Bill Status Report
 Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association

2010 Legislative Session
 Date: January 16, 2010

Level 1 = Support     Level 2 = Watch Support     Level 3 = Watch Oppose

Level 4 = Oppose   Level 5 = Info Only

 

 

 

The 2010 session of the 116th legislative general assemble is the “short” legislative session. The legislature officially reconvened for the 2nd session on tuesday, november 17, 2009, for organization day. The day allows the legislature to elect officers and receive the oath of office. Sen. David long (r- fort wayne) will continue to serve as senate president pro tempore. Sen. Vi simpson (d- bloomington), will continue to serve as minority floor leader with the republicans controlling the senate 33-17. B. Patrick bauer (d- south bend) will remain speaker of the house and rep. Brian bosma (indianapolis) will continue as the minority leader for the house republicans with a . Democrat controlled house of representatives 52-48.

 The legislature reconvened on tuesday, january 5, 2010. During this session members must have their work completed by march 16, 2010. During a “short” legislative session, the legislature typically discusses non-budgetary legislative proposals. Additionally, during a “short session”, legislators are restrictioned to the number of bills they can introduce. Senators are limited to no more than 10 bills with the representatives limited to no more than five.

 The 2010 will be an election year and is expected to be very controversial as candidates battle to remain in control of the indiana house of representatives and as they look for a quick ending to the legislative agenda items to allow them more time on the campaign trail. In the senate, the 2010 election will have only half of the senate seats up for election.

We had a couple of bills that we hoped to get introduced during this session but it appears we might only get one of the two filed during this year.

Key legislative issues for indiana continues to be (but not limited to) budget challenges, local government reform and jobs.

 The following issues that may impact or be of interest to the volunteer firefighters association include:

 Local government reform with bill flying from both the house as well as the senate such as:

  • SB 0337 -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT MERGER AND COOPERATION.
  • HB 1149 -- VARIABLE LOCAL OPTION INCOME TAXES.
  • HB 1283 -- FUNDING OF 211 SERVICES.
  • SB 0241 -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES.
  • HB 1302 -- ELIMINATION OF PROPERTY TAXES.
  • SB 0370 -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS.
  • HB 1249 -- ELIMINATION OF TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT.
  • HB 1030 -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION.
  • HB 1210 -- ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE PROTECTION TERRITORIES.
  • SB 0145 -- FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE FEES.
  • SB 0230 -- E-MAIL NOTIFICATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS.

FIRE DISTRICTS, TERRITORIES, WITH THE FOLLOWING BILLS PROPOSED;

  • HB 1211 -- FIRE PROTECTION TERRITORY PUBLIC QUESTION.
  • SB 0145 -- FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE FEES.
  • HB 1156 -- FIRE SERVICE FEES.
  • HB 1210 -- ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE PROTECTION TERRITORIES.
  • HB 1164 -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
  • HB 1358 -- FIRE OFFICER TRAINING.
  • SB 0087 -- SUSPENSIONS OR TERMINATIONS OF EMS PERSONNEL.
  • HB 1123 -- AMBULANCE SERVICE TERRITORIES.

PUBLIC SAFETY

  • HB 1305 -- APPROVAL OF PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING FACILITIES.
  • SB 0408 -- STATEWIDE 911 SYSTEM AND FEES.
  • SB 0271 -- JOINT CHIEFS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
  • SB 0302 -- STATEWIDE 911 SYSTEM AND FEES.
  • HB 1089 -- PSAPS OPERATED BY EXCLUDED CITIES.
  • SB 0278 -- PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING.
  • HB 1194 -- PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER LAYOFF AND REINSTATEMENT.

ANY FIRE SERVICE LEGISLATION THAT YOU HAVE AN INTEREST OR QUESTION ABOUT PLEASE FORWARD IT TO ME VIA EMAIL AT WTFDCURL@COMCAST.NET