Weakened smoking ban moves on ladened with amendments

The Indiana Senate passed House Bill 1149, the smoking ban bill, today on second reading. On the Senate floor, the bill received a number of amendments, effectively weakening the bill. The bill arrived from the House and passed the Senate Committee on Public Policy with exemptions for gaming facilities, cigar and hookah bars and private clubs. The bill also included a 16-month exemption for bars and taverns.

Amendments that were added to the bill during Senate action today included:

• Amendment 13: Allows group homes, community mental health centers and Indiana Veterans Homes to establish designated smoking rooms.
• Amendment 18: Removes sunset provision on bar and tavern exemption. Smoking at bars and taverns will continue to be permitted.
• Amendment 20: Permits charity gaming organizations to allow smoking during events.
• Amendment 21: Made technical changes to the bill.
• Amendment 22: Allows cigar and hookah bars to move to new locations and remain exempt from the ban.
• Amendment 23: Confirms that statewide smoking ban will not supersede local smoking ordinances as long as they are stricter than the state ban.
• Amendment 24: Reduces from 12 feet to 8 feet the distance from the entrance to a public place that must be smoke free.
• Amendment 26: Removes exemption that a club or fraternal club seeking an exemption from the smoking ban must be established before June 30, 2012.
• Amendment 28: Prevents local municipalities from establishing smoking ordinances that prohibit smoking in gaming facilities.
• Amendment 29: Exempts home businesses from the smoking ban.

The legislation now moves for a final up or down vote on the Senate floor tomorrow. If the bill passes the Senate, it will return to the House where the bill’s author will either concur or dissent to the Senate changes.

Week in Photos: February 20 – 24

Week in Photos: February 20 – 24

Sen. Mrvan with his pages.

Sen. Tallian.

Sen. Simpson and her pages.

Sen. Randolph and Annie Burns Hicks.

Sen. Randolph honoring Annie Burns Hicks, the first African American to teach in Hammond, Indiana.

Sen. Rogers speaking on the resolution to honor Annie Burns Hicks.

Sen. Hume and Sen. Rogers.

Sen. Skinner speaking to a group from Ivy Tech.

Sen. Hume honoring the owners of Schnitzelbank, who won the Super Bowl Sandwich competition.

Sen. Rogers speaking on the memorial resolution for Rep. Katie Hall.

Rogers notes progress of Erin’s Law, Little Cal bill

Senator Earline Rogers updates constituents on the status of her legislation, Senate Bill 267. The bill, referred to as Erin’s Law, would enact a program educating youth on the dangers of childhood sexual abuse. Sen. Rogers also discusses progress made on House Bill 1264, the Little Calumet River levee bill, aimed at protecting Northwest Indiana communities around the Little Cal from future flooding.

Hume expresses concern over fiscal impact of Healthcare Compact

Senator Lindel Hume explains House Bill 1269, a bill that would appeal to Congress for complete state control of the Medicaid program. Sen. Hume worries that Hoosiers will receive less timely care and that the potentially large financial burden would create unforeseen financial issues.

Arnold outlines what’s next for smoking ban bill

State Senator Jim Arnold discusses House Bill 1149, the statewide smoking ban bill. He predicts the bill to move quickly through the Senate before session concludes. The bill is eligible for second reading next week and can be amended by any member of the Senate at that time.

Lanane lays out next steps for outdoor stage regulation, smoking ban bills

Senator Tim Lanane highlights the progress of Senate Bill 273, the outdoor stage regulation bill he authored. The bill passed out of the House Committee of Veterans Affairs and Public Safety unanimously and is now eligible for action on the floor of the Indiana House. Sen. Lanane also discusses House Bill 1149, the statewide smoking ban bill.

Simpson applauds progress of smoking ban, home energy assistance bills

Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson discusses the progress of House Bill 1149, the statewide smoking ban bill, which passed out of the Committee on Public Policy earlier this week. The full Senate also passed House Bill 1141, extending low income home energy assistance to vulnerable Hoosiers.

Breaux notes progress, importance of land banks bill

Senator Jean Breaux explains the importance of updating and reevaluating the state’s current land bank law. House Bill 1249 would establish a summer study committee on the topic where legislators would meet and recommend further legislation for the 2013 Legislative Session.

 

Week in Review: Smoking ban and education initiatives move

Committee hearings have come to a close as the Indiana General Assembly works toward a March 14 legislative session deadline. Legislation that moves through the second house without amendments will proceed to the governor for final consideration. Bills amended by the opposite chamber must return to the house of origin for consideration of changes made. This summary highlights some of the House bills that have gained approval in Senate committees or by the full Senate.

Statewide smoking ban

The Senate Public Policy Committee has approved HB 1149, a bill that would establish a statewide smoking ban in most public areas and places of employment. Exclusions in the bill include certain gaming facilities; cigar and hookah bars; fraternal, social and veterans’ clubs; tobacco stores; and cigar manufacturer facilities. Bars and taverns would have until September 15, 2013, to become smoke-free. The bill would make it a Class B infraction to violate the smoking prohibition or a Class A infraction if the person has committed three prior violations for smoking in restricted areas. In addition, the bill would prohibit firing or refusing to hire a person for reporting a violation, or exercising any right or performing any obligation under the smoking prohibition. Over the past several years, the smoking ban bill has passed the House, but never made it past Senate committee deliberations. HB 1149 now proceeds to the full Senate for further consideration.

New Family Friendly School Designation Program

Achieving student success through more parental involvement in schools is the goal of House Bill (HB) 1150. The bill seeks to urge parents to become more involved with student success by encouraging meaningful engagement in schools. HB 1150 would establish the Indiana Family Friendly School Designation Program and require the Department of Education to develop a program for designating certain schools as being “Family Friendly.” Any school could voluntarily seek the designation by demonstrating that the school provides multiple opportunities for parents to engage in educational activities and programs offered by the school that foster high student achievement. The bill will now advance to the Senate floor for consideration by the full body.

Smoking Ban approved by committee, heads to full Senate

The Senate Committee on Public Policy approved a bill Wednesday that would standardize smoking restrictions across the state. House Bill (HB) 1149 would implement a statewide smoking ban for most public places, including restaurants. The bill has received bipartisan support this legislative session, having been approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 62-35 in January before coming to the Senate. The bill was approved in committee by a vote of 8-2.

As the legislation stands upon Wednesday’s committee approval, places exempt from the new statewide ban would include certain gaming facilities; cigar and hookah bars; tobacco stores; and fraternal, social and veterans clubs. Bars and taverns would have until Sept. 15, 2013, to comply with the ban.

“I am glad that the Senate is moving forward with a statewide smoking ban,” said State Senator John Broden. “I have some concerns about some of the exemptions in the legislation, but I will continue to support the ban as long as the bill allows for local laws to be more restrictive than state legislation.”

Under current law, counties, cities and towns may adopt their own ordinances to restrict smoking in public areas. This bill would establish a statewide restriction and provide that local governing bodies can enact their own ordinances only if they are more restrictive than the state law.

Since 2007 similar measures have failed three times to progress in the Indiana General Assembly. Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson says she hopes the new law will be enacted this legislative session.

“Although the bill is less comprehensive than we would have liked, it is a step closer to making public places safe and smoke-free for visitors and for the people who work there,” said Sen. Simpson. “I’m happy we have been able to work together to finally get this important legislation before the Senate for consideration.”

State Senator Tim Skinner shared his hopes for the ban.

“This bill is the result of a strong bipartisan effort to eliminate public health risks for the people of Indiana,” said Sen. Skinner. “I’m glad that we are one step closer to diminishing those risks and making public air cleaner and safer for all Hoosiers.”

The legislation now moves to the Senate floor where it can be amended by any senator. If enacted, the bill would become effective upon passage.