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Next session's house, senate bills piling up on Web


By DAVID MANN
David.Mann@newsandtribune.com


Only a handful of the bills listed on the state’s legislative services Web site will get a committee hearing during the 2007 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Even fewer will become law.

Last week, the Web site began listing bills that have been put forth by lawmakers. Before amendments are made and compromises are considered, here are a few noteworthy items that have been introduced so far:


Minimum wage

Four bills — two in the senate, two in the house — have been introduced seeking to raise the state’s minimum wage.

State Sen. Anita Bowser, D-Michigan City, wants to bring the rate to $7.25 per hour for most and $6.25 per hour for certain employees under 20 years of age starting in July. A similar bill, introduced in the house, seeks to bring everyone’s rate to $7.50 per hour by September 2008.

The largest minimum wage increase introduced thus far was put fourth by Evansville Democratic Rep. Phil Hoy. His bill would bring the hourly wage to $7.50 in July, $8 in July 2008 and $9 in July 2009.


Education

Several bills have been introduced seeking to make education more affordable in the state.

A bill authored by State Sen. Ronnie Alting, R-Lafayette, would provide a sales tax exemption for school supplies purchased during a four-day period in early August.

Another senate bill would exempt sales tax on college text books. And a third piece of legislation, introduced in the house, would repeal textbook rental program and provides free textbooks to public schools students. That same bill also requires school corporations to establish a textbook fund.


Guns

Think current gun laws are too tight? A senate bill has been introduced eliminating the requirement that handgun dealers forward information provided by a buyer to the Indiana State Police.

Gambling

A Marion County senator, Republican Brent Waltz, has introduced a bill that would prohibit ATMs on riverboats. The bill would also require riverboat patrons to submit to a breath test before obtaining or accessing a line of credit and requires the installation of digital clocks on the interior floors of a riverboat.


Crime

Three senators have co-authored a bill saying that sexual battery is committed when a person — intent on satisfying a sexual desire — touches another person who is unaware they are being touched.

Rep. Dennis Tyler, D-Muncie, introduced a bill providing that battery by body waste is committed when a person knowingly places body fluid on a law enforcement officer, firefighter or first responder in a rude or angry manner.

Additionally, a bill has been introduced providing that dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug within 1,000 feet of a church is a Class A felony.


Privatization

The continued privatization of state services and agencies has been a topic of debate for the last year or so. That considered, State Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Madison County, has introduced a bill that calls for the review of any privatization plans by a state agency and a hearing and public report to the budget committee.


Miscellaneous

Other interesting bills include:

• A bill requiring weather radios in mobile homes;

• A bill seeking to locate all of Indiana into the Central Time Zone; and

• A bill requiring restrooms at the license branch.

Roger Kaputnik
I am a big Anita Bowser fan. If she says this is a good idea, I support her.
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