The fast-paced atmosphere surrounding the General Assembly this week marked the arrival of crucial mid-session deadlines for lawmakers. In the Senate, committee action on bills introduced in that chamber concluded Thursday. Next week Senators will complete work on their bills and those successfully making it through the first half of the process will advance to the House of Representatives for its consideration. Meanwhile, Representatives added finishing touches to their bills in hopes of gaining House approval so their legislation can advance to the Senate for further study. The following brief summary highlights some of the legislative action taken this week.

Senate committee advances lottery privatization proposal

By a vote of 7-5, the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy approved a controversial measure proposed by the governor to lease the Hoosier Lottery to a private company for $1 billion. If SB 577 is successful, the $1 billion would be split among several higher education initiatives including a life sciences program focusing on investments in biotechnology, biomedicine, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and agri-sciences as well as merit-based scholarships intended to keep our brightest students from leaving the state upon graduation. While some lawmakers agree that these are very worthy endeavors, they are skeptical about funding them through privatizing the state lottery. Although the current bill prohibits the implementation of keno or video gaming machines by any new operator, some legislators are concerned that at some point gaming would have to be expanded to make this endeavor worthwhile. Lawmakers would have no control over any future decisions made by a private company running the lottery. Others are disturbed by the governor's continued push to privatize state government programs and services. The bill now goes before the full Senate for further review.

Legislation targets disreputable notaries

The Senate is reviewing legislation which would help to protect individuals from receiving false legal advice and notary services from unqualified persons. SB 445 would impose a Class A misdemeanor on any person who is not an attorney, but uses a term in English or another language that implies the person is an attorney, or uses the term "notario" in any document, advertisement, letterhead, stationery, business card or another document describing the role of a notary public. The bill further requires a notary who is not an attorney and who advertises notary services in a language other than English to include a statement in the advertisement and on certain business documents that the notary is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice. A Class A misdemeanor can result in a maximum fine of $5,000 and is punishable by up to one year in jail.

Railroad camps under scrutiny

A bill has advanced out of the Senate Committee on Commerce which would establish standards for mobile camps provided by a railroad company for maintenance of way employees. SB 371 would require a railroad company to provide and adequately maintain for the employees' use outfit cars, camp cars or trailers which have heat, air conditioning, an adequate number of sinks, showers, toilets and an adequate supply of potable water dispensed in a sanitary manner for drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning. In addition, the bill would require the Department of Health to adopt rules concerning mobile camps.

Senate bills advance to House

• SB 45 specifies the procedure for determining who is a sexually violent predator and places certain restrictions on sex offenders who commit offenses against children. (Vote: 45-1)

• SB 185 provides that a National Guard member on active duty is entitled to priority for placement in an employment or training program administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for up to one year after discharge. A spouse would also qualify under this legislation. (Vote: 46-0)

• SB 315 requires the Indiana Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study of integrating intelligent transportation systems into Indiana's highway systems. (Vote: 47-0)

• SB 503 establishes the healthier Indiana insurance program for individuals who do not have health insurance through their employer and earn less than double the federal poverty level. In addition, the bill provides that two or more small businesses could join together to purchase health insurance for their employees. The pool would be available to businesses with less than 50 employees that can no longer afford small group policies and want to join with others across the state to save on administrative and premium costs. (Vote: 46-1)

• SB 567 would require full-day kindergarten programs for all students by the 2009-2010 school year. Kindergarten would remain optional in terms of both full-day and half-day classes under the bill. (Vote: 37-12)

House action update

• HB 1001, the 26 billion dollar state budget plan, passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee this week and is now before the full House. Key provisions of the plan would restore crucial state funding for public schools and phase in a statewide full-day kindergarten program by 2010.

• HB 1008 would provide health insurance to Hoosier families and children living at or near the federal poverty level which, under the current version of the bill, is financed by a 25 cent increase in the state's cigarette tax. Additionally, the bill would allow local units of government, schools and small businesses with up to 50 workers to join the state's health insurance plan. It is awaiting final House action.

• HB 1009 would create a legislative oversight committee that would undertake the review of the administration's efforts to privatize state services and programs. Another provision would require the approval of the General Assembly of contracts with a value of more than $100 million with a term of more than two years. The bill passed 52-45.

• HB 1835 would allow for the installation of 2,500 slot machines at each of the state's two horse racing tracks in Anderson and Shelbyville. Revenue generated would benefit Madison and Shelby counties, state programs and help to support the state's struggling horse racing industry. HB 1835 is awaiting final House action.