Take Five: 5 Things you Need to Know About Indiana Government - June 2023
June 15, 2023
By: Amy M. Levander and Amy E. Schwarz
1. Legislative Council
Earlier this week, the Legislative Council met to assign summer study committee topics to interim study committees. The full list of topics is available on the General Assembly’s website. Some topics of note include studies of developments in artificial intelligence and potential legalization of adult use cannabis by the Commerce and Economic Development committee, the mobility of occupational licenses between states by the Employment and Labor committee, and prior authorization exemption in certain cases by the Financial Institutions and Insurance committee. Notably, the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force and Medicaid Oversight Committee, which were both established via legislation this year, will be separate legislative forums on general topics that do not have specific detailed assignments from the Legislative Council.
2. FSSA and Medicaid Unwinding Process
With the expiration of the federal public health emergency in April, FSSA will be completing a redetermination process over the next year to unwind the additional Medicaid coverage that was provided to Hoosiers throughout the pandemic. During the pandemic, federal law prohibited the state from discontinuing Medicaid coverage to individuals. From January 2020 to April 2023, the number of Indiana residents on Medicaid increased from 1.4 million to 2.2 million. Monthly redeterminations have begun and actions to adjust, reduce, or eliminate coverage are happening on a rolling basis. In May 2023 alone, more than 52,000 Hoosiers lost their Medicaid coverage. FSSA has expressed hope that the number of people losing their coverage would decrease in the coming months.
3. Bills Become Law July 1
Most bills that were passed by the General Assembly go into effect on July 1, the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year. The state budget, House Enrolled Act 1001, will increase K-12 education funding by $2.9 million, supply $4 million for food bank funding, $5 million towards grants to prevent homelessness and $2 million for veteran suicide prevention, just to name a few of the allocations. Senate Enrolled Act 1, another legislative priority which implements the 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline, will also become law effective July 1. Please contact the Governmental Affairs Team at Krieg DeVault with any questions about new legislation.
4. 2023 Elections
Control of Indiana’s municipalities is on the ballot in the 2023 November election after primary challenges across the state. In Indianapolis, incumbent Mayor Joe Hogsett (D) fended off a challenge from State Rep. Robin Shackleford and 4 other candidates to win the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, former City-County Councilor Jefferson Shreve defeated political commentator Abdul Hakim-Shabazz and 2 other candidates to win the Republican nomination. Meanwhile in Carmel, Councilor Sue Finkam defeated businessman Fred Glynn and Councilor Kevin “Woody” Rider in a close three-way race for the Republican nomination. She will face off against Councilor Miles Nelson (D) in November. Major political parties have until Monday, July 3 to fill any ballot vacancies for the November election.
5. 2024 Elections
In the midst of Indiana’s municipal election year, the 2024 races for statewide office continue to heat up. The three candidates for Governor on the Republican side, which include US Senator Mike Braun, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, and Northeast Indiana businessman Eric Doden, have already been busy campaigning. On the Democratic side, former Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick has switched parties and announced her campaign for Governor. She is the only announced candidate for the Democrats at this time. In a departure from normal precedent, former candidate for the 5th Congressional district and Noblesville pastor Micah Beckwith (R) has opened a campaign committee for Lieutenant Governor. The candidates for this office are selected at each party’s state convention, and delegates typically confirm the choice of the gubernatorial candidate who wins the May primary. Beckwith has indicated that he is planning to campaign for the office regardless of who wins the Republican gubernatorial primary. Meanwhile in the US Senate race to replace Senator Braun, current Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN 03) remains unchallenged for the Republican nomination, while former Democratic State Representative Marc Carmichael announced his bid for the seat earlier this month.
Disclaimer. The contents of this article should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult with counsel concerning your situation and specific legal questions you may have.
Practices
Industries
June 15, 2023
By: Amy M. Levander and Amy E. Schwarz
1. Legislative Council
Earlier this week, the Legislative Council met to assign summer study committee topics to interim study committees. The full list of topics is available on the General Assembly’s website. Some topics of note include studies of developments in artificial intelligence and potential legalization of adult use cannabis by the Commerce and Economic Development committee, the mobility of occupational licenses between states by the Employment and Labor committee, and prior authorization exemption in certain cases by the Financial Institutions and Insurance committee. Notably, the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force and Medicaid Oversight Committee, which were both established via legislation this year, will be separate legislative forums on general topics that do not have specific detailed assignments from the Legislative Council.
2. FSSA and Medicaid Unwinding Process
With the expiration of the federal public health emergency in April, FSSA will be completing a redetermination process over the next year to unwind the additional Medicaid coverage that was provided to Hoosiers throughout the pandemic. During the pandemic, federal law prohibited the state from discontinuing Medicaid coverage to individuals. From January 2020 to April 2023, the number of Indiana residents on Medicaid increased from 1.4 million to 2.2 million. Monthly redeterminations have begun and actions to adjust, reduce, or eliminate coverage are happening on a rolling basis. In May 2023 alone, more than 52,000 Hoosiers lost their Medicaid coverage. FSSA has expressed hope that the number of people losing their coverage would decrease in the coming months.
3. Bills Become Law July 1
Most bills that were passed by the General Assembly go into effect on July 1, the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year. The state budget, House Enrolled Act 1001, will increase K-12 education funding by $2.9 million, supply $4 million for food bank funding, $5 million towards grants to prevent homelessness and $2 million for veteran suicide prevention, just to name a few of the allocations. Senate Enrolled Act 1, another legislative priority which implements the 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline, will also become law effective July 1. Please contact the Governmental Affairs Team at Krieg DeVault with any questions about new legislation.
4. 2023 Elections
Control of Indiana’s municipalities is on the ballot in the 2023 November election after primary challenges across the state. In Indianapolis, incumbent Mayor Joe Hogsett (D) fended off a challenge from State Rep. Robin Shackleford and 4 other candidates to win the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, former City-County Councilor Jefferson Shreve defeated political commentator Abdul Hakim-Shabazz and 2 other candidates to win the Republican nomination. Meanwhile in Carmel, Councilor Sue Finkam defeated businessman Fred Glynn and Councilor Kevin “Woody” Rider in a close three-way race for the Republican nomination. She will face off against Councilor Miles Nelson (D) in November. Major political parties have until Monday, July 3 to fill any ballot vacancies for the November election.
5. 2024 Elections
In the midst of Indiana’s municipal election year, the 2024 races for statewide office continue to heat up. The three candidates for Governor on the Republican side, which include US Senator Mike Braun, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, and Northeast Indiana businessman Eric Doden, have already been busy campaigning. On the Democratic side, former Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick has switched parties and announced her campaign for Governor. She is the only announced candidate for the Democrats at this time. In a departure from normal precedent, former candidate for the 5th Congressional district and Noblesville pastor Micah Beckwith (R) has opened a campaign committee for Lieutenant Governor. The candidates for this office are selected at each party’s state convention, and delegates typically confirm the choice of the gubernatorial candidate who wins the May primary. Beckwith has indicated that he is planning to campaign for the office regardless of who wins the Republican gubernatorial primary. Meanwhile in the US Senate race to replace Senator Braun, current Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN 03) remains unchallenged for the Republican nomination, while former Democratic State Representative Marc Carmichael announced his bid for the seat earlier this month.
Disclaimer. The contents of this article should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult with counsel concerning your situation and specific legal questions you may have.