The 2023 Legislative Session Recap

 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Reform

• SB 265 TANF Eligibility passed! It increases benefits, gradually moves eligibility up to 50% of the federal poverty level, eliminates family caps, and makes pregnant women with no other dependents eligible. 

Jessica Fraser with bill author, Senator Jon Ford

Erin Macey testifying in support of SB 265 in the House

Jessica Fraser with bill sponsor, Representative Ed Clere

Access to Degrees and Credentials

• HB 1160 Workforce Development Pilot Programs passed! This allows state higher education institutions to create navigator and student support programs to address needs like housing, childcare, and transportation. It also allows FSSA to establish a workforce training program for individuals with disabilities who wish to enter manufacturing.

Jessica Fraser testifying in favor of HB 1160

Kathy Williams testifying in favor of HB 1160

Jessica Fraser testifying in favor of HB 1160

End Predatory Lending

• HB 1547 Finance Charges for Supervised Loans, which dramatically increased the allowable interest rates for larger installment loans, was quickly defeated thanks to advocates like our Senior Policy Analyst, Andy Nielsen, testifying and meeting with legislators. It did not make it past the first reading the House Committee on Financial Institutions.

• SB 35 Financial Literacy requires all Indiana students graduating high school in the year 2028 and beyond to complete a financial literacy course. This has been a long-time Assets & Opportunity Network priority and will help Hoosiers avoid predatory financial products!

• SB 452 Consumer Credit and Financial Institutions contained an amendment giving banks and credit unions the ability to "change, amend, alter, add, or remove any term in a contract or agreement with a depositor at any time." This amendment was in response to an Indiana Supreme Court decision siding unanimously with consumers after STAR Financial Group tried to dodge a fee-related lawsuit by slipping an arbitration clause and class action ban into the final pages of the couple's monthly e-statement. Erin Macey and Vess Miller, a consumer law attorney, spoke in the conference committee on this bill. This amendment language was removed.

Tax Policies to Improve Livelihood

• HB 1290 Earned Income Tax Credit recoupled the state EITC to the federal EITC (this Twitter thread gives a good run down of why that's important) and increased the credit from 10% to 12%. It did not advance in the Senate but thanks to the dogged advocacy of many human services and community groups, recoupling was added to the state budget.

Andy Nielsen speaking with Senator Holdman about the EITC

Erin Macey speaking with Senator Mishler about the EITC

Andy Nielsen testifying in favor of HB 1290 in the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy

Andy Nielsen testifying in favor of HB 1290 in the House Committee on Ways and Means

Other Policy Priorities

While we weren't as active on these policy priorities, many others helped moved the ball forward on:

• Mental health services 
• Programs and services that reduce homelessness 
• Accessible and affordable childcare

Advocacy to improve the lives of Hoosiers is definitely a team effort!

To All Advocates:

Thank you for your dedication to making Hoosier lives better! Your commitment to the people of Indiana is truly noticed and the difference you make will be felt in homes and communities all across the state. We are so appreciative of your tireless efforts to make Indiana better for all.