The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking that have had activity up to this point during the tenth week of session.
House Bills
HB 1001: State budget
On March 11, House Ways and Means Chair Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) presented the House’s passed version of the budget to Senate Appropriations. On the same day, IU President Pamela Whitten presented IU's budget request, along with the six other state educational institutions. On March 13, Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner presented the Office of Education’s budget request (which now includes the Indiana Commission for Higher Education) to Senate Appropriations.
The House Republican’s biennial budget holds the operating appropriations funding flat for all state educational institutions at FY25 levels, with FY25 outcomes-based performance funding (OBPF) earned included. Repair & rehabilitation funding was restored and increased by 0.25% in the formula, resulting in $3.1M more each year for IU. It does not include additional new funding for OBPF or any funding for capital projects (either cash or debt financed). Current line items were held flat. IU Innovates, a new line item funding request, was funded at $1M per year. Other provisions in the budget include: (1) requiring the State Budget Agency and State Budget Director to hold back 5% of operating appropriations for state agencies and state educational institutions in each year of the biennium; (2) requires the Secretary of Education to provide a report to the Indiana General Assembly on the future of dual credit funding and alignment; (3) requires the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to report on the utilization of physical facilities primarily used for instruction at each state educational institution.
HB 1065: Cancer clinical trial program
Passed Senate Health and Provider Services 11-0.
The bill allows an organization or entity to establish and administer a cancer clinical trial participation program for the purpose of providing payments to a participant for certain costs incurred by the participant while participating in a cancer clinical trial. The bill also sets forth program requirements and participant eligibility.
HB 1634: Math education
This is a Governor’s Office/Indiana Department of Education priority bill. Heard in Senate Education and Career Development and held for committee amendments and vote.
The bill, among other provisions, establishes requirements regarding: (1) mathematics screening, evaluation, and intervention; and (2) teacher preparation program math curriculum and content.
Senate Bills
SB 74: Extension of lifeline law immunity
Indiana University testified in support of the bill. Passed House Courts and Criminal Code 13-0.
The bill provides that an individual who is: (1) reasonably believed to be suffering from a health condition which is the direct result of alcohol consumption; and (2) assisted by a person who requested emergency medical assistance for the individual; is immune from prosecution for certain crimes.
SB 146: Teacher compensation
This is a Governor’s Office/Indiana Department of Education priority bill. Heard in House Education and held for committee amendments and vote.
The bill, among other provisions, removes a prohibition on ranking teacher preparation programs. Beginning June 30, 2025: (1) increases the minimum salary for a teacher employed by a school corporation to $45,000 (current law requires $40,000); and (2) requires a school corporation to expend an amount for teacher compensation that is not less than 65% of state tuition support (current law requires 62%).