A Citizen's Guide to Indiana

State tax amnesty bill sent to House: Rep. Eric Turner has introduced a “tax amnesty” bill that gives tax debtors an as yet to be determined 8 week period to pay taxes without penalty or interest charges. Proponents say “we need the money”. Detractors say, “it’s a cheater’s rights bill.”

As written currently, HB 1004 would also double the penalty against a debtor who has the opportunity pay under the tax amnesty program but fails to do so.

This kind of makes me wonder what the current practice is with regard to tax collection efforts currently in litigation. I wonder if the State will cut a deal with debtors to settle in full if they pay a lump sum equal to their principal debt, waiving the extras. If they do that kind of thing already, I wouldn’t have any problem with this bill. If not, I have mixed feelings.

Introduced Version, Senate Bill 0217 It never passes, but Sen. Server has introduced a bill to raise the speed limit on Interstates from 65 to 70 mph.

(Maybe they could play up the economic development angle. When given an option, I chose a route that was a few miles longer because it was primarily through states with 70 mph speed limits.)

Introduced Version, Senate Bill 0178

Provides that a consumer may prevent access to the consumer’s credit report by requesting that the consumer reporting agency place a security freeze on the consumer’s credit report.

This one seems riddled with potential problems. If an individual requests a “security freeze” on their credit report, the reporting agency is then only allowed to give the information to government and law enforcement entities, creditors of the individual for use in collecting on the debt, and the consumer. (I have some vague recollection that it is currently not entirely appropriate for creditors to use credit reporting information to collect a debt.)

It allows the reporting agency to disregard the request if it’s based on “false information” even though the individual isn’t required to provide any reason for the freeze. It also seems like there would be First Amendment and federal preemption issues involved. Maybe the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

I appreciate the sentiment, but I also get the feeling that the genie is already out of the bottle with regard to dissemination of our personal information. At this late date, I don’t think you can ever be certain that someone isn’t privy to your personal information.

Introduced Version, Senate Bill 0171: Basically specifies that personal property taxes constitute a lien on personal property that is superior to that of another creditor. Requires a creditor coming into possession of personal property because of a lien to apply proceeds to the personal property tax before applying proceeds to its own lien.

Introduced Version, Senate Bill 0168

Way to go Sen. Alting! This bill corrects what I assume to be a drafting error. The existing statute provides that an emergency technician providing emergency care is immune from civil liability unless their act constitutes “negligence or willful misconduct.” If the intent was to offer some protection to emergency responders, allowing them to attempt to provide care without excess concern over civil liability, the existing version doesn’t do a thing. If the medical provider isn’t at least negligent, there wouldn’t be any liability to begin with. The new bill amends the law to provide immunity unless there is “gross negligence or willful misconduct.”

I had a client ask me about this statute earlier in the year, and I advised them that it was essentially worthless.

Introduced Version, Senate Bill 0166 Requires high school health to include fetal development in the curriculum, including “photographic images portraying each state of uterine fetal development” and “health consequences of early termination of pregnancy” (but no requirement that health consequences of the pregnancy itself be taught.) Again, I’m not a big fan of overly specific curriculum requirements.

This is obviously an effort to skew the message teen receive about the effects and consequences of pregnancy. They should be given lots of information about pregnancy, not just this specific set of facts and pictures.

Introduced Version, Senate Bill 0163 – Singles out furniture made by inmates in the DOC for sale only to state and local governments. Other goods can be sold on the open market. Looks like Sen. Jackman got a $400 contribution from “Old Hickory Furniture, Co.” Not exactly huge money but could explain his involvement in this bill. Also, Old Hickory gave $2,000 to the Indiana Manufacturers PAC and they gave Sen. Jackman $1,000.

The bill just seemed unusually specific, so I thought I’d dig a little. Could be coincidence, I suppose.