10 Hoosier Banker February 2015 COVER STORY More than 200 bankers, associate members and legislators attended the 2015 Indiana Bankers Association Legislative Briefing and Reception, held Feb. 3 in downtown Indianapolis. This annual event gives IBA members the opportunity to interface with elected officials in a relaxed setting to build relationships and discuss banking issues. The day began with a morning meeting of the IBA board of directors, followed by a luncheon for the IBA Government Relations Committee, hosted by The KeyState Companies. The luncheon featured guest presentations by Dennis L. Bassett, director of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, and Thomas C. Fite, DFI deputy director of depository institutions. Director Bassett is well known to IBA members for his prior service as chairman of Chase Bank in Indiana; he retired from the bank year-end 2013 and shortly after was named DFI director. Following the luncheon, members of the GR Committee met with the IBA Government Relations Team for a review of more than 30 pieces of legislation potentially affecting the business of banking in Indiana. As part of the purpose of the GR Committee is to serve as a sounding board of banker opinion, the review meeting was interactive, with the GR Team highlighting pertinent legislation, and member bankers voicing their views. At 4 p.m., the official Legislative Briefing began with a summary of the most prominent bills of interest to Indiana bankers. • HB 1102 – Patent Protection • HB 1279/SB 555 – HERO Plan • HB 1281 – Local Government Investments • HB 1456 – Servicemembers Civil Relief Act • HB 1631 – Identification Cards Without an Image • SB 7 – Abandoned Mobile Homes • SB 56 – Legacy Trust • SB 195 – Investments by Local Government • SB 415 – Vacant and Abandoned Housing • SB 435 – Public Depositories • SB 447 – Management of Funeral Trust Accounts • SB 489 – State Board of Accounts Issues • HB 1495 – Various Government Administration Matters As has been recent IBA tradition, the briefing also provided a recognition opportunity for member banks of the “200% Club” — banks which in 2014 contributed at least 200 percent of their fair share goals to Indiana BANKPAC during 2014. Thirty-three banks were so recognized, and the IBA very much appreciates their support of the PAC. IBA also appreciates the support of this year’s sponsors of the Legislative Briefing: The KeyState Companies, Equias Alliance, Continuity Control and Bose McKinney & Evans LLP Following the briefing, the evening continued with the Legislative Reception, giving IBA members the chance to mix and mingle with elected officials. Despite heavy snowfall in the northern part of the state, turnout was outstanding. This annual Legislative Briefing and Reception is the first of many grassroots opportunities throughout the year to give IBA bankers a voice in the legislative process. An upcoming related event is the firstever Future Leadership Division (FLD) Day at the Statehouse, set for March 16 in Indianapolis. This outing gives FLD members and prospective members the chance to witness firsthand and learn about the legislative process and grassroots advocacy. Contact Josh Myers, 317-917-8047, email: jmyers@indianabankers.org, for more information about Day at the Statehouse, or to subscribe to IBA Insighter, an electronic newsletter distributed regularly throughout Session with updates on bankingrelated legislation. t IBA Hosts 2015 Legislative Briefing and Reception About the Author Amber R. Van Til, JD, is senior vice presidentgovernment relations of the Indiana Bankers Association. She can be reached at 317-917-8047, email: avantil@indianabankers.org.
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