Statehouse Update 7
February 16, 2009
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Action and Intensity Increases
The sixth week of the legislative session intensified with numerous bills being heard in committee. There were also longer second and third reading calendars in the House and Senate as dozens of bills moved through the legislative process. The week's highlight included Presidents McRobbie and Córdova jointly presenting IU and Purdue's Indiana Innovation Alliance initiative to the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. Finally, many in the statehouse anxiously await specific information on the federal stimulus legislation and how federal funds might help the state resolve its fiscal crisis.
Biennial Budget Deliberations
Presidents McRobbie and Córdova were afforded a unique opportunity to make a joint presentation of the Indiana Innovation Alliance initiative to the House Ways and Means committee on Wednesday. Such a joint presentation is unprecedented and the symbolism of collaboration and cooperation between the two institutions was well received by committee members on both sides of the aisle. Both presidents effectively made the case for the initiative, not only as a tool to further enhance the research capability and productivity of the two institutions, but also to contribute further to the state's economic development in the life and bio sciences sector. It is anticipated that the House Ways and Means Committee will submit a budget proposal for review in the upcoming week.
HB 1656 (Rep. Austin) State Stimulus Legislation: This bill, which primarily would fund local road and street projects and also includes funding for several university repair and rehabilitation projects, passed the House. The bill includes nearly $30M in funding for IU renovation and rehabilitation projects. Featured in the bill was the IU-South Bend Education and Arts Building Renovation that was previously approved by the General Assembly in 2007 but had not yet had funding released by the State Budget Committee. While we expect state stimulus legislation to change substantially before being finally enacted, it is a positive sign that funding for higher education facilities was deemed a priority by the Indiana House. HB1656 passed the House by a wide majority vote of 88-11.
Other Legislation Followed in Week Six
HB 1188 (Rep. Porter) College Head Start: The bill intends to increase dual credit course offerings for juniors and seniors in high school. A concern to IU is a provision that would permit any certified high school teacher to be an instructor for dual credit college courses without the approval of the higher education institution. Currently the universities make instructor selections and provide professional development to these teachers as well as course supervision. Indiana University testified in support of increasing dual credit offerings but expressed concerns about the changes the bill would make in teacher qualification and selection standards and procedures.
HB 1620 Energy Efficient Buildings: Authored by Rep. Matt Pierce from Bloomington, this bill would require most public buildings, including university facilities, to be constructed or rehabilitated according to LEED or similar energy efficient standards. The bill was amended in committee to permit universities to expand use of energy savings contracts that allow investments in energy improvements to existing facilities to be paid by the savings accrued. IU is supportive of LEED construction standards for most facility projects and supports the ability to expand the use of energy savings contracts.
HBs 1214 and 1236 (Rep. Summers): The bills would provide additional state funding for the autism resource centers, with some funding flowing to the IU Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Dr. Cathy Pratt, Director of the Resource Center, provided expert testimony at the committee hearing.
SB 11 Firearms in Locked Vehicles (Sen. Nugent): The bill would prohibit governmental entities and employers (including higher education institutions) from adopting or enforcing a policy or rule that prohibits an individual from legally possessing a firearm that is locked in the individual's vehicle. The bill was amended to exclude universities along with an exemption for K-12 schools, which was included in the introduced version.
Looking Ahead
It is expected that the House Ways and Means committee will pass a state biennial budget out of committee this week. We are anxious to see the levels of operating and capital funding that will be included for Indiana University and whether the Indiana Innovation Alliance will be supported through additional funding.
Next week is also the last week for committees to hear and act on bills introduced in the House and Senate. Thus, it will be another busy week with numerous committee hearings and long calendars for second and third readings on the floors of the Senate and House.
Annual 2009 Statehouse Visit -- February 17
A final reminder: IU and Purdue will jointly host the Indiana Innovation Alliance Day at the Statehouse on February 17. Please join hundreds of fellow Hoosiers as they show their support not only for the Alliance but for the biennial higher education appropriations request. For more detailed information please visit our website at: http://www.gov.indiana.edu/hhe/statehouse/index.shtml.
