FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kellyn Harrison, Press Secretary
Kellyn.Harrison@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498
STATEHOUSE (March 8, 2024) — A Senate Republican agenda bill authored by State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) that would ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars will now move to the governor's desk for final consideration.
“One of my legislative priorities has continuously been ‘good government’ – cutting waste where there is waste and holding our government accountable for how it uses taxpayer dollars,” Garten said.
Senate Enrolled Act 4 would establish an ongoing process to revert unused state government funds to the General Fund and enable state agencies to lower or eliminate fines and fees faster.
Under SEA 4, the State Budget Agency (SBA) would prepare a report that identifies the balance of dedicated funds that have not been used in the prior two years and makes recommendations from the state budget director. The General Assembly would then have the opportunity to make changes regarding these unused funds. Money still left unused at the end of the fiscal year would revert to the state's General Fund.
"Hoosier taxpayers give their hard-earned money to the state, and it is our duty as elected officials to always strive to be good stewards of taxpayer money, no matter how small or large the amount,” Garten said.
Preliminary estimates show this process could make about $40 million in unused funds available during the first review cycle. It is projected that about $23 million of that total would be transferred to help Indiana's Medicaid shortfall in this fiscal year and nearly $20 million would revert to the General Fund in 2025.
"Years of conservative fiscal leadership have made and kept Indiana one of the most economically competitive and responsible states in the nation, and lawmakers are still working to identify and consider long-term ways to keep more money in Hoosiers' pockets," Garten said. "Senate Enrolled Act 4 would set the state up to put tax dollars to better use and generate even more long-term savings in the future."
Garten added language to SEA 4 that would require proposed administrative rules with an expected compliance cost of at least $1 million to be reviewed by the State Budget Committee before it can take effect, with limited exceptions.
"Executive branch agencies have the authority to work out details of policy issues through limited rulemaking authority. However, unelected bureaucrats should not be able to unilaterally impose new regulations that significantly impact Hoosiers' wallets with little public input or legislative review," Garten said. "By adding this language into Indiana code, our state could better prevent regulatory overreach for Hoosiers and allow state elected officials to make determinations on significant rules based on the public's best interest."
SEA 4 would also streamline the process for agencies to cut or eliminate fees and fines through interim rules, which take far less time to adopt than formal rulemaking, helping keep more money in Hoosiers' pockets.
All of these policies are a direct result of recommendations the Government Reform Task Force made during the 2023 interim. Garten chaired the task force to study opportunities for government reform so Indiana can yet again demonstrate its fiscal responsibility for Hoosier taxpayers.
To learn more about this bill and other legislation Garten worked on this legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
To track bills on the governor's desk, click here.
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State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) represents Senate District 45,
which includes Clark County and portions of Floyd County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
