HB 1279

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Provides that the board of the northwest Indiana regional development authority (NWIRDA) may establish any nonprofit entity to carry out and further the purposes, plans, and goals of the NWIRDA with regard to projects located within a transit development district. Authorizes the nonprofit entity to use money it receives only for projects that are located within a transit development district and to further any part of the comprehensive strategic plan of the development authority that relates to transit development districts. Specifies that the nonprofit entity is a governmental body required to provide its current audited financial statements to the development authority. Adds similar provisions to allow the north central Indiana regional development authority to establish a nonprofit entity to carry out and further the purposes, plans, and goals of that development authority with regard to projects located within a transit development district established by the NWIRDA. Requires the redevelopment commission for each county that is a member of the north central Indiana regional development authority to collaborate with the development authority for the purposes of the nonprofit entity. Provides that certain provisions related to electronic communications, executive sessions, and public records apply to a nonprofit entity created by the NWIRDA or a nonprofit entity established by the north central Indiana regional development authority. Provides that the NWIRDA may expend money related to transit development districts or any nonprofit entity created by the NWIRDA to carry out and further the purposes of the NWIRDA with regard to projects located within a transit development district. Provides that the Indiana finance authority (IFA), the NWIRDA, or the northern Indiana commuter transportation district (NICTD) may enter upon land to conduct a survey or investigation for the construction of the following rail projects: (1) The mainline double tracking project. (2) The West Lake corridor project. Provides that the IFA, the NWIRDA, or the NICTD has the same powers and duties as the Indiana department of transportation with regard to the work, including the means of conducting the survey or investigation, provision of notice to occupants of the land, and compensation for damages to land or water incurred in conducting the work. Requires the state budget committee to annually review the amount raised from sources other than taxes and fares for public transportation projects established in certain central Indiana counties. Provides that, in the case of Marion County, if the fiscal body of Marion County does not pay at least 10% of the annual operating expenses of the public transportation project from sources other than taxes and fares, then after December 31 of that year the following apply until the fiscal body of Marion County pays the amount, as determined following the annual state budget committee for review: (1) Beginning after June 30, 2020, the treasurer of state shall withhold 10% from the amount of the certified distribution attributable to the additional tax local income tax rate imposed in Marion County for the public transportation project. (2) Money in Marion County's public transportation project fund may be used only for certain purposes.