This week, the City-County Observer is giving you an update on what our local legislators are doing in the Statehouse.

Here’s a list of all of the bills authored by State Senator Jim Tomes:

Senate Bill 12: Removal of squatters.

Defines “squatter” as an individual who occupies the property of another and who does not and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the property. Permits a property owner to execute an affidavit stating that a squatter is occupying the person’s property, and requires a law enforcement agency to dispatch one or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter within 48 hours (or a later period if necessary for reasons of public safety). Requires a dispatched law enforcement officer to remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible written evidence that the person is not a squatter

Senate Bill 13: Public safety.

Co-Authors: Sen. Dan Dernulc, Sen. Rick Niemeyer.

Provides that a person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operates a vehicle in a repeated or continuous manner with the intent of causing a rotational skid commits reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor, and increases the penalty if certain circumstances apply. Specifies that a person may request specialized driving privileges even after the initial hearing. Provides that a vehicle used to commit reckless driving involving a rotational skid or obstruction of traffic involving a rotational skid is subject to seizure for purposes of civil forfeiture if the person has a prior unrelated conviction for the offense. Increases the penalty for resisting law enforcement to a Level 5 felony if a person operates a vehicle in a manner that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person. Makes conforming amendments.

Senate Bill 24: Regulation of premium increases.

Provides that certain insurance providers may not request to raise the insurer’s rate more than 10% in any one year. Requires certain insurance providers to justify any requested rate increase to the insurance commissioner.

Senate Bill 25: Income tax deduction for renters.

Increases the maximum renter’s deduction for income tax purposes from $3,000 to $4,000 per taxable year.

Senate Bill 26: Radio frequency jamming devices.

Provides that a radio frequency jamming device may be seized. Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally owns, operates, uses, manufactures, possesses, buys, sells, or provides to another person a radio frequency jamming device commits unlawful radio frequency jamming, a Level 6 felony. Provides sentence enhancements.

Senate Bill 27: Firearm buyback programs.

Extends, to political subdivisions, the application of current restrictions on firearm buyback programs. Prohibits a firearm buyback program that does not meet certain requirements related to staffing, serial number searches, firearm disposal, and disclosure of identifying information.

Senate Bill 41: Assessed value deductions for disabled veterans.

Co-Authors: Sen. Dan Dernulc, Sen. Rick Niemeyer.

Eliminates the assessed value cap that applies to the property tax deduction for a veteran who: (1) has a total disability; or (2) is at least 62 years of age and has at least a 10% disability.

Senate Bill 124: Firefighting apparatus lights.

Co-Authored by: Sen. Michael Young,

Allows a firefighting apparatus owned or operated by a political subdivision or volunteer fire department to be equipped with signal lamps that are capable of displaying flashing, rotating, or oscillating beams of red and blue lights. (Current law allows a firefighting apparatus to display red or red and white lights.)

Senate Bill 125: Gasoline and special fuel taxes.

Co-Authored by: Sen. Michael Young,

Provides that July 1, 2025, (rather than July 1, 2027, under current law) is the last date for the index factor adjustment of the gasoline tax rate and the special fuel tax rate.

Senate Bill 144: Political subdivision retirement plans.

Co-Authored by: Sen. Vaneta Becker,

Requires a political subdivision offering an employee retirement plan to make an annual presentation regarding the employee retirement plan to the county council of each county in which the political subdivision is wholly or partially located.

 Senate Bill 203: Audit of state agencies.

Co-Authored by: Sen. Vaneta Becker, Sen. Dan Dernulc.

Requires the legislative council to oversee the audit, by an independent public accounting firm, of all accounts, financial affairs, and compliance related matters of all state agencies. Requires the legislative council to direct the legislative services agency to issue requests for proposals for an independent public accounting firm or firms, as necessary, to audit the state agencies. Requires the legislative council to determine which and how many state agencies will be audited each year. Requires the legislative council to provide notice to a state agency that will be subject to audit 30 days prior to the audit. Provides that the legislative council may not authorize a subsequent audit of a state agency until all state agencies have been audited at least once. Provides that when all of the state agencies have been audited at least once, the legislative council may determine which and how many agencies will be audited annually for each calendar year thereafter on a random basis. Provides that the legislative council may authorize a subsequent audit of a state agency that the legislative council determines to be high risk. Requires the legislative council to determine the scope of an audit during the request for proposal process. Lists the state agencies that are subject to audit. Requires the legislative council to publish the results of the audit of each state agency on the general assembly’s website.

Senate Bill 204: Right of lobbyist to carry handgun in capitol.

Provides that a lobbyist who meets certain training, licensing, and eligibility requirements has the right to carry a handgun within the state capitol building and on the property of the state capitol complex. Makes a technical correction.

Senate Bill 205: Department of child services ombudsman.

Transfers the office of the department of child services ombudsman from the department of administration to the office of the attorney general.

Senate Bill 206: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment program.

Requires the Indiana department of veterans’ affairs to establish and administer a hyperbaric oxygen treatment program (program) to make grants to certain providers to provide diagnostic testing and hyperbaric oxygen treatment to qualified service members. Establishes program requirements. Requires the Indiana department of health to: (1) issue a request for proposals to offer treatment under the program; and (2) adopt rules to implement these provisions, including rules concerning program eligibility, treatment plan requirements, criteria for approving payments for treatment, and confidentiality. Provides that funding for the program is paid from the military family relief fund. Makes conforming amendments related to the sunset of the hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program.

Senate Bill 207: Adverse possession.

Provides that a cause of action based on adverse possession may not be commenced in a court in Indiana after June 30, 2025. Makes conforming changes.