Friday, April 28, 2023
The 2023 legislative session has concluded, and along with the 2024-25 state budget, Senate Republicans passed legislation addressing key issues facing our state, including improving the state's mental health and public health infrastructure, lowering health costs, promoting public safety and protecting Hoosiers' data privacy.
Fiscal responsibility
Senate Enrolled Act 3, authored by State Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle)
WHAT: Form the State and Local Tax Review Commission to study the feasibility of ending Indiana's income tax and/or ending property taxes on homesteads
WHY: Indiana's tax climate consistently ranks among the best in the nation. Senate Republicans want to take a holistic look at our tax structure to ensure we remain competitive in today's economy.
Senate budget priority – House Enrolled Act 1001, sponsored by State Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka)
WHAT: The state budget allocates $700 million as a one-time investment to aggressively pay down the Pre-96 Teachers' Retirement Fund, which has an outstanding liability of about $6 billion
WHY: Statehouse Republicans have paid down this pension obligation by $4 billion in the past few years alone. The sooner Indiana pays off this unfunded liability, the sooner $1 billion per year is freed up in the state budget for transformational tax cuts and important public needs.
Senate Enrolled Act 2, authored by State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville)
WHAT: Change state tax law so more LLCs and S Corps can deduct all state tax payments on federal tax returns, resulting in what could be $50 million in federal tax savings for Hoosier businesses
WHY: This change levels the playing field for businesses – especially small businesses – when it comes to receiving a deduction on federal taxes and is revenue-neutral for Indiana.
Make Indiana's mental and public health infrastructure work better for Hoosiers
Senate Enrolled Act 1, authored by State Sen. Mike Crider (R-Greenfield)
WHAT: Provide ongoing funding to build out a system of certified behavioral health clinics
WHY: Last year, the 9-8-8 National Suicide and Crisis Line went live, giving Hoosiers a place to call when they need mental-health support. The next step for improving our mental-health infrastructure is to make sure every person has a place to go to get care.
Senate Enrolled Act 4, authored by State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso)
WHAT: Increase the quality of services performed by Indiana's local health departments and promote collaboration between local health departments and the Indiana Department of Health
WHY: Focusing on preventing health problems, rather than treating them, will help improve the state's poor health rankings and foster a healthy workforce.
Lower health care costs for Hoosiers
House Enrolled Act 1004, sponsored by Charbonneau
WHAT: For the largest hospital systems in Indiana, make sure insurance claims are paid appropriately based on the location where service was provided
WHY: Ending practices that allow inaccurate billing could save Hoosiers millions per year on medical bills.
Senate Enrolled Act 8, authored by Charbonneau
WHAT: Require insurers to pass on the rebates they receive for prescriptions to the patients buying the medicines or to all plan members
WHY: It's common for insurers to negotiate contracts with drug companies so they get a rebate every time a person covered by their plan gets certain prescriptions. SEA 8 would ensure those savings go to the person or plan that bought the medicine.
Senate Enrolled Act 7, authored by State Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne)
WHAT: End anti-competitive noncompete clauses for primary care doctors starting July 1, 2023
WHY: This change will increase the number of doctors practicing in Indiana and allow more patients to keep their preferred doctor if the physician changes employers.
Supporting law enforcement, ensuring public safety
Senate budget priority – House Enrolled Act 1001, sponsored by State Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka)
WHAT: Increase pay for Indiana State Police (ISP) and alter the pay matrix from 20 years (current timeline) to 15 years, so they see an increase in pay significantly quicker throughout their career
WHY: ISP, as the state's leading law-enforcement agency, offers assistance to nearly every law enforcement agency across the state. Yet, a study conducted by the Indiana State Police Alliance revealed state troopers are among the lowest paid law enforcement officers in Indiana. ISP troopers are the cream of the crop and should be paid like it.
Senate Joint Resolution 1, authored by State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford)
WHAT: Amend the Indiana Constitution to allow judges to deny bail if a suspect clearly poses a substantial risk to any other person or the community
WHY: The majority of states and the federal government allow the most dangerous suspects to be held without bail, and Indiana judges should have that discretion to protect the public.
Protect Hoosiers' Data Privacy
Senate Enrolled Act 5, authored by State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne)
WHAT: Creates a "bill of rights" for Hoosier data privacy that will allow consumers to monitor how their data is being used and have it deleted if they wish
WHY: More businesses have access to our personal information, while data breaches and cybersecurity threats continue to grow. SEA 5 updates consumer protection laws to defend against those threats.
For more information on these and other bills, click here.
For more information about the budget, click here.
To track bills on the governor's desk, click here.