments to help improve local roads and bridges across the state.

Regional Cities Funding*

Author: Senator Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville)

Amends Indiana law to authorize an additional $42 million in tax amnesty collections to provide funding for three Regional Cities proposals instead of two.

State Certification for Veteran-Owned Businesses*

Author: Representative Doug Gutwein (R-Francesville)

Provides the Indiana Department of Administration with the authority to certify a business as a veteran-owned small business.

Promote Use of Ethanol Fuel Blends*

Author: Representative Don Lehe (R-Brookston)
Promotes the use of ethanol-blended fuels by expanding the misfueling immunity statute.

Education

A-F School Grades (SB 200)

Author: Senator Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn)

Holds schools harmless for their A-F accountability grade for the 2014-2015 year to accommodate the transition to more rigorous academic standards.

Teacher Bonuses and Evaluations*

Author: Representative Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis)

Ensures that teacher bonuses and evaluations are not negatively impacted by the transition to a new test during this year.

Health & Well-being

Increase Penalties on Drug Dealers*

Author: Representative Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon)

Increases penalties for drug dealers convicted of serious and aggravated offenses.

Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse*

Author: Senator Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis)

Establishes the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse to comprehensively address drug abuse issues at the state and local level.

Expansion of the Lifeline Law (SB 89)

Author: Senator Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis)

Expands the Lifeline Law to allow immunity for certain individuals who call emergency personnel when an individual is at risk of a drug overdose.

Standing Order for Naloxone*

Author: Senator Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis)

Ensures that lifesaving overdose intervention drugs are available statewide by requiring a licensed prescriber at the Indiana State Department of Health to issue a statewide standing order (prescription).

Codify Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0 (SB 165)

Author: Senator Patricia Miller (R-Indianapolis)

Codifies the basic structure and overall policy objectives of the HIP 2.0 program.

Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) (SB 11)

Author: Senator Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville)

Creates a savings program for Hoosiers to better provide for their loved ones with special needs by allowing them to save money for disability-related costs without placing other benefits at risk.

Add Human Trafficking to the DCS Statute*

Author: Senator Randy Head (R-Logansport)

Ensures that children who are victims of human trafficking are able to be served by the Department of Child Services (DCS) by adding human trafficking to the Child In Need of Services (CHINS) statute.