Committee moves DWD agency bill to appropriations after clarifying amendment; bill largely codifies existing rules

The committee advanced Senate Bill 214 after Senator Gaskell described the measure as an agency bill to move Department of Workforce Development (DWD) administrative rules into Indiana code, largely by transferring existing rule text and not changing substantive policy.

Senator Gaskell said roughly "98%" of the bill is cut‑and‑paste from administrative code into Indiana code and that differences are minor definitional clarifications rather than policy shifts. The committee considered Amendment 1, which removes supplemental unemployment insurance payments from the definition of remuneration and requires that parties requesting hearings include either a copy of the determination being appealed or the determination's ID number.

Sarah from DWD told the committee the bill is in response to Executive Order 25‑17, directing agencies to reduce regulatory burdens and to codify long‑standing rules that have not changed substantially. She explained that because not all claimants have access to printing, the amendment allows submission of a determination ID number rather than a physical copy.

The committee moved SB 214 as amended and the clerk recorded a 9‑0 vote; the bill was recommitted to appropriations for review of any fiscal implications.

Senators thanked DWD staff for the review and said they expect the bill to move forward with minimal disruption to standard procedures.