[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6075665,"mediaKeyId","2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c","parentId",2979208,"title","Senate approves human‑trafficking awareness posting, rejects multiple FSSA funding amendments and adds sunset for pathways providers","audioSeconds",713,"startMs",2076000,"endMs",2789000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c&start=2076&end=2789","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c/thumbnail_2076000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6075665/Indiana/Senate-approves-humantrafficking-awareness-posting-rejects-multiple-FSSA-funding-amendments-and-adds-sunset-for-pathways-providers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075665-63b9d6b9c532479b0e2e515bb970c1c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775721580&Signature=P02t~SrG6XxmXuWmO916QZL-3RxFhDEK~iJqzpVjhhZ-oq9yKBkeCkK2pC7-A80HkTLRg8pYI2TNHjjEJ6FHw1xpJMtnb4H2J59pdvxLwGLRXcFLmODDK93j2T0VVcsrfUMBsoGyyHE1vLQHNzs41nsItaSkMW9k7kjLB60Ly~FqiSxl9f8LmSYAr30IG-p4NmL8LYts-fcXrIJD-Bf9tIw4vh1Rkh37xZ3LRpEUp59Pu7D3kiJQcqBcqCPMVL5howoonB~lRX5fP7KBMrT97j36dwFgcKoWodNBpbFML0ZID84o523hFw24mWCxpDEKLejCjS0OJisCvjqaIKHsbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate of Indiana","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Indiana Senate on April 10, 2025, considered several amendments to House Bill 14‑74, which includes changes to pathway waiver programs and related health and social services provisions. Lawmakers approved an amendment requiring gas stations and convenience stores with public restrooms to post human‑trafficking hotline information, but they defeated multiple amendments that would have authorized the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to seek budget augmentations or immediately fund thousands of additional waiver slots to address wait lists.

Senator Michael Pohl presented an amendment that would require owner/operators of gas stations and convenience stores with interior public space to post the national human trafficking hotline and awareness information in a public restroom or a visible location on the premises. Pohl said implementing the signage led to a 400% increase in trafficking convictions in Texas, a statistic he and supporters cited as evidence the measure could raise awareness and aid identification and reporting. \"If we're serious about stopping crime, particularly one of the most heinous crimes, human trafficking, this is how you do it,\" Pohl said. The amendment passed on voice vote after floor discussion and industry engagement.

Senator Robert Kidora offered multiple amendments seeking fiscal mechanisms to address long waiting lists for the Pathways waiver and related Health and Wellness waiver programs, including a motion to authorize FSSA after session to request budget committee augmentation in a crisis and a separate amendment to fund roughly 3,000 additional waiver slots immediately (the sponsor characterized this as an up‑front funding approach). Kidora said the status quo left nearly 10,000 Hoosiers on wait lists and that the state pays far more if people are placed in long‑term nursing care instead of receiving waiver services: \"It costs $10,000 a month to admit a person into the nursing facilities … multiply $120,000 a year by 3,000 people, that's $360,000,000,\" he said, compared with a projected roughly $52,000,000 annual state share for 3,000 waiver slots assuming federal participation. Opponents, including Senator Charbonneau, said the amendments would create immediate and substantial fiscal impacts and urged defeat.

The clerk recorded votes on Kidora's proposals. A motion to authorize FSSA to seek budget augmentations (Amendment 2) failed 12 ayes to 33 noes; a later amendment to fund the 3,000 waiver slots (Amendment 3/6 depending on the floor numbering) failed 10 ayes to 34 noes. Senator Charbonneau and others argued the amendments would require additional appropriations in the current budget cycle, while supporters argued preventing cost shifts into higher‑cost institutional care is fiscally prudent.

Senator Charbonneau later offered an amendment that added a sunset date (June 30, 2029) for language authorizing willing providers for the pathways program; that amendment passed. The bill was ordered to engrossment after the series of amendments.

Votes at a glance: Pohl amendment requiring human‑trafficking signage — adopted (voice vote). Kidora Amendment authorizing FSSA to request augmentation — failed (roll call 12 ayes, 33 noes). Kidora amendment funding 3,000 waiver slots — failed (roll call 10 ayes, 34 noes). Charbonneau amendment adding 06/30/2029 sunset for willing providers — adopted (voice vote).

Floor debate emphasized the fiscal trade‑offs and the time sensitivity of serving people on waiver wait lists. Supporters of immediate waiver funding framed it as cost‑saving compared with institutional care; opponents warned the Senate could not responsibly add large, immediate appropriations without the budgetary process. Speakers repeatedly asked whether the budget committee and executive branch controls would provide sufficient checks on any post‑session augmentation requests.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Indiana Senate Legislative Session Apr 10, 2025 Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","The Indiana Senate on April 10, 2025, approved a requirement that gas stations and convenience stores post human‑trafficking hotline information and rejected multiple amendments that would have immediately funded thousands of additional pathway‑waiver slots or authorized after‑session budget augmentations for FSSA.","taxTitle","2025 Senate Legislative Sessions, 2025 Legislature IN, Indiana","taxId",77717,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6075670,"Senate narrows party caucus rules; amendment lets county chairs appoint precinct committeemen who may vote in caucuses",900,871000,1771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c&start=871&end=1771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c/thumbnail_871000.jpg","/articles/6075670/Indiana/Senate-narrows-party-caucus-rules-amendment-lets-county-chairs-appoint-precinct-committeemen-who-may-vote-in-caucuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075670-d6f1b3e2a5636065feda269a47a0eaff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775721580&Signature=aeCEAMY~pxHQsChbbGqyZSl6RMy0gfn4RySNEOIZbcgfLCDqhPkg~vw7aXmeuXKRdngrBF2rbmNT2cc6E1fWeHldOxXu9jg~caWy6dbHo4LX8bTEN6e4a5y~3L762~GqHkHwdua5aORUb-9TGabxtkwyLnU6sKuyYlhElryV547CZUXsxDxMO21i8ZLB3jPut2iioMF-OnC5kz8rzzffHSncOg0RE8hNb5eM4RqKlc59A5sPIfFXMl2aoF1Qh-RyzmhzWf2k2DJL1cDHbQcJXn60hxwQR~oZaMfbw4I9GMJvEiearLdBCOV-fx7AGtzV3ceDmsFRlXqRs5Vtk6ZbvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indiana Senate on April 10, 2025, approved an amendment to House Bill 11‑97 that amended language governing political‑party appointments and caucuses in the event of vacancies, a move supporters portrayed as practical and critics said risks diluting the voice of local voters.

Senator Kyle Walker offered the amendment, which sponsor and backers described as returning to longstanding party practice in many counties: allowing county chairs to appoint precinct committeemen and permitting those appointees to participate in caucus votes to fill vacancies. Walker said the amendment \"these are political party appointments, political party caucuses. These are vacancies that are created because either someone did not run or they resigned or they moved\" and that the change would keep small, private party processes functional. He asked for a roll call and argued the amendment kept local parties able to fill ranks when precinct roles were vacant.

Opponents, including Senator Shannon Freeman and Senator Niemeyer, said allowing appointees or party members who do not live in a district to vote in a caucus undermines local voters. \"When somebody wants to vote for me on election day that lives outside of my district…they are committing a level 6 felony when they do it. But with this amendment … if somebody that lives outside of that district is an ineligible voter, we're saying that it's okay for them to tell the people in that district who their candidate's gonna be,\" Freeman said.

Senator Gaskell said she supported the concept behind the bill but favored the amendment to \"keep the bill moving\" because the underlying measure was the first bill carried by a state representative and she did not want the amendment fight to jeopardize that bill.

The clerk recorded a roll call on the Walker amendment: 28 ayes and 17 noes; the amendment passed. The bill was then ordered to engrossment.

The debate highlighted competing priorities: party leaders and some rural senators who said it is hard to fill precinct slots and the need to keep party processes functioning versus senators who argued caucus votes should be restricted to residents of the affected jurisdiction.

","The Senate on April 10, 2025, approved an amendment to House Bill 11‑97 that changes how political‑party caucuses fill vacancies and clarifies precinct committeeman appointment and voting rules; vote 28‑17 on the amendment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6075675,"Senate removes SMR cost‑recovery language; consumer‑protection amendment fails",0,1819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c&start=1819&end=1819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2979208-48980afcaea307d330da4033e449a28c/thumbnail_1819000.jpg","/articles/6075675/Indiana/Senate-removes-SMR-costrecovery-language-consumerprotection-amendment-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6075675-a22b630a24a1c029b4854c690eb36eeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775721580&Signature=Bo7gIm7zARGuVdve1mQK4mLY1QAzeoV6dQJP0lSobDYl9871hb5hyQOhHFtlRe5jL4Lnec05p8J6BKCo6SOY7ftsszUHfdO9GAhTO6Al3sKxpSKAyQVgDFsljShTg6h2VI70RwxENfrzuNK4wxDkU39zudVihs5ltoymKivYHdY1tzCOw-Zd-p6VDU7hBjI2mTzrIX2B8s3QNJSNfOUurBqZgTeo~Vv5--PXxd5sH0tmgUZxxcgJ3o~xaQibGwOxAwry0Fl730JPiq~T1OoyaxyZGghPPT3PdS56Mw0nL~KN440LAFbe5s7YPMNCIF4FNz9dq5~0OoC~Vx0uKQmSJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Indiana Senate on April 10, 2025, approved an amendment deleting language that would have let utilities recover development and preconstruction costs for small modular reactors (SMRs) and rejected a separate consumer‑protection amendment that would have required third‑party affordability analysis, caps on rate increases and explicit protections for low‑income households.

Supporters of the consumer‑protection amendment, offered by Senator J.D. Yoder, said the changes were narrow, targeted and intended to ensure ratepayers would not shoulder unexpected costs. \"This amendment does 3 critical things and it deals with transparency, affordability, and equity,\" Yoder said. He described requirements for utilities to include year‑by‑year rate‑payer impacts in project proposals, a third‑party affordability analysis, a prohibition on rate increases over 5% without a mitigation plan, and measures to protect low‑income Hoosiers. \"This amendment doesn't stop development. It doesn't block innovation. It simply demands that those profiting from Indiana's energy future also share in the responsibility to protect the people who power this state,\" Yoder said.

Senator Eric Cook urged defeat of Yoder's amendment, saying much of the language duplicated protections already in the bill or in statute. \"With respect to the affordability analysis in code already at IC 8‑1‑1.1‑6.1, the IURC already has an expert witness fund available for cases,\" Cook said, urging senators to rely on existing procedures at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Cook also framed the bill as an incentive to attract manufacturers and jobs: \"This isn't utilities. These are manufacturers of SMRs ... those jobs have an average salary of a hundred thousand dollars a year.\"

The Senate approved an amendment (Amendment 6) that \"deletes from the bill language concerning cost recovery for development and preconstruction costs for SMRs.\" That motion was presented by Senator Cook and carried by voice vote; the clerk then placed the bill on engrossment after subsequent amendment activity concluded.

On the roll call for Senator Yoder's consumer‑protection amendment, the clerk recorded 11 ayes and 35 noes; the amendment failed. Senator Hunter Hundley later offered an amendment to cap tax credits awarded under the bill at $10,000,000 per year; Senator Hundley argued for a fiscal restraint and compared the proposed open credits to a \"blank check.\" Senator Cook and others argued a cap would undermine the incentive. The Hundley cap amendment was defeated by voice vote.

The bill's sponsors said the measure already included multiple customer protections spread across several sections and noted the IURC's statutory authority; opponents said the consumer‑protection amendment added requirements not necessary or duplicative of existing law.

The Senate ordered the bill to engrossment after the amendment process concluded.

Votes at a glance: Amendment deleting cost‑recovery language (Amendment 6) — adopted (voice vote). Amendment adding transparency/affordability/equity requirements (Amendment 5, Yoder) — failed (roll call 11 ayes, 35 noes). Amendment capping tax credits at $10,000,000 (Amendment 2, Hundley) — failed (voice vote). The underlying bill was ordered to engrossment.

The bill summary, and the points raised in debate, center on balancing economic development incentives for SMR manufacturers with protections for electricity ratepayers. Sponsors said incentives are \"but‑for\" (paid only if income is generated); critics pushed for clearer, enforceable consumer protections and limits on incentives.

The Senate will take up third reading and any further conference actions in subsequent days.

","The Indiana Senate amended House Bill 1007 on April 10, 2025, deleting a provision that would allow utilities to recover development and preconstruction costs for small modular reactors. A later amendment that would have added transparency, affordability and equity requirements for ratepayers failed on a roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves human‑trafficking awareness posting, rejects multiple FSSA funding amendments and adds sunset for pathways providers

Senate narrows party caucus rules; amendment lets county chairs appoint precinct committeemen who may vote in caucuses

Senate removes SMR cost‑recovery language; consumer‑protection amendment fails