Ind. Senate Republicans: State Sen. Blake Doriot to Serve on 2023 Interim Study Committees

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 19 -- The Indiana Senate Republicans issued the following news release:

State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen) will serve as a member of several study committees in preparation for the 2024 legislative session.

Doriot's assignments include the Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, the Drainage Task Force and the Land Use Task Force, which Doriot will co-chair.

As co-chair of the Land Use Task Force, Doriot will assist in studying the following items:

* Growth trends in rural, suburban and urban communities across Indiana;

* Economic and demographic factors that developers consider in siting projects;

* How rural, suburban and urban communities can position themselves to attract economic development;

* Barriers to community growth; and Areas in Indiana in which food insecurity exists.

"During the interim, my colleagues and I have time to meet and discuss topics that may need more time and attention than the legislative session allows," Doriot said. "I'm looking forward to diving into issues regarding the growth trends in rural, suburban and urban communities across Indiana, as well as address any issues that may be affecting our Hispanic and Latino Hoosiers."

Legislators will meet over the summer and fall months to discuss topics approved by the bipartisan Legislative Council, which is comprised of 16 voting members - eight from the Senate and eight from the House of Representatives.

To view study committee agendas and stream hearings online, visit iga.in.gov.

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RESOLUTION 23-01

(June 13, 2023)

A RESOLUTION of the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL to assign study topics to study committees:

Whereas, among the powers granted to the Legislative Council, IC 2-5-1.1 authorizes the Legislative Council to:

(1) on its own initiative or at the direction of the General Assembly or of the Senate or House of Representatives, study subjects of interest and concern, and based on such study, recommend such legislation as the welfare of the state may require;

(2) direct standing committees of the Senate or House of Representatives, or appoint committees and subcommittees subject to the authority of the Council, to carry out studies on subjects of interest and concern;

(3) receive appropriations and make allocations for the reasonable and necessary expenditures of the Council and the standing and interim committees of the House of Representatives, Senate, and General Assembly;

(4) enter into whatever contracts or other arrangements deemed by it to be necessary or appropriate to exercising its rights, privileges, and powers and performing its duties under IC 2-5-1.1 and IC 2-6-1.5 and to carrying out the intent, purposes, and provisions of IC 2-5-1.1 and IC 2-6-1.5;

(5) coordinate and assist the work of standing or interim committees, subcommittees, or commissions appointed by the Council or at the direction of the General Assembly or of the Senate or House of Representatives; and

(6) do all other things necessary and proper to perform the functions of the legislative department of government and to carry out the intent, purposes, and provisions of IC 2-5-1.1: Therefore,

Be it Resolved by the Indiana Legislative Council:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. For the purposes of this Resolution, "study committee" means a committee or commission, by whatever name denominated, that has been established by the Legislative Council or statute and:

(1) is required by law to be staffed by the Legislative Services Agency or to operate under procedures or policies established by the Legislative Council;

(2) whose chair by law must be selected by the Chair of the Legislative Council, the Speaker of the House, or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; or

(3) has members of the General Assembly serving as at least one-half (1/2) of its voting membership.

The term does not include the Legislative Council, the Budget Committee, the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana, the Youth Advisory Council, or the Indiana Uniform Law Commission.

SECTION 2. LIMITATION ON STUDY TOPICS; APPLICATION. (a) A study committee may not study a topic or take testimony on a topic, including topics described by statute, unless the topic is assigned by the Legislative Council or the topic is approved in writing by a majority of the members of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

(b) A report, by whatever name denominated, that is required by law to be distributed to members of the General Assembly, the Legislative Council, a study committee, one (1) or more members of a study committee, or another appointed or elected official or agency is not a topic assigned for study by a study committee, unless the topic is assigned by the Legislative Council in this Resolution or the report is approved as a topic in writing by a majority of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

(c) In the event of a conflict between a statute governing a study committee and a provision of this Resolution, the statute shall be treated as a non-binding directive and this Resolution prevails. If the statute in question is silent with regard to a provision of this Resolution, this Resolution prevails. If the conflict is only between IC 2-5-1.2 or IC 2-5- 1.3 and another statute, IC 2-5-1.2 and IC 2-5-1.3 prevail, and if there is a conflict between IC 2-5-1.2 and IC 2-5-1.3, IC 2-5-1.3 prevails.

SECTION 3. STATUTORY STUDY COMMITTEES NOT ASSIGNED TOPIC. No topics are assigned in this Resolution to any of the following study committees established by IC 2-5-1.3-4:

(1) AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

(2) COURTS AND THE JUDICIARY.

(3) EDUCATION.

(4) ELECTIONS.

(5) ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS.

(6) GOVERNMENT.

(7) PUBLIC SAFETY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.

(8) PUBLIC POLICY.

SECTION 4. TOPICS ASSIGNED TO STUDY COMMITTEES BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The following study committees established by IC 2-5-1.3-4 shall study and make findings and recommendations concerning the following topics assigned to them and submit a final report to the Legislative Council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 before November 1, 2023:

(1) CHILD SERVICES.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

(A) Review reports of state and local child fatality review teams and the Department of Child Services concerning child safety. (Source: IC 2-5-1.3-13)

(2) COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

(A) Identify the risks and challenges to Hoosiers that developments in artificial intelligence may bring as well as the opportunities artificial intelligence may bring to existing industries, jobs, knowledge, learning, the provision of government, and other services. (Source: Letter, Rep. Frye)

(B) Consumer data privacy and security (Source: Letter, Rep. Lehman, Rep. M. Pierce, Sen. Brown)

(C) Legalization of adult-use cannabis in Indiana as it relates to workforce impacts and teen use. (Source: Letters, Sen. K. Walker, Sen. Pol, and others)

(3) CORRECTIONS AND CRIMINAL CODE.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

(A) Multi-year review of current trends with respect to criminal behavior, sentencing, incarceration, and treatment.

(Source: IC 2-5-1.3-13)

(4) EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

(A) Whether Indiana should adopt interstate mobility of occupational licensing to allow individuals who hold current and valid occupational licenses or government certifications in another state in a lawful occupation with a similar scope of practice as Indiana to practice in Indiana under certain conditions. (Source: SEA 400 (2023))

(5) ENERGY, UTILITIES, AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS. THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPIC: (A) The following reports and briefings:

(i) Report from OCRA on broadband deployment and briefing on the federal "Broadband Equity Access Development" program.

(ii) Briefing on the state of the CenterPoint Securitization Pilot Program.

(iii) Briefing on the potential impact of EPA proposed power emissions rulemaking.

(iv) MISO report on reliability forecast and sloped demand curve during capacity auctions.

(v) Briefing on Purdue and Duke Small Modular Reactor feasibility study.

(vi) IURC report on the supply, demand, and consumer price outlooks in the near and long term.

(Source: Letter, Rep. Soliday, Sen. Koch)

(6) FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

(A) Whether a health insurer or a health maintenance organization should be required to exempt a participating health care provider from needing prior authorization on a particular health care service if the participating health care provider has continuously received approval for the health care service for a determined number of months. (Source: SEA 400 (2023))

(7) FISCAL POLICY.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

(A) Data related to the increasing cost of higher education. (Source: Letter, Sen. Mishler, Rep. Thompson)

(B) A multi-year review of tax incentives reports from the Legislative Services Agency. (Source: IC 2-5-3.2-1)

(C) A multi-year review of workforce related programs.

(Source: IC 2-5-42.4-6; IC 4-3-27-12)

(8) PENSION MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

(A) The following items:

(i) Scenarios to increase the contribution rate for supplemental allowance reserve accounts under IC 5-10.2-12 in order to fund a cost of living adjustment (COLA) at increments of one-half of one percent (0.5%) each year.

(ii) Additional contribution rate increase scenarios may also be considered.

(iii) The fiscal impact of each contribution rate increase scenario to the state and local units of government.

(iv) The recommended timing of when a COLA or other postretirement benefit should take effect.

(v) Options that the state police pre-1987 benefit system (IC 10-12-3) and the state police 1987 benefit system (IC 10-12-4) can consider for the creation of a supplemental allowance reserve account for the purpose of funding a COLA and other postretirement benefits.

(vi) Death burial funds.

(Source: HEA 1001 (2023); Letter, Rep. Harris, Rep. Clere)

(B) Review latest annual financial report of the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) and any other information requested by the Chair of the Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight. (Source: IC 5-10.5-4-1; IC 5-10.5-6-6)

(9) PUBLIC HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES. THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS AND THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITY:

(A) Study options for child care, including location of child care facilities in businesses or other commercial buildings. (Source: Letter, Sen. Brown, Sen. Taylor, Rep. Lehman)

(B) Study the following topics:

(i) The prevalence and impact of mental illness, including major depression disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and severe anxiety, among veterans and first responders in Indiana.

(ii) Alternative treatment options for serious mental illness that have been given "breakthrough therapy" status by the United States Food and Drug Administration, including psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.

(iii) Policies enacted and under consideration in other states that enable access to psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans, first responders, and others experiencing severe mental illness. (Source: Letter, Rep. Teshka, Rep. Bauer, Rep. Garcia Willburn, and others)

(C) Approval of agreements with private attorneys and private entities when the Child Support Bureau determines that a reasonable contract cannot be entered into with a prosecuting attorney to administer the child support provisions of Title IV-D of the Federal Social Security Act. (Source: IC 31-25-4-13.1)

(10) ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION.

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

(A) Study the reduction and prevention of fatalities on roads and highways and other driving safety issues. (Source: SB 233 (as reprinted February 28, 2023))

(B) Study civil penalty assessments and the enforcement of overweight loads as it pertains to the impact on state infrastructure. (Source: HEA 1204 (2023))

(C) Review proposals to be presented to the General Assembly to rename roads and bridges. (Source: Letter, Sen. Crider, Rep. Pressel)

(D) Advise the Bureau of Motor Vehicles regarding the suitability of a special group to have a special group recognition license plate.

(Source: IC 2-5-1.3-13; IC 9-18.5-12-4; IC 9-18.5-12-5)

SECTION 5. A subcommittee of the Legislative Council shall carry out the responsibilities assigned to the subcommittee by the Legislative Council, by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Legislative Council, by law, or by this Resolution. If a subcommittee is assigned a responsibility, the subcommittee shall make a final report with findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council before November 1, 2023, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6. The following topic is assigned by the Legislative Council: (1) AUDIT AND FINANCIAL REPORTING SUBCOMMITTEE (IC 2-5-1.1- 6.3).

THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING:

(A) Oversight of the State Board of Accounts and preservation of the independent status of the State Board of Accounts.

(Source: IC 2-5-1.1-6.3; IC 5-11-1-9.3; IC 5-11-1-15; IC 5-11-1-25; IC 5-11-1-27)

SECTION 6. Study committees established by statute may meet in 2023 and study topics only in accordance with this Resolution. A study committee shall study and make findings and recommendations concerning the following topics to the Legislative Council, and submit a report of its activities to the Legislative Council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 before November 1, 2023:

(1) CODE REVISION COMMISSION (IC 2-5-1.1-10).

THE COMMISSION IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

(A) Preparation of one (1) or more technical corrections bills to resolve technical conflicts and correct technical errors in statutes. (Source: IC 2-5-1.1-10)

(B) Preparation of legislation for introduction in the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly to make appropriate amendments to the Indiana Code to change references from the "auditor of state" to the "state comptroller" and to make any other changes necessary to implement IC 4-7-1-1. (Source: HEA 1001 (2023))

(C) Preparation of legislation for introduction in the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly to make appropriate amendments to the Indiana Code to eliminate references and grants of authority outside IC 4-22-2 for emergency rules. (Source: HEA 1623 (2023))

(D) Prepare legislation for introduction in the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly to bring existing task forces, committees, boards, commissions, or councils in compliance with proposed Code Revision Commission drafting guidelines. (Source: 2022 Code Revision Commission recommendation)

(E) Prepare an update to the current legislative drafting manual for the General Assembly for presentation to the Legislative Council after the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly. (Source: 2022 Code Revision Commission recommendation)

(F) Prepare an update to the current administrative rule drafting manual for presentation to the Legislative Council after the 2024 regular session of the General Assembly. (Source: Legislative Services Agency staff recommendation)

(2) PROBATE CODE STUDY COMMISSION (IC 2-5-16.1).

THE COMMISSION IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

(A) Needed changes in the probate code (IC 29-1), the trust code (IC 30-4), or any other statute affecting the administration of a decedent's estate, guardianship, probate jurisdiction, trust, or fiduciary.

(Source: IC 2-5-16.1-13)

(3) STATE FAIR ADVISORY COMMITTEE (IC 15-13-6-1).

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITY:

(A) The duties set forth in IC 15-13-6-4. (Source: IC 15-13-6-1 (SEA 171 (2023)))

(4) COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL (IC 13-13-7.1-1).

THE PANEL IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITY:

(A) The duties required of a compliance advisory panel under Section 507 of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661f).

(Source: IC 13-13- 7.1)

(5) HEALTH CARE COST OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE (IC 2-5-47).

THE TASK FORCE IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITY:

(A) Oversight of health care costs.

(Source: IC 2-5-47 (HEA 1004 (2023)))

(6) MEDICAID OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (IC 12-15-47.3).

THE COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITY:

(A) Review, consider, and make recommendations concerning all requests for new services and changes in existing services for the Medicaid program. (Source: IC 12-15-47.3 (HEA 1001 (2023)))

(7) FUNDING INDIANA'S ROADS FOR A STRONGER, SAFER

TOMORROW TASK FORCE (HEA 1001, SECTION 302 (2023)).

THE TASK FORCE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

(A) A long term plan for state highway and major bridge needs, including the topics listed in HEA 1001 (2023). (Source: HEA 1001 (2023))

(8) LAND USE TASK FORCE (IC 2-5-52).

THE TASK FORCE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

(A) The following items:

(i) Growth trends in rural, suburban, and urban communities across Indiana.

(ii) Economic and demographic factors that developers consider in siting projects.

(iii) How rural, suburban, and urban communities can position themselves to attract economic development.

(iv) Barriers to community growth.

(v) Areas in Indiana in which food insecurity exists.

(Source: IC 2-5-52 (HEA 1132 (2023)))

(9) STATE AND LOCAL TAX REVIEW TASK FORCE (SEA 3 (2023)).

THE TASK FORCE IS CHARGED WITH STUDYING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

(A) The state's near term and long term financial outlook and overall fiscal position.

(B) The state's appropriation backed debt obligations.

(C) The funded status of pension funds managed by the state, including methods to reduce the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the pre-1996 account within the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund.

(D) The individual income tax, including methods to reduce or eliminate the individual income tax.

(E) The corporate income tax.

(F) The state gross retail and use tax, including a review of the state gross retail tax base.

(G) The property tax, including methods to reduce or eliminate the tax on homestead properties and reduce or eliminate the tax on business personal property.

(H) Local option taxes, including the local income tax, food and beverage taxes, and innkeeper's taxes.

(Source: SEA 3 (2023))

(10) GOVERNMENT REFORM TASK FORCE (IC 2-5-53).

THE TASK FORCE IS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITY:

(A) Review external policies and standards of procedure implemented by agencies. (Source: IC 2-5-53 (HEA 1623 (2023)))

SECTION 7. STATUTORY TASK FORCES NOT ASSIGNED TOPIC. No topics are assigned in this Resolution to any of the following:

(1) DRAINAGE TASK FORCE (IC 2-5-51).

(2) LOCAL GOVERNMENT PUBLIC NOTICE TASK FORCE (HEA 1438 (2023)).

SECTION 8. DURATION OF THIS RESOLUTION. (a) This Resolution takes effect upon adoption by the Legislative Council.

(b) This Resolution, as amended from time to time, remains in force until specifically repealed or superseded.

(c) This Resolution supersedes Legislative Council Resolution 22-06.

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State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen) represents Senate District 12, which includes portions of Elkhart County.

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Original text here: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/state-sen-blake-doriot-to-serve-on-2023-interim-study-committees