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Ways and Means advances government-reduction bill after concessions on board mergers and egg-board funding
Summary
HB 103, a broad government reduction and boards-and-commissions bill, passed the committee 13–6 after members adopted amendments preserving separate therapist boards and taking a state-chemist provision by consent; members raised concerns about moving egg-board funds to the general fund.
Representative Bartels presented HB 103 as a government-reduction bill to streamline boards and commissions and make targeted mergers and cleanup changes. He said staff would continue to work with stakeholders and the Senate on licensure and board consolidation items, including medical licensing consolidation and tweaks to the professional-sports development commission.
The committee adopted an amendment (by consent) to keep the state chemist positioned at Purdue University rather than moving it into the Department of Agriculture or another office, with members citing fiscal considerations. Representative Campbell offered and the committee accepted an amendment to remove a planned merger of occupational therapists, physical therapists and athletic trainers, after stakeholders and state committees asked to remain separate for now.
Representative Claire raised concerns about eliminating the egg board at Purdue and moving its responsibilities and inspection fees to the Board of Animal Health and the general fund; Bartels said employees and duties would remain but acknowledged opponents’ concerns that egg-safety funding could be subject to general-fund pressures moving forward.
After recorded explanations and several members reserving final floor judgment, the committee voted to pass HB 103 out by a 13–6 vote. Several members who voted no explained they want further amendment or are concerned about impacts on specific commissions.
The bill will proceed to the floor; committee members asked that staff and sponsors continue stakeholder engagement and that fiscal impacts be clarified in subsequent drafting.
