HB 1064 introduced by Rep. Avery passed the House on a 97 – 0 vote. It provides that the maximum weight limitation for a heavy duty vehicle that is equipped with an auxiliary power unit for climate control or electrical purposes is increased by 400 pounds. A “heavy duty vehicle” is one that is diesel powered and weighs more than 8,500 pounds. An auxiliary power unit provides heat, air conditioning, engine warming, or electricity to components of the vehicle and must be certified by the EPA as meeting applicable emission standards.
Rep. Pelath’s HB 1271 also passed the House with a 97 – 0 vote. It has to do with consignment of art. Under the bill, if an artist delivers a work of art to an art dealer for exhibition or sale on commission, the work of art is considered to be for sale on consignment unless the artist is paid in full upon delivery of the work of art. The work of art and the proceeds therefrom are considered held in trust by the art dealer and aren’t subject to lien or encumbrance by a creditor of the dealer. (Presumably a creditor of the artist, however, could get at the work of art through the dealer.) It also requires that a contract between a dealer and an artist specify: (1) the value of the work of art; (2) the minimum price for which the work of art may be sold; (3) any discounts that the art dealer may apply in selling the work of art; (4) the art dealer’s commission; and (5) in the event of a sale, the amount of time the art dealer has to pay the artist. Absent an agreement to the contrary, the default contract between artist and dealer would provide for payment within 30 days of sale and if the purchase is on installment that any installment payments first go to the artist.
Rep. VanDenburgh’s HB 1415 passed on an 89-9 vote. It provides a tax deduction of up to $5,000 for the costs of installing solar powered roof vents or fans.
Doug, not exactly on topic, but not exactly off topic either, but do you have any idea how many laws are really “on the books” in Indiana? I have this mental picture of a “book” that must be about 4 feet high?
No particular gripe on the new laws passig the House above, I’m really just curious.
I forget exactly, and it depends how you count. The Indiana Code consists of 36 Titles of various lengths. It’s been awhile since I had a hard copy of just the Indiana Code. I think you could fit it on 2 shelves or so.
If you take all of the public laws that have been passed — basically each bill that passes the General Assembly every year — all of those take a floor to ceiling, wall to wall, book case to contain. (My boss at Legislative Services had one of the only complete sets of the Acts of Indiana all in one place.)
The “Code” (which are the permanent laws) takes up about 2.5-3 feet of a bookshelf. Although they will all fit on a CD. I have no idea how much space the noncode takes up. Nor how much space the regulations take up – I think about 2′, but I’m not sure.
I’m a little confused about HB1271. Shouldn’t that situation just be treated as any other business relationship? Why the distinction for art? Is there something I’m missing?
(I’m curious — my wife is in school for art)
It seems to me the bill above dealing with art has to do with setting a fixed value on a painting and establishing ownership,especially to protect the artist if the art dealer defaults and art work is confiscated by creditors.It’s interesting that such things can be legislated.Art value depends often only on who appraises it,so pick your own appraiser to determine your value,especially if the artist isn’t established. I read the bill as pro-artist,which is commendable,and maybe unique.