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Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed 20 bills into law Thursday, including one that would expunge certain civil “red flag” proceedings and another impacting carbon dioxide sequestration projects.
Lawmakers have sent Braun 38 bills thus far, and he has signed all of them.
House Enrolled Act 1137 would create a method to expunge “red flags” from a person’s public record. The Hoosier State’s red flag law allows police to temporarily remove firearms from people considered “dangerous,” with an aim to curb gun violence.
There are two situations in which a person might receive an expungement. First, if someone who was alleged to be dangerous was later found not to be. Second, if courts determined someone was dangerous, but after the person got help, deemed them safe.
Committee testimony revealed that Hoosiers had lost jobs and volunteer opportunities because of old red flag notices. An amendment clarified that law enforcement would still have access.
A bill on carbon dioxide sequestration projects also got a signature.
Senate Enrolled Act 457 exempts pipeline companies from needing to get certificates of authority in certain cases, creates a permit for exploratory wells and well conversions; adds inspection provisions; charges new fines for legal violations; and tweaks other fee amounts. Originally, fines and fees would’ve gone to dedicated funds to defray state spending on project administration and monitoring.
But an amendment in the Senate directs the money to the state’s General Fund instead. Lawmakers are still trying to find a compromise, which could be put in another piece of legislation before the session ends.
Braun also signed House Enrolled Act 1033, which seeks to reduce financial strain on construction contractors. It impacts only public works projects.
It eliminates the minimum retainage requirement for publicly funded projects and lowers the maximum withholding percentages by 4%. Retainage is the portion of payment withheld from a contractor or subcontractor until a construction project reaches substantial or full completion.
All of the legislation Braun has signed is listed online.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
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