HB 1268 Open burning Passed 74 – 21. Allows a person to open burn untreated wood remnants from construction of a structure if the burn occurs in: (1) an unincorporated area that is not designated as a nonattainment area for a regulated air pollutant; and (2) a container that has a capacity of not more than 15 cubic feet that is located on the same site the construction of the structure occurred.
HB 1402 Insurance producer management courses Passed 95-0. Specifies continuing education courses that must be approved by the commissioner of the department of insurance. (I’ll just reiterate my observation that continuing education requirements often seem to be as much about profits for the continuing education provider as about making sure that the public is being served by professionals who are up to date in their field.)
SB 15 Absentee ballots Passed 32-26. A hard fought and fairly complicated looking bill. (Rare is the simple election law bill. I suspect that is by design.) This prohibits an absentee ballot form with preprinted information; specifies time for filing an absentee ballot; contains provisions for absentee ballots from “confined voters”; allows challenges by county election board members or absentee voter board members; prohibits electioneering in the presence of an individual with an absentee ballot; makes provisions for delivery of absentee ballots. I couldn’t find the roll call for the 3rd reading vote. I’d be interested to see who was for it and who was against it. This obviously wasn’t a party line vote.
SB 217 Speed limits Passed 34-15. Increases the speed limit from 65 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour and from 60 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour for certain vehicles on interstate highways outside urbanized areas with a population of at least 50,000. I have to say, I’m surprised to see that this one got past the Senate. Prior commentary here and here.
SB 332 FLAGS! Passed 46-3. Requires a United States flag to be displayed in each classroom of a school corporation. Requires a school corporation to provide a daily opportunity for students to voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Provides an exemption for students who choose (or whose parents choose for them) not to participate in the Pledge. Requires a school corporation to establish a daily moment of silence in each classroom or on school grounds. Repeals a law allowing an optional brief period of silent prayer or meditation. Requires the attorney general to defend a school corporation in a civil suit based on an act authorized under these provisions. As I’ve said before, I think this is a waste of time, money, and limited school resources. But, it plays to patriotically charged emotions, so common sense can be expected to be out the window.
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