We are just a few weeks away from critical deadlines for bills to receive a hearing, so legislation is moving quickly at the Statehouse. My first bill, House Bill 1056, passed through the Senate unanimously. Currently, county auditors determine someone’s eligibility for real property tax deductions. If a taxpayer is denied, they can appeal the decision, and the notice of appeal is filed with the county or township assessor. This bill streamlines the appeal process of auditor decisions by bypassing the assessor, who is unfamiliar with the case, from the system and sending it straight to the auditor. Due to an amendment in the Senate, the legislation must return to the House to either approve or reject the changes and send the bill to a conference committee to reconcile differences, which I plan to do.
The second bill I authored, House Bill 1664, passed out of the Senate Utilities Committee. This proposal would clarify that homeowners associations, condominium associations and rental units that sell water and sewer services through one master meter to multiple properties are not considered a public utility. Taking the burden off landlords to comply with Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission rates, financing, bonding, environmental compliance plans and service territories could help reduce confusion regarding service prices in these situations.
Back in the House, I am sponsoring Senate Bill 604, which was heard in the House Judiciary Committee. Sometimes people file frivolous, fabricated claims on property of public officials, businesses or anyone they choose, to dispute title ownership. These claims are often filed in an attempt to slow down the process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. This proposal would create a process for property owners who are selling to notify individuals who file a claim. Once the notice is received, the person has 30 days to file a court action to enforce it. If that action is not filed, then the property owner can request the claim be expunged.
I am also a House sponsor of Senate Bill 258 to close a loophole in Indiana law and make it illegal for sexually violent predators and offenders against children from working as a child care provider, babysitter, adult daycare provider or primary caregiver. This bill came in response to a case in Madison County where a registered sex offender advertised babysitting services on Facebook. This bill would help protect children from predators, and prevent situations like this in the future. It passed out of the House Family, Children, and Human Affairs Committee and could receive a vote from the full House next week.
This is just some of the action we saw this week in the legislature, but there is still plenty of work to do. As always, feel free to share your thoughts with me at h23@iga.in.gov or 317-232-9620. It’s your state government, so participate in it!
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Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Denver) represents House District 23, which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
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