Submitted for use on March 4, 2022
Word Count: 465
The 2022 legislative session is nearing its end, and many bills are being sent to the governor for consideration. The Indiana General Assembly has tackled a number of issues this session, and I am glad to have three of my bills moving forward in the legislative process. I believe these three pieces of legislation will make a lasting impact on Indiana and continue to help Hoosiers if they are signed into law.
Senate Bill 2 would ensure schools receive full funding for children who would have otherwise been considered virtual students during the fall of 2021 due to COVID-19 and students in quarantine on the fall count date.
Senate Bill 290 would establish a career coaching pilot program for K-12 students. This program would give students the ability to explore careers and what they would do in that line of work.
Senate Enrolled Act 342 would fix a local issue in Wayne County by allowing a flood plain administrator to issue a variance so certain homes that were originally given permits and only later identified as being in a floodway can remain in their location. I am glad I was able to bring this bill to help Wayne County put a solution to their problem in Indiana law.
I dissented on changes made by the House of Representatives on SB 2 and SB 209. These bills will now be assigned to conference committees where one member of each caucus from both the House and the Senate will work together to settle on a final version of the bill. I will chair both of the conference committees for SB 2 and SB 209. I look forward to working with my fellow legislators to find a landing spot for these bills that will follow my initial intent and still satisfy both chambers.
To view the schedule of these or other conference committee meetings, or to livestream the meetings, visit iga.in.gov.
SEA 342 has been passed by both chambers and will be sent to the governor for further consideration. The governor has one week to sign or veto the bill once it reaches his desk. If he takes no action after the first week, the bill will become law without the governor's signature.
If you would like to watch what bills make it to the governor's desk and if they are signed, vetoed or become law without a signature, you can click here or visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2022-bill-watch. This page shows all the bills that have made it to the governor's desk, what stage of the process the bill is in and the deadline for the governor's signature.
If you have any questions or concerns on these or other topics, feel free to contact me at Senator.Raatz@iga.in.gov or 317-233-0930.
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