Monday, March 4, 2024
As the 2024 legislative session nears its end, several bills are already making their way to the governor's desk.
A bill must pass the Indiana Senate and House of Representatives with the exact same wording to move to the governor's desk for final consideration.
Here are several bills that have already cleared both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly and are now headed to the governor's desk.
Ensuring Hoosier Children Learn to Read
According to recent IREAD assessments, nearly 1 in 5 third grade students struggle to read at grade level.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 would offer a comprehensive approach to reading proficiency by addressing the issues of curriculum, assessment, remediation and retention.
The bill would require schools to provide reading instruction aligned with the Science of Reading from kindergarten through eighth grade and give the IREAD test to students beginning in second grade so students who need additional support receive it sooner.
Removing Unsafe Lead Lines
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are more than 265,000 customer-owned lead water lines in use in Indiana.
Senate Enrolled Act 5 would enable utility companies with Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission-approved lead line service replacement plans to replace lead pipes quicker, more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Enforcing Indiana's Sanctuary City Ban
The nation is seeing a lack of leadership by the federal government as it pertains to border security.
Senate Enrolled Act 181 would enforce state law prohibiting sanctuary cities in Indiana by amending existing law to authorize the Indiana attorney general to file suit against any Hoosier college, university or unit of local government not enforcing current laws banning sanctuary cities.
Selection of the Poet Laureate
Indiana has a rich history promoting and supporting the arts in our communities.
Senate Enrolled Act 286 would amend the membership of the Indiana Poet Laureate selection committee and allow the poet laureate to serve on additional consecutive term.
The Poet Laureate program is part of the Indiana Arts Commission, which advocates for arts across Indiana.
To learn more about these and other bills headed to the governor's desk, click here.
