Kate Warpool, AIA testifying in the House Roads & Transportation Committee in opposition to SB 52, prohibition on use of dedicated lanes.

The legislative session is set to wrap up by March 14, possibly sooner. AIA Indiana lobbyists have been actively opposing two detrimental bills: HB 1376, focused on election day procedures for school referenda, and SB 52, addressing the restriction on dedicated lane usage. Thankfully, it seems both bills have been shelved for this session. A heartfelt thank you to all AIA Indiana members and supporters who actively communicated with their state legislators regarding these critical matters. Your advocacy efforts have undoubtedly made a difference! More information on these issues and others is provided below.

HB 1376, election day for school referenda, authored by Rep. Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis), provided 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 opposed HB 1376.

Supporters of the proposed legislation emphasized the crucial need to boost voter engagement, particularly in matters pertaining to school referendums. Those opposing HB 1376 expressed apprehensions regarding its potential impact on local decision-making processes and the capacity of school authorities to promptly address budgetary and infrastructural requirements. If enacted, the bill would have led to increased expenses for taxpayers concerning essential school construction renovations and new facilities, hindering swift responses to these requirements. For instance, simultaneous bidding and execution of crucial school construction projects would have inflated costs for taxpayers. Moreover, delays resulting from HB 1376 would likely have caused deferred maintenance, further raising expenses for Hoosier taxpayers and perpetuating inadequate learning environments for students.

HB 1376 narrowly passed the House with a vote of 51-44. It was referred to the Senate Elections Committee and was slated for a hearing, but the committee chair opted to cancel the meeting where it was to be discussed. This marks a triumph for AIA Indiana, as the bill is now dead for this session.

A special acknowledgment is extended to Bill Payne, AIA, for his additional efforts in engaging with the bill's Senate sponsor and other legislators at the statehouse to articulate AIA Indiana's concerns regarding HB 1376. Furthermore, gratitude is extended to all AIA Indiana members for reaching out to their state legislators regarding this legislation. Your collective endeavors had a significant impact!

SB 52, prohibition on use of dedicated lanes, authored by Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis), aimed to impose restrictions on the utilization of designated lanes for public transportation initiatives, such as the IndyGo Blue Line. AIA Indiana opposed SB 52 due to its adverse effects on transit-oriented development ventures. Fortunately, a compromise was brokered among IndyGo, Indianapolis city officials, and House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) to maintain dedicated lanes in select areas while maximizing shared lanes wherever feasible. Consequently, SB 52 will not progress during this session.

The enactment of SB 52 would have resulted in escalated project costs and placed at risk federal funding exceeding $150 million linked to the utilization of dedicated lanes, thereby endangering 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, if passed, SB 52 would have impeded 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.

SB 52 was initially deliberated in the Senate Appropriations Committee on January 18, where approximately 10 individuals advocated for the bill, while over 30 testified against it. Thank you Jason Larrison, AIA, President of AIA Indianapolis in 2024, for your 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 was subsequently referred to the House Roads and Transportation Committee, convening on February 20 for discussions. The committee hearing, spanning over three hours, featured testimony from over 50 individuals, with the majority expressing opposition. Gratitude is extended to Kate Warpool, AIA, for representing AIA Indiana and presenting testimony against SB 52.

The compromise reached between Speaker Houston and IndyGo/Indy city officials, announced on February 29, effectively protects the Blue Line, ensuring that the bill will not progress during this session. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to all AIA Indiana members and supporters who engaged with their state legislators regarding SB 52. Your collaborative efforts were instrumental in preventing the advancement of this harmful bill!

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. Having successfully cleared both the House and Senate, HB 1138 is now poised to be reviewed by Gov. Eric Holcomb, with expectations of receiving his signature and subsequent enactment into law.

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 will enshrine the language from the licensing board's motion into law.

HB 1383, wetlands, authored by Rep. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil), will diminish wetland protection by reclassifying certain Class III wetlands, currently under protection, to Class II status, which entails fewer safeguards. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on February 12. AIA Indiana opposed 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 received strong backing from the Indiana Builders Association (home builders) and underwent an expedited legislative process, becoming the first bill of this session to receive the governor's signature. The bill passed out of the House with a vote count of 64-30 and the Senate 32-17. 

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