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An overview of the 2015 legislative session and what the 2016 session may bring were topics of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd House Wrap Up session this morning. Reps. Dave Wolkins and Curt Nisly were the only two legislatures able to attend.

“An awful lot was going on,” stated Wolkins, who stated 1,258 bills were introduced but only 250 made it to law, including a number of bills becoming law not signed by Gov. Mike Pence. Wolkins briefly highlighted a number of bills, elaborating on the Common Construction Wage Law. He also expanded on two laws that received little publicity.

He stated police officers now have the authority to ticket or arrest a motorist in the left hand lane of a dual lane highway, who is impeding traffic. Another law is banning mirco-beads in products sold in Indiana. These beads, he stated, are not biodegradable and are being found in fish. This will go into effect in 2017. “Crest, the biggest user, is already planning to do away with using the micro-beads.”

He also spoke on the change in the superintendent of public instruction position, gambling law, annexation change, e-liquid regulations, nursing home moratorium and repeal of firefighters serving on town councils,

Nisly, who joked Wolkins had covered everything, spoke briefly on the budget and it focusing on education. Two-thirds of the budget went to education with $16 billion going to kindergarten through 12 education. “Most of the schools in our district will feel the positive effects of that.” He spoke of the two bills he co-sponsored: the short barrel shotgun ban, which passed and the religious freedom restoration act. “It was miss-characterized by both sides, what it was doing or trying to do. I’m still convinced it was a good bill,” he stated further explaining the bill and how it was telling the courts what to do and why it was necessary. He added he was against the fix.

Lessons learned from the RFRA were also addressed at the close of the morning event. Both noted there will be the same battle again next year. Nisly stated the legislators saw the “fix” for the first time, two hours before the vote.” It was noted the fix came from the business community of Indianapolis.

Wolkins stated the power of social media was evident as those legislators who owned businesses were hit with repercussions and ultimately changed their mind, favoring the fix. Noting Arkansas was working on a similar bill, but Indiana acted faster made the state the target, “We are in trouble whatever we do,” he stated.

Questions were fielded by the public ranging from teacher rewards; if there was legislation helping to offset the medical device tax, which did not get out of committee; and ways to restrict how bills are introduced.

Wolkins asked for input on the new Indiana Department of Transportation flashing yellow left turn lights installed on US 30, following two accidents at US 30 and Silveous Crossing. He noted the lights were not a legislative act, but an INDOT decision. Jason McSherry stated he believed the lights had potential but education needed to be stepped up. Dan Wolcott noted the dilemma is the stack up of vehicles in the left turn lanes blocking the view of any oncoming traffic. “You can’t see … will end up with a death.”

Wolkins and Nisly both commented on reduction of bills being introduced. The house does have a limit for its members: 10 bills per legislature during the long session and five during the short session. It was stated legislators are not encouraged or required to submit legislation, however the general feeling is if “we’re not passing bills, we’re not being a good legislator.”

Mark Dobson, chamber executive director, directed discussion towards the 2016 legislative session, which has been noted will deal with infrastructure. Waterway protection and crumbling roads were the topics. Increasing the gas tax, a mileage tax, tax on tires were noted.

Wolkins applauded Kosciusko County on imposing a wheel tax, even though it is still debate and discussion. Nisly stated there is a need to eliminate the fuel tax as many vehicles are now using alternative fuels or electric. Both legislator’s noted the need for means to include electric vehicles to help pay for road repairs.

Topics of the summer study sessions were briefly questioned. Wolkins noted topics will be announced May 28.