Legislature Steaming Ahead Quickly, Bad Bills and All!
January 20, 2014
The Indiana General Assembly short non-budget session is moving very rapidly! Unfortunately, bad bills have started to appear and even receive hearings. AIA Indiana is working hard to either kill or amend these bad bills (stock school plans, plan review, nursing home construction moratorium), which are explained in further detail below.
Also, AIA Indiana is working on passing numerous proactive measures (mass transit funding, public project delivery, historic preservation tax credit, professional licensing, and sustainable design).
Thankfully, the session is scheduled to conclude March 14. The legislative action will be fast and vigorous until the very end. Information regarding legislative issues currently being debated are explained below.
SB 173 - Nursing facility moratorium.
SB 173, authored by Sen. Pat Miller (R - Indianapolis), would ban all nursing home construction in the state. There is currently a Medicaid moratorium which expires on June 30, 2014. Some nursing home operators are supporting a full moratorium on any new nursing bed licenses to limit competition in the market. Under the proposed bill, facilities that construct any nursing homes, including private pay and Medicare, would be restricted from doing so. Passage of this bill would have a negative impact on many AIA Indiana members and Hoosier communities and jobs.CLICK HERE to view SB 173 talking points.
Andy Hine, AIA, testifying in committee against SB 173.
AIA Indiana testified against SB 173 last week in the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. Thank you Andy Hine, AIA - arcDESIGN, for your expert testimony in committee in opposition to SB 173. Unfortunately, the bill passed out of committee with a vote count 8-4. It will now be debated by the full Senate.
Please contact your state senator and ask them to oppose SB 173!
State Senate Phone - 800/382-9467
Email - http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2014/legislators/
HB 1301 - Fire and building safety issues.
The purpose of HB 1301, authored by Rep. Heath VanNatter (R - Kokomo), is to make state plan review more efficient and responsive without jeopardizing public safety. It also attempts to eliminate the time consuming and expensive duplicative plan review process required by some local jurisdictions. It also fixes a statutory problem regarding the definition of Townhomes that has been difficult to resolve with code language.
HB 1301 in its current form is not supported by AIA Indiana. However, AIA Indiana is working with other interested parties to improve the bill. It is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, January 21, in the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. AIA Indiana will be there to provide testimony and input in an effort to improve the bill.
SB 344 - School building safety.
SB 344, authored by Sen. Lindel Hume (D - Princeton), is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday, January 22, in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee. The bill establishes the division of school building physical security and safety within the department of education and requires the division to develop and maintain nonbinding guidelines for new buildings or facilities used in the operation or administration of a school corporation. Unfortunately, the bill also includes language concerning stock school plans. AIA Indiana opposes SB 344 in its current form.
HB 1196 - Construction managers as constructors (CMc).
SB 261 - Construction managers as constructors (CMc).
HB 1196, authored by Rep. Randy Truitt (R - West Lafayette), and SB 261, authored by Sen. Brandt Hershman (R - Buck Creek), are identical bills that authorizes public agencies to employ construction managers as constructors for certain construction projects. AIA Indiana supports both bills. CLICK HERE to view the AIA Issue Brief regarding Construction Manager At-Risk/CMc.
SB 176 - Central Indiana Transit.
HB 1034 - Public Mass Transportation.
The 2014 mass transit bills are SB 176, authored by Sen. Pat Miller (R - Indianapolis) and Sen. Brent Waltz (R - Greenwood). AIA Indiana strongly supports the bills and you are encouraged to contact your legislators and ask them to support them. CLICK HERE to view talking points regarding the mass transit issue.
You are also encouraged to attend "Transit Day at the Statehouse" on January 23. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register to attend.
HB 1215 - Historic Preservation Tax Credits.
HB 1215, authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R -New Albany), makes numerous positive changes to the state's historic preservation tax credit including increasing the annual statewide cap on the tax credit from the current $450,000 to $10 million. The bill would also allow the tax credit to be assigned.
AIA Indiana strongly supports HB 1215 and there is a positive outlook regarding its chances of success in the House of Representatives. CLICK HERE to view an AIA Issue Brief regarding s historic preservation tax credits.
HB 1208 - State public works standards for energy efficiency.
HB 1208, authored by Rep. Justin Moed (D - Indianapolis), provides that all state public works projects must be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to achieve maximum energy efficiency to the extent that this goal can be accomplished on a cost effective basis, considering construction and operating costs over the life cycle of the building or structure. This bill essentially puts into statute the language in the executive order regarding this matter that was implemented by then Gov. Mitch Daniels. AIA Indiana supports HB 1208.
HB 1283 - High performance school buildings.
HB 1283, authored by Rep. Matt Pierce (D - Bloomington), calls for all public school construction and renovations meet the Silver certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system or an equivalent rating under an equivalent rating system. AIA Indiana strongly supports HB 1283. CLICK HERE to view an AIA Issue Brief regarding Green Schools.
Do not hesitate to contact AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, [email protected], 317-634-6993, if you have questions or concerns regarding these or any other issues.
Please contact your state senator and state representative and introduce yourself, if you don't already know them. Invite them to tour your firm. Discuss with them the issues that are important to you and your firm. I am sure they will appreciate hearing from you. To contact your legislators, see the information below.
House of Representatives Phone - 800/382-9842
State Senate Phone - 800/382-9467
Email - http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2014/legislators/