Committee hears technical cleanup requests for innovation development district statute; sponsor holds bill for revision

Senate Bill 494 would impose parameters on newly designated innovation development districts including minimum private investment thresholds, caps on state capture of project value, and a requirement that an AAU‑designated university (IU, Purdue or Notre Dame) participate and invest at least $25 million of non‑state funding in a project.

Rhonda Cook of Ledges Group Public Affairs, representing the Hancock County Commissioners, told the committee that as local officials used the statute they found drafting ambiguities that require cleanup. She noted the bill repeatedly uses the term "executive"; in the county code the term "executive" is treated differently for county commissioners (it can mean the president of the board), which could unintentionally permit unilateral action by a single commissioner. Cook recommended clarifying whether board action or a single executive acts in specific sections and moving effective‑date language into the specific sections for clarity.

The sponsor acknowledged the questions and said he would hold the bill to address drafting changes; the committee did not advance SB 494 that day. The sponsor said some language may reappear in later drafts after technical fixes.

No roll call occurred; stakeholders asked for time to work on drafting details before the bill is rescheduled.