The Indiana General Assembly's 2024 session has hit its midpoint, with plenty of work still ahead. In the Senate, 297 bills were introduced, leading to 110 passed; while in the House, 442 bills were introduced, resulting in 111 passed.

As we enter the latter half of the session, AIA Indiana's focus will be on halting the progress of HB 1376, election day for school referenda, and SB 52, prohibition on use of dedicated lanes. On the proactive side, AIA Indiana will continue supporting HB 1138, professional licensing matters. Further details on these and other legislative issues are outlined below.

HB 1376, election day for school referenda, authored by Rep. Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis), provides that a local public question authorizing a school corporation to impose property taxes to pay debt service on bonds or lease rentals on a lease for a specified controlled project may be placed on the ballot only at a general election or municipal general election. AIA Indiana opposes HB 1376.

Supporters of the proposed legislation emphasize the crucial need to boost voter engagement, particularly in matters pertaining to school referendums. Those opposing HB 1376 express apprehensions regarding its potential impact on local decision-making processes and the capacity of school authorities to promptly address budgetary and infrastructural requirements. If the bill is passed into law, taxpayers will bear higher expenses for vital school construction renovations and new facilities, as the legislation will impede a swift response to these needs. For instance, simultaneous bidding and execution of necessary school construction projects will lead to increased costs for taxpayers. Additionally, the delays caused by HB 1376 may result in deferred maintenance, escalating overall expenses for Hoosier taxpayers. This could also lead to many students enduring substandard learning environments unnecessarily.

HB 1376 barely passed out of the House with a vote count of 51-44. Thank you to all the AIA Indiana members and friends who contacted their state representative regarding this bad bill. Your efforts made a significant difference and nearly stopped HB 1376 from passing out of the House. It will now be debated in the Senate.

Please contact your state senator and ask them to oppose HB 1376.

State Senate Phone - 800/382-9467

Email/Find Your Legislator - CLICK HERE

SB 52, prohibition on use of dedicated lanes, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis), proposes to restrict the use of designated lanes for public transportation projects, such as the IndyGo Blue Line, until July 1, 2025. This bill, if enacted, would halt projects featuring lanes dedicated to public transit vehicles, with the exception of the IndyGo Purple Line. Additionally, SB 52 postpones the installation of new "no-turn-on-red" signs until the same date.

The passage of SB 52 could lead to increased project costs and jeopardize federal funding of over $100 million tied to the use of dedicated lanes, effectively jeopardizing the IndyGo Blue Line Project. Dedicated lanes are a crucial component of the Blue Line's design, which is nearing its final stages. Construction for this project, supported by significant investments from federal, state, and local stakeholders, is scheduled to commence next year. Furthermore, SB 52 would impede related infrastructure enhancements, including the construction of nine miles of new sidewalks, seven miles of road paving, and stormwater drainage improvements along Washington Street.

The Blue Line, estimated at $370 million, is intended to replace Route 8 as the second most utilized route after the Red Line. Spanning approximately 25 miles from east to west along Washington Street, the Blue Line will connect Cumberland to the Indianapolis International Airport, utilizing I-70 west of Holt Road in its trajectory. AIA Indiana opposes SB 52.

SB 52 was initially deliberated in the Senate Appropriations Committee, where approximately 10 individuals advocated for the bill, while over 30 testified against it. Gratitude is extended to Jason Larrison, AIA, President of AIA Indianapolis in 2024, for his testimony opposing the bill on behalf of AIA Indiana. Regrettably, SB 52 advanced out of committee primarily along party lines with a 7-5 vote. Subsequently, it passed through the Senate, once again largely along party lines, with a vote count of 35-14. The bill will now undergo discussion in the House and has been assigned to the Roads and Transportation Committee.

Transit-oriented development, or TOD, embodies the creation of integrated urban spaces that seamlessly bring together people, activities, buildings, and public areas. These spaces prioritize convenient walking and cycling connections, coupled with efficient transit services that extend throughout the city. TOD projects inherently enhance transit options on multiple fronts. The residential facets of such developments offer residents convenient access to Bus Rapid Transit, while the commercial aspects generate employment opportunities easily accessible to those relying on public transportation.

The evident impact of increased TOD investments is exemplified by the IndyGo Red Line, with ongoing and planned projects demonstrating a commitment to this urban development approach. The Red Line has resulted in over $700 million in economic development including over 600 housing units. However, the passage of SB 52 poses a threat to the continuation of TOD initiatives along the proposed routes. AIA Indiana emphasizes the importance of considering the detrimental consequences for future TOD projects should SB 52 be enacted.

Please contact your state representative and ask them to oppose SB 52.

House of Representatives Phone - 317/232-9600

Email/Find Your Legislator - CLICK HERE

HB 1138, professional licensing matters, authored by Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion), includes language that would put into statute terms allowed for graduates of architecture and landscape architecture programs. AIA Indiana supports this measure.

On January 22, 2020, the Indiana Professional Licensing Board for Architects and Landscape Architects adopted a motion sanctioning the utilization of specific terms for graduates of architecture and landscape architecture programs, namely: Architectural Graduate and Landscape Architectural Graduate. Additionally, the motion permits the use of Architectural Intern and Landscape Architectural Intern for students presently enrolled in college but not yet graduated from a program. HB 1138 seeks to enshrine the language from the licensing board's motion into law.

The bill received unanimous approval from the House Employment, Labor, and Pensions Committee with a vote count of 9-0, and subsequently passed through the House unopposed with a vote count of 95-0. HB 1138 will now undergo deliberation in the Senate.

HB 1383, wetlands, authored by Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil), would reduce wetland protection by shifting some Class III wetlands — which are currently protected — down to Class II, which have far fewer safeguards. AIA Indiana opposes HB 1383.

On May 25, 2023, the US Supreme Court issued a far-reaching decision, stating that the majority of wetlands do not receive protection under federal law. Consequently, the responsibility for safeguarding our wetlands falls upon individual states, and Indiana, with a less-than-ideal track record, faces this critical task. Approximately 90% of our original wetlands have already vanished, and in 2021, the Indiana legislature made substantial reductions in state wetland protections. The combined impact of these legislative changes and the Supreme Court decision puts over 400,000 acres of Indiana wetlands at risk.

Indiana’s wetlands are important because they: reduce flooding by holding excess stormwater and are the most cost-effective stormwater infrastructure we have; filter and purify water; replenish the groundwater for our wells; slow stormwater so there is less erosion; and provide the most biologically-productive ecosystems.

HB 1383, which is strongly supported by the Indiana Builders Association (home builders), was fast-tracked through the legislative process and is the first bill this session to head to the governor’s desk. The bill passed out of the House with a vote count of 64-30 and the Senate 32-17. 

Please contact Governor Eric Holcomb and ask him to veto HB 1383. 

Phone - 317/232-4567

Mail - Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2797

Email - CLICK HERE

Do not hesitate to contact AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley, Hon. AIA if you have any questions regarding the 2024 state legislative session.