Hoosier Banker 17 The Indiana General Assembly officially concluded its 2018 legislative session shortly past the midnight deadline on Wednesday, March 14. Unfortunately, time expired before legislators were able to address all remaining bills, and legislative casualties included: a bill updating Indiana tax code, in response to federal tax reform containing language supported by the Indiana Bankers Association; a bill restructuring Muncie Community Schools; and an omnibus bill on property tax and local government matters. Some controversy resulted following this unusual end to the session, as members of both chambers held each other responsible for failure to meet the deadline. However, to address unfinished business, a special session is to take place mid-May. Anticipated issues to be covered include: managing of schools; school safety funding; and several tax bills, with IBA language in one of the tax bills. It is worth noting that, despite its frenetic close, many issues were addressed during the 2018 session. The House sent a total of 101 of the 431 bills filed to the governor for signature; the Senate sent a total of 111 of the 438 bills filed to the governor for signature. Legislators focused efforts on topics including: education funding; alcohol-related issues, including Sunday sales; updating Indiana’s workforce development programs; and expanding the legalization of CBD oil. Issues addressed that did not pass were: the proposed creation of a new small dollar loan product; the creation of rules related to autonomous vehicles; shifting oversight of Gary and Muncie schools; and updating Indiana’s tax laws related to 2017 federal tax reform. In the banking arena, the 2018 session was another successful year for the IBA Government Relations Team. Significant bills supported by the IBA that passed included: legislation addressing the inconsistency in state statute related to automatic renewal of CDs; clarification of existing territorial public deposit requirements; legislation creating an electronic lien and title transfer program in Indiana; and the annual Department of Financial Institutions omnibus bill. Another area of success was the updating of language in a number of bills that required amendments regarding either purposeful or unintended problems with bill language. These issues included legislation on economic development, various property issues and lien priority, and were amended to satisfaction. Of equal significance were bills that could have been hurtful to the industry, but did not pass. These bills were either too problematic to correct or purposely harmful, including: a bill creating a new foreclosure filing fee of $150 to pay for county land bank programs; a bill requiring lender underwriting and equitable lien status of ag suppliers extending credit to farmers; and language allowing insurance companies the ability to access and retrieve vehicles in tow yards. The IBA would like to thank member bankers who provided grassroots support throughout the session on issues of concern to the industry. We also thank our Indiana legislators for their continued dedication and public service. Several legislators have announced upcoming retirements, and we wish them well in their new endeavors. HB Dax Denton Senior Vice PresidentGovernment Relations Indiana Bankers Association ddenton@indianabankers.org @ibagovrelations Article author 2018 Legislative Session Another successful year for the IBA GR SUMMIT
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