Sen. Tim Lanane

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 1) honoring Senator Brandt Hershman for his retirement after serving District 7 in the Indiana State Senate since 2000. The resolution formally expresses the Senate's gratitude for his service, highlighting his leadership roles (including Majority Floor Leader and Committee Chair) and his work on tax policy improvements. The key mechanism is directing the Senate Secretary to send a copy of the resolution to Senator Hershman and his wife. It does not create new laws or affect any policy, as it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Requires the plaintiff in a residential eviction action to file a motion to dismiss the action if the case is resolved between the parties at any time before final adjudication, unless the plaintiff is seeking damages. Provides that if, at any time after an eviction action is filed, no action has been taken by the plaintiff to further prosecute the case for a period of at least 180 days, the court shall send to the parties written notice: (1) stating the date of the most recent action taken by the plaintiff in the case; and (2) directing the plaintiff to take action to either: (A) further prosecute the case; or (B) dismiss the case; not later than 10 business days after the date of the notice. Provides that if the plaintiff fails to take any action within the prescribed time: (1) the defendant may petition the court to dismiss the case; or (2) the court on its own motion may dismiss the case. Provides that a residential eviction diversion program may not be offered or operated on a statewide or local basis unless participation in the program is voluntary for all parties. Requires: (1) the Indiana housing and community development authority; and (2) any political subdivision that distributes rental assistance funds made available by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; to create a designated landlord application process, in addition to the tenant application process, not later than August 31, 2022. Requires, upon motion of the tenant, the court in which an eviction action is filed to order the clerk of the court and the operator of any state, regional, or local case management system not to disclose or permit disclosure of any records in the case, subject to certain exceptions, if any of the following occur: (1) The action is dismissed. (2) A judgment in favor of the tenant is entered. (3) A judgment against the tenant is later overturned or vacated on appeal. Provides that if: (1) an eviction action, regardless of when it was filed, results in one of the specified outcomes allowing for the nondisclosure of records in the action; and (2) the court does not issue an order prohibiting the disclosure of any records in the action; the tenant in the action may petition the court in which the eviction action was filed to issue an order prohibiting the disclosure of any records in the action in accordance with the bill's provisions. Provides that upon the filing of such a petition, the court may: (1) issue an order prohibiting the disclosure of any records in the action; or (2) set the matter for a hearing. Provides that the petitioner bears the burden of proof in any hearing set by the court. Requires the clerk of court or other court administrator to: (1) track all eviction actions with respect to which a nondisclosure order is issued by the court; and (2) furnish the data compiled in the statutorily required statistical data provided to the office of judicial administration (office), as prescribed by the office. Requires the office to include the data provided by the courts in the Indiana Judicial Report.

Increases the value of estates that may be distributed via affidavit from $50,000 to $100,000. Increases the threshold for summary procedures for unsupervised estates from $50,000 to $100,000. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the probate code study commission.)

Defines "unlicensed caregiver" and allows an unlicensed caregiver of a child to intervene as a party in a: (1) child in need of services proceeding; or (2) proceeding to terminate the parent-child relationship; concerning the child.

Establishes the insuring foster youth trust fund (fund). Provides that the department of child services shall administer the fund. Provides that the money in the fund may be used to provide payments to foster youth to help defray the cost of: (1) automobile insurance coverage for foster youth; and (2) not more than 44 of the 50 hours of supervised driving practice for foster youth. Provides that a state or local government agency, a foster parent, or an entity providing services shall not be liable for any damages resulting from a foster youth's operation of an automobile owned and insured by the foster youth. Makes conforming changes. Makes an appropriation.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring Officer Richard Stires.

A SENATE RESOLUTION honoring Carl Erskine for his contributions to Indiana and the nation.

Makes new farm equipment and new agricultural improvements eligible for local tax abatement using the same procedures for tax abatement under current law for new manufacturing equipment, new research and development equipment, new logistical distribution equipment, and new information technology equipment, or redevelopment and rehabilitation in the case of new agricultural improvements. Limits an abatement schedule for new farm equipment and new agricultural improvements to not more than five years. Specifies how agricultural improvements shall be assessed for tax purposes.

A SENATE RESOLUTION congratulating Susan Daoust on earning the 2022 Best of Madison County Educator of the Year Award.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION congratulating Commander Douglas A. Robb, United States Navy, upon his assumption of command over the guided missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111).