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Short Legislative Session Underway
January 11, 2015
The Indiana General Assembly convened its 2016 legislative session, which is a short non-budget session, on January 5. The session is scheduled to conclude "sine die" (Latin meaning without fixing a day for future action or meeting) March 14, 2016.
AIA Indiana is already working on a host of bills including those regarding historic preservation/residential rehabilitation deduction (HB 1037), school safety (SB 174), and the streamlining of the Department of Health plan review process (SB 324).
As in every state legislative session, your help is needed. You are urged to contact your legislators and use your clout to positively impact our profession at the statehouse. Information regarding legislative issues currently being debated and how you can help are explained below.
HB 1037, authored by Rep. Eric Koch (R - Bedford), provides that a property owner is not entitled to the residential rehabilitation deduction or the rehabilitated property deduction for an increase in assessed value attributable to rehabilitation occurring after December 31, 2016. AIA Indiana is opposed to this measure.
These buildings often played an important role in our history, and they can play an even more significant role in our future. These structures provide an opportunity to become a catalyst for change in our urban core and communities throughout the state, while at the same time preserving our heritage. Legislators should carefully consider how powerful preservation can be as an economic development generator for the benefit of present and future generations. Preservation is so much more than simply renovating or restoring a building or home. Preservation is about redeveloping blighted areas and entrepreneurship. It's about creating new tax revenue. It's about local job creation, and it's about kick starting new development.
Please contact your state representative and ask them to oppose HB 1037!
House of Representatives - 800/382-9842
SB 147, authored by Sen. Phil Boots (R - Crawfordsville), requires the department of homeland security to establish minimum standards for a school emergency response system and requires the department to review and approve a school corporation's plans and specifications and use of the department's best practices, should a school corporation purchase, install, or implement a system. The bill also would allow a school corporation to use money from the school capital projects fund to pay the costs of a system.
AIA Indiana is closely monitoring this bill and would welcome any feedback you may have regarding this proposed measure.
SB 324, authored by Sen. Mark Messmer (R - Jasper), is an effort to streamline the state department of health plan review process. Currently, health related projects must be submitted to both the division of fire and building safety (division) as well as the state department of health. Language in the bill provides for a combined application process that allows an applicant to apply for a construction permit from the department and a design release from the division of fire and building safety (division) by submitting a single application to the division.
AIA Indiana has been working with Sen. Messmer and other interested parties on this bill. Your feedback regarding this measure would be appreciated.
AIA Indiana Legislative Committee - Opportunity to Serve
The AIA Indiana Legislative Committee reviews, provides feedback, and recommends positions on pending legislation. Dan Mader, AIA is the AIA Indiana Legislative Committee chair. Please contact AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, 317-634-6993,
[email protected]
, if you are interested in serving on this committee. Any AIA Indiana member in good standing is eligible to serve.
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